You can’t beat the simple pleasure of enjoying a pint on the waterfront, and this essential roundup details the best waterside bars and pubs in Leeds and across West and North Yorkshire.
Picture the scene: you’re sat on a bench, under the sun, looking out over the dappled water with a pint in hand. That’s what we call living the dream, and when the weather comes good, there are more than ten fantastic spots where you can enjoy a drink looking out over the water. Whether you’re searching for lively city centre bars, proper real ales in the suburbs, or picturesque countryside settings, here is a list of riverside watering holes for everyone nearby.
The Canary
The Canary is a unique waterside bar and restaurant that looks out over Leeds Dock. You can’t miss the pair of imposing shipping containers – one black, one yellow – that have been stacked right by the water, complete with massive windows, industrial decor and a fairy-lit terrace for sunny days.
You’ll find local beers, spirits and signature cocktails at the bar. And if you’re looking for food, you can never go wrong with their epic sarnies, loaded fries and fresh salads at lunch, while stacked burgers come out for teatime – we highly recommend the buttermilk chicken.
Address: The Dockside, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1EG.
Opening times: 11am–11pm every day.
Drink recommendation: Go during their happy hours (between 4pm–7pm) and grab two spritzes for £13, the Limoncello spritz is especially refreshing.
Check it out: canarybar.co.uk
SALT Granary Wharf
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SALT Beer Factory’s home on the ground floor of Candle House doubles as one of the best riverside spots on Granary Wharf. You can sit back and watch the water trickle by as you work your way through a stellar list of brews, like we have on all manner of hazy summer evenings.
They have 14 keg taps, half of which are dedicated to their own beers and the other half to guest breweries like Magic Rock and Thornbridge. Not an ale lover? No trouble. Their expert bar staff can mix any classic cocktail you fancy, and if you need a bite, the wonderful Falafel Guys dish up great Middle Eastern grub in the kitchen.
Address: Candle House, Granary Wharf, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4GJ.
Opening times: 12pm–11pm Monday–Thursday, 12pm–12am Friday–Saturday, 12pm–9pm Sunday.
Drink recommendation: With notes of citrus and melon-rind, the Jute Session IPA is light, crisp and flavourful. It pairs wonderfully with a Falafel Guys wrap.
Check it out: saltbeerfactory.co.uk
Brewery Wharf Tavern
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Brewery Wharf Tavern is one of the latest endeavours by the team behind Whitelock’s, Meanwood Tavern and The Victoria and Commercial. Designed as a social hub for Leeds’ South Bank, it’s a riverside space built to suit everything from after-work drinks to weekend sessions.
The interior is open and airy, with seating to accommodate groups of all sizes. Outside on the terrace, you can enjoy panoramic views of the river in comfort, and with your tipple of choice in hand. The bar stocks only the crème de la crème with local favourites like Kirkstall, Northern Monk and Anthology amongst the breweries on tap.
Address: 3 Brewery Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1NE.
Opening times: 4pm–11pm Monday–Thursday, 12pm–12am Friday–Saturday, 12pm–10pm Sunday.
Drink recommendation: If you’re a fan of German brews you’ll love the Pülleken Helles lager, it straddles the sweet spot between a bitter Pilsener and a malty-sweet Bavarian beer.
Check it out: brewerywharftavern.co.uk
Aire Bar
A long-time staple of Leeds’ bustling nightlife scene around Call Lane, Aire Bar is still going strong in its spot overlooking the River Aire. Walk down the steps inside and you’ll enter their iconic arched rooms, which are home to a well-stocked bar.
They have plenty of local breweries on tap, pouring out treats from Magic Rock and other great breweries, as well as wine and cocktails. The food menu slings out comforting grub, with wings, loaded fries and burgers for you to tuck into. Whatever you go for, you can enjoy the bar’s overhanging terrace with incredible riverside views over Leeds.
Address: 32-34 The Calls, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7EW.
Opening times: 3pm–11pm Monday–Tuesday, 2pm–11pm Wednesday–Thursday, 12pm–12am Friday, 10am–1am Saturday, 10am–10pm Sunday.
Drink recommendation: Home to The Gin Palace, they have a selection of over 50 gins and each one is as delicious as the last.
Check it out: instagram.com/aire.bar
SALT Calls Landing
There’s not just one riverside SALT bar in Leeds, oh no. They’re also the stewards of a legendary Leeds drinking spot, Calls Landing. Inside, there’s a bar chock-full of all your SALT favourites, from their own tasty creations to a host of guest beers from a range of local and international breweries.
Once again, you can sup cocktails served on tap, alongside a massive range of gins just waiting for a tonic of your choosing. Hungry? The food offering here comes in the form of a Yorkshire favourite – who doesn’t love pie and mash with loads of gravy?
Address: 36-38 The Calls, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7EW.
Opening times: 12pm–12am Monday–Saturday, 12pm–11pm Sunday.
Drink recommendation: The strawberry and rhubarb cosmo is a beautiful nod to West Yorkshire’s famous vegetable and you can get two for just £14.
Check it out: taps.saltbeerfactory.co.uk/calls-landing
Water Lane Boathouse
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Water Lane Boathouse sits right on the banks of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal with stunning views over the water. It comes from the team behind Headrow House and Belgrave Musica Hall and it’s cool-as-heck, with original brickwork and minimalist, Scandi-inspired decor.
Take a pew in their extensive outdoor area, where you can sit and enjoy one of their many craft beers and artisan gins overlooking the water. Should the hunger pangs strike, you’re well looked after with their kitchen serving delicious pizzas, sarnies, and burgers.
Address: Water Lane, Canal Wharf, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5PS.
Opening times: 11:30am–11pm Monday–Thursday, 11:30am–12am Friday–Saturday, 11:30am–10pm Sunday.
