As part of the ongoing regeneration of the City Varieties, we now have a new bar to relax in at the interval – The White Swan. I say new, buts that’s not really true. Formerly Blue Bar, Bar Pacific, and The Swan, the pub itself is a bit of a Leeds Landmark. It’s been a drinking den for years and years, and at one point it was owned by Tetley’s. When it closed, there was genuine concern about what would become of this familiar space under the Theatre.
As it turns out, there was no need to worry. Leeds Brewery have taken over and we now have The White Swan reborn; a pub for Theatre-goers and the general public alike.
Leeds have a great track record with doing new things with old buildings; The Midnight Bell is now the cornerstone of the Round Foundry/Holbeck part of town, and The Garden Gate in Hunslet is certainly the jewel in their crown – one of the most important pubs in Yorkshire’s roster saved from extinction.
The White Swan may not have the light, airy space of The Midnight Bell or the faded grandeur of The Garden Gate, but the Leeds design team have created that trademark clean, modern Pub/Bar with more than enough nods to the theatrical past of the bar. Faded playbills adorn the walls and there’s dressing-room mirror lights behind the bar. A little Piano sits in the corner, should anyone be overcome by the spirit of things.
Of course, you get pretty much all of Leeds’s unfussy, tasty beers on the bar permanently – from the thirst-quenching Leeds Pale to the rich, dark, Midnight Bell – alongside the usual decent range of Lagers, Ciders, Spirits and a sprinkling of guest ales. And, with the entrance to the Theatre sitting behind a velvet curtain at one end of the bar, there’s no need to brave the inclement weather as you rush for curtains-up. Food will be served and I’d expect the menu to be along the lines of Pin and The Brewery Tap; modern English pub fare.
All in all, Leeds are probably the perfect company to take hold of The White Swan; young brewers who are steadily building a unique Pub estate; interesting buildings with History that end up being a good place to have a pint in. The White Swan certainly fits that bill, and it’s good to have the place back.
I look forward to trying the food at leeds newest venue sooner rather than later. As always good write up Leigh!
Wow great review I will deffinitely be going to The White Swan looks great and sounds fantastic can’t wait to see what they did with it.
Great to see another classic Leeds drinking spot saved by these guys – look forward to popping in to test the ambience and hopefully some special theatrical ales!
Do they still have board games? The Swan was the best bar in town for cozy Sunday lunch and getting whupped at Connect 4…
The building isn’t so much a pub under a theatre, more a theatre over a pub. The White Swan had an upstairs music room fifty years before Tetleys started out, and when Charlie “Arcade” Thornton owned it he extended the room to become a theatre. It’s no coincidence that you’ve always been able to go up from the bar into the theatre, even when the theatre’s main entrance was on the Headrow.
It used to be a good night out back in the 70s, then it went downhill. I’m really looking forward to a few post-show pints from the excellent Leeds Brewery – unless the bars in the theatre itself are as good as they used to be!