The Most Family-Friendly Pubs & Bars in Leeds

Just because you’ve got little ones in tow doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the city’s coolest haunts.

When you’ve got kids, it can be too easy to find yourself in places that are more about the little ones than they are the grown-ups and vice versa. But these family-friendly pubs and bars in Leeds welcome the whole gang, so you can enjoy a few drinks and rest assured the kids will be looked after too. We’re talking oodles of buggy space, kid-friendly eats and a few games here and there to make leaving the house fun. So, the next time you fancy a drink, why not bring the kids with you?

City centre

In the heart of the city and need a place to eat and drink with all the family? Look no further…

Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen

Belgrave’s doors are open to all, little ones included. This three-storey venue is so much more than a bar – it’s also one of the coolest family-friendly hangouts in Leeds. Forget boring pub snacks, the whole fam can gorge on Patty’s Burgers or Dough Boys pizza by the slice (they’re half price if you grab ‘em before 7pm) while you enjoy a few craft beers. Sit back with full bellies on the cosy sofas and spend quality time together. If you pop by during the monthly Belgrave Feast, they have a bunch of kid-centric craft workshops on too.

Belgrave Music Hall, 1-1A Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8JP.

Water Lane Boathouse

With views over the water, a cool, cosy feel and huge benches to huddle around, Water Lane Boathouse is a prime spot for the whole clan to gather and catch up with each other. Board games will help keep the little ones busy, giving you the chance to enjoy a drink or two. The bar is well-stocked with over 70 beers to choose from and plenty of options for a G&T. When hunger strikes, they’ve got you sorted with a menu packed full of family-friendly bites, like fuss-free sourdough pizzas fresh out of the oven – just ask if you need a highchair.

Water Lane Boathouse, Canal Wharf, Water Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5PS.

North Brewing Co. Tap Room

North Brewing Co. have one of the coolest tap rooms in Leeds. But don’t be fooled, it’s also one of the most family-friendly bars in town – and they won’t chuck you out come evening. You could quite literally spend the entire day here if you so desired, testing their range of legendary own-brewed craft beers, including the latest collabs. Get here bright and early for your caffeine fix and spoil yourself and the kids with a few of Little Bao Boy’s street food bundles of joy for breakfast, lunch and dinner – or tea, whatever you call it.

North Brewing Co. Leeds City Tap, 3 Sovereign Square, Sovereign Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4BA.

Outlaws Yacht Club

Okay, there may not be any yachts of any sort, but Outlaws Yacht Club is the laid-back drinking den the kids will love too. Part bar, part record shop, part cafe, there are loads of things for you and the kids to get up to here. Grab a board game, claim a sofa and get stuck in. They’ve even got retro games for the young’uns to see what life was like before the tablet. Their grilled cheese sandwich guarantees big smiles all around, while their range of cocktails, beer, wine and spirits will keep the grown-ups happy.

Outlaws Yacht Club, 38 New York Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DY.

The Adelphi

The Adelphi is one of Leeds’ most family-friendly pubs, welcoming countless families through its doors over the years. It’s a local favourite, and with an impressive array of ales and classic pub food aplenty, it’s clear to see why. Long gone are the days down the dingey local, this is a pub you can feel good about bringing the little ones along to. They can experience a bit of tradition in the best way – with proper pub grub in an inviting space. Here, you can take over one of their cosy snugs and dig into a roast, surrounded by those you love.

The Adelphi, 3-5 Hunslet Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1JQ.

A Nation of Shopkeepers

In town with the brood? Stop by A Nation of Shopkeepers for tasty fried chicken, enormous burgers bigger than their heads, and maybe even a few bevvies to wash it down with. Shopkeepers has got the optimum mix of good music, good food and good drink down, with a generous range of craft beers and ciders on tap to suit everyone (well, the adults at least). Their hidden courtyard is the place to be on a sunny day, but when the weather turns, cosy up in a booth inside. For kids, games and toys are on hand to keep them busy.

A Nation of Shopkeepers, 26-27 Cookridge Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 3AG.

