Nice, big, comfy bar.
Decent beers.
I would have given 5 stars but for the staff which were a little on the disinterested side.
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I love this bar. It's one that I don't often think to go to, but fortunately my friends are better than me and suggest it often. It's the child of Sela and Brudenell, I hear, which makes perfect sense when you experience the mixing pot of good prices, great drinks, chilled and lovely staff, a fab soundtrack, and cool interior.
Pretty much, right there, that's the summary. But that's a bit bland, so let me elaborate.
I love that they have root beer for when I'm not boozing. I love that the bar staff are always on the banter. (Pro tip: it's always nice to tip your bar staff a shot if there's craic. Well, I used to appreciate that, anyway.)
I love that the bouncers are not a-holes. I love the table arrangement so that it genuinely is a place to sit and shoot the sh!t with your friends, rather than crowd in a space that prevents you from talking. I mean, duh, they called it The Social.
Okay, I promised less bland, but I don't know how to describe the qualities of this place better. It's comforting. When I think about the outings had, I have the good nostalgia -- the one where you feel a slight hit of oxytocin, akin to a warm hug, and the corners of your mouth turn up. It's good people, is what it is.
Cheap as chips. The inexpensive kind of chips. Not double fried parsnip with herb, fried in organic oil kind that you find in most bars. Thatchers Gold? Was about £3. Probably the least I've ever paid over a bar.
So with such low prices it's horrid right? NO. NO IT IS NOT.
It looks newly refitted, everything is clean and tidy and 'attractive' in that new bar/pub kind of way (though the toilets are horrid). Where it excels though is in the staff - they are LOVELY - I spent an entire Sunday afternoon at the bar with a friend and we were both impressed by the service levels and friendliness of those who were pulling those cheap as chips pints.
Well impressed with The Social, and I'd go there way more if it wasn't the wrong end of town. Yes, I'm lazy. Though I'm not sure that it's important you know that in a review.
With stellar stew on offer, limited but brilliant beer, and free foosball this place has some real potential! Full review to follow shortly.
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Turning up at 5pm on a sunday is probably not the best time to be testing out a new bar but oddly i think the experience said enough to warrent the review.
Being the offspring of thems that brought you cellar bar and brudenell social club (to name a few of that happy family of bars) you'll be expecting a lot from Social. And for once i think they really did us proud.
The beer is excellent, though perhaps a little light on choices, this is no real crime given the bars only a few weeks old. The staff are brilliant. Very friendly (and for regulars of cellar or brudenell perhaps even a little familiar... like i said happy family).
The table football is free (and basically creates the hub of whole place, at least when we're there demanding opponents!)
The foods good too. £3.50 for a bowl of stew, made fresh, with a huuge chunk of bread to go with can't be sniffed at.
The place has a decent feel to it, reminiscent of not only this new area (cellar, sandinista, bellgrave) but also of the cafe bars of northern quarter in manchester. A place i've spent a fair bit of time in and achieves the same feel that this side of leeds seems to be striving for.
The music was mostly ambient i have to say but there were some excellent tunes in the mix. I'd be really keen to see what this place is like when its busy. The clientelle just on a quiet night were my kind of folk and i think it could only get better.
Off to a flying start Social, keep it up!
Called in yesterday on our way to the FD arena.
Really nice bar, great decor and styling, prices good and will certainly visit again.
( no rating on the food as we didn't dine here)
It was really early when we went here so it was very quiet. The girl serving us was very pleasant. We sat in the area outside. It's directly opposite Leeds Grand Theatre so it was perfect for a pre theatre drink
Always a friendly environment, it can be a bit noisy if it's full but otherwise good. They had a brudenell beer on which was great as sometimes the beer choice is a little dull. In summer be sure to check out the hidden gem of a beer garden
Great beer choices. Had a very nice pint. Friendly staff, nice decor. Only negative is the beer garden furniture is falling apart. Will definitely be back.
Only had drinks but the beer was perfect.
Loved the vibe here. Great drink selection. Good atmosphere. Would go again.
Good selection of beer and wine, nice atmosphere, feel like they could offer a few more cask beers. But it has a great feel and the staff are lovely.
For a quieter, chilled place for a decent beer with friends, it's great. Plus tequila and Ting, a great combo.
Whenever we visit Leeds from Rotherham, we always pop in to Social Bar for a couple of drinks. It's well priced for the bar it is and I have attended a few Bearded Villains meets here, where the bar staff have always been friendly and welcoming.
Fantastic place with great atmosphere and selection of beers. Staff was nice enough to keep my drunken friend's shopping bag until he came to his senses and collect them half an hour later. 10/10 would get drunk there again.
Great bar. Large selection of beers at excellent prices with a full bar too. Staff are always very friendly and the place is cosy in the winter but also has a fab outdoor space when it's warmer.
Dismal afternoon turned sunny:
There's a very comfortable feel here. A warm, genuine, welcome is a great thing in the heart of this Northern city. I had an exceptionally good hot toddy to start. The rest of the drinks were very well put together too.
The hospitality was unrivalled. I freely admit to being a difficult customer, so to leave charmed, is quite special.
The range, quality and service are all really, very good.
Cheap, quality craft beer selection. Gets really busy on the weekend but good for sitting and drinking in groups. Beer garden is big and has loads of seating in the summer. They also do reasonable, simple cocktails.
Great beer selection. Foosball table is free if you leave a card behind the bar, which is frankly fantastic. Nice big beer garden out back. Overall a great place for an evening drink.
Beth Wilson (bethwils0n)
+4
You can't go wrong with the social. It always has great beer and ales on tap and they are reasonably priced too. The beer garden is great for when it's a little warmer and it's often my go-to when in town.
The Social is an outpost of the Brudenell Social Club, Leeds's most important music venue and retains something of the atmosphere of its parent establishment. Last time I was there the playlist included tracks by the Modern Lovers, Sonic Youth, and the Velvet Underground. The bar is large and airy, the tables well spaced out and there is a beer garden at the rear. Furnishings and decor are minimalist. Ordering was via an app and drinks were delivered to the table. Along with staples such as lager and cider, Kirkstall Brewery's Virtuous IPA was on tap at a reasonable price and there was a good selection of bottles and cans for those with particular tastes. Personally, I feel more comfortable here than in most bars in the city centre, but I guess it would be easy to feel out of place if you never had any inclinations towards punk rock.
The beer is pretty good, but there's better places in Leeds. Very quiet inside so if you don't like crowds it's a good place for you. This is our go-to place if our favourites are too busy.
Great beer bar at the top end of Merrion street. Run by the same people as the famous Brudenell Social Club. Less noisy and boisterous than the clutch of bars further sown the street Social has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and reasonably priced drinks. Perfect place to stop by for a glass of porter and a game of scrabble.
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