Oracle

Oracle, what can I say, It’s a very nice place situated in the middle of nowhere not that far from the city centre but the downside is the drinks are quite expensive. It’s a good 3 stars though would make a brill night if a group of friends went there but again it’s pricey which stops this been a 4 star rating from me. The food they did was ok not the best i’ve had.
Oracle does look good in the inside but for those who have a limit on what they spend it can be an expensive night for some

It’s been forever since I was last here. I’ve wandered past many a time, en route to elsewhere, and have always coveted the al fresco seating for a fresh cold beer, but not had a chance to stop by. I wasn’t much of a fan back in the day, either, but a meet up here saw me revisit for the first time in years, and it’s certainly improved!
Of course, drink prices are now as pricey as many a pub across town, so it doesn’t feel like you’re paying inflated prices — they seem to be in line with Adelphi, OYC, North and the other usual suspects, as far as I could tell with the bottled lagers. As for selection, I stuck to the same all night, as I do appreciate a bottle of Quilmes. In terms of the beer on tap, it’s a fairly small selection and perhaps uninspiring range, for the more discerning drinker. However, that’s probably as their cocktails seem to be the main draw. Next time, Pornstar Martini, next time.
I was most impressed by the bar man, this time around. Where as before I recall feeling a little too underdressed and judged by the staff, this chap remembered what I was drinking by the time I returned for my second drink, so kudos to him — especially since the bar was packed with at least 50 folk or so at the beginning of the evening. He was really friendly, but not overly so, and it was good to be able to just approach the bar and find what I wanted waiting for me a moment later!
As for the space, it’s a curious round building, but the inside is bright and cleanly set up. The outdoor seating is the real boon at this time of year, so get in early if you want to back a canal-​side spot. I don’t suspect I’ll become a member for access to the first floor club anytime soon, it’s just not my bag, but as a casual punter I’ll certainly be back if I’m over this side of town — not least to try the burgers as I’ve heard they’re certainly worth a go. (And if you didn’t know, that’s my mission at the moment — to seek out Leeds’ best!)
So, I’m not quite ready to wade in and become a hardcore fan, but it goes to show everywhere can change. And I’m sure to be back soon. Great staff, great space, slightly limited range of drinks (lager and beer wise) but promising nonetheless. I’ll report on the eats as soon as I revisit!

So, Oracle has reopened during the day and I for one was very happy about this.
If ever anyone would ask me where to go for a burger in Leeds i would have previously not hesitated in recommending this place.
The menu however has now changed! And I’m not happy.
The speciality here used the be their almighty burgers and the selection was fab, it has been cut down now to a very minimal selection on the menu. :-(
My friend and I went for lunch last week and I was surprised to see ²⁄₃ tables of people in there– all eating.
As it’s down Brewery Wharf it’s pretty tucked away so some days I have been in and no other customers have been in the place.
This makes the bar space a cavernous and very cold place.
The bar is nice and airy, very light with the floor to ceiling windows and features lots of ‘bling’ style décor touches.
Anyway, back to lunch.
We were greeted cheerily and seated wherever we wanted.
She explained the ‘burger lunch special’ only featured skinny fries and not wedges or sweet potatoes as says on the usual menu. Other than that its a very good deal.
We ordered and sat back to people watch.
There seems to be more staff here than is necessary and no-​one doing too much.
The manager was doing paperwork in one of the booths and another male member of staff seemed to be doing very little except stomping around flexing his muscles. May suit the evening ambiance of this place but not at lunchtime love– I’m waiting to eat!
The food came quite quickly and as we had sat opposite the kitchen hatch we saw it was all freshly prepared.
We’d ordered the BBQ Ranch burger, the chicken bacon & avocado burger and some cheesy garlic bread.
The garlic bread was lovely– very soft ciabatta and cheesy cheese– not overly garlicky so very nice.
The burgers were well presented and the portion of fries were HUGE!
My chicken burger was minced chicken– a strange consistency really and the guacamole didn’t really do much for it. Overall it was OK but I left about a third of it.
The ranch burger was nicer, large fresh onion rings and a sweet BBQ sauce provided with it were a great addition.
The fries were nice and crisp and overall it was a pleasant lunch.
A couple of things let this place down–
The dodgy background music
The excess of staff doing little to nothing
The coldness in the place
I wouldn’t say I’d now rave about the burgers there but it’s going to be one of them places to keep in the back of my mind if I want a filling burger lunch.

