Templar Hotel, Leeds

A lively city centre boozer, with eight hand pumps on the go. Beers are listed on a white board behind the bar, which is a dark wood classic of its kind. The walls are wood panelled and there are upholstered bench seating and tiled fireplaces, with racing on TV. In short, everything a pub should be. Date of visit: 23rd November 2015

This large street corner pub has an impressive exterior which betrays previous allegiances to both Tetley's and the now defunct Melbourne Brewery. The pub has been under threat for some time due to the development of the nearby Eastgate complex and a vociferous campaign has been mounted to prevent the city losing one of its more characterful pubs. The interior is divided into two main sections either side of the servery which is located mid way along the right hand wall. The front area, which I believe has been opened out from its original layout, is carpeted and has banquette and low stool seating, some of which is partitioned by small stained glass screens. The servery also has some nice stained glass in its canopy, as do some of the attractive windows. A great many jugs, plates and other ceramics were displayed around the room which also had several screens showing sports, including horse racing, whilst music played in the background. The rear room has some wonderful original wood panelling, curved banquettes with their original bell pushes and a nice red tiled fireplace on the end wall, as well as another TV screen and a dartboard. Some customers here were playing traditional board games and others were good humoured when the full PuG party attempted a complex group photo routine. A board behind the bar listed the ale range, which on our visit comprised Tetley's Cask, Bradfield Farmer's Blonde, Ilkley Gold, Kirkstall Three Swords (£2.89), Copper Dragon Black Gold, Thwaites Wainwright and Bridestones Dark Mild. The Three Swords was a fantastic pint and good value as well and I also had time for a pint of the Dark Mild which was also on top form. The staff were all very friendly, as were the old boys propping up the bar who were good for a bit of banter. This is the sort of pub I love spending time in and if the PuG crawlers had decided to spend the rest of the evening in here, I wouldn't have complained. One of my favourites from a couple of long weekends in Leeds and near the top of the list for a revisit.

The Templar is a long thin pub that was pretty busy during my recent late Friday afternoon visit, but the long bar and pub size is well equipped to handle plenty of customers. The bar is located along the front right hand wall and it faces some booth seating that runs along the left. At the rear are a separate seating area and a dartboard. There was some low background music playing and plasma screens found throughout were showing muted horse racing. The bar is stocked with a standard draught range and I counted nine hand pumps I liked it in here and thought that the friendly locals added to the good atmosphere. I would gladly return.