please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Visited a couple of weeks. Good as ever and great pint of Old Peculier.
Theakston's,Sam Smith's,Timothy Taylor's. Three great Yorkshire breweries.
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Theakstons Old Peculier is a regular here and a great pint too.
On a rainy Wednesday afternoon it was a nice pub for the first pint of the day in Leeds. I had completely forgotten that the gents are outside across the yard so it was a quick dash across and back.
Still has a pub piano real old time "Joanna".
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nice spit and sawdust type booze house. Many real ales but not overly exciting. Used to love this spot but a little mundane now. Still goood live music though
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Friendly landlord. Somewhat mundane beer. Worth visiting if you're on a Leeds crawl, but only for a swift one.
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This pub is a favourite of mine when drinking in Leeds. Always has a good selection of ales. Has changed hands a few times in recent years but quality has remained consistant. Always at least a couple of dark ales on offer which gets a favourable report from me. I tried the Hazelnut Porter and Saltaire Blond and both were well kept.
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Good pub for variety of real ale all well kept. Music free and frequent (thurs - sun mainly). Big problem with prices though ! As dear if not dearer than most pubs in centre and the Ritz it ain't.
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Long may a pub like this live. Great selection of ales and a live music venue. all sorts of people in here on a saturday afternoon, long time booze hounds, ladies that shop and like a tipple. Friendly staff as well. Next time I'm in leeds this will definitely be on the crawl list.
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Well as a rocker its awesome to see a real pub with real music.
I've only been in twice now, there is a fine range of good ales, that seem to be changing alot much like spoons.
Havent spoken to anyone yet. Ive tried to strike up a conversation but people didnt seem that friendly but i'll just put that down to chance.
Otherwise it has a lot of Rock icons painted onto the wall, and many magazine montages on their walls. They need more KISS and less stones lol.
Didnt know they play dnd there. Nice pub, good beer, great music, clean toilets, nice decor, overall nice place and IF you happen to use the megabus STOP is literally across the road.
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Basic pub, largely set out for live music & walls adorned with concert billings and music memorabilia. 8 ales from Leeds, Ossett, Ridgeside & Northumberland Breweries when I visited as well as Theakstons, Batemans & Greene King. Beer in good condition. Well worth a visit.
foamy - 25 Mar 2011 11:27 |
Echoing the last review slightly.
Spent an afternoon discovering some of the "trendier" real ale pubs in Leeds
i.e..Mr Foleys and A Nation Of Shopkeepers.
However you simply can't beat this gem of a pub , tucked away behind the
Corn Exchange. Fantastic well kept ale , full of "characters" and decent live music.
Keep it up guys.
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After walking around Leeds superb traditional markets,this old time boozer is just the place to pop in and drink a pint of Theakstons Old Peculier,always in stock.For those interested the urinals in the gents are of the old full height style.Long may Leeds markets,Theakstons and the Duck and Drake survive.
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Nice to see a pub formerly owned by the real ale TFC pub group back to it's best. A real mecca for real ale and live music fans alike. On the live music front they have a jam night on a Tuesday, new band night on a Wednesday and live bands every Thursday, Friday, Saturday (usually around 21:00) and Sunday (usually around 18:00) all performing on a purpose built stage area with lighting. The bar staff are efficient, polite and on the whole very good looking and serve an ever changing list of around 8 real ales. Yes the prices do keep creeping up (but it is still cheaper than it's near neighbour the Palace) and yes sometimes the music is a tad too loud but this is definitely one of the pubs you must visit before you die!!
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Thia pub is protected by a cast iron Victorian railway bridge with 16 egos - each girder is, in fact, an ego. The view of the underside of this bridge from the font bar constitutes, in my opinion, the best view from any pub window in England ! And this, gentle reader, is why, if there ever is any trouble in the Duck & Drake, it only ever kicks off at the side of the pub, rather than out front ! And - furthermore - if the bogs are blocked you can always nip round the corner and piss on the Ice House. It's only yuppies after all... More importantly, the beer's back on form... Cheers !
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Still amazing beer, its location holds it back but don't let it dissuade you. Not many places do as good a pint as this one.
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This pub really is taking off under new management - the choice of beer is superb and the staff are warm and friendly. It's great that our fears proved unfounded when it became neglected and boarded up last year. The only major change seems to be on the food side - they used to do great home made sandwiches.
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Wonderful old style boozer, had a cracking few pints in here a couple of months ago. Friendly staff and punters, also seems to be some local bands on at the weekend. I don't go here often enough really.
