Strawberryfields Cafe Bar

This quirky place doesn't quite look the part but it's a Leeds favourite. So much so that the Kaiser Chiefs held a party here.

Despite its bizarre appearance its atmosphere wins the heart of most people on their first visit.

The Venue
Located close enough to the university to be popular with students, Strawbs Bar has a quirky, slightly eccentric look. When you enter on the groundfloor you notice the bizarre paintings on the walls and the bare furniture. It doesn't really look like a bar and the walls are white except for a series of framed photos near the window. From these you get a feeling of how well loved this place is and the many events it has hosted.

Upstairs there's a bit more decoration which is eccentric. The walls are baby blue with a wave of red and there are giant padded strawberries hanging from them. You wonder whose idea they were but unfortunately you will be left wondering. It's got a hotch-potch creativeness about it which is endearing.

The People
People love this place and it's so popular that Strawbs Bar exhibits with pride the photos of a Kaiser Chief party held here. But you don't need to be a rockstar to have a drink here and you can hire out the top bar for private parties as long as you exceed a reserve on the bar.

Strawbs Bar hosts poetry readings and other social events that are quite popular with its crowd, composed mostly of fun-loving university students. The place is by far too popular to be a student-only zone, especially when the sizeable patio at the back is open.

The Strawbs is one of the pubs on the famous (for Loiners, that is) Otley Run, the ultimate pub crawl for the university population of Leeds. It is one of the mandatory stops so expect to find it full of people in funny costumes.

The Food and Drink
There are rumors regarding vegan and vegetarian food as well as pizza, even if the bar doesn't open before 7pm on most nights. The alternative food choice seems very appropriate for this place.

As far are the drinks are concerned they serve all the classic spirits and beers with some interesting additions. There are bottles of Becks, Budvar, Sol (all £2.60), Hobgoblin (£3.25 and a good choice here to keep on with the weirdness), Koppaberg Pear cider (£3.25) and a few more common ones. The bottle of the week is on sale at £1.95. House wine is as cheap with a glass going for £2.50 and bottles priced at £6.75.

Cocktails (£3.50) are also available including the Long Island Ice Tea, White Russian and Sex On The Beach. Opt for the house concoctions, rich in Malibu and white rum, which include Strawberry Fool (strawberry liqueur, white rum. Malibu, orange juice), Cherry Aid (cherry liqueur, gin, coke), Leons Big Banana (banana liquer, Malibu, white rum, lemonade) and many others. For something more concentrated, try one of their bombs, based on Jaegermeister (£2.50 to 2.80), flavours of Sourz or Amaretto. Or get a simple double spirit with a mixer (£2.50 to £3).

The Last Word
It's a bit bizarre in appearance but Strawbs Bar is loved for its atmosphere and for the good choice of cheap drinks. A good fun, casual night out.

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