Best rooftop bars in Leeds
When the sun’s shining and you’re enjoying a few much-needed days off, there’s no better place to head to than a rooftop bar! Whether your tipple of choice is a crisp glass of white wine, a fruity cocktail, or a classic craft beer, for some reason, life just feels so much better when you’re drinking high up on a roof, looking over a city’s skyline.
If you’re thinking of spending a few days in Leeds, then you’re in luck. If there’s one thing Leeds does well, it’s bars; so, read on to discover the best rooftop bars in Leeds to try.
1. Green Room
A relative newcomer to the Leeds rooftop bar scene, Green Room opened its doors in spring 2022, and its rooftop terrace has been packed ever since during the warmer months, with after-work crowds, bottomless brunchers, and casual weekend drinkers.
The terrace itself is full of long benches, so if you’re visiting as a small group, then be prepared to make some new friends! There’s also a terrace on top of the terrace, that’s a real sun trap. Luckily, you can now book tables for drinks on the roof, which we definitely recommend doing so, because if you just try your luck on the day, chances are, you’ll get turned away.
In terms of drinks, there’s something for everyone, from classic cocktails and mocktails through to summery spritzes and generous goblets of gin. There’s even a delicious brunch menu that offers everything from breakfast burritos through to pancakes, so you really can spend all day here.
Green Room: 36 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 2DE
2. Headrow House
Perhaps one of the most iconic rooftop bars in Leeds, Headrow House is another spot that fills up quickly – and unfortunately, you can’t book a table here, so our advice is to bag your spot as early as possible, and then spend the whole sunny day here!
Home to not one but two terraces (Redondo Beach and Kennedy Fields), treat yourself to £6.95 cocktails (or order a pitcher if there’s a few of you), or sample the selection of beer, wine, and gin on offer.
If you’re feeling peckish, then simply head downstairs to Ox Club on the ground floor, which is an award-winning restaurant selling delicious cuisine that’s made from the finest Yorkshire produce.
Headrow House: 19a The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 6PU
3. If Rooftop
Located on top of the Avenue HQ coworking space on East Parade, if you like your rooftop bars to be a secret, then If is the one for you. Once you’ve located the secret code on their Instagram bio (it changes every day), you’ll then need to navigate to the back entrance of the building, where you can find the lift that takes you up to the top.
Whilst If might be a relatively small rooftop, it definitely feels like a haven in the city, and you’ll be rewarded with great views of Victoria Square and the Town Hall. Whilst you can expect all the classic spirits any bar will offer, if you find yourself at If on a hot summer’s day, then we definitely recommend you give one of their slushie cocktails a try!
If Rooftop: 10-12 Park Cross Street, East Parade, Leeds, LS1 2BH
4. Issho
For something significantly more upscale, you can’t do better than Issho. One of the best rooftop bars in Leeds, Issho is located on the roof of Victoria shopping centre, and offers a combination of decadent cocktails, and delicious Japanese food.
The bar features an outdoor terrace, but it’s first-come-first serve, as you can’t book that area. However, if you grab a table, you’ll never want to leave, with its Japanese-inspired cocktails featuring the likes of sake, lychee, and dragon fruit, and names like ‘Night out in Tokyo’, ‘Shimizu Dream’, and ‘Purple Emperor Sasakia’.
Issho: Victoria Gate Third Floor Rooftop, George Street, Leeds, LS2 7AU
5. Belgrave Music Hall
Belgrave is another one of Leeds’ best rooftops bars, and is a great option to try if you’re looking for some outdoor drinks in the city. Popular amongst students, this bar has a distinctly casual vibe, and it offers some of the best pizza in Leeds, brought to you by Dough Boys – perfect for soaking up the alcohol.
There’s a tonne of tables, including several covered huts which you can huddle under should it start to rain; and the drinks are very reasonably priced too. If you’re into music, then stay here late into the evening, with this venue a popular place for up-and-coming bands across the UK to play at.
Belgrave Music Hall: Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds, LS2 8JP
6. Roland’s
Situated on Call Lane, Roland’s has lots of outdoor seating to choose from – from the benches at the front, to the garden at the back, although our favourite drinking space is up the stairs, to the small, but cosy roof terrace, which has four or five tables (and the great news is, you can book them!).
Roland’s is known for having some of the best cocktails in Leeds, and its casual, unassuming vibe is completely different to the rest of Call Lane, which, let’s face it, can get a bit rowdy at times!
Excitingly, Roland’s has just announced that they’ll be serving Sunday roasts, so if you want to pair a pint with a Yorkshire pud, we know just the place!
Roland’s: 39 Call Lane, Leeds, LS1 7BT
7. Sky Lounge
High up in the sky on the 13th floor of the DoubleTree, in the stylish Granary Wharf area, lies the luxury Sky Lounge.
Open for bottomless brunches, afternoon teas, and classic cocktail drinking, it’s no wonder Sky Lounge is one of the most popular rooftop bars in Leeds.
Their cocktail menu is extensive, featuring all the classics, from Margaritas to Mojitos and Espresso Martinis, through to Yorkshire-inspired tipples, including Pink Ballet Fizz (did you know Leeds is home to Northern Ballet?), and the Perfect Ripple. There’s also an impressive selection of mocktails and soft drinks too.
Sky Lounge: DoubleTree by Hilton, Granary Wharf, Leeds, LS1 4BR
8. Water Lane Boathouse
The final bar on our list might not be found on a rooftop, but its outdoor space is so impressive, it’s worth a mention. Located just across the river from Sky Lounge, lies Water Lane Boathouse, the interiors are open-plan and sprawling, but it’s the beer garden that makes this place truly impressive.
Located on the banks of the River Aire, there’s no better place to enjoy a cool pint of beer or floral gin on a hot summer’s day, as you watch the world go by. The food menu’s pretty impressive too – choose from an array of pizzas, burgers, and small plates, including truffle fries, and mushroom calamari.
Plus, the venue holds several events, including its popular pub quiz on a Monday (join, and you’ll get a free pizza!), and its evening crafting workshops.
Water Lane Boathouse: Canal Wharf, Holbeck, Leeds, LS11 5PS
So, now all that’s left for you to do is embark on a rooftop bar crawl across Leeds, as you drink some of the best cocktails, whilst taking in some of the best views of the city. And if you want to make a weekend of it, why not book one of our holiday lettings in York? Just a short train ride away from Leeds, it’s super easy to get to, and you’ll have the whole of Yorkshire right at your fingertips.
Alternatively, for more foodie inspiration, head on over to our blog, where you can discover the best restaurants in York, as well as the best brunch places in Harrogate.