The Victoria and Commercial

The kitchen turns out elevated British pub classics alongside more inventive plates, with the menu leaning on well-sourced ingredients and classical technique. The signature opener is the Ham Hock Croquettes, described by the kitchen as a yielding tangle of pressed ham hock terrine cocooned in a crisp panko breadcrumb, served with a housemade apricot mustard that brings a jolt of sweet and spice. Elsewhere among the starters, the Ox Tongue and Cheek Terrine flakes apart at the slightest persuasion, brightened by crisp-fried capers, dressed rocket and marmite mayo on toasted sourdough.

Mains run from a Guinness and Beef Shin Steamed Suet Pudding with minted peas and gravy to a Kohlrabi Tarte Tatin with miso caramel and salsa verde for the vegans. Sunday roasts are served separately in Albert’s Room — beef rump cap, lamb gigot steak, chicken roulade, pork tomahawk or the vegetarian tarte tatin, all with roasted potatoes, kalettes, braised red cabbage, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options run throughout, with many dishes adaptable on request.

Beer

Eight handpulls and fourteen keg lines front the bar, with Kirkstall Brewery at the core. Virtuous, the brewery’s tropical and piney 4.5% session IPA, is the pick of the house draught — well-balanced and packed with flavour. Guest beers rotate at the bar alongside Five Points and Leeds Brewery regulars.

Non-Alcoholic

Chug by Mash Gang pours as a fully-flavoured 0.5% hazy IPA, all Citra and El Dorado tropical notes.

The Victoria and Commercial is two rooms, and both are extraordinary. The main Victoria Bar wraps you in deep teal walls covered floor-to-ceiling in vintage enamel breweriana — Glassons Penrith, Bass Barley Wine, Bent’s Sergeant Major — each sign in an ornate dark mahogany frame under a dark teal coffered ceiling threaded with a bold grid of gilded wooden beams. Deep button-tufted brown leather booths line the walls, brass double sconces with frosted bell shades cast a warm amber glow over dark parquet floors, and one huge Victorian gilded mirror with figural carving dominates the room. An elaborate carved bar counter runs the length of the space.

Through a mahogany archway lies Albert’s Room, the palatial dining space used for Sunday roasts and group bookings. Terracotta walls rise to the same gilded coffered ceiling, a chandelier hangs above freestanding tables, and an original Victorian fireplace with botanical yellow-and-green glazed tiles sits beneath a second gilded mirror. It is a room built for a feast.

Pub Quiz

For just £1 entry, participants can take a shot at the rollover cash jackpot – which grows each week until it’s won. Find out more at the Leeds Pub Quiz Rundown.

The pub sits on Great George Street, LS1, directly behind Leeds Town Hall and across the road from Leeds General Infirmary. It is a short walk from The Headrow, Millennium Square and the civic quarter, and well-served by city centre buses. The building itself is a civic landmark — arguably one of the most impressive pub interiors in the north of England.

There are 3 car parks within 1 mile of here.

Q-Park The Light

Google Map Directions

Pre-book a space here

Q-Park The Light is 322 meters away. It has 402 parking spaces. This is a pay-display car park. The height restriction is 2.2 meters. There are 24 blue badge spaces available. The car park features include lifts, help-point, cctv, covered, lighting. Payment can be made by card, app.

NCP The Core

Google Map Directions

Pre-book a space here

NCP The Core is about half a mile 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

Google Map Directions

Pre-book a space here

Q-Park Albion Street is about half a mile 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.

The Victoria and Commercial has a wheelchair-accessible entrance. Food bookings are strongly recommended — Albert’s Room in particular is well-suited to groups and special occasions, and walk-ins for food are often turned away at busy periods. Dogs are welcome in the bar.

Monday: 12:00 – 23:00
Tuesday: 12:00 – 23:00
Wednesday: 12:00 – 23:00
Thursday: 12:00 – 00:00
Friday: 12:00 – 00:00
Saturday: 12:00 – 00:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 22:30

After a pint at The Victoria and Commercial, it is a two-minute stroll up the road to Millennium Square and the civic quarter, where the Town Hall, Leeds Art Gallery and the Henry Moore Institute all sit within a few minutes of each other.

For another restored historic drinking hole with a similarly rich pedigree, head ten minutes east to Whitelock’s Ale House, run by the same team and Leeds’ oldest pub. If it’s food you’re still chasing, the independent restaurants and bars of Call Lane and the Corn Exchange are a short walk across the city centre.