Bar review: Sandbar, Horsforth, Leeds

Cafe by day, bar by night it is one of those venues that is deceptively big.

Opened in 2001 a small watering hole it has expanded through the back massively to make a thriving and roomy bar.

Famed locally for its multi-colour bar and walls adorned with posters depicting cutting-edge bands throughout the past 30-40 years, it has a charm that is unique and the right side of edgy.

As you roam its halls you are as likely to see a picture of The Clash as you are Jimi Hendrix or Kurt Cobain peering from the patchwork quilt effect walls.

It looks like a teenager’s bedroom, in a good way.

During the day it offers, quite simply, top notch grub.

Whether it is something simple like a bacon sarnie or a pizza, it has a great deal to offer you.

By night it grooves to a funky soundtrack, particularly on the weekend when the crowds can swell.

Playlists treat visitors’ eardrums to the best in soul, rock, funk, Blues and everything in between.

In its own words it tries to offer a clubby vibe, without the hassle of getting in and out of the city centre.

On the night in question we are being sensible, just a few quiet drinks to finish off the week.

A couple of rounds in and we are enjoying our pints of cider and some good conversation while being able to hear ourselves over the soundtrack coming form the venue’s speakers.

The crowd is varied, from young students beginning their night out to older family-types, blowing off steam after a week of hard work.

As one of our number is  a smoker we head to the outdoor terraced area at the bar’s rear.

The terrace is, mercifully, heated, allowing for us to keep warm amid the typical Yorkshire winter weather.

During the summer I  can authoritatively attest  that the same terrace is a cracking little sun trap,  making it extremely  popular.

Heading inside we decide to grab some food, getting a sharing platter between us as well as some wine.

Getting a seat proves straight-forward given it is early enough to avoid the larger crowds that tend to flock in on a weekend.

The food is great, it hardly touches the sides as we decide to stay for a few more drinks.

We all agree that Sandbar is a great place with a loyal customer base who know that this independently owned venue is showing its chain bar competitors a thing or three.

Worth a trip to Horsforth any day of the week.