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I was in the duck and drake last night for the first time since january, and was very pleased, the pub has had a good clean up but thankfully kept its old fashioned style, it was very busy which is encouraging. Im sure this pub has one of the biggest choices of real ale in leeds, i cant think of many that offer more apart from the terrible wetherspoons, old peculier was of top form, great to see a good old pub fighting back against the horrendous wine bars.
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Just been to the D&D for first time in ages after being a regular for years. It's back on form after a serious lull. New landlady, decent hand pull ales on again and live music. Happy days!
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Pleased to report that the Duck and Drake reopened on Friday 7th August with no noticeable changes by all accounts! Happy news for once!
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Pub closed and boarded up at 15th July 2009 - all furniture and pumps have been removed. Rumour has it, that the pub will reopen but not as a real ale house. A sad end to a Leeds institution.
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Late review from November. Passing this pub and thought we would go in as I had heard there were decent ales here. Basic style pub, but the Milton and Old Mill beers were OK.
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It used to be an excellent pub, but as other reviewers point out, it's often nearly empty. Beer is much too expensive for the style of pub (basic, spit-and-sawdust boozer).
I have a strong suspicion that the owner is deliberately trying to run it into the grounds, in order to get planning consent to convert it to apartments or something (anyone remember the Mabgate - Leeds Council planning department must be pretty thick!)
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A long-established alehouse where nothing seems to change. The vee-shaped bar with its wood panelled back seating around the walls and two solitary elevated tables for the stand up drinker. The lounge is a little less spartan probably because the seat backs are upholstered! Both rooms sport a proper fire. Located just behind the famous market hall, the beer range justifies a visit and my pint of Shardlow Narrowboat was fine.
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Large, basic, music-orientated pub close to the City Centre with a rather down-at-heel spartan feel to it.
The pub advertises itself as "Leeds most extensive range of quality cask ales", which based on my recent visit may well be true. Amongst the dozen or so on offer were Brakspears, Youngs, Old Mill and Orkney - not beers one often encounters up north.
There was a noticeable lack of real ale being sold during my visit and I strongly suspect they simply have too many different beers on. Previous comments bear would seem to support this and I notice that the pub doesn't ever seem to make the CAMRA Good Beer Guide nowadays.
Having said that, my pint of Landlord was reasonable, so the jury's out on the beer front as far as I'm concerned, but I didn't see much else to draw me back here again.
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This is potentially a good pub and I can see why people come here. It's a bit tired, but it's unique. There was a landlady in there called Tracie who would swear, annoy all the customers and generally drive out trade. If there is a short woman with a mouth on it, then that is her. In which case, avoid it! Apart from that, there is excellent music there provided by a guy called Nigel and bar staff that have been working there 20 years or more who know their stuff.
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The Drake is a tricky one. Great selection of ales, however not the cheapest place to drink. Good in daytime for a quiet pint with your paper. However, in the evening a more 'lively' crowd descend. Bar staff are a little slow and the pie and peas can be bought cheaper in the market. If you want to step back in time to the 1950's but pay 2008 prices then this is the place for you.
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Sadly a shadow of it's former self. The sandwiches were legend. The staff are not really committed to service or serving a good pint. Better places to drink are not too far away. OK if you need a drink and you've got your dog with you.
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THIS IS THE ONLY CITY CENTRE PUB YOU CAN TAKE YOUR DOG IN! (As the rest all do food).
They are welcomming to dogs, and have friendly staff.
It is a little pricey, not fancy in anyway. Sadly they have swapped the juke box for one of those modern computer ones that cost a �1 a tune!
Do have a good range of real ales, but only one real cider.
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Have to agree, the beer was very poor, they need to halve the amount of ales and keep the quality. I took an ale back but they claimed the beer "tastes like that". A pint of vinegar? Rubbish. Also really quite expensive. The place remains the same so lets hope we dont lose this great Leeds institution when it becomes unviable, or is that the idea?
brisk - 23 Aug 2007 13:09 |
I was in there for the first time on Saturday night and it was very quiet, although seemed much busier when I went past the following afternoon with a live band playing.
Pub itself is a classic old boozer, interior looks much as it must have done throughout the past 100 years. I tried two of the nine ales on offer, both of which were served in good nick.
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i was in the duck & drake again saturday night, and a member of staff. confirmed the pub is now up for sale, not suprising really, as they're was just 13 people in saturday night. lets hope whoever the buyer is, they can make this once great pub, rise up from the ashes again.
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To add to the 'D&D's woes, I have to agree with 'birstallblue' and 'leedspenguin'.I used to drink here regularly, some years ago, when I lived in Leeds and the Duck was THE pub for real ale in the city.
