25th April 2024

Pints & Pies Are Back On the Menu As Kirkstall Brewery Reopen The Tetley

A bar & kitchen has opened up in this historic building.

Last updated 25th April 2024 New & Coming Soon Originally written

The Tetley is back open under the stewardship of Leeds legends Kirkstall Brewery as they ensure this local icon is open to the public.

There was sadness when The Tetley closed at the end of 2023, but joy when the news broke in March 2024 that it would reopen, this time as a pub run by the fantastic folk at Kirkstall Brewery. They’ve spent the past few months prepping the venue to become a celebration of Leeds’ brewing heritage, while owners Vastint move plans for the full refurbishment of the rest of the building forward as part of the wider Aire Park development. The good news is, as of Friday 26th April 2024, it’s back open for business and pints are a-flowing.

The old Tetley Brewery HQ sits proudly as the focal point of Aire Park, surrounded by the recently opened Tetley Green and Theatre Gardens, part of an eight-acre public park. Kirkstall Brewery have the lease for around the next 18 months after which the wider HQ project will begin, but that won’t necessarily signal the end of their involvement. They’ll have the opportunity to return after the work is completed, with the eventual aim to have a combination of food court, bars and restaurants across the ground floor and basement.

For now, though, Steve Holt, Kirkstall Brewery’s owner and founder, is buzzing to be taking over a Leeds icon. “It’s really exciting. When I found out that The Tetley was going to be empty for a short period of time, I just thought it was a great opportunity to showcase not just our beers, but the beers from other Leeds breweries as well and to celebrate the history and heritage of brewing in Leeds. So we’re just really proud and pleased to be custodians of the building for a short period of time.”

This historic Leeds landmark is the perfect setting to sink a few quality pints, all brought to life by another local favourite. For reasons above, they can’t and haven’t done much to the pub as it is now and as it used to be, but there are little elements of Kirkstall’s influence showing. Owner Steve has a massive collection of Leeds beer heritage memorabilia and the pub has been decorated with a small selection of them, to give it a proper pub feel, alongside comfy leather Chesterfields and a selection of Victorian and Edwardian pub tables.

So what are we drinking? Well, Kirkstall Brewery’s finest, of course. Cask lovers will be able to take their tastebuds on a traditional trip around the pumps – Three Swords? Kirkstall Pale? Black Band Porter? Try one, try two, try all three, and that’s just a small sample. Prefer keg? Virtuous and Judicious will be present and correct, but it’s not just familiar favourites, the bar will also host some of Kirkstall’s more adventurous creations and innovative collaborations with other breweries.

It doesn’t stop there, either. They’re going to be purposefully teaming up with other local modern craft and traditional cask breweries to really make The Tetley a celebration of Leeds’ brewing brilliance. That includes the classic Tetley’s Bitter – how could they not? – but you can also get ready to sample a bunch of familiar and not-so-familiar names including Leeds Brewery, North Brewing Co, Anthology and Northern Monk. It won’t just be beer either – wine, spirits and cocktails mean there’s something for everyone.

This championing of Leeds’ brewing scene is at the very core of Steve and Kirkstall’s ideas behind taking over The Tetley. “We want to try and represent all the Leeds breweries in some shape or form. So eventually, we’ll have beers from Northern Monk, Anthology, Amity, Horsforth Brewery, etc. We’ve actually got quite a collection of small breweries in Leeds. If we go back 100 years, there was probably a similar number of breweries in Leeds at that time. So although we’ve lost Tetley’s, we’ve gone full circle.”

It’s not just about drinking though, oh no. There’s lots for hungry folk to enjoy too. Starters will lead you from a cheddar & Black Band Porter rarebit to Korean popcorn chicken, cauliflower pakora and Whitby crab samosas. Looking for a light bite around lunchtime? Their sarnies are waiting – the Three Swords Fish Butty is the star of the show, the pulled basket is a meat-tastic affair and the spiced Bombay grilled cheese is a fine Indian twist, while the vegan muffuletta is perfect for herbivores.

For mains, they’ve got a whole list of pub classics, the perfect pairing for a pint of Kirkstall Pale. The steak and Tetley Best Bitter pie is a fine place to start, and so is the Three Swords fish and chips. The chicken caesar salad keeps things light, the honey roast gammon comes with a fried duck egg and gravy and the rump steak your choice of drizzling sauces. The hot smoked salmon and tiger prawn fishcake will hit the spot, while the aubergine parmo is a brilliant veggie twist on a northern classic.

But, wait – there’s more! You can choose from a trio of burgers, including The Tetley, their brisket-topped twist on a bacon cheeseburger, as well as a bunch of sides and pint-friendly bar bites – Scampi Bites come with tartare sauce, Tetley Fries sprinkled with rosemary salt and fried pickles with sriracha. And if all that’s not enough, come Sunday, you can treat yourself to an almighty roast dinner – if Kirkstall’s sibling pubs like The Bridge Inn and The Cardigan Arms are anything to go by, you’ll get to sample one of the best roasts around.

And if all that wasn’t enough, they’ve got events spaces where they’ll host their own programme of beer-related shenanigans, but it’s also an area you can book out for your own events – heck, they’ve even got a wedding license! But you don’t have to go that far to enjoy The Tetley. Kirkstall Brewery have done what they do best and taken a historic Leeds location and given it back its personality and character, while opening up it up to the masses for great ales and food. Welcome back The Tetley, it’s like you never went away.

The Tetley, Hunslet Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1JQ.

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Joseph Sheerin Senior Writer

Joseph is one of the longest-serving members of the Leeds-List team. Having lived in Leeds for over 15 years, he knows the city inside out. From restaurants and gig venues to walking routes and coffee shops, he’s explored it all and written about the experience. Joseph has also been a freelance music writer for Trinity Mirror Group – his passion for music is as strong as his love for Leeds.

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