West Riding, Leeds

A long thin pub with three interconnected parts. There is light wood and imitation slate flooring in a front section furnished with tables and chairs. The counter takes up one side of the mid section with benches and chunky high tables and stools down the other. To the rear more seating. Big mirrors and artified pictures of Leeds form the decor and yes there's a trendy grey colour scheme and black lamp shades. Four handpumps bracketed by T-Bars carry a selection of local beers mainly of course from Leeds Brewery. The front and mid areas have big screens and there's constant music. Fairly busy with younger males on the Saturday lunchtime I called in. It's ok but not for me.

The West Riding is found just a stone’s throw from Leeds station and has a small frontage that belies a surprisingly large interior, albeit deep and narrow. The interior has the feel of three different areas, with the bar in the middle section. It’s mostly high ceilinged, vaguely art deco-ish in parts and for all the high windows and numerous mirrors is actually quite dark, probably not helped by the purple and dark red colour scheme. (I suspect the string of heavy ceiling lanterns were installed to try and address that.) Quite a variety of seating styles including wall settles, high tables and chairs and a couple of leather sofas. Four hand pumps at the bar, featuring WharfeBank ‘Tether Blonde’, Saltaire ‘Blonde’, Black Sheep Bitter and Leeds ‘Pale’ on this occasion. Quality was mixed, a cracking pint of Tether Blonde, followed by a rather tired Saltaire Blonde. Service from the young Irish barman was brisk and friendly. Atmosphere wise, I couldn’t quite weigh it up. Although it was beginning fill up with post work groups when I called, it was still all a little subdued and world-weary. Maybe it’s to do with the size and layout of the interior? With that in mind I’m not entirely sure how I feel about the place. However, its proximity to the station and the four pumps at the bar are probably enough to ensure a return visit. Sometimes, places just need a little time.