Arcadia Ale & Wine Bar in Leeds

It’s Saturday night. We have some of the most depressing music I have ever heard within a bar environment. Are you trying to make us leave? Because it’s worked.

Most depressing music ever, it’s Saturday night not a funeral, do you want us to leave sad?

I have had to change my original 5 star post from 2 years ago. Pub has undergone a change in management in the last 12 months since I was last here - New owners are friendly and service is still good but unfortunately the brilliant range of ever changing local beers has been replaced with some casks and then macro brewed beer - Also the craft beer fridges have gone, lost it's little alehouse charm that it had before. Like I said, nothing against the new owners and I wish them all the best but my original 5 star review was in line with the selection available. Used to frequent here on my travels with work stocking up on takeaway beer so it's a shame

Used to be a great place for beers, it has been overtaken by the Otley run on a weekend

Josh and holly were the bar tenders and the life of the place had a great time good conversation and class all around couldn’t fault then

As if putting in sports screens, music and allowing in the Otley Run in wasn't enough, the lower turnover of real ale has lead to beer been sold that has gone off. The bar manager needs to chill out too.

This used be a great bar full of character, good drinks, friendly relaxed atmosphere and good customer service. The bar is now a souless husk of its former self. Loud tasteless dance music, atmosphere drowned out by the music ruined a staff straight out of a parody film. The drinks are not as extensive as it used to be, which wouldn't be a crime if draft didn't taste like the lines had been cleaned with a toothbrush kept rear of a dog. The death of the public house trade has been highlighted time and time again and its because of this type of transformation. Oh and allowing the Otley run into a oub with a bar the size of a coffee table is about as smart as putting a fork into a plug socket. You can modernise and adapt without runing something good.

Completely ruined by new management. Beer choice is now poor. TVs blaring out sport and Otley run ruining the old atmosphere. Won't be going back.

Set on several floors under the Premier Inn. The Swan Blonde was spot on 👍🏻.

I frequented Arcadia when I lived in pre-hipster Meanwood as there was nothing around for discerning real ale drinkers and those in favour of interesting, well kept ale and a friendly peaceful atmosphere. Now it is the complete opposite; drivel on tap and loud, obnoxious, misbehaving and generally selfish people who care not for others around them. Generic sports bar. A real shame for those who appreciate life outside of the mainstream. Good bye to a real gem.

Arcadia was a stalwart of Headingley for decades. Lovely beer, friendly atmosphere... now it's been turned into a generic chain pub with basic lagers on tap and a board outside encouraging Otley Runners (who were once banned). Haven't been in since the previous landlord was forced out. Somehow it was worse than I'd expected. Avoid.

Shame this place has changed management and has gone down market. Now full of sports screens and the Otley Run crowd in fancy dress. They should really change their name rather than trading off the reputation their predecessors took years to build. NB Terminus round the corner in Meanwood has inherited the vibe this place used to have - check it out

How the mighty have fallen. Arcadia was rare among Headingley pubs by offering a wide range of ales, both traditional cask and weird and wonderful keg offerings from a wide range of (generally local) breweries. Friendly, knowledgeable staff were on hand to suggest beer, and the atmosphere was brilliant for chatting among a small group of mates, without the chaos or noise of other pubs and bars in Headingley. Things have changed under the new management. Now there are televisions, cocktails, and lager and beer from large breweries on offer. Cans have gone and the number of cask lines has been reduced. I don't think Arcadia deserves to be called an ale house any more. And now, the last bastion in Headingley free from the chaos and noise of the Otley Run now welcomes the pub crawlers. I think the image below tells previous patrons all they need to know about the attitude of Market Town Taverns.

This place has gone to the dogs. 2 or 3 years ago, it was a brilliant ale house with high quality beers and knowledgeable bar staff. It seems the arcadia has changed hands. The beer choice is very limited and the quality is bland. To be serving 2 theakstons beers in this day and age is an insult to what The Arcadia was once about. If you are a fan of good beers, go somewhere else.

Great place to watch sport or just have a drink. The staff are really friendly and it's really clean and tidy.

