Garden Gate, Leedsback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
We were really looking forward to a lunchtime sesh in this classic Victorian pub which is a sole survivor in Hunslet. a decent choice of real ales from different breweries but one after the other was in poor or disgusting condition. And don't you hate it when you're told that's what it's supposed to taste like. I'd love to see the tasting notes if that were the case. Leeds Pale was the only enjoyable beer we had. This is a real tragedy and I hope we were just unlucky but in 40 years of drinking I've never taken four consecutive beers back to the bar.
|
Oh what would I do to move this pub into the centre, its almost perfect....
|
Even if you've never been in a pub and don't drink, go in here. Why aren't there more like this left? Awesome.
Five Leeds beers on the other day, the two we had were great. Hunslet's rough and the pub takes some finding (next door the the Job Centre, ironically), keep your head down if there's any sign of trouble. In fact just run for it.
Nevertheless a superb pub.
|
If this amazing pub was closer to the city it would be packed. A half hour walk along the drab A63 and through the equally drab 70's housing estate which surrounds it only makes the interior of the Garden Gate even more glorious and impressive. And it serves a decent pint of beer too! It deserves support so go out of your way and sample something really special.
|
Splendid Edwardian drinking palace that now stands alone around drab 70s housing schemes. Apaprently it was due to be demolished in 1972 but was rescued, and a good job too.
Although a fine building, It was toiling along recently under Tetley's auspices doing nothing special until Leeds brewery came in last year and introduced real ale and refurbished the place.
The glazed tile exterior is a sight to behold in itself, and inside does not disappoint either. A central corridor leads to several rooms, a front and back bar room to the left, and a snug and games room to the right. All of these are tiled and furnished in an utterly traditional manner. The front bar room has a real fire and a splendid mosaic bar, as well as fine wall tiling. You can read more about this on the CAMRA National Inventory, on which this pub is justifiably featured.
Leeds Pale and Leeds Best available on my visit, 2 pints of Best were in good form. The pub also does food.
As noted, the only real drawback is the area the pub is located in, which is thoroughly uninspiring. As such, it's necessary to turn this into a destination pub in itself because there are precious few reasons to come here. I hope that this can be done. The pub is easily accessible by bus from the city centre.
In architectural terms, probably one of the best in Yorkshire if not the country. Not to be missed if in Leeds.
|
Not sure where to start on this. Clearly still finding its feet just a few weeks after changing hands. The one beer I had (Leeds Best) was in good nick although a little cold. Fairly quiet at 2:30pm, with maybe around 6 or 7 people in. It seemed the pub closes from 3pm-5pm so I had the one and left, which I was a little disappointed about, as I'd have liked to stay for longer and relax, and chat to the barman and lady to see how things were going.
The area the pub is in unfortunately is pretty downtrodden despite being only half a mile southeast from Clarence Dock. I didn't see any trouble, but you saw the hints. Broken bottles, graffiti, but I didn't feel threatened. Still if you're coming here on an evening, I'd make it in a group.
How they will make this place a success I'm not sure. It is aleady a destination pub and just about walking distance from Leeds (10 minutes from the Grove if you know the way and aren't tardy), but they won't be able to just make a replica of the Midnight Bell, Pin and Brewery Tap and expect similar success. They'll have to go one step further. Regular nights, a wider selection of continental ales perhaps (like North Bar), or an amazing reputation for ale like the Kelham Island Tavern in Sheffield. Perhaps the best method would be to do what was done with Sinclair's Oyster Bar in Manchester and rebuild it in central Leeds somewhere! With it being highly unusual for a pub in having II* listed status, they may be able to persuade the council to put up some signs to the place.
|
Well the good news is that this fabulous pub has now been sold and hopefully Leeds Brewery will take very good care of it. The not so good news is that elements of dreaded 'contemporary' feel have already started to creep in. Anyway, the beer is now at last very drinkable and it's had a good clean and tidy, so everyone that loves this pub needs to get down there and encourage the new owners to restore it to its former Edwardian splendour and hopefully without any 'contemporary' touches - it is in Hunslet after all!!
|
This pub has a fantastically well preserved interior, which is well worth a visit. Unfortunately, it's not worth a visit for the beer. No real ale and, judging by my recent visit, no interest in cleaning the place. Rubbish was piled under the seats in one of the rooms, a broken window was covered with cardboard and sellotape in the bar. Sadly neglected, and in desperate need of TLC and enthusiasm.
|
splendid pub
to be Leeds Brewery? I hope they keep it original , a good example is what Oakham have done with the Bartons Arms in Birmingham
brisk - 24 Mar 2010 12:30 |
I am reliably informed that this absolutely classic Yorkshire pub has now been sold and the new owners will shortly be bringing it back to its former glory. My only hope is that in their enthusiasm they are not tempted to give it 'a contemporary feel' - all it needs is lots of TLC and utter respect for its heritage.
|
I am looking for a friend of mine who I am told runs a pub in Leeds but I don't know which one. I would love to surprise him with a visit so if anyone knows an Irishman named John Byrne and his wife Katherine who run a pub in Leeds could you please e mail me at [email protected] and let me know I would be very happy
|
One of the best pubs ive been in as interiors and architecture go, an absolute belter, shame about the lack of ale on offer tho. I believe it is for sale too which is quite worrying tho as its not in the best of areas. It was destined for demolition in the 70s but a local campaign saved the place ( would that happen now?) every time i go in it makes me wonder how many pubs have been lost like the garden gate down the years due to so called progress and slum clearances etc. A must for proper pub fanatics.
|
Splendid CAMRA National Inventory listed pub on the edge of a housing estate in Hunslet, a mile or so south east of Leeds City Centre ( buses available ) in what appears to be quite a working class area.
Its a Tetley Heritage Inn.
Of particular note is the splendid tiled corridor as you come in, off which there are 4 rooms. Note also the splendid etched glasswork.
Despite ( or perhaps because of ?) the landlords efforts to get a Monday night disco going, I was the only customer present for much of the early evening ( 10 November ). This did mean however that the landlord was able to give me a guided tour of the pub, pointing out all the interesting original features.
Tetleys handpulled bitter was not available on my visit, although I was assured that it usually was and that a delivery was expected on Wednesday.
Rather like the Vines in Liverpool, this is a pub where I regard the absence of real ale as a minor negative and not a reason for not visiting, although I suspect that many of the BITE regulars might not share this opinion.
People say that this is the most impressive decor-wise of the 6 CAMRA National Inventory pubs in the Leeds area. I've not done the Beech yet, so I'll refrain from commenting, but the Garden Gate is worth a visit if you're in to old-fashioned stunning pub interiors.
|
The interior of this pub is unchanged for the last 100 years. Only concession to the 21st century is the TV. No hand pulled beer but worth a visit for the decor
|
If you are a lover of good, old-fashioned architecture,inside and out, this is the pub for you. Teasingly hidden within a housing development, it is a breathtaking gem, a symphony of tiling and etched glass,fine mirrors and delightful fireplaces. It is virtually as built. No wonder that it is on CAMRA's National Inventory of Outstanding Pub Interiors. Only one real ale - Tetley Bitter - but the beer isn't the main attraction here.
|
|
