The Chemic Tavern, Leeds

Lurking in an area of almost all Victorian terraces with some redevelopment towards the city centre, it's a bit off the beaten track but fairly well known in Leeds. Nice stone built exterior with a modern (1960’s) interior with some updating. On entering there's a lounge bar one way and a function room to the other. Four pulls in each bar, probably the same beers on each but there was a party on in the function room complete with a turn so I couldn’t check. One cider and three ales, a Fullers special, Taylor’s Landlord and Hobgoblin on the stumps. Fairly full of eccentric locals on my Saturday afternoon visit. A decent locals pub but I’ve no idea what the fuss is about unless big changes have happened unnoticed by Leeds' drinking gurus. Some scoffing of fish and chips from the next door chippy was occurring. Fun fact: overheard a lady claim she couldn’t get off Facebook as her spirit guide wouldn’t let her.

One of the few backstreet pubs left in the area, but a bit of a gem in its own - understated - way. Retains a two-bar layout, with a pleasantly traditional main front room full of good-natured conversation and it looked like a folk music sing-song had just finished as I arrived. Several groups of various ages were unselfconsciously playing chess and other board games, and the smaller rear room was also being set up for a louder kind of music later on. Decent selection of five real ales and a cider split between six handpumps on the two counters, and my pint of Leeds Summer Ale was spot on.

Official site of The Chemic Tavern - www.thechemictavern.co.uk

Official site of The Chemic Tavern - www.thechemictavern.co.uk

Well worth a visit. Several real ales on and no music or TVs, plus plenty of copies of newspapers dotted about. In this area of Leeds it is a real surprise to find somewhere that looks like it has been relocated from 20 away in the Dales. Two rooms - the bar is a narrow, almost corridor like room with a bench of seating. The back room plays host to Open Mic nights, with all sorts of entertainment once a week (Thursdays). There are also gigs. Outdoor seating is useful for the couple of weeks when Yorkshire weather relents, otherwise a very cosy venue that deserves a trip out from Leeds.