Where to drink in South Bank, from Leeds Dock to Holbeck

South Bank is a regeneration area south of the city centre, across the River Aire, covering the old industrial districts of Holbeck and Hunslet. Wikipedia describes it as a proposed new town under construction, with a £350 million scheme aiming for 8,000 homes and 35,000 jobs. Cranes aside, there are already some very good places to drink. Here is what each one is good for.

The area is loosely defined, so think of it as two clusters: the waterfront around Brewery Place and Leeds Dock, and Holbeck, where Water Lane and Marshall Street do the heavy lifting. Check opening hours before you set off, as some listings disagree.

Brewery Wharf Tavern: riverside pints and Sunday roast

3 Brewery Place, by the River Aire. It opened at the end of August 2025 in the former HOME restaurant, and it is run by the Whitelock's Group, the people behind Whitelock's Ale House and The Meanwood Tavern. It is an independent free house with a big terrace overlooking the water.

The Yorkshire Evening Post counted 14 keg taps and four hand-pulls, with local names such as Northern Monk's Faith and Kirkstall Brewery's Three Swords. Leeds CAMRA lists Five Points Pale, Three Swords and Timothy Taylor Landlord as regular casks. There is gin from Leeds-based Wolfe Bros and three natural wines too. Order a sourdough pizza, or the Sunday roast, which a Tripadvisor reviewer called generous and reasonably priced. Book for groups. Dogs are welcome. It is about five minutes on foot from Leeds Dock and the Royal Armouries. Hours differ between sources, so check before you go.

More: Yorkshire Evening Post review.

Northern Monk Refectory & Garden: craft beer and a big beer garden

The Old Flax Store, Marshalls Mill, Marshall Street, Holbeck. A Grade II-listed former flax store sitting above the original Northern Monk brewery, about a 10-minute walk from Leeds station. Expect around 20 lines, with the freshest Northern Monk beers plus guests. WhatPub says many of the keg beers are dark, sour and strong, and that third-pints are available, which helps if you want to work through the list. Yorkshire Food Guide name-checks the World Beer Cup-winning Eternal Session IPA.

Food is served Wednesday to Sunday. Visit Leeds says the kitchen is Fratello's, serving pizza and panuozzo, though WhatPub says the vendor changes every few months. You can book or walk in, and there is a summer bar in the garden. It is cashless and dog-friendly, children are allowed until 9pm, and brewery tours run at weekends. Visit Leeds lists it closed on Mondays.

More: Northern Monk.

The Midnight Bell: a proper Holbeck pub with Leeds Brewery beer

101 Water Lane, Holbeck. Leeds Brewery's flagship pub, in Holbeck Urban Village, with beams and old brickwork set against a concrete bar and tall windows. Yorkshire Food Guide calls it one of the longest-loved pubs in Leeds. Order the Leeds Brewery range: CAMRA records Leeds Best and the Midnight Bell strong mild (4.8%, cask) as regulars.

In warmer weather a courtyard at the back is served from the bar through a hatch, and upstairs is more food-oriented. Discover Leeds lists British classics and Sunday lunches, and says reservations are accepted.

More: Visit Leeds.

The Canary: happy-hour spritzes at Leeds Dock

The Dockside, Leeds Dock. A cocktail bar and kitchen in bold yellow and black shipping containers, with waterfront views, a heated terrace, quiz nights and dogs welcome. Visit Leeds lists it as open 11am to 11pm daily. Leeds List reported happy hour from 4pm to 7pm with two spritzes for £13, and singled out the Limoncello spritz. Check that deal is still running before you plan around it.

More: Leeds List.

Fearns: daytime coffee, brunch and cocktails

Leeds Dock, at the front of the Department building. More café than bar, but a good daytime pick. Discover Leeds describes an all-day café, bar and restaurant with speciality coffee, cocktails and local beers, plus decking over the water. The Yorkshire Post reported a poke bowl at £8.95 and a veggie breakfast at £13.95 in November 2025. Brunch and Sunday roasts are the focus.

More: Yorkshire Post.

How to put a night together

• Waterfront start: a pint on the terrace at Brewery Wharf Tavern, then a five-minute walk to The Canary for a spritz.
• Holbeck route: Leeds Brewery beer at The Midnight Bell on Water Lane, then craft beer at Northern Monk on Marshall Street.
• Daytime: brunch at Fearns, then drift along the water.

South Bank is changing fast, so expect this list to grow. For now it is a short shortlist, and every place on it is worth the walk across the river.