Quick info
About The Chemic Tavern
The Chemic Tavern is a pub in Leeds on Johnston St, dating from the 1840s. Its calendar includes open mic, choir and ukulele nights, and quiz nights, while the back room hosts live music, poetry and spoken word. The main room is small, and board games are available there, including one called the Naughty Corner. At the bar, keg beers, ciders and lagers sit alongside cask ale. No food is served, so drinkers can bring in food from elsewhere, and the fish and chip shop Arkwrights is next door. Dogs are welcome, and the pub has a cat of its own.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live music nights, bring-in takeaway food, open mic poetry and board games.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live music nights, bring-in takeaway food, open mic poetry and board games.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often return to the Chemic for its events, with open mic poetry, music nights and quiz nights named repeatedly, and for the beer, from cask ale and a good selection of keg beers and spirits to a pint of mangolicious and a decent pinot noir. Close behind is the welcome: staff are described as nice and chatty, the pub is called dog-friendly, and one visitor mentions a resident cat. Board games, including the Naughty Corner, add to the quirky feel, and students are welcome without it being a student pub. No food is served, but several note takeaways are allowed, especially fish and chips from next door. Complaints are small. One reviewer found it hard to hear the poetry over a loud man shouting about football in the other room, another saw only one cask pump on, and one says the dull interior needs some TLC and the windowsill lamps are covered in cobwebs. One regular was asked by staff whether they'd had a nice day when they popped in a second time before bed.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often return to the Chemic for its events, with open mic poetry, music nights and quiz nights named repeatedly, and for the beer, from cask ale and a good selection of keg beers and spirits to a pint of mangolicious and a decent pinot noir. Close behind is the welcome: staff are described as nice and chatty, the pub is called dog-friendly, and one visitor mentions a resident cat. Board games, including the Naughty Corner, add to the quirky feel, and students are welcome without it being a student pub. No food is served, but several note takeaways are allowed, especially fish and chips from next door. Complaints are small. One reviewer found it hard to hear the poetry over a loud man shouting about football in the other room, another saw only one cask pump on, and one says the dull interior needs some TLC and the windowsill lamps are covered in cobwebs. One regular was asked by staff whether they'd had a nice day when they popped in a second time before bed.
Featured reviews
- Seanys Show
“A lovely place although it was very difficult attimes to hear the poetry being spoken because of one very loud guy in the other room shouting accross the bar about football.”
- Tim Hall
“This pub is a dying breed.One of the very few local pubs still going. We like the mix of clientele.Background music at a level where you can still have a conversation.Good choice of beers,and they sell scampi fries my favourite. Just one slight niggle,might want to get the cleaner to dust the lamps on the windowsill,never seen so many cobwebs.”
- Alice
“The Chemic is a proper local pub with many community nights and a great atmosphere. They don't serve food here but will allow you to bring in takeaways from elsewhere. The selection at the bar is good and the staff are nice. Despite living in Kirkstall we still like travelling to the Chemic when we can to enjoy a quiz night or music night.”
- Jennie Hawkes
“We were staying in the Airbnb nextdoor, so popped in for a drink when it opened and the vibes were lovely. Staff were really nice and chatty. We got back to our Airbnb and saw it was still open so popped in again before bed, the staff remembered us and asked if we’d had a nice day. Felt really welcomed and was super lively on the evening And there’s a CAT! Would come back to Leeds just for this pub!”
- Cal
“The Chemic is a quaint, smart little bar with a warm and welcoming feel. Offering board games and a cosy atmosphere, it’s a great spot to relax with friends over a drink. On my visit, I spotted someone setting up speakers in the back, so it seems live music also adds to the charm of this characterful venue.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“Cosy, enduring pub from the 1840s, offering ales, spirits & open mic, choir & ukulele nights.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park · Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Location
Bars near The Chemic Tavern
- The Pack Horse4.23140.3 mi£1–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
live music upstairs, cheap pints, large beer garden
- Stick or Twist4.31,4910.9 miWheelchair accessible
loaded spud, chicken and bacon ciabatta, cocktails
- Merchant Leeds4.51,5931 mi£10–20Reservations
karaoke nights, lasagna and garlic bread, steak
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Chemic Tavern | 4.7632 | — | — | live music nights, bring-in takeaway food, open mic poetry |
| The Pack HorseReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.2314 | 0.3 mi | £1–20 | live music upstairs, cheap pints, large beer garden |
| Stick or TwistWheelchair accessible | 4.31,491 | 0.9 mi | — | loaded spud, chicken and bacon ciabatta, cocktails |
| Merchant LeedsReservations | 4.51,593 | 1 mi | £10–20 | karaoke nights, lasagna and garlic bread, steak |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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