It’s one of the most famous booze trails in the UK, so here’s everything you need to know about the legendary Leeds pub crawl.
The first thing you need to know about the Otley Run? It goes nowhere near Otley. No, this behemoth of a pub crawl is all about Otley Road, running down from Far Headingley all the way to the outskirts of Leeds city centre.
The list of pubs you’re supposed to stop at has changed a little in the last few years – a couple of closures, a couple of additions – but it’s still 18 strong. Can you manage a drink at every stop? What will you dress up as? Who will post the most incriminating pictures to social media? Have at it…
First time doing the Otley Run? Check out our essential Survival Guide…
Woodie’s Craft Ale House
Woodies is the starting point of the Otley Run, as it has always been, so it’s where you’ll find people looking and feeling their best, comparing fancy dress and making plans for the route.
It’s also a good place to line your stomach – get some karaage sticky chicken or nachos and wings for the table, as you don’t want to tackle the Otley Run with nothing in your stomach.
What’s the first drink going to be? There are stacks of beers on offer, plus cocktails, wine and spritzes. A Gamma Ray or a Progress Pale offer a nice steady start – the run is a marathon, not a sprint, after all.
Find it: Woodies Craft Ale House, 107 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS16 5JG.
The Three Horseshoes
Credit: dexterfreshman
The Three Horseshoes is a stalwart stop on the run, so don’t expect too many heads to lift from the bar when you and your mates rock up dressed up as a motley crew of Nintendo characters. You are most welcome.
It’s an atmospheric pub with a friendly vibe, big screen sports and a wide array of cask and keg ales for you to sup from. Even though it’s only stop number two, this is usually when people start to think strategically – a half in every one will be ok, right?
There’s also regular live music on here, although they wisely don’t often schedule it on early Saturday afternoons when Otley runners are tentatively sipping at their second drinks, knowing there’s a loooooong way to go.
Find it: The Three Horseshoes, 98 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS16 5JG.
The New Inn
© Copyright Leeds-List 2025
One of the better Greene King pubs in Leeds, The New Inn retains its stone-built charm, while stocking a comprehensive range of beers, ales, wines and spirits, meaning there’s something for everyone.
Katsu chicken fries or a Tex-Mex sharer might be good for the group if you don’t regard eating as cheating, while there’s a beer garden to spill out into if you’re doing the Otley Run on a fine day.
Want to slow down the pace? There’s a pool table and big-screen sports to keep you situated before you head off down the road in search of stop number four – at which point you’ll have ticked off almost a quarter of this intimidating Leeds pub crawl.
Find it: The New Inn, 68 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 4BA.
Taylor’s Sports Bar & Grill
Taylor’s only joined the run in recent times, but it has already become a firmly established stop – although the breather you used to get between The New Inn and Headingley Taps has been removed by this and Arcadia joining the club.
They’ve got all big sporting events on the panoply of screens, and if England are playing cricket at Headingley at the same time there’s an Otley run going down, it’s standing room only for fancy-dressed drinkers.
Beers, cider and spirits are your solid big-name brands – think Madri, Peroni and Aspalls – but the rotating food options, including filling pies from Pie Stack most recently, has made this a popular stop for those needing an early run refuel.
Find it: Taylor’s Sports Bar & Grill, 107 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3PX.
Arcadia
© Copyright Leeds-List 2025
What was once an ale aficionado’s paradise with an absolute no-Otley run policy has been taken over, spruced up and now welcomes runners with a big new sign, open arms and drinks deals.
It still does a nice line in beer from the likes of Kirkstall, Vocation and Otley, so it’s not just a faceless lager spot. And they’ve also started showing all the big football matches, if you can get a good vantage point on a packed Saturday.
For those not inclined to beer, they have wine and fizz offers aplenty, with lots of prosecco on offer. However, in terms of soaking up the alcohol, you’re in crisps and nut territory here.
Find it: Arcadia, Headingley Central, Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 2UE.
Sixes Social Cricket
Satisfyingly landing sixth on the list is the newest addition to the Otley Run – Sixes Social Club. It’s a great spot to help you shake things up and get focused, thanks to its party cricket games that will test how your balance is holding up so far.
Step into the net and take a swing against a virtual pro bowler, with three different game modes and no experience required. It’s thirsty work though, but thankfully there’s an impressive menu of cocktails, along with the usual beer, wine and spirits selection. It’s a Club Tropicana for us!
