Pint Of Ale

Fat Cat in Leeds is one of our favourite afternoon/early evening chilling places and we can’t help but keep coming back. It’s housed in a fantastic building at the bottom of South Parade which reminds you that Leeds actually does have some fantastic architecture that often gets ignored.

It is dark inside but in no way dingy and is set over one split level space. The bar is on your right as you walk in. Fat Cat is a national chain of about 12 ‘café bars’ but they always have at least one cask ale on tap. It’s usually Village by Archers, a brewery in Swindon, and it’s always wonderfully drinkable - light amber in colour and very tasty. We’ve also had Archers’ Early Doors - equally amber and equally easy to drink. The pump was empty on our last visit so we opted for a tangy fruity Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc.

Up a couple of steps is a seating area complete with comfy leather sofas and low tables. There are usually candles to complete the atmosphere. The high ceiling is hidden by dark wood panels that hang and get lower towards the bar, drawing you in. Large potted plants break up the area and give the rear dining area some privacy. The food is honest bar grub and always fantastic. Try their all day breakfast or the shepherds pie with baked beans. Lovely!

In all, Fat Cat in Leeds is a quiet, friendly, relaxing bar, good with cocktails, wine and food but which still manages to stock a real ale and serve it in good shape and with care. Pop in there before seeing a film at Vue and you’ll probably see us sat in a comfy sofa sipping a Village and a dry white, watching the world go by…