I sipped drinks at the 'best cocktail bar in Leeds' and one thing left me startled
It is fair to say Leeds has a wide abundance of great places to go out and have a drink.
Across Leeds city centre, we have highlights including The Maven, The Domino Club, Belgrave Music Hall…and even The Three Legs appeal greatly to their respective audiences. If the ‘finer’ end of the scale is where you prefer to look then the best cocktail bar in Leeds is probably where you should head for a tipple.
In recent years, Tabula Rasa, in Eastgate, has been a welcome entry on the list of the UK’s top 50 cocktail bars - the highest ranked from Leeds. From 2023 to 2024, the venue has moved upwards from 48th to 16th on the list. Its entry reading: “An elevated café, aperitivo and cocktail bar that focuses on creativity.”
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We recently paid the stylish bar a midweek visit to put it to the test. Tabula Rasa has an extensive menu which features classics alongside some of their own inventive concoctions.
In the former camp, you can sip on a negroni (£10), an old fashioned (£10), a martini (£11) and a daiquiri (£10) among other long-established favourites. While specialist creations at Tabula Rasa include the Etta James (£11) made up of Boatyard Gin and Slow Gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice and cherry soda, the jolly Roger (£11) which mixes Mount Gay Rum, Falernum, amaretto, maple syrup and walnut bitters alongside the count of Monte Cristo (£11) with that drink including Bruichladdich whisky, banana, Cocchi Americano vermouth and sesame oil.
The friendly and knowledgeable staff are on hand to talk you through the options and what might suit your tastes. Watching the drinks produced in the bar area is a show in itself as the effortless flair creates a spectacle for guests. While some of the drinks come with their own immersive additions to provide that extra kick.
Obviously, each to their own, as the setting is rather pleasant and appealing, it did come as something of a loss to see some inside the best-rated cocktail bar in Leeds sipping on pints of beer. A little startling. Who am I to judge though? And, at the very least they got to sample the ambience at the quaintly sized and stylishly presented Tabula Rasa.
Given the venue’s size, it does quickly reach its limited capacity during busy periods. So, worth noting, bookings can be made in advance - providing the party is of at least four people.
During my first Tabula Rasa experience it was perfectly understandable why it is held in such high regard. It’ll be intriguing to see if its entry on the 2025 list of the UK’s best cocktail bar is a mere single digit.
Tabula Rasa - 8 Eastgate, Leeds LS2 7JL. To find out more call 07593 902413 or visit their Instagram page.
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