Great pub excellent service good choice of food and beers

This bar used to be one of my favourites in the local community; used to have amazing beer and a great atmosphere. Now… everything is underwhelming: food I wouldn’t serve to my 10 year old (verging death dog) and atmosphere which has gone from amazing to just a standard over crowded bar which serves atrocious food and incredibly standard and underwhelming beers (you’d find more varieties in a spoons without a shadow of a doubt). Long story short - if you are wanting a bar with personality (like Arcadia used to be), I would avoid at all costs

Awful since they changed hands. Used to be a lovely craft beer bar with a good atmosphere. Now shows sports, attracts the wrong crowds, serves boring beer and below average food. Staff were fine but not a big bearing on the overall experience. Real shame.

Changed so much, for the worse. AWFUL. As someone approaching 40 that still lives in Headingely, Arcadia was one of the very few places I could go to enjoy a pint with friends, without it being ruined by loud and obnoxious Otley runners. Not anymore. 👎 It's now just another pub in Headingley that caters to large groups of people dressed as smurfs and cowgirls. Went in on a Saturday daytime and it was just awful in there. People so drunk they don't care how they behave. I have a dog that goes everywhere with me and I can't go in there with him now, due to the amount of noise, people shouting and with no decorum whatsoever. Guess I'll be sticking to the Hyde park book club, who understand and respect their customers.

Had just one beer here. Ample seating area.

Not sure I understand the other recent negative reviews. The atmosphere is just as nice as it was before, a lovely place to enjoy a pint. There’s just two unobtrusive tv’s with sport for those who want, and some more pints on tap than there were before. Still the best place for a pint on the high street.

Nice little bar , worth a visit

We went in for NYE drinks. We didn’t expect to stay the whole night but we knew Sunday close was 10pm so we settled in for a few pints. Around 8:30pm a group came to the bar and one of them rang the last orders bell, to the amusement of the rest of the group and one of the bartenders. We were sat at the table near the bar and the noise of the bell was very loud so the customer who rang it apologised. At 9pm we went to order another drink only to be told time had been called. I asked when this had been and the bartender said it was announced over the PA system but only upstairs. Almost everyone sitting downstairs went to the bar like us to order another drink as they hadn’t been aware either and seemed shocked at such early closing on NYE. The fact that the customer who rang the last orders bell apologised had led us all to think it was a joke. There were no signs anywhere to let people know they were closing at 9. I imagine this was because no-one would have gone in had they known beforehand. So disappointing and poor customer service not to make it clear to everyone - not just the customers seated upstairs - that they were closing at 9pm.

Great beers on tap and a good atmosphere! Well worth a visit.

This bar has been ruined with the music and sports tv. We use regularly and when meeting friends last night the loud music spoiled the whole evening. No longer a nice place for a quiet drink either alone or with a group.

At the time of our visit it was quiet. The staff were friendly and helpful and the drinks were excellent, especially the lemon gin and lemonade.

Nice place to chill for drinks , not too loud, relaxed atmosphere

For years this was my favourite pub in Leeds, unfortunately I mirror the more recent low score reviews, it is what it is, and it is no longer a traditional real ale house

Was looking forward to a visit here as I really enjoyed the place and the craft beer selection previously. Gutted to see the mediocre beer selection now on offer. Mostly macro brewery guff with the odd grossly overpriced can of craft. What a shame, waste of a good craft beer bar.

Used to be one of the best places in Headingley. After the renovation it's barely any different to the rest of the bang average pubs around the area. I'd actively recommend avoiding this place.

Gone to the dogs since it's been taken over

Great little place, serves a lot of good craft and unusual ales and beers along with all the normal regular drinks you would expect. Good location and worth a vist

Been here a couple of times while staying in the Premier Inn to visit son at uni. A nice, chilled out pub with a good choice of ales, places to sit and no Otley runners.

One of our favourite haunts. Good selection of drinks, a very cost atmosphere and no Otley runs! What more can you want. It's also a dog friendly pub!

Gone down the nick was a great real ale pub not far from the ground now the choice is poor 5 macro lagers on offer what happened to the craft beer kegs Ruined it!!!

