Leeds pubs: Whitelock's opens indoor bookings for craft ales, artisan gins and hearty grub from Yorkshire

Whitelock s, which was first licensed in 1715, has opened bookings for its indoor tables from Monday May 17 as Covid restrictions ease.

Boris Johnson has given indoor hospitality the green light to reopen, permitting bookings for up to six people or two different households.

Pubs in Leeds have been closed since October, which is the first time in Whitelock's 300-year history that it has been shut for that long.

Tucked away in Turk's Head Yard, off Briggate, the popular boozer refurbished its beer garden to seat customers outdoors from April.

Teaming up with its adjoining sister bar, The Turk’s Head, Whitelock's is launching an event to showcase the best of Yorkshire as it reopens indoors - from breweries and gin distilleries to coffee roasters and cider makers.

The event will celebrate a range of guest beers from independent Leeds breweries, including Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery and Anthology, and from further afield in Yorkshire including Zapato, Roosters and Abbeydale.

Two of the region's biggest gin distillers are launching a selection of drinks at the pub.

There will be gin from Whittaker’s, fresh from their copper stills in Nidderdale, including the fruity Rampant Raspberry and the citrus-soaked Summer Solstice.

Artisan distillers Sloemotion will offer a range of gin and sloe gin, including Blackberry and Apple.

There will be a selection of red and white wine from York merchants Field and Fawcett, whisky from Filey Bay, coffee from Leeds-based Maude Coffee Roasters and loose tea from South Yorkshire's Bird House.

The food menu will feature Whitelock’s popular range of Yorkshire pub classics, sourced from local suppliers at Kirkgate Market, including fish and chips and a vegan alternative using banana blossom and nori.

The pub's owner, Ed Mason, said: "We have been closed since October and this is the first time in the pub’s 300-years that we’ve been shut for so long.

"It’s been a tough few months for everyone, and what better way to re-open than with a celebration of all that is great about the region’s independent drinks businesses?

"Whitelock’s has always thrived serving the workers and shoppers in the heart of Leeds city centre and we are delighted to be able to safely welcome people back as the city comes out of lockdown".

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