Blind Tyger

When I want a well made cocktail, I come here. A very small, speakeasy style place with some talented bartenders. Hard to get in on a friday/​saturday (especially with a group) but if you head over early on you should be alright. Prices are relative to the drinks, and the drinks are high quality.

Cocktails cocktails cocktails and very attentive staff.
Excellent atmosphere and range of seating types for dates to group outings.
Prices are relative and shouldn’t put you off a visit to this delightful venue.

Visited recently for a freebie drinks voucher that I’d acquired! Having just read the review by Row I’m not sure there’s anything more for me to add — except that it seems like the perfect place to go with a small number of friends, grab a booth, and slowly make your way through the cocktail menu.

Having been back since the initial visit, it’s time to spread some love for this secretive and secluded spot. You may or may not have realised, but Sandinista have a new and super little bar, and it’s called Blind Tyger.
As you approach Sandinista, you’ll spot a thin hallway right next to the bar, leading up. In the growing popularity of such phenomena, it seems that Leeds has another secret, prohibition style bar. (I don’t know if I count 51% any more, since it has lost that prohibition feel for me.) The bouncers will check you out before letting you go up, but what their criteria is I’m not sure. I was asked if I’d been there before, and on confirmation, was granted access. Perhaps that swung it. Or perhaps it was merely a quick test of my sobriety — since it’s a classy affair.
Once upstairs you’ll find that there are but three or four tables, some in little booths, and a modest bar at the end. Basically, my guess is that the maximum capacity would be about 30, perhaps a few more, but not comfortably so. This means that of a Saturday, I can present to you: Leeds’ next top spot for civilised Saturday drinks. You are a) Able to grab a seat most of the time. And b) Hear yourselves speak without strain. Wunderbar!
The next point is the cocktails. Oh the cocktails! I don’t consider myself a true connoisseur, but since becoming obsessed with daiquiris, I will say that the ones here are mighty fine. Go straight up, of course. The list boasts all kinds of in house treats, and all take a little wait, but the creations are lovingly and expertly made, so far as I can tell. One chap in particular was great, with plenty of banter, and he even discounted one round for our wait. I like that kind of service, especially when the average spend on one drink is £8−9. Lovely.
The toilets are another thing. You must remember the door code if you don’t want to land in purgatory, or somewhere hotter further down in Sandinista’s busy Saturday-​mayhem. To get in and out to the loos, keeping it pure-​prohibition style, you’ll need the door code to get back in. (Not that I’m saying Sandi’s is hell — I rather like it, but the analogy kind of worked — especially since they’ve a devil as their mascot.)
The conclusion is that I can see this being respite for me on many a manic weekend. You’ve got your classy drinks, your table space, your friendly staff, and your music at speaking volume. And now that I’ve passed it on, I beg you, don’t go spoiling it and crowd in at once. That just wouldn’t be cricket. If we all take turns, I’m sure I feel as though I can share.
*Edit — It’s called Blind Tyger after William Blake’s poem, The Tyger.