Abbey Road,
LEEDS,
LS5 3NG
(0113) 220 0961
The ViewLeeds Review
The Vesper Gate, located on the ever-busy A65, looks over the road at Kirkstall Abbey, and enjoys the trade that such a prominent position provides. However, it isn’t until the summer that the place really fills up.
The Venue
A real deal-maker for families would be the children's play area outside, with a beer garden adjacent.
A larger number of more mature customers enjoy the relaxed, traditional feel in the pub, created by the intimate seating arrangements and cosy decor.
There seems to be a war of wills within the walls of this watering-hole, however. It's part of the Sizzling Pub Co and the ethos of this brand is ‘casual not smart, fun not serious’, but the Vesper Gate doesn’t quite pull this off.
The People
The mood is somewhat hard to sum up in the Vesper Gate. Perhaps the half-way house nature of its location lends itself more to a neutral vanilla vibe that other ‘locals’ manage to avoid.
The staff, on the whole, are helpful. However, the regulars aren’t as pleasant and some are downright unwelcoming.
The Food and Drink
As part of the Sizzling Pub Co, the food on offer is very reasonably priced and always cooked well. On the menu, emphasis is placed on the steaks and burgers, and the meat dishes are served on hot skillets.
And with an award for the ‘pub food brand of the year’ by Publican magazine for its good honest food, the Vesper Gate is definitely worth a visit, if you like chain pub food.
However, it's not an imaginative menu, and those with a more educated palette should think twice before going in for an evening meal. But, for a light bite you can't go wrong.
As with many chain pubs, emphasis is placed on the wine and beers, and with a rotating guest bitter selection and a lengthy wine list many would be comfortable drinking here.
The Last Word
You're never going to be blown away when visiting a chain pub, and this is no exception. But its neutral surroundings are comfortable enough, and the road the Vesper Gate sits on makes it a convenient escape from the city.
Vesper Gate Hotel has been reviewed by 1 users