Last time I visited this venue was a few years ago, on a hot summers day when I sat outside basking in the sunshine. I thought it was quite pleasant but slightly pretentious at the time. I went back on a groupon deal and was exactly what I expected really. The bar gives a similar but polar opposite of walking into a saloon… the staff glance over and give you the glare up and down. To be greeted by those who’s noses almost touching the ceiling. When I suggested that I had booked a table under the groupon deal I basically got the ‘oh one of those people’ looks. I mean I’m really not put off by a classy bar and am more than willing to pay top draw for really good drinks but it didn’t feel particularly special in any way shape or form. We got a main course, a desert and a cocktail for £17 for two. It did exactly what I thought it would. The cocktail I opted for was lacking all the elements of that described on the menu. it definitely was no sky bar cosmo. The bugler was. well a burger really. nothing special. I would definitely not pay full price for what we got which would have come to around £40 but was a tummy filler on the deal. The girl running round with the clipboard was slightly nerving not sure what that was all about but it made us feel a little bit like staff had more important things to do. The feel was definitely not very relaxing and didn’t make me feel as special as I supose it’s meant to make you feel. I think the bar looks a bit cheap and if it was to be picked up and placed on park row somewhere it would look pretty similar to the rest. I had a nice time with the missus but not sure i’d go back. Even on a deal.

This bar is just okay. You’ll probably have more fun around the corner at Azucar, but maybe it wasn’t open yet. You’d get better drinks for better prices up the street at Dock Street Market or the Adelphi (or even Pin), but you wanted to sit in the sun. The staff have generally been friendly and helpful, but they do need some encouragement at times. I think the real appeal of the bar is its patio on the water. If you go on a nice, sunny day, maybe you wont mind that its overpriced or the self-​important air of other patrons.

The first time I came to Oracle I didn’t like it because it was far too trendy to feel comfortable in. And then a friend of mine had a nasty run in with a barman who was doing all that fancy cocktail-​shaking-​in-​the-​air stuff and threw drink all over him. And so then when I came here to meet a friend last summer I was all ‘hmm, do we have to?’ but because I am a pushover that’s where we went.
And it was awesome. OK, it was still über trendy and I felt a little bit out of place in my polka dot 50s-​style dress and shoes, and my bar stool squeaked a bit and the barman was super cool and I am not, but the vodka, lime and sodas were scrummy, and there were real life celebrities off the telly there. I kid you not. That one off The Office, Jasper Carrot’s daughter, you know the one. And Ralf Little, and him off of shameless, and some others. Turns out it was a wrap party for something on ITV I never got round to watching, but it was a talking point none the less.
I’ve knocked a star off on account of I’ll still never feel entirely comfy in there, it is definitely only a place to go if you’re trendy. Which I’m not.

Brewery Wharf has seen the cash seriously splashed out on it over the last few years and it’s fast becoming one of the cooler places to hang out, especially as it’s a stones throw away from the Calls. One of the largest venues in the area is the Oracle Bar.
This is a great hangout regardless of if the weather is flinging proverbial cats and dogs or the sun has well and truly got it’s hat on. Assuming we actually do get a fair share of the warm stuff, then the terraced area is a fantastic place to meet up with friends and enjoy some fine al fresco dining and bevies. The large decked area offers ample room for couples or groups alike and you can’t help but feel the love for the cosmopolitan city around you.
Inside scrubs up pretty well too with a rich contemporary interior, funky lighting, mirrored walls and plush toilets to boot. Personally I’m sold with anywhere that has a dedicated Champagne terrace (as long as the bank manager isn’t reading this). They really have covered all bases for one heck of an establishment and that’s without mentioning the food…
So it’d be rude not to move onto all things stomach orientated now. I’m already starting to feel my saliva glands going just thinking about the gourmet burger menu. Quality! It’s an Ultimate Veggie Burger all the way for me, just hold the gherkins. Meat eaters fear not, as to be expected you’ve got an abundance of top sourced bites at your disposal, whether it be beef, chicken or fish and all with refreshing twists to make them that more exciting than your bog standard fare.
A minor down point is the service can sometimes be a bit slow on busy lazy sunny afternoons but that’s just another excuse to get some more drinks in.

