Headingley Taps

Could be so much better with its position in Headingley and the building itself. It always feels underwhelming. It is a chain pub and so feels cheap (i.e. the menus are tatty and the beer selection obvious and small). The food leaves a hell of a lot to be desired for, it’s just bland cheap, microwaved and grilled food. Okay for students on a budget, but not good for your health or for a decent meal. It serves its purpose for Otley runs (i.e. large groups needing a quick pint) but certainly deserves so much more. It needs some oomph to make it the place that I want to go for a pint in the evening rather than the last place to be suggested (which it always is amongst friends). Needs a beer garden or a nice place to sit out in, in the summer.
The only thing saving it from 1 star is that it rotates its available guest cask selection every 4 weeks (but cask has been bad for me at times, i. e cloudy, flat pint or unavailable — which happens way too much).

It pains me that if you’re in Headingley and fancy a pint post 11pm that you’ve only a few options –the majority of which aren’t really my style of place. It’s not to say they’re not for everyone, but they’re not really for me. Nonetheless, my friends and I wanted a drink and the Headingley Taps was the closest option. So, we wandered along, and chose beer over bed.
The bouncers weren’t particularly friendly, and whilst it remains a compliment to be asked for ID, I’d prefer it were done in a nicer way-​sarcastic comments were made, and despite being (very likely) older than the chap who asked me, he was a touch on the rude and patronising side. Nonetheless, in we went, and the bar staff were much more approachable.
I opted for a bottle of lager, and if you’re in the business of something specialist, this isn’t the place. You’ve a standard range of all the more widely known beverages, but keep an eye out for the drinks deals as you can save yourself a few pennies. There are sports screens throughout, so if there’s something on you fancy watching, this is a likely spot in which to do so.
As for the crowd within, expect a range of students (when in season) and other locals. There wasn’t a bad atmosphere, but it wasn’t per se welcoming either. Perhaps nonchalant at best. In any case, it’s somewhere to get a late night drink, but it’s not somewhere I can envisage frequenting –just not really for me.

Well I don’t think you could get more of a mixed crowed in a pub if you tried, I have seen people from all walks of life in here and the music is just the same which I think a few more pubs would benefit from doing my only disapointment is that when you look at the outside you get the impression that it is going to be much bigger than it really is.
The atmosphere is good although not may favourite pub it is 1 that I may start off in on my way into town or meet up with a couple of friends that are regulars there, the staff are friendly and get to serve you pretty quick and have a good knowledge at who has been waiting to be served 1^st instead of serving whoever they see 1^st.
There is an average amount of seating although but could benefit from more if there was enough space so I’m normally stood at the bar (probably more to the fact cause I’m used to being on the other side of bars working) the toilets are kept quite clean which could be the reason why the floor is always wet (I hope).
Overall I would say this pub has so much potential which hasn’t been spotted but is a good place to start off in Headingley and then move on to better surroundings.

I enjoyed visiting here as when I came with my friends on an Otley run you could buy a pretty sizeable glass of Blossom Hill for… ONE POUND! Yes, you read that correctly… one hundred pennies. For the love of God, that is just plain asking for trouble, don’t you think?
Anyway, said friends spent £5 and were on their merry way. We’d managed to get a table in the small, dark bar and enjoyed a couple of hours of banter in a friendly, buzzing environment.

I’m not going to beat around the bush, I think that the Headingley Taps is a digusting waste of such a fine building.
It’s a large beautiful building which plays home to a seedy chain pub on the Otley Run trail. It’s not a very nice place to be whether you’re part of said Otley Run or not!
With it’s discounted pathetic selection of beer and wine, and it’s typical microwave-​pub meals, I really don’t have anything more to say about it other than, avoid it if you’re after a nice relaxing drink.