As for food, there’s carbs a-plenty here, from burgers and pizzas to nachos and loaded fries. It’s the ideal choice if you need to soak up some of that alcohol before moving onto the next stop.
Find it: Sixes Social Cricket, 19 Ash Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3JJ.
The Headingley Taps
There’s a real buzz about The Headingley Taps on a Saturday, with a potent mix of Otley runners, cricket fans, sports-watchers, students and locals taking their turns at the bar. Luckily, it’s a huge pub with plenty of room for all inside.
You can make some smart savings with an NUS card if you’re a student, or pre-book a drinks and food package (you can’t pre-order just drinks on a Saturday, however) so that you’ve got your booze and scran waiting for you if your Otley Run is on a tight schedule.
If the beer is taking its toll, the bloated can mix things up with a shot, cocktail or bomb in here – a baby Guinness, for example – and the hungry can pile into a burger, pizza or a mighty mixed grill here.
Find it: The Headingley Taps, North Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3HN.
BOX
© Copyright Leeds-List 2025
At this stage of the Otley run, it’s not uncommon for there to be a few stragglers suffering from the early pace. And your mate who went to the toilet 35 minutes ago? Yeah, they’ve done a runner and won’t be coming back.
Their loss – they’ll be missing out on their portion of BOX’s Neapolitan pizzas or the chance to get some serious food in the tank courtesy of a kebab, loaded fries or the Burrow’s Burger, which includes a donation to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
There’s a roof terrace for sunny days, seats at the front for Otley Run-watching and a frankly massive selection of beers, bombs, cocktails and spritzes. Still got a big group? They’ve got some drinks deals to save your crew a bit of cash.
Find it: BOX, 8 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 2AD.
The Skyrack
© Copyright Leeds-List 2025
A mere stagger from BOX, and even closer to the next stop on the run, The Skyrack is a landmark both of Headingley and of this pub crawl. It’s student central all-week round, and a seeming home-from-home for those in fancy dress.
It’s a Greene King boozer, so there’s no shortage of drinks to choose from, from household names to a few guest ales – and if there’s a match on, they’ll have it on too.
You’ll be well into ‘needing to eat’ territory now if you haven’t already, so fill up on hot sandwiches, loaded fries or burgers. Sorry, as nice as the fresh garden salad looks, it’s just not going to cut it.
Find it: The Skyrack, 2-4 St Michael’s Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3AW.
The Original Oak
© Copyright Leeds-List 2025
The Oak is a storied pub that has been packing them in for decades. Here you’ll be elbow to elbow at the bar with locals, rugby and cricket fans and, inevitably, dozens of people dressed as The Simpsons/Mario/Minions.
When the weather is fine, gather in the huge pub garden here – there’s often a pop-up bar outside. If it’s less clement, there’s a double-sided bar inside and lots of nooks, crannies and side rooms.
You’re officially just over half-way there now, so do a headcount and celebrate with a well-earned pint of Tetleys, Leeds Pale or Camden Hells. There’s stacks of food on offer for all diets too, from small plates to pub signatures. Trust us, you’ll need it.
Find it: The Original Oak, 2 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 2DG.
The Hyde Park
© Copyright Leeds-List 2025
This is where you might be able to catch a much-needed breather. In a rush? Jump on the bus down to The Hyde Park. Want some fresh air? Have a saunter and enjoy a rare moment when you’re not clutching a drink in your hand.
Of course, many a soul has ducked out of the whole shebang at this stage, so don’t stress if you end up a team member or two down. Make it and you can enjoy another drink – don’t worry, everyone is feeling the pace.
Prepare for the home stretch with wings, pizza or burgers, with the kitchen slinging out great grub from midday to 9pm. No matter what time you arrive, a standard range of beers, ciders, wines and cocktails await for the obligatory drink.
Find it: The Hyde Park, 2 Headingley Lane, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 2AS.
The Library
© Copyright Leeds-List 2025
You might feel like you’re drawing close to the city centre at this stage, but that’s merely an illusion – you’ve a way to go. By now, you can expect wardrobe malfunctions – these cheap fancy dress outfits aren’t built for this kind of pace.
The Library is a big old beast of a place perched at Hyde Park’s edge, often with a live band playing and, if not, they’ll have the day’s sports showing on the countless screens.
Lager and ale drinkers alike can rejoice, with a wide choice of cooking lagers and craft ales. The hungry can delight in the kind of comfort food that might put some pep in your step, from chicken skewers to mac ’n’ cheese.
Find it: The Library, 229 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 3AP.
