Step back in time as you sup a few pints in the glorious old pubs of Leeds.
There’s something oh-so-special about an old pub. You feel like you’re lifting a pint to your mouth in a place with centuries of history – a constant in an ever-changing world. These are the places to go to get a sense of the city’s past, to enjoy the atmosphere and spot the original details. No need to hop in a time machine – they’re all around you. Want more? Check out our list of the very best pubs in Leeds.
The Pack Horse
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When it comes to the oldest pub in Leeds, The Pack Horse is definitely in with a shout. Records say there was a pub here back in 1615 and, while the original opening date is lost in the mists of time, there’s no doubt it’s a venerable institution. Keep a look out for the rare iron Templar cross at one end of the pub as you duck inside and find yourself a snug corner among the warren of rooms. As well as a good pint and grub, you can also join in with regular quizzes, karaoke nights and watch live sports and music. In other words, there’s life in the old dog yet.
The Pack Horse, Pack Horse Yard, Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6AT.
The Bingley Arms
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The Bingley Arms can trump any pub on this list – or any other – when it comes to age. It’s officially the oldest in England, first opening back in the 10th century. That’s over 1,000 years of not just serving beers but also acting as a courthouse, a sanctuary for persecuted priests and so much more. It’s a much-loved place with plenty of quirky features, not least the chimney’s priest holes and the Dutch oven. Drop in now for the soup of the day, a handmade pie and a pint of something good while watching out for the pub’s resident ghosts.
The Bingley Arms, Church Lane, Bardsey, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS17 9DR.
The Palace
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The Palace started out life as a timber merchant’s house in 1741, before it became an inn around a century later. Originally it fell outside the small centre of Leeds, before expansion added it to the rich roster of old Leeds pubs. It’s a pub where rumours abound – there are tales of a ghost (said to be a man in woman’s clothes), and a tunnel from the pub to the canal from which a previous landlord launched boats. Whatever the truth, one thing is for certain – it’s still a lovely pub. Grab a pint of Tiny Rebel, order up a gourmet burger and soak up the bustling atmosphere.
The Palace, Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DJ.
Whitelock’s
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One of the pre-eminent pubs in the city, Whitelock’s is a hotbed of history. Arguably the oldest watering hole in Leeds, it first opened in 1715 and was called the Turk’s Head. It was renamed in the late 19th century, around the same time that the marble and copper-topped bar, brewery mirrors and fireplace were installed – all features you can still see today. The beer is reliably brilliant here, with a huge range of local cask ales, the pub grub is decidedly superior and the outside courtyard goes from strength to strength as a place to grab a drink.
Whitelock’s, Turk’s Head Yard, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6HB.
Templar Hotel
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Templar Hotel has a striking exterior of cream and green Burmantofts tiles, which match those of the Grand Arcade across the way. Inside it’s a snug, friendly and ever-lively city centre boozer with a local feel. It’s Grade II-listed, built in the early 19th century and then given its current form in 1928 by Melbourne Brewery. Get yourself inside and you’ll spot many original features as you order up ales at the bar and go elbow-to-elbow with the regulars watching live sport and joining in impromptu prize draws and ad-hoc games of bingo.
Templar Hotel, Templar Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7NU.
The Adelphi
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Like the Templar Hotel, The Adelphi was built for the Melbourne Brewery, and later taken over by Tetley’s, whose brewery was mere streets away. It’s a grand old late 18th-century Victorian drinking palace with four separate rooms. While there has been some updating, there are still plenty of original elements, from tiling to glasswork and mahogany fittings. There are always plenty of craft beers on top from the likes of Northern Monk, Brew York and Tiny Rebel, while the food hits the spot too. Grab a table on Sunday for a half-roast chicken or 21 day-aged beef sirloin.
The Adelphi, 3-5 Hunslet Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1JQ.
The Scarbrough Hotel
Known throughout the city as The Scarbrough Taps, The Scarbrough Hotel is a celebrated old pub at the very heart of Leeds. The perfect place to spend some time while waiting for a train – or your first calling point after climbing off one – the Taps is Grade II-listed. Built on the site of a former medieval manor house in Leeds, it has been pulling pints since 1826, first as The King’s Arms, latterly as The Scarbrough. Now a Nicholson’s freehouse, it’s a famed meeting hub for pub crawls, stag dos and days at the football, yet still a fine place for a quiet pint of Doom Bar on a weekday afternoon.
The Scarbrough Hotel, Bishopgate Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5DY.