The Midnight Bell

Tucked away south of the river, The Midnight Bell is well worthy of the short walk from the centre. It’s a light and airy family-friendly pub with ample space for buggies, serving pints of the good stuff straight from Leeds Brewery, like the Leeds Pale or their self-titled mild. On a fine day, you can take the party outside to the courtyard, where you can get that country pub vibe without having to go far. When tummies are rumbling and the hangriness is getting out of hand, they’ve got burgers, grills and wraps to suit even the fussiest of eaters.

The Midnight Bell, 101 Water Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5QN.

The Cross Keys

The Cross Keys is a cracker of a pub worth dragging everyone out of the house for. It’s one of the last remaining free houses around Leeds, where you can take your pick of the local brews, guest crafts and wines on offer. Family life can be hectic, so when you don’t fancy doing it yourself, come for their ever-popular Sunday roast or stop by during the week for top quality family-friendly grub – whether it’s pork chops or fish and chips. In the warmer months, their secluded beer garden is a great place to unwind altogether.

The Cross Keys, 107 Water Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5WD.

Wapentake

Whichever way you pronounce it, Wapentake stands as one of Leeds’ best family-friendly pubs. It’s a cosy little place that’s Yorkshire through and through, from the Old Norse name to the pudding-rich menu. Not only are little ones welcome, but the local brews and gins tick all the boxes for the adults, and the food is a win for everyone. County-inspired brunch, like the breakfast Yorkshire pud, is served until 4pm and the Yorkshire Pudding Burger is an absolute must-eat. But if it’s a Sunday roast you’re looking for, they do it superbly for both classic and veggie versions, with potatoes not one but two ways.

Wapentake, 92 Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DJ.

Whitelock’s

Bring the whole brood along to Whitelock’s for a family-friendly outing that’s all about the history. It may be one of the oldest pubs in Leeds, but its doors are open to young ‘uns too. This age-old ale house first opened in 1715, since then it’s become a landmark that’s well worth bringing the kids to. You’ll find real ales, craft beers and speciality ciders at the bar and the pub grub is up to scratch too, serving homemade steak and ale pie and a black pudding scotch egg that’s gained quite the reputation. So next time you’re about the city centre with company and you fancy a drink, make a beeline for this gem.

Whitelock’s Ale House, Turk’s Head Yard, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6HB.

Northern Monk Refectory

Long benches to squeeze around, plenty of space for prams and beer from the brewery right beneath your feet? You’ll get all this and then some at Northern Monk’s Holbeck Refectory. Based in The Old Flax Store in Holbeck, just a 10-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, this family-friendly pub is the original home of local brewing legends, Northern Monk. The venue is less local pub, more cool hangout with an ultra laidback vibe that welcomes even the youngest of people. You can take your pick of 20 taps of fresh beer while everyone can stay well fed with the fare provided by Alley Cats, it’s burgers all round!

Northern Monk Refectory, The Old Flax Store, Marshalls Mill, Marshall Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 9YJ.

The White Swan

Whether you’re catching a family-friendly show next door in the City Varieties or need a break from shopping for the kids with the kids, The White Swan promises a proper pint and proper pub grub that will cure any level of hanger. It’s a Leeds Brewery pub, so grown-ups can expect the likes of Midnight Bell and Yorkshire Gold on tap. The food menu is full of classics like fish & chips, pie & mash and burgers that’ll please everyone, plus a load of vegan and veggie options. There are high chairs, changing facilities and child-sized dishes like tomato penne pasta, beans on toast and even a mini Sunday roast too.

The White Swan, 5 Swan Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6LG.

Lamb & Flag

Looking for somewhere to chill out as a family in Leeds city centre? Make Lamb & Flag your first port of call. With little nooks aplenty, you can get cosy for the day surrounded by exposed beams, warm lights and local art in this family-friendly 19th-century pub. Delve into a seasonal menu of tasty treats, like the braised belly of pork with a perfectly crispy crackling or a Yorkshire Dales steak burger, and any bookworms in the family can grab a read from one of the many bookshelves. As for the good stuff, they serve the full range of Leeds Brewery beers on tap so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Lamb & Flag, 1 Church Row, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7HD.

