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Adelphi, Leeds
Leeds
LS10 1JQ
Pub Type
Castle (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about Adelphi
seems to have improved a little since the last review, at least service was very good and friendly and beer range fairly good. the interior is beautiful though it all seemed a bit unwelcoming for the discerning drinker with vast swathes set up for dining. remains a must visit in Leeds but could be better. Lots of (seemingly) tourists were in so i guess its reputation remains.
On 21st September 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Adelphi
This impressive pub building seems to have lost its way as a pub, to judge by recent reviews and my visit in February last year (note to self: must try it again when the Rhinos are at home). There were seven hand pumps available at the time of my visit, three in one room (see photo) and the same three beers plus Roosters Yankee in the other. My half of Timothy Taylor Landlord was in poor condition, probably because of being dumped in the cellar and immediately put on the bar without having a chance to settle and develop. Is it just me, or does modern pop music just not work in a traditional pub interior? Certainly I found it jarring and unnecessary, but I'll call in again and hope for an improvement.
Date of visit: 8th February 2018
On 5th February 2019
- rating: 4
[User has posted 3746 recommendations about 3483 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Davey left this review about Adelphi
A Tetley Heritage Pub that doesn't sell Tetley?
The Adelphi is a fine old Victorian pile that is in superb condition, inside and out. On our visit, the only beers on were Leeds pale and Timbo's, along with a guest. We opted for the Leeds, but were served a sour offering, that went back to be swapped to an acceptable TT.
At 12:00 noon, The whole pub seemed to be set for a lunch time service, complete with table top menus and flowers, but we didn't see a single person eating. Maybe we were just too early but the whole place, although beautifully kept had absolutely no atmosphere, again, I have to report a bit of a let down.
On 17th January 2018
- rating: 6
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alex Conway left this review about Adelphi
Just over the river out of the main center of town is the large grand Victorian pub the Adelphi. I had wanted to visit here for a while, seeing it in many good beer guides and heritage books for its interior. the pub is very grand with numerous rooms full of tables and chairs and high seelings. one feature i didnt like was the rather cheap synthetic covers over the comfy bench seating that took some of the origional old charm away and made for a very tacky feel. Overall an architecturally very impressive building.
The main bar had five hand pumps with a further two round the smaller side bar in another room. On the smaller bar was Doombar (a regular beer) and one i failed to note. the main bar consisted of Fulllers Olivers island, Thwaites Wainwright, and two from harveston, old engine oil and bitter and twisted as well as another i cant remember, but strangely no local ale for a supposed real ale gem. The Olivers island was very expensive as other have said coming in at £3.75 for a 3.8% beer, very expensive for a Yorkshire city. sadly although kept very fresh this was far to warm and really had the temperature of a beer that had not been cooled in any way, quite disappointing.
Overall a bit of a let down of a pub, I was expecting so much more.There was no one else in on a Wednesday at 4:00 which does not surprise me judging by there cellar skills and pricing policy this really could be a fantastic pub that anyone would be thrilled to visit, sadly it was somewhat a disappointment.
On 10th March 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 457 recommendations about 457 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Adelphi
The Adelphi is a large Victorian pub that is split into a number of seating areas by ornate partitions and etched glass. To the left of the entrance is a seating area that is served by the bar which is also accessible from the foyer side where there is standing room only. To the right of the entrance is the old “smoking room’ that is now a seating area and to the right and left rear are another two seating areas. In the foyer stairs lead up to a function room that was closed during my recent Friday afternoon visit, but the barman informed us that it is used for overspill on busy Friday and Saturday evenings. Out the back is a small beer yard that has some covered seating for smokers. I didn’t spot any televisions and there was no background music playing.
The bar is stocked with premium draught products and I counted seven hand pumps around the bar. I went for a stout that was on good form, but I remember thinking that it was a bit pricey at £4 for a pint.
This was originally a hotel but apparently the floors above the function room are now derelict.
I liked it in here and would recommend any who hasn’t been to pop in and have a look.
