11-15 Hirst Yard,
Briggate,
Leeds,
LS1 6NJ
(0113) 245 6595
The ViewLeeds Review
Boutique is super popular, friendly and is quite simply one of the best cocktail bars Leeds has to offer.
The Venue
Boutique is hidden away in Hirst Yard with a couple of other fashionable nightlife venues. Each one has its own distinctive character and Boutique is the trendiest of the lot. It spreads over two floors and is furnished with tall chairs around the bar as well as a few couches. There are fairy lights here and there to add some bohemian allure but the place is rather slick, elegant and fashionable. The bar appears to be green because of the lights and there is an internal balcony looking over it and this is a good spot for people watching.
All in all the place is not too big but it appears to be much smaller because of the many people who cram in it at one time.
The People
The above is what you would see if you were actually able to have a proper look around but often you struggle to even get inside the place. Boutique is so popular that you will have to line up tidily and, once inside, be ready to face the moshpit in front of the bar.
Ordering a drink here can be quite difficult so don't come thirsty. You may not appreciate having so many people around but the crowd at Boutique is actually glamorous, lively and often friendly. The majority of customers seem to be girls in their twenties who have put a lot of effort into looking stunning for the night. But, despite the high sheen, there's very little attitude here and it's so packed you'd probably find it hard to strike a pose and stay upright.
The Drink
The drink list is definitely the reasons why this place is so packed. You'll be at loss on what to choose since there is too much and it all sounds too tempting. At Boutique you will have a taste of real fancy drinking. Between the suggested spirits and mixers (£3.50) you will find Kremly vodka with lychee juice and Hennesy cognac with Canada Dry ginger ale. Who orders boring old rum and coke anymore?
The cocktails are the true show stoppers. You can pick from Pornstar Martinis (£8), Holy Cocktails (£6 to £7), Brazilian Life (£6), Back To Nature (£6), margaritas (£6), collins (£6), sours (£6) and the Boutique Collection (£6).
It's hard to suggest something to try since there's too much to choose from. But if you want to for something over-the-top, something you can tell your grandchildren about, then try The Grail. It's four measures of Hennesy Paradis cognac over brown sugar with angostura bitters and a bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne to top it off and it costs £250. But the In-Diana Jones (Frangelico, coconut syrup, mango puree, Liq43, lemon juice and pineapple juice served with a side of Champagne), the Batida De Amendoin (Sagatiba cachaca, ground peanut, sugar and condensed milk) and the Flower Sours (gin, elderflower cordial, lemon juice, lemon sugar and egg white) are just as spectacular and are a fraction of the cost.
They also serve a good range of wine with a dozen bottles from new and old world all reasonably priced between £12.50 and £21 (glasses are £3.75 to £5.50). You can also pick from ten Champagnes (£40 to £180 with glasses available for £8 to £9) for when you have to celebrate or order a non alcoholic drink if you are the designated driver (£3.50). If you feel like having a less complicated drink opt for a beer for £3.50. They have rare bottles like Quilmes, Modelo Especial, Krombacher, Sapporo, Cusquena and Michelob.
The Last Word
Trendy and frequented by a fashionable crowd Boutique has a drinks menu that would justify the visit alone. Highly recommended.
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