The Hyde Park Pub

No scientists turning in to abominations. The REAL park was a full minute’s walk away.

I first tried the Hyde Park pub before actually moving to Leeds, to meet with my friends and future landlord. Bit of a bizarre place to meet a landlord, true, but that’s what we did. I’ve since been perhaps a handful of times and can’t say that it’s my favourite place to go for a drink.
In it’s essence it is a student styled pub, since they offer student discounts and tailor the pub activity towards entertaining the influx of new students that arrive in Leeds each year. This is certainly no bad thing but I’m a little past that now I’m sad to say.
The essentials are all there however, as they offer cheap pub grub, cheap lagers et al. and have a great little outside space for those who partake of a few cigarettes, or simply prefer to sit al fresco avec pint and watch the world go by. There is also a link cash machine, which charges £1.75 for the privilege of withdrawing cash, so I would advise purchasing some gum from the nearby Onestop and getting cashback if you are in need!
It’s certainly not a bad choice of pub, but what with the Otley runners and hyper first years I prefer to grumble into my ale elsewheres. If you happen to be filled with the vibrance of youth however, this may well be your spot!

Hyde Park pub is good for cheap drinks, food and a laugh. Just don’t expect anything more!
Set right in the heart of studentville, this place is the ultimate student hangout. The food is decent for what you pay, its cheap so you get the standard burger, chips and a pint deal.
The atmosphere is promising and as part of the Otley run is always very vibrant. My advise, get a good slap up meal for under £5, a few drinks and get out. Nothing much wrong with that. You’ll leave feeling full, satisfied and glad you didn’t opt for your beans on toast at home, it also beats having to do some washing-​up to cook the beans in. So there you have it, Hyde Park pub, perfect for a belly rumbling tummy, cheap drinks, a laugh and err less washing up.

Cheap food, cheap drinks, cheap looking…
This is the ultimate student pub where you’re sure to see a variety of people outside at almost all hours.
It’s a prime stop on an Otley run so expect to have to wait your way through queues at the bar with superman, miss piggy and a naughty school girl…

The first sign that summer in Leeds is truly over is the sudden realisation that I can’t walk from Headingley to Woodhouse without having to cross the road when I hit the Hyde Park pub. The reason for this is that what serves as a pavement during the summer holidays resumes its position as an extension of the beer garden once the autumn term begins and students in their hundreds flock back to this cheap and cheerful boozer. While I should dislike this pub for its lack of character, decent cider or anything else I generally look for in a drinking den, I can’t help but be charmed by somewhere that serves a 99p glass of wine and a sizeable meal for 3 quid. Sit outside when it’s warm enough to get a great view of stumbling Otley runners in all their glory, or gather all your mates round one of the big tables for an evening of pub grub and beer that’ll work out cheaper than Wetherspoons and without the long walk home.

I’m a fan of the Hyde Park pub because of it’s good, honest, hearty grub. Admittedly, it’s probably come straight from a microwave — but more importantly, it’s cheaper than, ahem, chips.
Well, perhaps it isn’t, but British classics for less than three quid is well worth mine — and your — while. My tip? Bangers and mash.
The atmosphere in there for just a pint is good too, with a good mix of students (from both Leeds Met, Uni and the Art College) and locals making for a welcoming vibe.
The bar staff are always cheery too. Service with a smile? Can’t beat it.

Located on Leeds’ very own Hyde Park corner (basically a crossroads), this is perhaps one of the most student-​friendly pubs in Leeds, which in unsurprising considering its location. It has the same attractions as the pubs in central Headingley — a lively atmosphere, cheap pints and a fair few locals mixed in with the students.
For me, the best thing about the Hyde Park, however, is its outdoor smoking terrace. The huge benches and heaters out front make sitting outside (whether you’re a smoker or not) the best option, allowing you to watch the Otley Road go by as you drink. If you’re planning a pub crawl but don’t want to start all the way back at Woodies, I’d suggest starting here, as it is only a short walk from the town centre, but gives you the opportunity to hit another five or six pubs on the way down.

I’m not a fan of the Hyde Park, particularly at about 4pm on a Saturday afternoon, as that’s when the hoardes of Otley Runners tend to hit it (and bearing in mind they’re on the home stretch they’re pretty well oiled by this point).
Feels a bit grubby inside, and every time I’ve been, the floor’s been that horrible kind of sticky that makes a noise when you walk on it.
Also I don’t like how when I walk past to get to the lovely Clock Café/​LS6 Bar, Hyde Park patrons get in my way.