Drink recommendation: The blackthorn collins is an energising and tart mix of sloe gin, malbec, lemon, apple and soda. With two available for £14.50, you can’t go wrong.
Check it out: waterlaneboathouse.com
Kirkstall Bridge Inn
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As a Kirkstall Brewery pub, you know you’re in for a treat when it comes to the beers on offer at The Bridge Inn. From keg favourites like Virtuous to cask classics like Three Swords and Dissolution IPA, they’re at the top of their game.
But it’s not just the beer you should look forward to at the Kirkstall Bridge Inn – it’s got an amazing outdoor space with benches that sit along the banks of the River Aire. On a sunny day, there are few better spots to savour the good weather. You can even bag a feed here with their menu of pub grub staples.
Address: 12 Bridge Road, Kirkstall, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS5 3BW.
Opening times: 12pm–12am every day.
Drink recommendation: The Black Band cask porter is perfect for lovers of rich dark beers, balancing flavours including chocolate, coffee and bitter toffee.
Check it out: kirkstallbridge.co.uk
The Fleece
Sat right on the banks of the River Wharfe, The Fleece is blessed with incredible waterside views, and you’ll find it just minutes from the centre of Otley. The beer garden is split across two levels, with a covered patio area at the top and a grassy area below.
It’s the perfect setting to soak up the views, but what’s pouring? Beer fans are in luck, with local ales from the likes of Timothy Taylor’s and Ossett on the pumps, or dabble in a G&T from their artisan gin offering. You can sit yours alongside a menu of burgers and grills.
Address: Westgate, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 3DT.
Opening times: 12pm–10:30pm Tuesday–Thursday, 12pm–11pm Friday–Saturday, 12pm–7pm Sunday, closed Monday.
Drink recommendation: As a flagship venue for Wharfe Bank Brewery, they serve loads of locally brewed beers but the Wharfe Beer Tether Blond is the best pick for easy drinking.
Check it out: thefleeceotley.com
Mother Shipton’s Inn
Credit: Ian Grattan licensed under Creative Commons for commercial use.
Mother Shipton’s Inn is almost as historic and storied as the cave with which it shares its name. It’s nestled beside Knaresborough’s Low Bridge with a pretty waterfront beer garden found amongst ancient trees lining the River Nidd – it’s a rewarding setting worth leaving Leeds to check out.
The pub itself is a proper old world gem, where you can be sure of a quality pint of Yorkshire-brewed cask ale and a friendly welcome. They’ll make sure you don’t leave hungry either, with pies, burgers and steaks giving you an unenviable decision to make.
Address: Low Bridge, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 8HZ.
Opening times: 12pm–11pm Monday–Saturday, 12pm–8pm Sunday.
Drink recommendation: Their Fernlands Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is crisp and fruity. With notes of gooseberry, guava and passion fruit, it’s a wonderful tipple on a summer’s day.
Check it out: mothershiptonsinn.co.uk
The Bingley
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The Bingley is a much-loved riverside pub on Horbury Bridge on the outskirts of Wakefield. It’s just two miles from co-owners Ossett Brewery, which means you can head to the banks of the River Calder and the Calder & Hebble Canal for cask ale that couldn’t be fresher.
We go for the Yorkshire Blonde, but you can also get keg treats from sister brewery, SALT, alongside wines and cocktails on tap. There are three outdoor areas, a 100-capacity front garden, a rear patio and a waterside deck, with heaters and covers when needed. Tasty street eats come from Baobros23.
Address: 221 Bridge Road, Horbury, Middlestown, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 5PT.
Opening times: 12pm–11pm Sunday–Thursday, 12pm–12am Friday–Saturday.
Drink recommendation: Ossett Brewery’s Yorkshire Blonde is the perfect all-purpose pale ale.
Check it out: taps.saltbeerfactory.co.uk/the-bingley
The Boathouse Inn
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Sat on the banks of the River Aire in the heart of Saltaire, The Boathouse Inn is one of the best riverside pubs you can get to within easy reach in Leeds. The views are exceptional from their massive windows all year round, but sunny days urge you to grab a bench outside at this rustic former working boathouse.
Inside, it’s all clean finishes and stylish furniture, but you’ll be even more impressed by what’s on the bar. Wines and spirits are present, as are traditional cask ales, with local and guest lines – you can expect the likes of Saltaire and Ilkley breweries to go with a menu of pub fare.
Address: Victoria Road, Saltaire, Shipley, West Yorkshire, BD18 3LA.
Opening times: 11am–9pm every day.
Drink recommendation: A pint of Rosie’s Pig rhubarb cider is a great low-alcohol choice.
Check it out: theboathouseinn.co.uk
The Bull Inn
Winner of ‘Yorkshire’s Favourite Pub’ in 2016, The Bull Inn is a fantastic waterfront pub, not too far from Leeds. This 17th-century Theakston’s pub is surrounded by a beautiful landscape which includes the flowing River Ure that you can look over from the beer garden.
And what a riverside spot this is, close to the Ripon Rowel and Way of the Roses, with plenty of outdoor seating alongside covers and heaters when needed. Get ready for hand-pulled Old Peculier, Lightfoot or XB, with locally-sourced pub grub, including a cracking steak–and–ale pie.
Address: Church Street, West Tanfield, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 5JQ.
Opening times: 12pm–9pm Monday, 12pm–3pm and 5pm–10pm Tuesday, 12pm–3pm and 5pm–9:30pm Wednesday, 12pm–3pm and 5pm–10pm Thursday, 12pm–11pm Friday–Saturday, 12pm–9:30pm Sunday.
Drink recommendation: Look out for limited-release Rooster’s beer on tap, the Leghorn pale ale is especially creamy whereas the Birdman is crisp and malty.
Check it out: thebullwesttanfield.co.uk
