The Cross Keys, Leeds

In ambiance the Cross Keys is very like its near neighbour the Midnight Bell but not quite so stylish, lots of exposed brickwork, light coloured ceiling beams, quarry tiles and a spiral staircase leading to an upstairs function room. This is named after James Watt, the Scottish engineer who worked mainly in Birmingham, not sure what his connection with Leeds is however. Two downstairs rooms, one a cosy bar the other a larger room with bench seating and tall stools beside a drinking shelf. There is also a patio or “sunny courtyard” which is very pleasant on a sunny afternoon. The rooms have plenty of seating on cream coloured leather benches and lots of short stools. Four handpulls in the two bars with a changing range of mainly Yorkshire microbrewery beers, Elland, and Roosters on my visit. The beer was slightly warm but still in good condition. Also on the bar; Erdingers, Lindeboom from the Netherlands and the super Kuppers Kolsch, plus a range of Belgian bottles. Although slightly less overtly foody than the Midnight Bell, unlike there the Cross Keys staff have more of a restaurant ethos but still work well.

Official site of the Crosskeys, includes menu and beer list - www.the-crosskeys.com

Official site of the Crosskeys, includes menu and beer list - www.the-crosskeys.com

Absolutely fabulous new pub in the re-generated Water Lane area of Holbeck. Based on two floors, top floor can be accessed via a spiral staircase. Vast range of foreign bottled beers and numerous beers on draft, many from local brewers.