QI: In 1908 the then governor was taken to court for allowing darts to be played in the pub. At the time darts was considered a game of chance and was banned from public houses. The governor requested that a dartboard be set up in the courtroom and he got his best player to throw at the board. It is reported that he hit three twenties, before the governor invited the court officials to have a go. None of them could hit the three twenties and the case was dismissed so darts was allowed to become a popular British sport, which it is still to this day.
On 17th December 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Adelphi
Crossing Leeds Bridge from North to South of the River Aire, you can't help but spot this imposing granite and brick pub with its impressive curved frontage. The pub dates back to 1901 and was the de-facto brewery tap for Tetley's whose former brewing plant can still be seen a little further down Hunslet Road. You enter through a small porch with glazed tile walls and a mosaic floor, setting the tone for the rest of the pub which retains plenty of original features. The interior is laid out around a central lobby which provides access to the bar and has three rooms leading off it as well as a grand staircase to the rear which takes you up to the first floor function rooms. The lobby area has a terrazzo floor and a spectacular dark wood servery with plenty of intricate glasswork. The main bar can be found in the front left hand room which has a long curved banquette which follows the curved shape of the building under the front windows. A large chandelier hangs above the similarly curved bar counter and there is a lot of original etched glass in both the front window and the partitioning wall at the rear of the room. The other front room is a large lounge with banquette and low stool seating and more excellent etched windows bearing the pub's name. A smart tiled fireplace was lit when we arrived and an unlit one could be found in the rear smoke room which was carpeted and had plenty of comfortable bench and chair seating as well as an attractive decorative frieze running around the room.
Four ales were available at the bar - Taylor Landlord, Leeds Pale and Gathering Storm and Ilkley Norseman. As others have mentioned, the drinks weren't exactly cheap, with the Leeds Pale setting me back £3.40, although I did feel I'd had a bit of a result when others reported the Norseman costing £4.00. It's a shame as it makes the pub feel more like an opportunistic tourist attraction than a proper boozer.
If you are interested in pub history and architecture, this is an essential port of call when in Leeds as it is virtually unrivalled in terms of its grandeur. The high prices might curtail thoughts of a longer session but I'd happily pop back to soak up more of the atmosphere.
On 14th December 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Adelphi
A fine example of a preserved Victorian interior and worth a visit for that alone. Fortunately as well there are usually some local ales on the available four pumps and TT Landlord, Ilkley brewery The Norseman and Pale and Storm from the Leeds brewery was the choice for our visit. The Leeds brewery beers were well kept and pleasantly supped in excellent surroundings.
In fact the only thing not right about this place is the pricing policy, as mentioned by others, and £4.00 a pint was even eye watering for a cockney..
On 8th December 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Adelphi
A Victorian classic with the small island bar serving three seperate rooms,the fourth is across the mosaic tiled corridor.A wealth of original features with etched glass and glazed tiling prominent,a shame the fire was only a coal affect gas job.The upstairs function room was closed but is available to hire and also provides overflow seating on Friday and Saturday nights.Owned by M&B,but not part of their Nicholsons chain,although it could easily be,there is a decent selection of real ale,my Leeds Gathering Storm was in fine nick.The friendly barman was a font of knowledge about Leeds pubs and told us about a secret tunnel at The Victoria leading the the law courts,blocked up these days.
My only reservation was about pricing ,with pints at £4 which is steep even by London standards.No CAMRA discount and I got stiffed for a round !However the pub really does warrant a visit,whether you would base yourself here for a session may depend on how flush you feel.
On 23rd November 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Adelphi
This is a large interesting pub with lots of etched glass screens, ornate timberwork and Victorian glazed tiles. The history of the pub is displayed in the main lobby across from the bar and dates from 1837. There was 4 ales on handpump, we went for the Leeds Pale, prices were on the steep side here.
On 23rd November 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The Adelphi
Interesting pub with beers served in the main bar area and also from a corridor. We chose 2 local beers, Leeds Gathering Storm and Ilkley Norseman and got a shock being asked for £4. I said they are London prices for a local brew and the barman just shrugged. The staff seemed friendly enough, and the beer quality couldn't be faulted. Forgot to explore the pub due to the price shock!
On 23rd November 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]