Best of Leeds: Bottleshops & Beer Cafes

We all know that Leeds has a number of great bars and pubs for beer, but with at home drinking increasingly exponentially in recent times Leeds has also had something of a boom in beer-led bottle shops. Whether you're looking for a haul to take home, or a couple of halves and some advice from people who live and breathe beer, this rundown of the best outlets in our area will certainly leave you thirsty.

Little Leeds Beer House

Nestled on the 2nd Floor of the Corn Exchange, owners Richard and Bryony not only stock excellent beer but have worked hard to establish a friendly, welcoming feel by hosting events such BYO-Bottleshares, beer dinners and meet the brewer sessions. Also, with four draught beers on the go they encourage customers to drink in and chat, or if you’re pushed for time, you can get your Growler filled. 

Little Leeds Beer House, Corn Exchange, LS1 7BR

Beer Ritz

Out of town, in the northern reaches of Headingley, is the most well-established shop on this list. Open since 1998, and with an online mail order outlet, Beer Ritz was and is one of the establishments that have been at the vanguard of the beer scene nationwide. By constantly updating its range, and by employing only the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff, it has nurtured a loyal stream of customers and a revered reputation. 

Beer Ritz, 14 Weetwood Lane, LS16 5LX

Tall Boys Beer Market

Opened back in 2014, Tall Boys was a welcome return for proper beer shops to Leeds City Centre, giving us all an opportunity to pick something tasty up on our lunch hour. Since the opening, the space has also taken on a café-bar feel, with a decently sized seating area upstairs for a half or two from their draught taps. There’s also room for freshly baked bread, cakes and other treats from The Noonshine Café to fill up on while you peruse some of the frequent art exhibitions that Tall Boys hosts.  Full Review

Tall Boys Beer Market, 17 Thorntons Arcade, LS1 6LQ

Raynville Superstore

Enthusiasm counts for a lot in the beer industry, and in the quiet streets bordering Armley and Bramley, Raynville Superstore have certainly warmly embraced all things beer. Whilst the shop may appear to be a normal suburban convenience store from the outside, inside there is an ever expanding treasure trove of bottles, cans and even four lines of draught beer for growler fills. Through word of mouth alone, Raynville has attracted customers from across Leeds, eager to stock up and chat in what feels like a hidden cache of craft beer for first-time visitors.

Raynville Superstore, 14-16 Raynville Road, Armley, LS12 2TF

The Curious Hop

Otley may seem to outsiders to be a quietish market town, but alongside an unexpectedly large number of pubs one of the Leeds region’s best beer shops is nestled away in a pedestrian precinct. Looking like a modest outlet from outside, the Curious Hop is extremely well stocked, with beers that are often unavailable elsewhere in the region. More recently, the shop has been obtaining a temporary licence for on-site drinking and plans are afoot to make this more regular. Growler fills are also available for takeaway. 

Curious Hop, 18 New Market, Otley, LS21 3AE

The Hop Shack

Horsforth’s first dedicated craft beer shop is also open daily as a micropub, with 6 Keg lines of quality beer at decent prices. There’s also a decent range bottles and cans for takeaway or drinking in (with a small corkage charge), and since opening the venue has certainly been popular – with occasional live music as well, the Hop Shack has certainly brightened up Horsforth’s nightlife.

The Hop Shack, 135 New Road Side, Horsforth, LS18 4QD

The Triangle

If you were to open a one-stop outlet for all of life’s essentials, it would probably resemble The Triangle. Full of art, records, snacks, other curiosities and good coffee, it’s almost a disservice to solely think of it as a great beer shop, but with great draught and bottled beer on offer, it ticks that box too. The Triangle also has book clubs and other events that mean there’s a buzzy, engaging aspect of the business, as well.

The Triangle, 47 Bradford Road, Shipley, BD18 3DS  

Bier Huis

Whilst Leeds city centre and the suburbs to the north and north-west have a number of decent stops for beer hounds, the southerly regions and satellite towns are less well served. However, a delve into Ossett, situated between Wakefield, Dewsbury and Leeds, reveals a Gem - Bier Huis. With an unrivalled selection of beers from Yorkshire, as well as the best Belgian and German bottles, Bier Huis offers something for every preference.

On-site drinking is also encouraged, with regular Friday and Saturday evening events and tastings. Bier Huis also has a range of unique ciders, spirits and liqueurs if you’re fancying a change.

Bier Huis, 17 Towngate, Ossett, WF5 9BL

Fuggle and Golding

Another outpost of great beer, Fuggle and Golding has recently changed hands, but continues to offer a varied range of cans and bottles. They'll also sell you a litre or two of draught beer in one of their branded growlers. With their vast fridge, they're also doing their bit to cut down shelf-to-mouth time. No more waiting around for your purchases to cool on a hot day!

Fuggle and Golding, 30 Leeds Road, Ilkley LS29 8DS