Oracle specialises in two things: cocktails and gourmet burgers, and to be honest I’ve never been impressed with either.
The burgers are not what they should be; admittedly I’ve only had one once (which was enough) but there were some questionable flavours in it. And it cost a tenner.
The drinks are overpriced and last time I was in there I quede for a good 10 – 12 minutes and there was only ¾ people at the bar. The reason it took so long is because cocktails take a long time to make. The anser — answer this demand with more staff. It’s logic.
Definitely best to avoid on a weekend night, there’s plenty of other places in Leeds that will serve decent drinks at better prices and you won’t be waiting an hour to be served.

I just saw Alexandra’s review and felt compelled to agree with her. Oracle really believes itself to be a dash of sophistication and decadence when in reality it looks like an over zealous millionaire pimped out his bachelor pad. It sits in deep contrast to the actual clients who inhabit the place; who knew a dress code could include barely dressed, and in this, the extremely chilly time of year. Loud music, lecherous men with so much slick in their hair the light bounces off and blinds you, a continuous stench of too much aftershave and cheap perfume, and at it’s busiest hour, not enough room to move anywhere. Oracle sets itself out as a different or an escape to the mainstream Leeds clubs, but it just seems to try too hard. The first floor club is members only, but with guest lists involved there are ways around that. Try it once and savour the memory as I doubt you’ll return again if you tend to cringe and/​or vomit at the thought of other people’s naked flesh touching you unwillingly.
The saving grace would be the terrace during the day, where the people are fully dressed and the view onto the River Aire is temptingly suave. The food menu all looks rather nice and it wasn’t as expensive as I expected it to be.

I have been trying to think of a way to put this without sounding too harsh, but it is just not possible. Oracle actually makes me feel sick and scrunch up my face in disbelief.
It is a bar /​restaurant /​night club on the waterfront of the river that unfortunately, like so many other bars and clubs, is a cattle market parading around falsely as a sophisticated night out. On a busy night, it is like drowning in a pond of glow stick fluid while bright orange practically naked women pout at you like delirious tropical fish from all angles (see photo of ‘sexy santas’). Meanwhile the lazily produced monotonous drones of music repeatedly flick you in the face like an annoying little brother, provoking a tiresome and frustrating headache. Oblivious to any of this, it oozes with pretense, and goes about it’s not-​even-​tactful patriarchal ways as grinning goofy men swagger around trying to look cool and control what’s hopefully hidden in their trousers.
The only valid reason for going here would be for comedy value, if you can stomach it.

Amazing location, good drinks

I’ve only ever been here for drinks, but think it’s one of the most over rated bars in leeds.
There are two floors, the lower one for mere mortals and the first one for the chosen ones.
Not really near any other bars so don’t waste your time.
THe bar itself is quite nice with a nice view.
Go here if you want to pretend you’re part of the ‘in crowd’!

i love the oracle its a really uptodate décor bar on the waterfront fab in the summer with quite a large outside area. quite chilled during the week if you just want to eat and drink in a good atmosphere. definately recommend its a favourite!

Oracle is situated on the south side of the river in the centre of Leeds. Its culinary speciality is the gourmet burger, of which it offers many, my past favourites being the Italian burger, the chicken, bacon and avocado burger and the Veggie’s Favourite. However, while this place was excellent when it first opened, it seems to have gone a bit downhill of late. Recently we’ve not had great service and the food is slightly hit and miss. It’s a bit raucous over the weekend too, but if all you want to do is drink lager and while away the hours on a sunny weekend, then this one’s for you.

A fab bar in the trendy waterfront area of Leeds. Food is of a good standard and very reasonably priced. The main focus on the menu is Gormet Burgers, with every kind of different burger you could ever dream of. But also some alternataves for those who dont want a ground beef patty !!! The décor is ultra cool and on a summers day they have an excellent outdoor area. The clientel is very City Metrosexual, with the local dwellers of the nearby apartments seeming to use it as their local. A great place for a quick bite to eat or on an evening some drinks with friends !!! I would really reccomend a visit !!!