The Chequers Inn
This fine old Leeds pub positively gleams with history. The Chequers Inn has a past that can be tracked back to 1540 and the interior will certainly make you feel like you’ve been through a time warp. Old knick-knacks, ancient wooden beams, roaring fires – it’s truly lovely. They’ve only recently started serving Sunday lunch, however. They didn’t open on a Sunday for 180 years following an incident in 1732 when a female churchgoer was abused by drunken revellers. Tuck into a plate of steak and stout pie washed down with a pint of Landlord, keeping an eye out for the ghost.
The Chequers Inn, South Milford, Park Lane, South Milford, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS25 5LP.
The Wrens
While The Wrens’ own website proudly says it was ‘established 1913’, it’s likely that is underselling the true age of this wonderful old watering hole. Built in the 1830s, Alfred Edwin Wren ran it as an eating house and hotel in the 1880s, later changing it to The Wrens Hotel and Bar. It became a popular pre and post-theatre drinking establishment and, while few original elements remain, the higgledy-piggledy layout of the pub today speaks to its history. It boasts both a Theatre Bar and a Lounge Bar, serving up local beers, guest ales from Yorkshire breweries and plenty of gins.
The Wrens, 61A New Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8JD.
The Angel
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Tucked away in one of the famous ‘loins’ or alleyways that come off Briggate, The Angel is a Leeds institution that was almost lost to history. Originally opened back in the late 18th century, it shut its doors as the 20th century drew to a close. Luckily, Yorkshire brewery Samuel Smith’s teamed up with the council to bring it back to life, and now it’s one of the best places in the city centre for a cheap pint. Serving up beer, crisps and even pork scratchings all under their own brand, you can enjoy a pint of dark mild for £2.60, as well as Taddy lager for not much more.
The Angel Inn, Angel Inn Yard, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6LN.
The Ship Inn
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While many of the old Leeds pubs have famous histories, the story of The Ship Inn is harder to tell. Much of what we know about it is hearsay, but it’s known to be date back to the 1750s, perhaps earlier. Back then it was The Ship and Griffin, and it’s a prized pub among those in the know, tucked up a Briggate alleyway with an old gas lamp standing in the yard. The interior packs in the old-fashioned charm, and the pub serves up a high-quality pint of Black Sheep, Landlord or Leeds Pale. Grub-wise, it’s fish and chips, lasagne, burgers and sarnies at a keen price.
The Ship Inn, 71 Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6LH.
The Grove Inn
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If you’re a music lover, you’ve probably already got The Grove Inn on your list. But if you haven’t been before, this is one of the most charming, atmospheric old pubs in Leeds, known for its incredible live music nights. The current layout of the pub dates from the late 1920s when it was remodelled by John Smith’s Brewery, but the building itself dates from around 1830. While upgrades and revamps have removed a few of the original features, enough survives to make it a genuinely lovely place to sup on ale and listen to a folk or blues band kick up a storm.
The Grove Inn, Back Row, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5PL.
The Duck and Drake
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A longtime favourite among Leeds locals, The Duck and Drake is a pub positively filled to the rafters with history. It retains fine examples of its Victorian beginnings, from the marble doorway jambs and nineteenth century facade, to the original light fittings and floorboards that have survived 200 years of punters. The pub has existed under several different names like The Horse & Groom and The Brougham’s Arms, but it came to be known as The Duck and Drake in 1985. Today, the pub is defined by its fine cask ales and rocking, free-to-watch live music – not to mention their downright delicious pies and peas!
The Duck and Drake, 43 Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DR.
The Cross Keys
Built at the dawn of the 1800s as a watering hole for surrounding foundries, The Cross Keys in Holbeck is at the heart of an area filled with some of the most important Victorian industrial buildings. After being abandoned during the 1980s, the pub was recently revived without losing its sense of history and traditional character. Today, the gastropub is a warm and welcoming part of the community, partnering up real ales and craft beers with an oh-so-tempting food menu. From salt beef sandwiches stuffed with mustard and pickles to a mean Sunday roast, it’s delicious, no matter what time of the day you visit.
The Cross Keys, 107 Water Lane, Holbeck, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5WD.
The Victoria & Commercial
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The legendary Leeds drinking hole that is The Victoria & Commercial has been serving the city for over 160 years. Originally built in 1865, the Grade-II listed building has recently been restored following five years of closure. It’s now under the management of the team that runs Whitelocks and Kirkstall Brewery, so you know it’s in great hands. You’ll likely find a new favourite brew amongst their extensive selection of cask ales and keg beers. Not a beer drinker? They’ve got plenty of wines and spirits too! And the food menu is full of comforting classics that’ll keep you coming back again and again.
The Victoria & Commercial, 28 Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3DL.
Cover image: © Copyright Leeds-List 2026
