The Angel Inn
Reviewed by Quinn on 25 Jan 2013
Samuel Smith’s pubs are a Yorkshire institution. They are known throughout Yorkshire and elsewhere for their determination to keep things done the old way: the brewery owns the pub, provides accommodation for the landlord, serves only its own drinks (even the crisps and pork scratchings are their own). They even delivered their casks by horse-drawn cart until very recently. They’re also known for being cheap, although less so than they used to be.
Because of their fame, Leeds can hide its Sam Smith’s pubs away and still do very good business. The Angel is very well hidden. It’s in one of the alleys off Briggate, and with very little external signage. On Briggate the entrance is in the side of Fat Face and on the Lands Lane side it seems to be hidden behind a false Yorkshire Bank. There’s a surprisingly large beer garden in the yard, which could be quite nice in the summer even though it’s walled off.
Inside there are two small rooms, one with the bar, and some steps to a larger upstairs area that is often closed (it was when we were in there). There’s an open fire and the tables are all quite close together so it’s nice and warm on a winter day. The Angel used to be famous for its sticky floors but they have been replaced recently too!
Sam Smith’s pubs always attract characters, and this one is definitely no different. Sitting here at any time is very much like having your own soap opera to watch, and you may be expected to participate as well. As soon as we sat down we immediately began a conversation with our neighbour, which was nice but you definitely wouldn’t want to go here to have a private chat or a quiet night out. Unusually for a city centre pub, the Angel definitely has regulars that the staff know by name.
If you go to a Sam Smith’s pub, you only get a choice of Sam Smith’s drinks, but thankfully they have a very nice selection of beers. As well as their classic Old Brewery Bitter (at £1.80 a pint!) they have three different lagers, mild, stout, wheat beer, and a handful of bottled beers including strawberry and apricot varieties. All their beers are vegan and several of them are organic. Not a bad selection for a tied house!
There’s also food served at lunchtimes Mon-Sat, but I don’t know anything about what it’s like or the selection available. I definitely wouldn’t call the Angel a gastropub.
If you’re looking for a slice of real Yorkshire life, this is the best you’re going to get in central Leeds. Practically every Yorkshire village has a Sam Smith’s pub, and the Angel brings something of the village pub character (and characters!) to the city landscape.
Comments (11)
- RRob J5 Jul 2013
It’s a bit rough. But in a good way!
- AAllan9 Nov 2013
Service was good on a noisy Friday night. Seemed a decent place and I will go back on my next visit to the theatre.
But the guy who wrote this lives in another world!! “Samuel Smith's pubs are a Yorkshire institution. They are known throughout Yorkshire”. Well, no, not any more they’re not. I’ve lived up here for 7 year now and I’ve not come across ONE SS pub. Not sure if the Angel is or not – but this side of Leeds they’re certainly an unknown quantity to me. I know of one in Lancashire (Petre Arms). And believe me I would LOVE to find Sam’s!! Yorkshire institutions would be Copper Dragon and Black Sheep these days.
- QQuinn9 Nov 2013
Sorry to hear you can’t get Sam Smith’s where you are! They’re still all over North Yorkshire where I grew up and there’s no shortage of them here either (three in the city centre alone: read our reviews of Old Red Lion and The Duncan for details).
- MMichael.stuart56@gmail.com3 Mar 2014
If you have lived in Yorkshire for & years and never seen a John Smiths pub you can’t be getting out much!
- JJohn7 Jan 2014
Worst landlady I’ve come across in a Sam smiths pub always swearing !
- RRichard coxhead25 May 2014
Arrogant land lady tells customers to drink Elise where, if u complain about anything ,,
- TTERRY10 Aug 2014
I rate this pub because the beer is always on top form
at a great price, situated bang in the middle of the town centre
with great character.
The custom is from every walk of life which creates a great atmosphere.
leaving the pub you walk down a alley that could be from any
victorian area to be transported in to the fantastic 21st century leeds city centre - MMick15 Oct 2014
Bad service , the woman manager thinks she owns the place , brewery could do with sorting it out ,
- JJack Anderton5 Dec 2014
How can you give this place 2 1/2 stars for atmosphere? The alley location, the lamp lights, the sense of musty Victorian allure and slight sleaziness. The real fire and the main bar with a throwback selection of crusties and eccentrics. The Angel Inn is definitely rough around the edges but it’s a mixed bag, the oddballs can be kept well at arms length, and you get to hear some authentic old accents and natter with it.
Sam Smiths is a relatively unique setup in terms of drinks and despite a pint of bitter climbing from £1.37 in 2008 to £1.80 in 2014 that is still one of the cheapest pints going. It’s actually nice as well, rather than John Smiths or Tetleys. The food is very workaday ordinary, but feels a tad less plastic than Wetherspoons. I would always take people to the Angel.
- Mmick W28 Mar 2016
I thought I knew most pubs in the Leeds City centre but this was a nice surprise. Lots of atmosphere (Easter Saturday afternoon). My local in Rawdon Leeds is Sam Smiths ,The Emmott Arms. The upstairs room was open and packed. Great afternoon out
- JJulia21 Jul 2017
Visited this pub yesterday and very impressed. Wondered where I was being led to down the alley way and it seemed.like.stepping back I to the past. Downstairs room.lovely…stripped wood, comfy chairs and big fire place. Upstairs room large and with comfy chairs. Cheap tasty beers. Also lovely ladies loo (as a girl didn’t visit mens). Think the pub has ben renovated compared to previous reviews and I was very impressed. Will go again!!