The Packhorse
© Copyright Leeds-List 2025
There’s a half-dozen stops left and, if you’ve made it this far, salute. If you’ve done it by leaving drinks or, worse, pouring them away when your mates are looking the other way, that’s for you and your conscience. Everyone does it.
The Packhorse is one of the loveliest stops on the Otley Run. It’s a Grade II-listed pub with a jukebox, pool table and some cosy seating ideal for some of the more tired in your team – which will be all of you.
There’s a few beers from Beavertown on tap, along with a couple of ales such as hand-pulled Landlord and a smattering of lagers. In summer, you’ll get food stalls in the sun-kissed outdoor spaces.
Find it: The Packhorse, 208 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9DX.
The Eldon
© Copyright Leeds-List 2025
It’s stop number 13. Unlucky for those who’ve made it this far, or those lost by the wayside? You decide. By now, you’ll all be sharing war stories aplenty, especially if you’ve been following the rules.
The Eldon is a wood-floored winner that has frozen slushie cocktails or, if you’re in need of a pick-me-up for the home straight, a Smirnoff Espresso Martini might just put some pep back in your step.
Lager drinker will be in heaven too, with Stella, Carling, Carlsberg and Coors Light all being served, while a well-stocked bar makes for some potent shots and cocktail pitchers. No grub, however, so don’t bank on filling up here.
Find it: The Eldon, 190 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9DX.
Leeds University Union
Credit: Dan Nicklin
Your once mighty posse will have been whittled down by now. Only Otley Run legends and drink-dodgers will still be in one piece at this stage of proceedings. And so to stop 14, Leeds University Union.
There are two bars here – Terrace and Old Bar – but you only need to drink at one of them to tick it off the list. Old Bar has a traditional pub vibe with music on Saturdays, while Terrace is an indoor/outdoor place, weather permitting.
Both have Saturday drinks offers, with Speakeasy Saturdays at Terrace serving up standard spirit mixers for £3 or doubles for £4, and pints of selected beers and cider from just £3.80 from 6pm. If you need a breather between alcoholic beverages, you can also get a pint of coke or lemonade for just £2.50 – we won’t judge.
Find it: Leeds University Union, Lifton Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9JZ.
Handsome Brewhouse
It’s hard to miss the Handsome Brewhouse, with its name writ large across most of its outside – and this Kendal export slotted straight into the Otley Run procession when it opened towards the end of 2022.
There’s sports, there are drink deals, there are grown adults dressed as Batman – all is as it should be. Beer-wise, they have a range of popular lagers and their own Lakes-brewed tipples such as Handsome Pale Ale.
You’ll also find stuff from local heroes such as North Brewery and Northern Monk, along with colourful cocktails, shots and jägerbombs. It’s the Otley Run – jägerbombs are inevitable.
Find it: Handsome Brewhouse, 15 Eldon Terrace, Woodhouse, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9AB.
The Fenton
© Copyright Leeds-List 2025
A parquet floor, a vintage wooden bar, The Fenton isn’t just your penultimate stop on the Otley Run, it’s one of the best. There’s a warren of rooms to pull up a pew in and a covered outdoor space for overspill or warm days.
Yorkshire breweries are well represented behind the bar, with the likes of Kirkstall’s Virtuous, North’s Transmission and an ever-changing array of guest ales. By this stage, you might struggle to line up a shot on the pub’s pool table.
By now you’ve earned a treat – the pub food here is dirty and delicious. Think fried chicken burgers, dirty fries topped with Philly cheesesteak or pulled jackfruit, hot dogs and onion rings. Just don’t forget you’ve one more step to take.
Find it: The Fenton, 161-165 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 3ED.
The Dry Dock
© Copyright Leeds-List 2025
You’ve made it. Okay, it’s a pub crawl through Leeds that’s completely downhill, but still, give yourself a badge. The Dry Dock is such a part of the fabric of Leeds now that it’s sometimes hard to imagine what a big deal it was in its day.
Yep, an actual boat was dragged through the streets of Leeds from the canal so that the good people of Leeds could end their pub run in it. They’re used to Otley Run survivors, so shuffle in and order your last drink.
Will it be a pitcher of cocktails? A refreshing Peroni? Be kind to yourself, you can have a half or a soft drink here and call it a day. For those who’ve completed it, only one question remains – when will you do it again?
Find it: The Dry Dock, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 3AX.
Please drink responsibly and be respectful of neighbours and residents.