What has always baffled me is the difference between the size of the interior pub area and the Taps building itself. The taps is based in what looks like a beautiful, old and VERY LARGE manor which is very inviting on the eye. However new visitors are always surprised by the VERY SMALL size of the bar and eating area fitting in only 10 tables (which in comparison to other Headingley pubs, such as the oak, is tiny)
The menu is the same as that of the competitive bars (Skyrack, Hyde Park and The Oak) in the area, however for some reason never tastes quite as yummy there. Maybe it is a psychological thing, because I’m not the biggest fan of the interior.
Because of the size of the Taps it is often busy and rammed with rowdy football supporters which isn’t to my taste. Saying this I live with a little lady who loves to go into the vibrant atmosphere and watch the football with a half a lager and lime! The Taps is a bit of a marmite pub to me and I dont eat marmite!
If you like a busy, buzzing atmosphere is a cosy traditional pub this just maybe a good venue for you. Regardless of any of this, one day I will find out why only one tiny area is a pub when the manor is so large… it does baffle me!!! If any one knows please let me know :)

The Taps has a bit of a bad reputation in certain quarters. Some say it’s full of drunk Leeds Rhinos fans starting fights most nights, others say it lacks atmosphere and anywhere decent to sit and chat, while others have issues with the supposedly poor bar service. In truth, all these criticisms are true to a certain extent; it does draw a disproportionately large amount of rowdy rugby fans, it often feels hollow and flat, and it does usually take a while to get served. But I quite like the Taps in a weird way. It doesn’t have the luck of being located on the Otley Road, and has to compete with the five other pubs from an obscure location; it almost feels like an outsider, and going there, rather than the Oak or the Skyrack almost makes you feel like a rebel. Although it can’t receive a glowing review because of the niggles mentioned above, I would recommend it to those who fancy checking out an alternative to the sometimes overly studenty pubs of Otley Road.

the home of awesome rugby. and awesome cricket. clean, fresh, stylish. just love the place. honestly couldn’t ask for a better stadium. has all the new and modern facilities. but still keeps the old rugby stadium feel. been going to rugby matches for many years here. and never had any trouble. violent or otherwise. great day/​evening/​night out.

I came to the stadium for a test match and came away pleasently suprised. The stereotypical image of a quiet game, clapping at shots and being for the upper class was washed away. The atmosphere was great (sitting close to ‘the barmy army’), everyone was friendly and happy to help.
The view was great, and if you have youngsters into cricket they give out ⁴⁄₆ signs which can be held out. Also if they take them to the barrier the fielder will more than often sign them. We got talking to some other fans who informed us that if we took our tickets in to the office for the final day we would gain free entry. I’m not sure if the offer still stands, but if it does it is definatly worth it just for the atmosphere.

Headingley has a huge pull for cricketers, rugby players and general sports fans. In the middle of a studenty residential area, the stadium is safe and friendly, and is conveniently located beside a load of bars and cafes! Big crowds always lift the atmosphere, but this is a great stadium — maybe because the fans are so great!

Come on you rhino’s!!!
Headingley Stadium is home to the Rhino’s, Leeds Tykes and the cricket team. With a large holding capacity and a bar. You can really enjoy the sport here. We normally go on boxing day when the rhino’s put a special game on. The staff are helpful and friendly although the burger vans are extortionate.

Great Place to watch Rugby League or Union, with the County Cricket groung right next door. The southstand is not for the faint at heart as it is where the noisiest Rhinos fans congregate, but with plenty of bars and food outlets, this is a cracking stadium

This is a unique sports staduim. There is a Cricket ground, a test venue and home of Yorkshire County Cricket Club no less, on one side with a Rugby ground ont he other. One of the stands has two sides and I can’t think of anywhere else like this elsewhere in Britian.
Rugby League (Leeds Rhinos) and Rugby Union (Leeds Tykes) play at the ground in the summer and winter respectivley and that can be good fun, espically the HUGE crowds for the Rhinos (they are the best supported Rugby League team in England) of about 15 – 20,000 for a Friday night game under the floodlights, with beers available to drink during the game.
The Other side is for summer use onmly and is a Huge and World famous Terst Cricket ground which you can sit in peace during the rugby game if you wish, otherwise come her eint he summer and cheer on Yorkshire or England in a great atmosphere, or try and sunbathe and enjoy the Pimm’s you smuggled in in your picnic hamper… great day out!