The Bankers Cat is a craft beer and wine bar housed in a Grade II listed Victorian building on Boar Lane in Leeds city centre. A joint venture between Thornbridge Brewery and Pivovar Group, the bar occupies a former NatWest bank — itself originally built in 1873 as the Saracen’s Head public house.
Behind a terracotta red-brick facade, the interior pairs original architectural grandeur with a carefully curated drinks programme spanning cask ales, keg beers, wines from across the globe, and an extensive spirits collection. This is a dedicated drinks venue with no food menu — the focus falls entirely on what is poured.
Location Details
- Tel: 0113 440 7998
- 29 Boar Ln, LS1 5DAGoogle Map Directions
- Reservations: Accepted
The Food
The Bankers Cat does not serve food. The venue operates as a drinks-only bar, with the full focus on its craft beer, wine and spirits.
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The Drink
Eight cask handpumps pour Thornbridge staples — flagship Jaipur IPA, Lord Marples session bitter and Market Porter — alongside rotating guest ales from breweries like Kelham Island. Fifteen keg lines expand the range with Czech Mates pilsner, Green Mountain session IPA and Lukas helles lager, plus international guests including Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier and Vault City fruit sours.
The wine list runs to over forty bottles, organised by character rather than region. Whites range from Slovenian Pinot Grigio and Vinho Verde through to Premier Cru Chablis, while reds span Beaujolais Gamay to Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Argentine Malbec. Champagnes from Drappier and Pol Roger sit alongside Prosecco and a zero-alcohol sparkling Riesling.
The spirits selection favours considered, producer-led ranges: Four Roses bourbon from original to limited-edition Small Batch Select, three Fuji Japanese whiskies, Clase Azul tequila, and Bobby’s Dutch gin among them. Mancino vermouths and Rinomato aperitifs complete the back bar.
Non-alcoholic options include Thornbridge Green Mountain alcohol-free IPA on draught, Steinbock zero-alcohol sparkling Riesling, hand-picked soft drinks, and locally sourced coffee and tea.
The Place
A curved mahogany horseshoe bar anchors the ground floor, lined with white ceramic cask handpumps and decorative brass keg taps, wine glasses hanging from overhead racks. Above, large ornate candelabra chandeliers in brass and gold — the bar’s defining visual feature — cast warm amber light across near-black wood-panelled walls and ceiling, creating a dark, enveloping atmosphere by evening. Tealight candles in amber glass holders add close-range intimacy to the dark polished tables. By day, tall Victorian sash windows at the rear flood the space with natural light, revealing a brighter, more relaxed character.
The standout design piece is a large stained glass window in rich jewel tones — deep red, blue, green and gold — depicting robed allegorical figures with Latin inscriptions *Passione*, *Innovatione* and *Cognitio*, a replica of the Edward Burne-Jones originals at Thornbridge Hall.
Upstairs, a snug with a red-baize pool table, brown leather banquette seating and dark wood panelling offers a separate, clubby feel. A former bank vault on the lower level serves as a private tasting room.
The Location
The Bankers Cat sits on Boar Lane in Leeds city centre, close to Leeds Train Station and Trinity Leeds. The bar occupies a prominent corner position on one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, within easy reach of the wider city centre bar and shopping district.
Where to Park
There are 3 car parks within 483 meters of here.
Q-Park Sovereign Square
Q-Park Sovereign Square is 161 meters away. It has 493 parking spaces. This is a pay-display car park. The height restriction is 2 meters. There are 12 blue badge spaces available. 13 electric charging points are available. The car park features include lifts, cctv, covered, lighting. Payment can be made by card, app.
NCP The Core
NCP The Core is 483 meters away. It has 313 parking spaces. This is a pay-display car park. The height restriction is 2.05 meters. There are 4 blue badge spaces available. The car park features include patrolled, lifts. Payment can be made by card, cash, app.
Q-Park Albion Street
Q-Park Albion Street is 483 meters away. It has 343 parking spaces. This is a pay-display car park. The height restriction is 1.85 meters. There are 4 blue badge spaces available. 4 electric charging points are available. The car park features include lifts, help-point, cctv, lighting. Payment can be made by card.
Access
The venue is wheelchair accessible.
Opening Times
Monday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM
Tuesday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Sunday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat in at The Bankers Cat?
Unfortunately you are not able to eat in at The Bankers Cat.
Does The Bankers Cat have a beer garden?
No unfortunately The Bankers Cat does not have a beer garden.
Does The Bankers Cat offer takeaway?
Unfortunately The Bankers Cat does not offer a takeaway delivery service.