So this bar has changed a bit. It's not the same as it was, but judged by it's merits it's a nice one. Clean, good mainstream beer selection and a relaxed atmosphere. Dog friendly still which is a huge bonus.

Technically still a good pub. Shame about the Otley runners/ large groups now being allowed.

Update: a few months on and I have to say that my initial reaction to the changes at Arcadia seem to have been misplaced. While they do let runners in they don't seem to encourage them and it's not listed on any "run list" I've seen. Yes it gets busy but not ridiculously so. The addition of simple but good food (nice pizzas and loaded fries) is a welcome addition. Adding sky sports, but only one screen per room, also works well. All in all I have to say the changes made are an overall improvement to an already good pub. I stand corrected :-) Original review below for context: Sadly Arcadia has decided to ditch it's USP and now seems to welcome the Otley Runners on a Saturday. It will become another generic bar on the run, packed on Saturday and Sunday. "What's your cheapest lager?" "Got any fruit cider?" "Can we have some shots?" I understand why they've done it but I am saddened that they couldn't stick to what they were brilliant at, great & quality beer you could enjoy with a nice load of conversation. To be clear, I am a fan of the run, the energy and fun it brings to the area makes Headingley special but there was a place for alternatives and Arcadia was one of the last ones. Sad to see it change.

Good little bar with a few real ales, although the guest one (Chop Hop?) was a little flat for my liking.

Really disappointed in this place now, I used to love it. I hadn't been in for a while and wow.. what a step backwards. Lost two cask lines to put more keg in, but the keg stuff is run of the mill generic tat that you can buy in any bar in Headingley, and a lot of its doubled up over the taps. You'll be able to find a better beer selection in your local working man's club... and Arcadia calls itself an 'ale house', haha, jokers.

Good range of cask beers, plus some fizzy craft keg beers for those who haven't discovered the pleasures of real ale. There is a first floor of it is too busy downstairs, but you have to go back down and then up a different flight of stairs to get to the loo. They run various promotions thrift the week, just none of them were suitable for us the day we were there.

(Used to be a) Great place for a good pint - (was) an oasis in Headingley (anyone trying to find a decent place to drink in LS6 will understand) and the foods not bad either. Update as per April 2022 - still a great place to drink. Civilised table service has remained post covid (now no longer..) Update August 2022 - big change has been outside seating - - introduced in July. Popular and (very welcome) a no smoking (see latest updates....) area unlike most pubs. Always a good choice of cask beer. Update November 2022 - still a popular place. The table service from covid times has gone, but there has always been a civilised queue at the bar here. Great choice of ever changing cask beers. Update January 2023 as above, carry on. Updated July 2023 - sadly a change for the worse. The unique nature of this excellent Headingley pub has fundamentally changed. Smoking allowed on the outside seating, large group rules relaxed. Probably better to drink in a Meanwood bar from now on. They say no Otley Run groups but the signs on the door certainly don't say so. Used to be a good bet. Updated October 2023 - sadly succumbed to the Headingley sickness of the Otley Run. Can't recommend you to drink here anymore. What was a busy little bar is crowded out with fly by night revellers thronged round the door. A once pleasant oasis in the Headingley pit of drinking establishments has gone native. Best advice is head down to Meanwood where there is an excellent choice of bars. Even venture a bit further up the A660 to Adel - try Foundation, it's a very welcome addition to the area.

Updated review: no longer a craft beer bar after management change(?). Just another run of the mill student trap. Partner says, like Wetherspoon's but more pricey.

Sadly, I'm having to change my review of one of the best bars in Leeds. It's not the same anymore - The lack of character that Arcadia used to have, the real ales on the pumps/taps have been replaced by generic beers you can get anywhere else (I don't want Cruzcampo or Guinness), no more selection of bottles in the two fridges by the bar. No doubt the staff are friendly and helpful and I get why Market Town Taverns decided to move forward with this change but Arcadia is no longer somewhere I rush to get to after work on a Friday. Original review: My local. Always a great atmosphere and the selection of beers, gins and other drinks is phenomenal. I recommend coming here with the intention to relax after a long week at work.

