Templar

The Templar is a drinks-led pub first and foremost, but the kitchen turns out honest, traditional pub grub that keeps things satisfying and straightforward throughout the day.

Jacket potatoes form a reliable cornerstone of the menu, arriving generously filled with your choice of cheese and beans, hunters chicken smothered in BBQ sauce and melted cheese, or a classic cheese and onion combination. Loaded nachos offer a shareable option for groups settling in for the afternoon — piled high and suited to picking at over a round of cask ales.

The standout for a quick, filling bite is the golden-battered fish and chips, served all day and fitting the pub’s unpretentious character. A recent menu refresh introduced what Greene King describes as “all-time favourites joined by some bold new dishes,” broadening the kitchen’s range beyond the traditional core. The food here is not trying to be anything it is not — this is the kind of good, honest pub grub that pairs naturally with a well-kept pint of Farmers Blonde or Tetley Bitter.

The menu leans towards hearty, comfort-food fare rather than lighter options, and dietary labelling is not prominently displayed. If you have specific dietary requirements, it is worth checking with the bar staff when ordering.

This is where the Templar truly shines. Eight handpumps line the bar — three pouring regular cask ales and five reserved for a rotating selection that leans heavily towards Yorkshire independent breweries.

The regular lineup features Bradfield Farmers Blonde, a crisp session blonde ale, alongside Kirkstall Three Swords, a fuller-bodied premium blonde, and the ever-reliable Tetley Bitter. The five changing taps showcase the breadth of Yorkshire brewing: past appearances include Ossett White Rat, Rudgate Ruby Mild, Acorn Barnsley Bitter, Abbeydale Moonshine, and York Yorkshire Terrier. The pub holds Cask Marque accreditation and uses an Autovac dispensing system to keep its cask ales in peak condition.

Beyond the handpumps, keg lines pour Guinness Draught and BrewDog Punk IPA, while Theakston Old Peculier and Wadworth 6X add further depth. A wide selection of gins, spirits, and ciders rounds out the offering. Standard soft drinks are available for those after a non-alcoholic option.

CAMRA members receive ten percent off cask beer, and a cask collector card rewards regulars — buy five pints and the sixth is free. Monday brings a cask beer discount on pints, making the start of the week a fine time to explore what is on the changing taps.

The Templar’s exterior announces its heritage before you step inside — buff and green Burmantofts faience tiles clad the ground floor, with “Melbourne Ales” carved in gold lettering above, a legacy of the 1928 refurbishment by architects Garside and Pennington. Leaded stained glass windows depicting Melbourne Brewery’s bowing courtier logo with a red cross filter soft, coloured light into the front bar.

Inside, the pub divides into two distinct zones. The front saloon bar features the original 1928 panelled bar counter, Tudor arch bays on the bar back, and stained glass dividers between sections, with booth seating and mahogany tables throughout. Warm, low-key lighting complements the dark wood panelling and carpeted floors, giving the room an inviting glow even on grey afternoons. Six screens and a projector carry Sky Sports and TNT Sports — Premier League, FA Cup, rugby league, darts, and racing all feature — without overwhelming the heritage interior.

The real architectural treasure lies through a narrow corridor in the back lounge. Wood panelling rises to two-thirds height around the room, original fixed bench seating retains its period bell pushes, and an inter-war fireplace with its quality original surround anchors the space. This room escaped the mid-1980s remodel that opened out the front bar, making it the most beautifully preserved corner of the pub — a quiet spot to settle in with a pint away from the sport.

A beer garden provides outdoor seating when the weather allows, and a dartboard invites a friendly game. A private room can be arranged for larger gatherings.

The Templar sits in the Kirkgate quarter of Leeds city centre, at the junction of Templar Street and Vicar Lane. Kirkgate Market is close by, the Grand Theatre and Opera House a short walk north, and First Direct Arena around eight minutes on foot. The pub’s tiled exterior mirrors that of the Grand Arcade directly across Vicar Lane — a visual connection to the area’s Edwardian commercial heritage.

Templar Street Car Park (Euro Car Parks) sits effectively on the doorstep at LS2 7NU. Ogdens Properties Carpark on Edward Street is around 80 metres away, while Trafalgar Street Car Park and NCP Leeds The Markets offer further options within a few minutes’ walk.

Step-free access is available at the entrance, and an accessible restroom is provided. Some internal areas, particularly the corridor between the front bar and back lounge, are narrow.

Monday: 11:00 – 23:00
Tuesday: 11:00 – 23:00
Wednesday: 11:00 – 23:00
Thursday: 11:00 – 23:00
Friday: 11:00 – 00:00
Saturday: 11:00 – 00:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 23:00