Out of curiosity I called in on a lunchtime a couple of weeks ago and was stunned by its decline.Yes, it's always been a basic pub but it used to have a vitality and buzz about it. From what I saw it looks to be dying on its arse.
I had to ask for my pint of Boon's 'Classic Blonde' to be topped up twice and when I finally tasted it, it was far from fresh. I was also disappointed by the number of ales on offer.
I also tried the nearby 'Palace' whilst in the area and found the beer far superior on my visit.If in that part of Leeds I'd recommend you do the same.
A great shame.
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to concur with the last post about this pub, for me its been poor for a couple of years now, ever changing management with no commitment to real ale. the beer standard for me is poor, i have left quite a few beers in there recently. i have been told they have sacked jim, and long time barman / cellarman shaun, is seriously considering leaving. things just cant get any worse there at the minute.
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I've been using this pub for years but sadly it is just a shadow of its former self.The range of real ales is getting smaller and the building is in desperate need of a once over without ruining the character of the place.It was also renowned for having a continuity of barstaff ie 3 of them serving 16 years plus each but that is no longer the case.Lets hope it gets back to its former glory soon.Beer still generally good and free live music excellent
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Cracking stuff - certainly the biggest range of real ales I found in Leeds. Just a pity there aren't more pubs like it in the town centre.
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Truly great pub-has remained such in the 20 odd years since I first was taken there. In today post-cricket, beers superb as always.
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A Proper Boozer, Fantastic choice of well kept Real Ales, Welcoming friendly Bar staff
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Whilst I agree with the comments regarding the beer & live music, but after returning to Leeds after 12yrs away it was a bit like visiting an old friend who is terminally ill. I love the D&D & the spirit is still there but outwardly the place is in need of some TLC especially as Leeds centre is becoming a real-ale desert.
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Great spot. Followed up recommendations from this site and the GBG 2007 and decided to meet a friend here when I was visiting Leeds for work in April 2007. Sat in the public bar. A great selection of ales on tap. I tried four of them, including a nice porter called 'Ace of Spades' from the Ossett Brewery near Wakefield. Had a very amusing conversation with a very 'jolly' bloke who explained to me how the bumble bee was the answer to the malaria pandemic in sub-Saharan African...powerful stuff. Tasty pork scratchings.
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My local in Leeds when I lived there for a year in 2006. Leeds' original ale house is still going strong. Great venue for live music, friendly bar staff and top quality real ale.
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As previous posts suggest, this is a proper pub. The beer was excellent and the staff friendly and hard-working. Not to be missed.
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It's certainly one of my favourite pubs in the centre of Leeds. Unpretentious with no frills but the beer is always excellent and the food nutritious. There's not many pubs like this left so I advise you pay a visit before it's too late!
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LUVIT!!...Been coming here off n on for 20 years & its one of the few pubs I can say that hasn`t changed!! Years ago it was an oasis in Leeds to the great Tetley desert!....Now with various brews breaking into Leeds -at various boozers- its good to see it holds its own with the variety & quality of its brews (& its back to basics image)...also handy for trhe National buses!
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A delightful oasis amongst the cafes and wine bars of Central Leeds. A basic atmosphere with great beer. The lunchtime salami sandwiches are a real treat! If you are in Leeds and you want to drink beer, rather than pose, this is the place to go!
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Has been an out post of decent beer for many years. Basic pub but good atmosphere. Look out for some interesting bands
Paul - 12 Feb 2004 13:55 |
I recomend it.Its one of the last vestiges of a proper beer drinking pub unaffected by artificial trendiness of most other pubs in town. You could go in dressed as you like, noone would bat an eyelid. its a good laugh, unpretentious and sort of down to earth. Some odd balls use the pub but that's part of its spirit. Oh yes a good array of hand pulled real ale
Louie - 18 Nov 2003 23:49 |
Buy a pint of Old Peculiar in this pub, and it is like nothing you've ever tasted before. It tastes better here than in the pub at the brewery in Masham.
The pub boasts two rooms; the smaller, to the right, is a light, old blown vinyl decorated room of tables, chairs and benches; the larger, to the left, is darker, redder, with chairs, tables, and occasionally room for a good band - everything from jazz to indie. Very, very worthwhile.
Andy - 9 Jun 2003 15:45 |
Spit & sawdust pub in the city centre. Recently sold for in excess of a million pounds, less than 100 was spent on the decor inside. Fantastic rande of top quality real ale with around five guest ales on at any one time. My mate was club captain of the pub fottie team, who are not very good. Bags of character and friendly staff, I can't reccommend this pub any higher, it's simply the best pub in central Leeds.
Nipper - 10 Jun 2002 09:11 |
