Whitelock's Ale House

Featured reviews

• G

  Google user

  ·2 months ago

  “Whitelock's is one of those pubs that I recommend without hesitation to people who are looking for a "proper pub" to visit. A real Victorian aesthetic, with wooden floors, brass bar countertops, wooden beams and a tiled bar. The beers on offer are great, Theakston's Old Peculier is a go to favourite of mine as well as Timothy Taylor's Landlord. It's clear the folk here keep a healthy cellar. Guest casks are always on, and I've found some lovely and obscure pints this way. The food is excellent. The soup of the day, steak and ale pie, Sunday roast and sticky toffee pudding are delicious. The chefs in that kitchen evidently work hard and it shows in the food. Speaking of the staff they are friendly, competent, knowledgeable and speedy. Pretty much what you want from pub staff, to be honest. Whitelock's is well integrated into the community of Leeds and host some great events now and then. Brilliant place all around.”

  Read more
• G

  Google user

  ·2 months ago

  “One of the best places to have a traditional pub meal in Leeds. I usually get the pie, which is one of the best I have had. They have outstanding nonalcoholic beer and a very comfortable and cozy dining area. Their fish and chips is also very high-quality and they have bespoke desserts. Pro tip: Definitely make a reservation the day before: sometimes you won’t need it, but it can get unexpectedly slammed on occasion. I have had their Sunday roast, which is also very good and their Christmas dinner as well. If you don’t make a reservation a day before you can always ring them up and they might be able to get you in, but be aware the online reservation tool doesn’t work for same-day reservations.”

  Read more
• G

  Google user

  ·3 months ago

  “Famous Leeds institution, down an interesting narrow alleyway, well signposted from the main shopping street. Has an interesting and historic interior, has gained in recent years a small outside drinking area. A regular in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide including 2026. Has a wide range of cask and keg beers, well worth searching out when in Leeds. On my visit we didn't sample the food. The menu is standard British pub fare along with traditional Sunday lunches.”

  Read more
• G

  Google user

  ·4 months ago

  “Oldest pub in Leeds. Cool atmosphere and history. My server was good, but she was very busy with the amount of people, hard to fault someone who is running....”

• G

  Google user

  ·4 months ago

  “On Monday evening I dined and had a drink in the famous Whitelocks Alehouse, Turks Head Yard, Leeds city centre. I haven't eaten and drunk in here since the early 1980's, when I came to Leeds for the CAMRA Great British Beers Festival held in Queen Hall, which I found out was sadly demolished in 1989. I remember from my last visit to Whitelocks they not only had a good selection of real ales, but they did a great steak and ale pie. The pub doesn't appear to have changed. It is still one long room, with a designated small restaurant area on the right - hand side, and the remainder is the bar. There is outside seating outside in the alley that the pub is located in. By the way the sister pub to Whitelocks, the Turks Head is directly behind Whitelocks. It is similar, but I doubt think they had as many cask ales on. They may even shade the same kitchen. I noticed that Whitelocks had Double Diamond on keg. I had read that the reincarnation of this beer tasted nothing like the original as it was brewed using American hops. I asked for a sample and what I had heard was true. It has a strong America hop flavour. Pleasant, but disappointingly nothing like the original. Whitlocks did offer me the choice of 9 cask ales on hand pump. I had a nice Kirkstall Pale Ale, which is as described on the clip, and cost £5 25 a pint. I thought I'd have the steak and ale pie, mustard mash and veg to see if is was still as good as it used to be the last time I ate this. The pies are still cooked in individual dishes with a short crust pastry on top, not underneath, with a generous filling of steak. The meal was not cheap at £18.95, but at least you are getting quality food. Despite the passing of time I certainly wasn't disappointed with my reunion with this classic Leeds city centre ale house. It's easy to miss it, but I am glad I didn't around 45 years ago. It is dog friendly, but possibly not allowed in the restaurant area. If in Leeds city centre this is a must go to pub.”

  Read more

• G

  Google user

  ·4 months ago

  “We recently booked Whitelocks pub for the Sunday lunch for two of us. We arrived slightly early and were seated right away. We both had the beef roast dinner and food arrived really quickly. The food was delicious however quite a small portion with only 3 roast potatoes and one slice of beef but it was delicious. It was difficult to get the staffs attention when we wanted more drinks and were ready for the bill. But overall the food was nice, just not enough for me!”

  Read more
• G

  Google user

  ·5 months ago

  “Great traditional pub, wonderful interior and plenty of outdoor sheltered seating. Good ale served by friendly people. One of the best pubs in Leeds, and it is dog friendly.”

• G

  Google user

  ·7 months ago

  “Any visit to Whitelocks would usually warrant a five star review but we were very disappointed with the food on this occasion. The steak pie with either chips or mash is usually outstanding, however, for whatever reason they have decided to now serve the pie in its own metal dish instead of on its own on the plate. The result is the crust is welded to the dish and impossible to cut away, all it does is spin around on your plate as you try to cut it away. Also instead of the epic marmite glazed carrots (and I don’t like Marmite) they were replaced with an unappealing pile of dark green cabbage which we both left. The chips have also undergone a change for the worse. If something isn’t broken it’s best left alone! Definitely a step in the wrong direction.”

  Read more
• G

  Google user

  ·8 months ago

  “Such a popular place to drink in Leeds and the quality and choice of cask ales justifies it being a regular entry in the Good Beer Guide. It’s amazing how the staff working in such cramped conditions are able to serve all customers so quickly - long may it continue 👍🏻”

• G

  Google user

  ·11 months ago

  “We visited Whitelocks shortly after opening time (11am) just for a couple of drinks so i can't comment on the food. My friend Steven strongly recommended the Guinness and i have to say it was the best we have had in Leeds. It was rich and creamy - fantastic! The pub is superb with a lovely old style and copper topped tables. It is a very relaxing environment and the staff were friendly.”

  Read more