Rita’s Beerhall and Ballroom opened on December 6, 2024

I remember Walkabout on Woodhouse Lane vividly from my student days. Cheap pints, packed dance floors and a reliably good night out. So, when it closed two years ago, I was heartbroken. Enter Rita’s, which had me won over from my very first visit. But does Leeds’ party bar still stand the test of time?

When Rita’s opened, it promised “the new ultimate destination for great nights out without needing to break the bank”, with free-entry live music, pizza slices and plenty of energy. Two years on, it’s safe to say it knows its target audience.

Inside, Rita’s is anything but understated. With bold neon lights, retro-patterned wallpaper and leopard print pool tables that look ready for their own instagram close-up, drawing in plenty of attention with hopeful players awaiting their turn.

The huge space has a beer-hall feel, with long tables for groups and plenty of room to let-loose.

Exterior of Rita's Beer Hall, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds | James Hardisty

placeholder image — Exterior of Rita's Beer Hall, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds | James Hardisty

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Personally, I like a night out where dancing is less of an option and more of an inevitability. Add a few slushy margaritas into the mix and I’m happy. Thankfully, Rita’s has tables you can climb onto and dance on while the live music plays, making it less of a traditional bar and more of a night out in itself.

My first drink was, unsurprisingly, a slushy margarita. At £6, it was a refreshing bargain and dangerously easy to drink. The icy texture made it particularly satisfying, with just the right balance of sweetness and citrus. On the bustling Friday night, I opted for table service, scanning the QR code to order without having to elbow my way to the bar. The wait was a little longer than ideal, although the packed-out bar made that hardly surprising.

There’s plenty of choice on the drinks menu, from cocktails and mocktails to a decent selection of beer. My companion went for the spicy margarita at £8.50, which they declared as one of the ‘best margs in Leeds’. The sharp lime, drizzle of agave and fiery tajin rim delivered a tangy kick, with a big whack of chilli heat to keep things interesting.

Rita’s won’t be for everyone. It’s unapologetically geared towards a younger crowd, and if you’re after a quiet drink and a catch-up, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you want music, dancing and drinks that won’t leave your bank account crying, it ticks plenty of boxes.