157 Briggate,
LEEDS,
LS1 6LY
(0113) 244 2275
The ViewLeeds Review
The Hogs Head is one of those 'order by table number' pubs and is slightly impersonal but light on the wallet. This pub is simple but you won't care when you're paying the minimum for a burger and a pint.
The Venue
The Hogs Head is really quite simple. It spreads over two sizeable floors with an internal balcony and wood-panelled walls that are painted cream on the top half. The furniture is made from light coloured wood and consists of regular tables and chairs. Decor is evidently not their strong point and all the attention is put to minimize costs in favour of the customer. There are some game machines and a few couches which give a bit of colour to the place. The second floor is somewhat better. The ceiling is made of wood and there are comfy armchairs and a pool table placed right under a skylight.
The People
The atmosphere of this place is nothing special. As with any decently priced pub it attracts both twenty and thirty somethings as well as those in their forties and above. Here the majority is in the mid thirties to mid fifties range.
Everyone is here for the same reason and that's affordable drinking. You'll find loud groups sitting on the second floor. You order by table number and this is always a sign that a pub lacks personality. The Hogs Head is no exception since you wouldn't say this place is rich in character. If you are keen on sports though you may find likeminded customers here. The screens show the most popular matches.
The Food
The food is cheap but be aware that there are places where you can eat for less if you are struggling to make ends meet. Burgers (£5.50 to £7.50) are one of the most popular dishes. If you're very hungry try the Mighty Stack with a 6oz beef burger, farm assured chicken breast, crispy bacon, melted cheese, onion rings and barbecue sauce. For something lighter you can have a sandwich or wrap (£3.75 to £5.50). Try the tasty Suffolk ham and salad filling. Pub favourites (£5.50 to £7.50) like steak and ale pie, surf and turf, salmon and broccoli fishcake and others are available all day and you can even get two selected meals at £7. On Sunday they serve traditional roasts.
The Drink
For Leeds the Hogs Head is cheap but not the cheapest. If the end of the month is coming and you're running short of drinking money visit on Fridays from 5pm when Becks and Smirnoff Ice are £1.89, a pint of Heineken is £2, a Corkys shot is £1 and a bottle of house wine is priced at a bargain £5. Pints are otherwise between £2 and £3.
Wine is between £8.50 and £13.50 a bottle with small and large glasses at £2.30 to £3.65 and £3.10 to £5 respectively. The recommended bottles are the Banrock Station Chardonnay and the Banrock Shiraz which are both from Australia. You have ten bottles to choose from not including sparkling wine and Champagne, affordable at £12 to £30. Overall there is nothing very exciting but no drink will cost you a fortune.
The Last Word
The Hogs Head is nothing special and although it's cheap you can save even more elsewhere. The decor is unremarkable and the atmosphere is not particularly vibrant. However there's nothing wrong with the place so if you are feeling unimaginative just stop here for a decently priced pint.
Hogs Head has been reviewed by 1 users