Dave Cartwright enjoys a cocktail or two at Angelica, Leeds Trinity Centre…
I have always said that the best way to gauge the true essence of a city is from above. Amongst it’s roofs, spires and flagpoles you see an entirely new perspective of a city mapped out around you. A tall office block maybe, a top floor apartment perhaps, but for me, the true way to experience the high life is by locating a city’s best rooftop bars.
Leeds has excelled in providing an interesting and varied range of penthouse pubs, elevated establishments and raised restaurants. From Belgrave and Headrow House to Sky Lounge and Harvey Nic’s, the rooftop bar has become a firm favourite on the Leeds scene.
Standing on the sixth floor of Trinity Leeds is quite possibly the city’s most iconic rooftop restaurant bar, Angelica’s. Cleverly designed to wrap you cosily within it’s glass panelled walls, the bar gives customers the illusion of floating in a sophisticated bubble above the mayhem of the city below.
As you enter you are met with a beautiful, circular, pewter bar, stocked with an obviously luxurious selection of spirits and liqueurs. Some guests choose to relax in the warmth of the lounge area, sipping on the fine array of cocktails the bar offers or dining on Angelica’s hearty menu put together by Executive Chef Lee Murdoch, whilst others venture outside to the wraparound terrace.
Upon my arrival, after grabbing a quick but delicious homemade mulled wine, I was coerced out onto the terrace. Having just arrived home from Thailand where the weather was slightly warmer than Leeds in December I was fairly hesitant but Angelica had it covered. Not only were there outdoor heaters on full, but the chairs were covered with furry blankets for extra warmth. I yeti’d up and slugged my wine, the temperature surprisingly not fazing me in the slightest. A female choir sang carols, mulled wine flowed and the lights of the city shone beneath. Just what I needed to help me reacclimatise.
Back up at the bar a number of us were given a detailed introduction to a few of the cocktails featured on the Angelica cocktail menu. I think I was more muddled than the cocktail so in the end handed the bar spoon back and left it to the pros. Luther, head barman, guided us through the making of each drink demonstrating a genuine interest and knowledge for the products and flavours.
The skyline of Leeds shone through the frosty night making the bar seem even more intimate. With attentive staff and plenty of comfy seating the bar never feels too crowded and both food and drink flow enabling you to completely relax.
As the Christmas season approaches, the bar has gone for a classy decor which allows it’s panoramic views to remain centre stage and despite my initial venture I remained tucked up indoors, propping up the bar for the rest of the evening.
With Sunday Brunches, Friday Socials and a Playful Neverland New Year planned this bar is without a doubt a hotspot for this festive period. Like the snowman and the boy flying over the glimmering landscape in Dianne Jackson’s classic TV animation, find a friend, find the best seat in Angelica and get the one thing the snowman was sorely missing, a good ole boozy beverage and have a very jolly Christmas on high!