Drinks⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Service⭐⭐⭐ Vibe⭐⭐⭐⭐

What's happened to this place? I remember visiting previously with family on numerous occasions, and the variety of beers was fantastic. I remember the staff would tell you about the different guest beers and encourage you to have a taste ⁸before buying a drink and the atmosphere used to be cosy. Now, they only seem to have boring Heineken beers, and they have massive TVs playing sports, which is annoying in such a small room when its quiz night. If people want to watch sports in a pub, they will go to the Box, or Skyrack or Manahattan or the New Inn. Basically, any pub in Headingley. It feels a lot like it's trying to be another Otley run pub. What a shame.

Tragic beyond words that Arcadia- is now a sports bar like ever other Otley run drinking hole. What are they thinking!!!!! Or maybe not thinking. Horrid horrid horrid!!!!!

[Edit] Heard from ex staff that Arcadia hasn't got new owners just that Market Town Taverns have decided to make these disastrous changes. Other review mention that Otley runners are still not allowed in which isn't my experience as I saw several groups let in before I stopped going. My god, what the hell happened? Oh right,the brewery chasing the moronic Otley run trend, god forbid the locals have a place to drink without having to put up with drunken loud idiots! Arcadia is now a pretentious hipster bar with the same food and drink offerings as every other bar in Leeds. Gone is the unique interior, the tasteful tributes to passed on locals and no music. In its place is the same copy/pasted dump you can find anywhere. Goodbye Arcadia, I will chose to remember you how you were.

Used to be the best pub in Leeds. It had great staff (friendly and passionateabout beer ) , great beer , great atmosphere and loyal regulars. Now it's got none of the above. Well Staff might be great but without a manager with guts to stand up to head office they are screwed

Arcadia was a successful bar that probably needed a minor makeover after covid. It probably needed to modernise and bring it in line places like Kirkstall Brewery to stay above water. And the new management should have leaned into the beloved bar's USP, which is that it was a haven from the Otley Run, a place for first dates, craft beer specialists, students with their parents, small groups after work, Premier Inn guests etc. Instead, they've ripped it up, installed screens for sport, music blaring out so you can't have a conversation, allowing big stag groups etc. There are bars all over Headingley for blokes to get drunk watching sport, why ruin a lovely pub to create another? Seems like vandalism, and I know a lot of people in the North Leeds area feel the same. Not only a tragedy for regulars, but for the wider community who now have to cope with another stop on the Otley Run. It would be better to let the place die than subject Headingley to more of this.

Edited from previous review due to recent changes What a terrible change to a much loved haven in Headingley. Please can we at least have enough respect to remove the Arcadia Ale House sign. This is no longer an Ale House but a copy n paste wannabe sports bar. I took the decision to walk past rather than go in the other Saturday evening, when I saw golf on 1 TV and tennis on another. I don't doubt the new staff are very nice, but the generic Heineken beers are not.... Original review below. Super friendly bunch! Highly recommend trying the weiss beer 🍺 and some delicious bar snacks (jalapeno flavoured are a favourite 😋)

An oasis of excellent beer in the middle of the Otley Run! EDIT: New owners have turned it into a sports bar :( 5 stars to 1.

Since 2004 i went in to a few country in europe,now i am in Leeds,a small town ,but very nice,i get into a pub ,Arcadia,nice people,and the staff is,. Very kind and again very friendly,especially Finlay, Maisie, Keevy,the most friendly people i ever met! 100% i will come back when i can!!!

This was once the best beer bar in Headingley and one of the best in Leeds. Shocked at how this place has gone downhill. Now completely indistinguishable from the other poor quality chain pubs in Headingley. Atmosphere has gone, The buzz of happy drinkers and laughter replaced with really awful 70s pop songs playing on speakers. They now have cheap basic beers and ales on tap and the beer fridges have gone too! It’s so sad as there weren’t many places in Headingley left with a community feel and an atmosphere. We used to come in every week but I can bare to go in anymore.

Lost all character with the recent refurb and change in direction. Sad to see the destruction of a Headingley institution.

TRAGIC to see one of my favourite pubs in Headingley turn into a run of the mill Otley runner pit stop. This was a safe haven for drinkers to have a quiet pint away from the Otley Run Fancy dress nonsense. Such a shame!

