Pint Of Ale

The Grove is Leeds is a survivor. It stands its ground while all around it, Leeds’ newest and tallest buildings are being erected. There’s not a house in sight yet the The Grove stands and is often regarded as one of the best pubs in Leeds. It is dwarfed by its newest neighbour, the 32-storey, aluminium-clad Bridgewater Place.

The Grove is largely unaltered, probably since it was built, which means that intact are the three small rooms, each with individual character, and its drinking corridor which was a feature of pubs in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

There are always at least six or seven real ales on tap, usually local, and always in excellent condition. I think that the Leeds Beer Festival use the Grove’s cellars to keep some of the beer before transporting to Pudsey. The bar staff are always friendly and happy to recommend an ale that will suit your individual tastes.

The small rooms are each different. My favourite room is the old smoke room with wooden benches with curved backs and a stained glass canal scene. The building oozes character. The Grove is a popular live music venue. There always seems to be music playing at The Grove. The pub has a large rear concert room and plays host to folk, jazz, rock, anything goes and posters always advertise the month’s bookings. The Grove Folk Club is based here too. One night, Matt and I were sitting in the small front room by ourselves when a couple of people came in and asked if we’d mind moving along to the other table since they wanted the extra space in which “to play”. We moved, wondering what we were about to witness. The couple were joined by a few more and they all had folk instruments. Matt and I were treated to a little private session and I found it really enjoyable.

The Grove attracts a wide range of people. Students mix with workmen nursing pints in their Dayglo jackets. We spent a while talking to a truck driver called Stuart who spent a while telling us of his travels and asking us what we do outside of work. (”Pub website? Pah! Computers - rubbish!”).

The Grove is a local favourite with CAMRA members and rightly so. It’s an execllent pub not far from Leeds train station and is well worth seeking out amongst the skyscrapers for a pint of traditional ale in a traditional pub in the heart of modern Leeds.