The Turk’s Head

Whether you’re passing through the city centre or shopping with the brood, you’d be forgiven for stumbling into Turk’s Head Yard. Just off Briggate, it’s home to The Turk’s Head, the sister bar of the famous Whitelock’s. Inside, you’ll find plush velvet seats and turquoise tiles that make this one of the most darling bars in Leeds – and it just happens to be family-friendly too. The classic cocktails take centre stage here, but the range of craft beer, cask ales and wines is equally generous and soft drinks are a given. Forget dingy pubs, this is a bar you’ll feel good about bringing the kids to.

The Turk’s Head, 4 Turk’s Head Yard, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6AH.

Bundobust

Looking for somewhere that’s less of a pub and more of a family-friendly eatery that also serves beer? Search no longer, because Bundobust not only tops the list for its next-level Indian street food, but they also serve some of the finest craft beer in Leeds at the bar. This is the only place in the city where you can sample the lineup from the Bundobust Brewery – and that’s not the only thing worth coming here for. With loads of crowd-pleasing small plates to scoff, like spice-tossed okra fries, crispy bhajis and tasty paneer tikka, Bundobust is a must-try for beer-loving parents and foodies of all ages.

Bundobust, 6 Mill Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5DQ.

Cosy Club

Cosy Club is a Leeds favourite with parents for a reason. The decor may be striking, but the vibes are nothing but laidback and the menu is full of comforting dishes. Got a pram? The lift will take you to the first floor, where you can snap up a high chair and get, well, cosy. If you’re here in the morning, start the day off right with a set of full English breakfasts or buttermilk pancakes. At dinner time, your little eater can enjoy a bowl of macaroni cheese, while you tuck into the likes of buttermilk fried chicken, seared seabass or chestnut mushroom risotto. As for tipples, their reinvented cocktails are a well-deserved treat.

Cosy Club, 53 Albion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5AA.

Suburbs

It doesn’t matter what Leeds suburb you’re in or going to, there’s wonderful family-friendly watering holes all over the city

The Beck & Call

The Beck & Call is a super family-friendly pub nestled in the heart of the buzzing Leeds suburb of Meanwood. It’s got a cool Scandi feel and plenty of rooms to take your pick, from the bright and leafy dining room to the Tap Room, which has a massive TV for sporty families to bond over a game outside of the house. Behind the bar, you’ll find craft beers, handpicked wines and yummy cocktails for the grown-ups, and a mighty menu with something for everyone. It’s got all the traditional British fare, so you can tuck into sausage & mash or the Beck & Call Burger while the tots dig into chicken strips or fish fingers & chips.

The Beck & Call, Stainbeck Road, Meanwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 2NP.

Preston

A member of the North Bar family, Oakwood’s Preston has all the charm of a local pub, but the beer selection of a Leeds city centre haunt. Needless to say, it’s family-friendly through and through, so if you find yourself at Roundhay Park with the little ones, squeeze in a pitstop here. You’ll find it at the southern tip of the park in prime position for little legs and prams. Whether you’re thirsty or you need a bit of boost, their rotating tap list from North and friends and bespoke hot coffee roasted by Darkwoods will come in handy. And everyone will leave full and happy after some proper Neapolitan pizza from Pizza Loco next door.

Preston, 468 Roundhay Road, Oakwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 2HU.

The Bingley Arms

Up for a family trip to the oldest pub in the country? At over a century old, The Bingley Arms boasts a prime location beside an idyllic stream and unique features such as priest holes and a proper Dutch oven. You can sink a few Landlords from Timothy Taylor’s or Ossett’s Yorkshire Blonde while making your way through a plateful of loaded nachos, a homemade steak ’n’ ale pie or Mediterranean vegetable tart (it’s vegan!). The kids menu gives them plenty of choice too, with little stomach-friendly portions of lasagne, panko breaded chicken strips and cheese & tomato pizza – all with chips, of course.