A once great Headingley institution that's been stripped of its soul.

New owners, no longer a craft beer bar. Now serves pizza & sky sports. Fridges gone, music on & mainstream ales on pump - hope it finds an identity/crowd because the old craft beer pub unique selling point is gone.

Lovely atmosphere and friendly staff

Incredibly dispiriting to see in person the changes Arcadia has gone through over the past few months, with a lot of it's selling points seemingly deliberately removed as an attempt to strip it of any character as a warm and welcoming pub in Headingley (particularly given the student-facing nature of 95% of other pubs in the area). I understand the need to move with the times and try new things, of course, but it seems as if the plan for Arcadia was to remove any vestiges of it's previous character and turn it into just another pub: removing the takeaway craft beer fridges, for example, or bringing in Sky Sports and relaxing the rules on large crowds and Otley Runners (a surefire way to lose loyal customers who have long seen it as an escape from these types of punters). It seems particularly egregious and cruel to have removed any signs of the artistic tributes to well-loved locals like Tank and Phil from the bar, too, and replace these with. . .well, nothing. If the plan was to turn Arcadia into another soulless pub interchangeable from any other across the UK, great work.

Great beer. Decent prices. Friendly staff.

Me and a mate decided to visit a few Otley boozers while the students were away. We called in Arcadia around 1.00pm, and it was empty, (as were most of the pubs we visited). It seemed just as it always was, nice service, good choices, excellent beer. I am very concerned about relaxation of the 'large group/fancy dress' rule though. The main reason I go to Arcadia is to AVOID the godawful Otley Run. If that's changed, I won't be visiting in future.

I think there's a lot to like with the new team, vibe and food. The decor is mostly a nice refresh and great they’ve kept the mural. Fab they’re doing food now - pizza was delicious! And still not letting in Otley runners - great decision. Tasty cocktail & wine options now - so there is more for everyone, alongside a good beer range. Those customers who have feed back - best to write direct to Market Town Taverns - the owners who ultimately run the joint - and give them a chance to listen. As the team on the ground who are super warm and friendly, seem to care about the locals and visitors alike and also the history of Arcadia, and I think are doing a great job.

What's happened? 4 deep at the bar and eventually a member of the team got up from her seat in the public area to serve. Music blaring out. The death of a great institution

Used to be the best pub in Leeds but is now an expensive version of Wetherspoons / Walkabout. Like a Heineken themed fake craft beer bar. Will be gone in 6 months unless they get rid of the new management

This is a sad time indeed, the last bastion in Headingley against the crass popularity of The Otley Run, appears to have caved and from the big crowd of blokes in Hawaiian shirts this Saturday, they will be a welcome sight in a bar that always prided itself on hand drawn beers and a good and wide variety. Now today, it appears the place is being revamped. The Otley Run is a weekend sugar rush for bars, but I always hoped that Arcadia would remain immune. Alas, it's not to be.

Big downgrade on what was a great bar. Arcadia now allowing Otley Runners. 15 drunk blokes in Hawaiin shirts blocking the entrance. Whole place looks like it has going to get ruined which has big negative consequences for Headingley residents. This was the only place on the high street people could go to escape drunken unpleasant behaviour.

Called in after the Ashes win. Place was packed, good atmosphere. Great range of ales etc. We even held our own connect4 headingley cup. Jack Carradice-Clarkson of Flamborough cc made light work of his first 6 challengers. Before he came up against the Flamborough cc c4 grand wizard(me) who beat him using only his right hand in under a minute, to go 3-0 up in the series.

The bar staff, Adam and Maisie, were so lovely, they helped answer all my questions. They helped me know which drinks were coeliac friendly and were lovely to chat to. I’ve been to alot of places where the barstaff could not care less about what you want, especially gluten free ciders. Could not recommend this place enough paticularly them!! (give them a raise), the best customer service!

Maisie and Keeve did an amazing job today. Cricket and weather meant the place was packed - but both of them were ace - brillienat service and attitude when worked off their feet. Top job. Thank you

Popped in at the weekend with some mates. Good choice of drinks and super friendly and helpful staff. Will visit again. 100% recommend!

