Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Poll for date of Halifax crawl. with ROBCamra
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar, Leeds
Leeds
LS1 6HB
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
I lived in Leeds from 1985 to 1997; my daughters were both born in this city and we often used to come here after doing our shopping in Kirkgate Market. I always liked the fact that it was not only a unique and wonderful pub, with a yard in which it was possible for the kids to have their coke and a packet of crisps, but it also had a unique and wonderful name: Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar. The interior was wonderful too, though of course if they were sitting outside then so was I. The yard is a bit more presentable these days - a benefit of the Covid restrictions - but I drank my beer inside as it was quite busy at around 7pm, but quieter indoors. A massive choice of 10 or so hand pumps, and it was good to see the bar staff dealing in a friendly and helpful way with enquiries from what were obviously first time customers. It's usually said that this pub is hard to find, though with a map on every phone that no longer applies, and this is now a bit of a tourist attraction. My half of Elland 1872 Porter was as good as I can remember - I had several bottles at home during the second lockdown, but this is my first from the cask in about three years. I'll have to come back soon, and if the 1872 is not a regular there's always Old Peculier.
On 10th June 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3740 recommendations about 3477 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
Covid Special
No entry without details here, booking is obviously desirable, conducted to table as it’s table service /card only, quiet on my visit but still slowish service.
On 1st September 2020
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
Lovely preserved interior that has been described a trillion times already, nice atmosphere and about seven or eight ales on with a variety of styles. abrupt service though - not my fault if you don’t know which pump is dispensing the beer i asked for. The £2.20 i shelled out for a half was just about worth it to drink in here.
On 21st September 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
Very hard to find, even when you know where it is! Who would have a thought an alley next to a Virgin Money shop could reveal such a gem.
1715 building and an interior from 1895. Narrow bar, rarely a chance to sit but I found myself ordering food in the dining area towards the end.
TT landlord in great condition. Pie, with a thick suet crust that would have defeated someone less hungry, was an experience.
A classic pub that must be found out if in Leeds.
Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2GIt0cz
On 13th February 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
Just a quick update on the beers in this Leeds institution: two Theakstons on the 3 pull opposite the door, three Saltaires on the next 4 pull - a remnant of a tap takeover this week - and a selection on the last 2 pulls being a local from Ridgeside and a reasonably priced London import from Five Points - 5.4% brown for £4.20 in decent nick which isn't bad for here.
On 10th November 2018
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Davey left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
An 11:30am Saturday visit saw the pub with a few people in and the chance to have a good look round. Decent range of brews on the bar, which looked freshly polished and ready to go. I can't comment on the prices as I was part of a whip, but the beer was on top form. Nice staff, decent atmosphere, well worth a visit. I'm sure that Trainman will elaborate...
On 17th January 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
A nice pub situated down a side alleyway and by God is it expensive. There are 8 handpumps dispensing some interesting beers and all jaw-droppingly expensive. There are several taps for crafty and generic beers. The pub is lovely and ornate but sadly my vision was blurred due to the prices bringing tears to my eyes. An 8 for the look of the pub but reduced down to a 4 for the rip off prices.
On 7th April 2017
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alex Conway left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
Whitelocks is a Leeds Institution and is regarded as the best of the four alleyway pubs of Briggate. The outside has been retained in a great old traditional style. The pub is long and thin with the bar along the back wall as you enter. The pub has maintained its old fashioned perfectly and is a real treat to visit. Old carpets, Copper topped tables and rustic beams and fixtures give this place real character. Small tables and chairs/stools are along the left hand side of the pub and are like goldust, once you have one do not let it go as these are very sought after as this place is always packed. To the right is more of a dining area with a big food trade that has built up Over the last few years but there are only around 7/8 tables as space is limited here. Aside from the wonderful interior bee is the big selling point in here and punters are greeted with a plethora of hand pulls. Landlord (£3.90) , Old Peculiar, Ilkley Mary Jane (£3.60) and Theakston Best seem to be the permanent beers with the rest constantly Rotating. The only thing that was not entirely up my street was on my last visit all the guest beers seemed to be hoppy pales or strong hoppy ipa’s with high ABV. I had a pint of the landlord (ok, not top notch but pleasant) and Mary Jane (pretty good) but couldn’t get over the fact I was charged such high prices in such a traditional old school boozer such as this, £3.60 for a 3.5% beer I thought was really pushing it whereas you expect it from Taylors but it still stings. Overall an enjoyable experience was had in here and the great ambience that comes with it makes it instantly returnable. I would like to see a bit more variety of styles on my next visit but I think I was just a little unfortunate this time. Beer is usually of good/great quality it’s just a little annoying when they know they have something good to charge what I see as unwarranted prices. But if it’s always packed and people keep paying who can blame them. Worth a visit.
On 7th March 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 457 recommendations about 457 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
I visited Whitelocks on Saturday 9th January and found it clean and tidy with a great choice of well kept beers, still the best of the Briggate alley pubs by a long long way.
On 10th January 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
david hammill left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
not been in this fine old pub for quite a while and it was quite sad to see it in decline the place seemed dirty with brasses not polished the same with the mirrors not very clean and the beer was mediocre it could do with some TLC
On 15th December 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 96 recommendations about 86 pubs]