Looking to elevate your drinking game but unsure where to start? Leeds is home to a surprising number of ravishing rooftops offering irresistible city skyline views. From hipster havens to upmarket Japanese restaurants, here are seven of the best rooftop bars in Leeds. Cheers to summer!
1. Headrow House
Headrow House doesn’t just have one superb rooftop terrace, there are two. Set in a converted textile mill in one of the city’s most iconic yards, the multi-use venue is set across four sprawling floors. On the ground floor, there’s a large Beer Hall serving up a good range of brilliant brews, while upstairs you’ll find the award-winning Ox Club restaurant, which champions the best of Yorkshire’s seasonal produce. But the Redondo Beach and Rooft Terrace is the real show-stealer here. Open from 5pm ’til late from Wednesday to Saturday, visitors can tuck into craft cocktails, bottled beers and Czech beers on tap while they take in views over Victoria Quarter, Kirkgate Market and Victoria Gate. There are live DJ sets every Saturday too.
2. The Rooftop at East Parade
Located slap-bang in the centre of Leeds, The Rooftop at East Parade offers some of the best views of the city skyline. To access the rooftop, you’ll need a password and it’s walk-ins only, so make sure you get here early. Up on the terrace, you can soak in the extraordinary views and irresistible vibes as you sup on cocktails, beers and wines as the sun goes down. If the weather is a little less Mediterranean than you might hope, there’s a covered seating section too.
3. Angelica
Set six floors above the hustle and bustle of the Trinity Centre, Angelica is the highest rooftop bar in Leeds. The grassy wrap-around terrace offers showstopping panoramic views of the city, with a front-row seat view of the Minster. At the centre of the space stands a lengthy cocktail bar, which serves up an even lengthier list of locally-sourced beers, champagnes, cocktails, wines and soft drinks. If you’re looking to dine as close to the clouds as possible, there’s a full a la carte menu and afternoon tea on offer, with barbecues in the summertime.
4. Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen
This hipster haven has become one of the city’s most iconic rooftop venues. At three storeys high, it’s hardly high rise but the views over the surrounding buildings are something special. Pull up a pew at one of the colourful picnic tables on the astroturf or grab yourself a shady spot in one of the covered huts lining the perimeter. There are Kirstall and Five Points beers on tap, as well as a good selection of local and international bottled beers. Feeling peckish? You can order pizza by the slice from award-winning doughboys or a succulent burger from Leed’s favourite Patty’s Burgers, so there’s really no reason to leave.
5. Parkside Tavern
Rooftop terraces are rarely found atop friendly pubs, but Parkside Tavern is a notable exception. The sun-filled terrace features long picnic-style benches, four pool tables and over 18 beers on tap. Thanks to its central location it’s nearly always busy, but there’s plenty of seats and space for everyone. The food menu is excellent too, with a wide range of flatbread pizzas and crowd-pleasing sharing dishes to choose from.
6. Issho Rooftop Restaurant and Bar
For something a little special, head to Issho Rooftop Restaurant and Bar. This highly Instagrammable terrace serves up tasty Japanese dishes alongside Asian-inspired cocktails, with sparkling views of the city. Between its wooden decking, lush green plants and cloud-like sofas and plush loungers, it’s not hard to see why it’s such a popular spot for al fresco post-work drinks, dates and girly get-togethers.
7. Green Room
Green Room is a relative newcomer on the Leeds rooftop bar scene, but it’s now the city’s largest rooftop space. By day, visitors can enjoy brunch, coffee and seasonal dishes; by night it’s all about the live music and cocktails. You can soak up the views and the vibes all year long too. In winter, the space transformed into a cosy Winter Garden serving signature mulled wine and locally brewed Germany-style pilsners.