The Bingley Arms, Church Lane, Bardsey, West Yorkshire, LS17 9DR.

Kirkstall Bridge Inn

Kirkstall Bridge Inn is an obvious option when it comes to family-friendly pubs in Leeds. Set in a quaint riverside location with all the ambience of a country inn and beers straight from Kirkstall Brewery and beyond, it’s all you could want from a suburban watering hole when you’re with the kids. You can warm yourself up with an impossible choice of ales, stouts, porters and pilsners. And if that’s not enough, there’s delicious home-cooked food aplenty too. Sunday roasts, small plates and pizzas – there’s something to keep all the fam happy, that includes the gluten-free, veggie and vegan ones too. 

Kirkstall Bridge Inn, 12 Bridge Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS5 3BW.

The Mustard Pot

The Mustard Pot is a thoroughly cosy, family-friendly Leeds pub. The exposed brickwork and roaring fires give this local favourite a rustic, almost country feel that demands a family chill-out session. There’s a decent selection of real ales, wine and spirits on the bar, and if it’s warm out, you can take them out to the massive beer garden with heaps of room for prams and energetic little ones. If it’s that time, they’ve got a menu of pub classics like sausage & mash and even a mini fish pie for the kids. Stop by on a Sunday for their quality roast that’ll save you some washing up and fill up the whole gang ready for the week ahead.

The Mustard Pot, 20 Stainbeck Lane, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 3QY.

The Brownlee Arms

Named after the Leeds-based Olympic medalling brothers, The Brownlee Arms serves all manner of traditional food and liquor out of their contemporary suburban gastro pub. The cosy yet modern interior provides the ideal space for family gatherings, whether it’s a big get-together or a treat for the kids and the adults. Grown-ups revel in real Yorkshire cask ales, locally-sourced and ever-changing, alongside fine wines, spirits and cocktails. When it comes to feeding time, they’ve got all the classics like fish & chips, toad-in-the-hole and fish pie. The burgers are unmissable and the sharing platters go down a treat.

The Brownlee Arms, Long Row, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5AA.

The Roundhay Fox

After a family walk around Roundhay Park, another well-earned stop-off comes at The Roundhay Fox. Step inside this glorious gastropub and get comfy. Located right on the western edge of the park, it has all the appeal of a country tavern. The menu is full of hearty eats, including a range of seasonal dishes that’ll see you through the year, while the kids can take their pick of tomato pasta, sausages & gravy, beef burger and more. The well-stocked bar will meet all your needs – cask ales, fine wines and local gins that all hit the spot, whether you’re hanging out in the pretty gardens or cuddled up by the crackling log fires.

The Roundhay Fox, Princes Avenue, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 2EP.

The Meanwood Tavern

The folks behind Whitelock’s have poured all their pub-y knowledge into The Meanwood Tavern, found on the site of the old Becketts Arms pub which closed in the 1990s. The family-friendly bar and spacious seating areas are open to everyone, including families with little ones. You’ll find a wide range of the hoppy stuff across 14 keg taps and six pumps, showcasing Leeds’ local and indie brewery talent. But if beer’s not your thing, they also have wine, spirits and low and no-alcohol drinks to boot. Hungry? Resident Detroit-style pizza connoisseurs Get Well Oiled will keep even the pickiest of eaters well fed.

The Meanwood Tavern, 607 Meanwood Road, Meanwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 4HQ.

The Black Horse

The Black Horse is just one of a number of Victorian coaching inns in Otley, but this one is run by Kirkstall Brewery and the Brudenell Social Club – and they’ve really worked their magic here. It’s full of old-world character but the beer offering is up-to-date (expect all the usual Kirkstall offenders) and the food certainly trumps your standard grub. Think halloumi bites, pork belly kebabs in fresh flatbread and cider-glazed pulled pork burgers with hand-cut chips. In the warmer months, the covered outdoor area is the perfect little spot to enjoy a family meal outside, come rain or shine.

The Black Horse, 2 Westgate, Otley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS21 3AS.

