'I visited this Leeds city centre pub packed with books and a hidden canal-side beer garden'
This pub is the kind of place where you can find yourself with a dusty old book over a pint
Having recently received a facelift, The Bookseller's Arms on Bridge End in Leeds city centre offers a perfect counterbalance to the Victorian elegance of The Adelphi just across the street.
The Bookseller's Arms isn't exactly new. It reopened under its current guise in mid-August and was previously known as Bridge End Social.
But long before that, the pub claims, it was a bookshop.
Leaning heavily into its new name, the pub is packed with bookshelves brimming with books.
And the dusty old volumes aren't just for show. In fact, the team encourages guests to rummage through the shelves and settle down with a pint and a good read.
On my visit, however, a busy Friday night, the pub was far too lively for quiet reading.
During the Halloween weekend, it was filled with a lively mix of ghosts, Ali Gs and regulars without fancy dress.
There's a function room downstairs, but as most of the costumed punters seemed to be coming from there, the space was closed off for a private event.
The bar features stylish green panelling and is stocked with a great selection of local draughts, beers and ciders.
Even on a very busy evening, my guest and I weren't left waiting at the bar for long.
Attentive staff quickly served us and we ordered a pint of Aspall and an Aspall Blush for £12.20. It's a fairly hefty price tag for a regular big-brand draught, but it can be difficult to find city-centre pubs charging much less these days.
Luckily, the weather outside was tolerable enough to enjoy The Bookseller's Arms' lovely little beer garden.
Located at the rear, the compact space features only a handful of tables but sits alongside the canal and is secluded enough to make you forget you're in the heart of the city centre on a Friday night.
The Bookseller's Arms is a cosy addition to the city centre. The pub made a name for itself as Bridge End Social, and this rebrand adds an extra touch of class.
While pints sit at the more expensive end of the scale, which is to be expected in the city centre these days, the bookshelves and beer garden are enough to lure me back on a sunny afternoon or warm evening.
Factfile
Address: 24-32 BRidge End, Leeds LS1 4DJ
Opening hours: Monday: 9am-5pm, Tuesday: 3pm-10pm, Wednesday-Thursday, 12pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday: 12pm-12am, Sunday: 12pm-12pm.
Scores
Drinks: 7/10
Value: 7/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Service: 8/10