The New Roscoe

Ah, the good old days… when nostalgia was something to look forward to… when the now not so new New Roscoe really was The NEW Roscoe… and when… hang on just a minute.
I can remember the original Roscoe — that is The ‘old’ Roscoe. That was when fellas with fists the size of shovels supped pints around a peat fire and stained their boots with tears to the strains of The Rose of Tralee.
But then came the bulldozers.
The New Roscoe sprang up just down the road and the Sheepscar interchange was born. Where once the old Roscoe stood, motorists stuck in traffic now sigh at the sight of Leeds’s aspiring skyline. Or grit their teeth in the gridlock.
Meanwhile, The New Roscoe has gone from raw recruit to surviving veteran while many a Sheepscar comrade has fallen. The roll of honour is long: The Pointer, The Victoria, The Globe, The Regent, The Skinners Arms… all lost in action or auction.
Yet The New Roscoe battles on — not only serving a decent pint with a cheery smile and friendly word but providing one of too few live music venues in the city.
New Roscoe… we salute you.
The place might win few awards for urban chic or cocktails but it flies the flag for live entertainment. As the likes of Simon Cowell threaten to smother the country under a cushion of smugness, places like The New Roscoe are important. They provide a stage for real emerging local talent. It’s places like this and The Grove and a handful of others that deserve our support. So switch off the telly and get yourself down The New Roscoe. Enjoy the beer, enjoy the music and if your ears start bleeding step away from the amps.

A great place to see a gig! The staff are friendly and the drinks aren’t overpriced. When I go it’s usually a Saturday and there is always a good turn out.

The New Roscoe often gets overlooked when thinking of live music venues, especially with The Cockpit so close to the train station, and then there’s the latest addition of the O2 Academy, but the New Roscoe is a great little, well it’s not exactly little, but it’s great for a live gig, good atmosphere and some cheap booze to boot.
There’s a general atmosphere of music appreciation and a really good supportive vibe of whoever’s playing, which is really nice. It might not be the most glamorous of places to visit on a night out but it is one of the most chilled out, in that sense where there’s no trouble and no preening, and a genuine want for a good evening.
Gigs are normally only a few pounds to attend, think the last one I saw was only £3 on the door, but Friday, Saturday and most Sundays, gig entry is free, which is pretty damn cool.
The guy who owns the place, Noël, really loves what he’s done here with the New Roscoe, and bless him, he’s still devastated at what happened to the Old Roscoe. That passion to make the New Roscoe a relaxed place to enjoy a hassle free pint and indulge in some good music paid off. Good effort Noël. Cheers.

I do like my music. It can be said I’m partial to some pounding house, funky uplifting soul and a belting DJ, but I’m also into my inner rocker and like a live gig. So if I want something a bit different I head down to the New Roscoe.
It’s a nifty venue and just the way live music should be seen. Not always but definitely there should be a place for it.
What you can expect is a mixture of blues, country, rock, indie and roots to name a few. Isn’t that enough for you, you greedy people. If it’s not, they also have a mass of tribute bands as well. A cherry on the top for you.
Don’t forgot, the venue also doubles up as a pub so if you want some cheap beer then ladies we have a winner (and gents too). How do you like the sound of £1.50 a pint? Thought so, barman I’ll have three. If you so wish they do pies, Yorkshire puds and slices of pizza too. Frankly, I’ve not been that brave yet but that’s a small negative in an otherwise positive note.
Don’t wear your best shoes but do go for some excellent music and up and coming bands as well.

A live music venue with a social-​club feel, the new Roscoe is neither as trendy as the Brudenell nor as edgy as the Burley Liberal, but it has a charm all to its own. A reincarnation of a much-​loved locals pub known for its Irish music, knocked down in 1982, the New Roscoe is an altogether more modern affair, with local guitar bands and tribute acts to legends like Iron Maiden and Led Zeppelin taking frequently to the surprisingly large stage. Most nights are free, which proves a big draw with both locals and students alike, and despite its out-​of-​the-​way location it always seems to be fairly busy, particularly on weekend nights and Sunday lunchtimes, when the music is more chilled out and bluesy. For the skint among us, there’s usually some great promotions on drinks — £1.50 for a pint of Roscoe Beer last time I visited — and I reckon it’s one of the only places in Leeds you can get a pie and peas for a quid.

Not the tidiest of places but that doesn’t matter. If you’re a live music lover this is the place for you. From country to rock to reggae it’s all here and it’s all live. Many of the nights are free entry but for some of the better bands there may be a small fee to get in. I think they also serve food but I’ve never tried it. I only go for the music and beer.