
Quick info
About The Canary
The Canary is a bar on The Dockside at Leeds Dock in Leeds, built from yellow shipping containers beside the waterfront. A rooftop space called The Nest sits upstairs and looks over the water. The bar uses it for private parties and group bookings. Outside, a decking area gives extra room, while the TVs inside show sport with music playing. The drinks list pairs lager and ale on tap with cocktails, and a cocktail happy hour runs as well. The kitchen serves a street food-inspired menu that includes a chicken burger and roast chicken. The bar also hosts events, including a quiz night.
Advertisements
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention riverside waterfront location, roast chicken, cocktails and chicken burger.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention riverside waterfront location, roast chicken, cocktails and chicken burger.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often praise the waterfront setting at Leeds Dock, with the rooftop and upstairs seating overlooking the water singled out on sunny days. Food comes close behind. The roast chicken is described as always spot on, and a chicken burger was called the best pub burger one diner had eaten. Others mention generous portions and small plates. Beer on tap and cocktails earn praise too, and a cocktail happy hour and a locals' discount are mentioned. Several call the staff friendly and cheerful, and one company party was described as seamless to book and run. The criticism is specific. One reviewer objects to a service charge added to an order of just two drinks, lager poured into ale glasses so it goes flat within minutes, and a mushroom burger that is a single grilled mushroom in a bun. Another faced a long wait for drinks with one person on the bar. A quiz night started late after a stand-in quizmaster struggled with the PA, and by 9pm it was only halfway done, so one diner left to catch a train.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often praise the waterfront setting at Leeds Dock, with the rooftop and upstairs seating overlooking the water singled out on sunny days. Food comes close behind. The roast chicken is described as always spot on, and a chicken burger was called the best pub burger one diner had eaten. Others mention generous portions and small plates. Beer on tap and cocktails earn praise too, and a cocktail happy hour and a locals' discount are mentioned. Several call the staff friendly and cheerful, and one company party was described as seamless to book and run. The criticism is specific. One reviewer objects to a service charge added to an order of just two drinks, lager poured into ale glasses so it goes flat within minutes, and a mushroom burger that is a single grilled mushroom in a bun. Another faced a long wait for drinks with one person on the bar. A quiz night started late after a stand-in quizmaster struggled with the PA, and by 9pm it was only halfway done, so one diner left to catch a train.
Featured reviews
- Lucie Appleton
“Canary Bar hosted our company summer party. We were looked after all night by Lucy and Maisie who were exceptional. The place is clean and modern, the food and drinks were fantastic. There was plenty of space for all, booking with the team was seamless and they really did look after everything which meant we could just enjoy ourselves. Thanks again to Lucy and Maisie and we hope to be back for another party in the future!”
- James Campbell
“Great bar with great location on Leeds Dock. The staff are really professional and cheerful and the cocktails were amazing. Great food at a reasonable price. Will defo be visiting again”
- Josh Nicholson
“It's really disappointing to be honest. There are many issues with this place, mainly adding a service charge to orders of only 2 drinks then serving pints of lager in ale glasses so it's flat within a few mins. Also selling a 'mushroom burger' which is literally just a grilled mushroom with some sauce and salad in a bun. It's like serving a 'cheese' burger and then putting a slice of cheese in a bun. Generally it's a decent spot itself and not usually too crowded, staff do their job well but the management surely need to have a look at these issues because I'm not the only one and it's been the same each time I've visited, sorry to say.”
- Stephen Young
“Only got time to set upstairs and have one drink. But it was enjoyable over looking water in the sun.”
- Paul Singh
“Visited on Wednesday 27th May for the quiz. The chicken burger I had was the best pub burger I have ever had. It was amazing! However the rest of my visit was a let down. There was only one person on the bar which meant a long wait for drinks. I appreciate this can't be helped sometimes but it could have been better. The quiz though was a huge disappointment. There was a stand in quizmaster who was just terrible. He started at 7.40 even though the quiz was advertised as 7-9. This appeared to be because he couldn't get the PA to work. He then spent more time playing music and singing along to it in between questions rather than trying to make up the lost time which meant by 9pm we were only halfway done and I had to leave to catch my train. Really disappointing way to end what started as a great night.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“Canary Bar is a vibrant cocktail bar and kitchen at Leeds Dock, just minutes from Leeds city centre. Set in bold yellow shipping containers with waterfront views, we serve craft beer, cocktails, and a street food-inspired menu. Join us for Happy Hour (Sun-Fri, 4-7pm), live sport including Premier League fixtures on big screens, bottomless brunch on Saturdays, and weekly quiz nights. We’re now taking Christmas bookings for parties, group dining, and private hire in our rooftop space, The Nest. Dog-friendly, laid-back, and perfect for any occasion - Canary is Leeds Dock’s go-to spot for drinks, food, and good times.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating · Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Location
Bars near The Canary
- The Tetley4.48810.3 mi
brisket loaded fries, sunday roast, fish and chips
- Lamb And Flag4.42,3940.3 miReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday roast, seabream, real ales
- Aire Bar4.37220.4 mi
riverside outdoor area, big screen football, pool table
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Canary | 4.3489 | — | riverside waterfront location, roast chicken, cocktails |
| The Tetley | 4.4881 | 0.3 mi | brisket loaded fries, sunday roast, fish and chips |
| Lamb And FlagReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.42,394 | 0.3 mi | sunday roast, seabream, real ales |
| Aire Bar | 4.3722 | 0.4 mi | riverside outdoor area, big screen football, pool table |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Bars nearby
More to explore in Leeds

55 places
Bars in Leeds
Photo: Whitelock's Ale House · 4.6 · 3,425 Google reviews
See all 55 bars in Leeds
4.5 · The AdelphiPubs
33 places
4.8 · Fogo de Chão Leeds - Original from BrazilRestaurants
203 places
4.6 · Squires Cafe Bar.Cafes
50 places
4.9 · Milanos Morley LimitedHair
11 places