Whilst on a bar crawl in Headingley, a few of my friends suggested we go to Arcadia for a couple. At first, I was hesitant due to being in a couple of years ago and it felt outdated and non-inclusive of the younger generation. Upon arrival, I was greeted with a smile by Maisie who instructed us to choose where we would like to sit down. Next, Maisie took our drink orders and added to the immaculate vibes. After a few, the bar manager Adam suggested I try a couple different types of ales. Not wanting to fork out, I politely declined the offer. Next thing I new, Adam had brought a couple samples out for us to try - which led me to purchase the 'night crawler' stout. Overall, the vibes and inclusivity have changed and I will be returning whenever I'm in Headingley for a night crawler.

I am a young professional and visited this pub with my friend who is studying in the area. I felt the venue catered to all ages and provided a welcoming atmosphere. The service was great and there was a wide range of drinks on offer. I will definitely be returning!

Used to be a great craft bar ran by a great manager, but that seems to have binned for Otley runs and crap beer, it’s a shame the way they’ve ruined it.

This was my favourite place in Leeds for so many years. I was a weekly regular. I would come here all the time because it didn’t play music, didn’t allow Otley runs, and the staff were all friendly and knowledgeable. None of that is true anymore. What a sad way to go! This was the best place in Leeds for so long. Yes the beer was expensive but I always paid more because I loved the community and the people here and the atmosphere. The atmosphere has died. There were even pictures up on the walls of people who would be here every day for years and who had died on the walls and this crass new management has removed them. You have ruined one of the truly most wonderful places in Leeds. I hope you’re happy

Sadly Arcadia has decided to ditch it's USP and now seems to welcome the Otley Runners on a Saturday. It will become another generic bar on the run, packed on Saturday and Sunday. "What's your cheapest lager?" "Got any fruit cider?" "Can we have some shots?" I understand why they've done it but I am saddened that they couldn't stick to what they were brilliant at, great & quality beer you could enjoy with a nice load of conversation. To be clear, I am a fan of the run, the energy and fun it brings to the area makes Headingley special but there was a place for alternatives and Arcadia was one of the last ones. Sad to see it change.

Nice place, peaceful, good vibes.

Went here after the cricket, good place to get a taxi home from. Very busy place! 👍

Great beers, old school ale house vibes decent prices 😂

Great range of bears and nice atmosphere

Love the strawberry beer they have here.

No Otley Runners allowed in here, all the better for it. Relaxed atmosphere, liked it in here.

beautiful pint great atmosphere

Know what they do well, staff friendly and have a good time with the customers. Best places to go.

Knowledgeable staff, a good range of rotating casks and opting out of the Otley run make for comfortably the best drinking establishment in Headingley.

Great pub, excellent drinks choices and quality

Really good selection of beers. They've been doing craft beer since before craft beer was a thing. Never disappoints. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, great beer.

Great bar, can sometimes get overcrowded. Staff knowledgeable and friendly

Nice intimate pub in headingley with good ales. Dog friendly, relaxed atmosphere, friendly clientele. Been out with friends and always get chatting to othe people

This place does good ales but the service lacked. My partner asked for a blonde ale and the bar man who served us was simply just rude over my partners choice of drink. Its a shame really because lots of variations and a warm and cosy environment.

Really nice atmosphere catering to folks who love beer!

vISITED with family and was great location as staying at the premiere inn above , lots of choice of drinks . Even had board games you could play and an upstairs , atmosphere was superb

Odd set up, I understand some places not wanting Otley Run in - But myself and 3 friends walked in, completely sober and not in fancy dress and we were informed we aren’t welcome Real shame as looks a nice place

Comfortably the nicest staff I've met. What a nice way to start my tour of Yorkshire for work. Best wishes from the geezer from Norwich

Brilliant range of beers and friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Been a few times now, nice place for a quick drink(usually on my way home) great selection on gins and red wine (any many other things but these arw my go to)

Love it here. Smells like a rubbish Pets at Home.

I simply cannot fault this bar. Nice beer, reasonably priced, and a lovely cosy atmosphere. There are also a collection of games to play!

Decent types of ale Good selection also

Amazing beers that you'll unlikely find anywhere else