Myrtle Tavern

Nestled on the edge of Meanwood Park, it doesn’t get much more family-friendly than Myrtle Tavern. The seemingly endless warren of warm and welcoming rooms in this behemoth of a pub are more than accommodating for even the biggest of families, while the giant covered beer garden boasts oodles of space – plus heaters in the colder months. Their beer pumps are ever-changing, often featuring Leeds local favourites like Kirkstall and Ossett. Got some hungry devils to please? Their menu of pub classics and sharing plates will do just that, and the Sunday lunch comes kiddy-sized too.

Myrtle Tavern, Parkside Road, Meanwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 4NE.

The Abbey Inn

What better way to liven up a family walk along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal than with a stop off at welcoming watering hole, The Abbey Inn? You can take a load off in a comfy armchair with a pint of craft beer or real ale and your favourite people at your side. Or, if the weather’s keeping up, you can lounge around in their beer garden and bask in the sun on one of the many benches. Hungry? You can take your pick of lasagne, pie, homemade chilli and more, while their specials never miss. As for the kids, you can’t go wrong with chicken goujons & chips and sausage & mash – or chips, if they really must.

The Abbey Inn, 99 Pollard Lane, Bramley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS13 1EQ.

The Little Monk

From the folks at Horsforth’s Woodside Micro Pub, The Little Monk offers a whole other side to pub-going in Leeds. It’s a family-friendly two-in-one restaurant and bar, inspired by the brilliant Belgian and German food and beer culture. Boasting over 90 traditional beers, from Bavaria’s own Schneider Weisse to Kasteelbier straight from Belgium, and a rotation of guest beers too, it’s a beer lover’s paradise. Top it all off with bratwursts, moules frites and sharing platters they’ll all want a bite of, and you’ve got a lovely suburban Leeds pub for lunch, dinner or a light bite with kids big or small.

The Little Monk, 4-6 Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4RJ.

North Bar Social

Just a five-minute walk from Otley Chevin, the family-friendly North Bar Social has plenty of outdoor benches to seat all the gang and a cosy as heck bar area that’s open to under-18s until 9pm. As you’d expect, they serve many of their own North Brewing Co creations, totalling around 70 beers from Leeds and beyond, including three casks and six kegs. But if it’s a caffeine kick you need, they have ground to order coffee, as well as a selection of herbal teas to boot. Although it gets crowded at peak times, parents will benefit from baby changing facilities, colouring sheets and soft drinks for the older ones.

North Bar Social, 8-10 Bondgate, Otley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS21 3AB.

The White Horse

The White Horse is the ideal pub for a pitstop after a family walk around Church Fenton. And a lovely pitstop it will be – the beer garden gets flooded with sun, while the interior is perfectly snug for those cooler days, with plenty of space for the kids to, well, be kids. You might come for the seasonal cocktails and well-kept beer, but you’ll stay for the generous food offering. Under 12s can dig into burgers (plain or cheese), chicken strips, sausage with chips & gravy or tomato penne pasta, while the grown-ups are spoilt for choice. The White Horse Burger is a must-eat, while their seafood bouillabaisse is too good to pass up.

The White Horse, Main Street, Church Fenton, Tadcaster, Leeds, North Yorkshire, LS24 9RF.

Amity Brew Co

Set in the stunning Leeds landmark of Sunny Bank Mills, the Amity Brew Co bar tap is all about community, friendship and, of course, beer. This ultra-cool family-friendly taproom is the place to sample their takes on classic beer styles in a cosy and warm environment. You can try everything from the Sunny Bank American Pale to the Elastic Robot Orange IPA, or go for one of their one-offs. Families can settle into sofas, surrounded by subtle lighting and enjoy the sights, sounds and, more importantly, the smells of the brewery. Their rotation of street food pop-ups will keep the “I’m hungry” complaints to a minimum.

Amity Brew Co, Sunny Bank Mills, 83-85 Town Street, Farsley, Pudsey, West Yorkshire, LS28 5UJ.