Back Row
Holbeck
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS11 5PL
0113 244 2085
Following an arson attack in November 2023 the Grove is currently closed. Repairs are ongoing and the pub will reopen when these are complete.
The Grove Inn is an is a remarkable survivor in what used to be a working class area of Leeds. Holbeck, just south of the river, had lots of streets of terraced houses, corner shops and small factories. With Leeds ever-expanding its commercial core, the housing has disappeared and the old pub is now surrounded by new office blocks (photo 1).
The pub has probably been saved by its long term promotion of live music, and it hosts the oldest folk club in an unchanged venue in the world. The music takes place in the Concert Room which was added in a 1930s refurb, and all the other rooms are unchanged since then. The Tap Room is first left and is usually the first to fill up (photo 2 – just after opening!).
The lovely old Snug along the corridor on the right has unusual fixed seating made of bentwood. It also has modern, stained glass windows and wall paintings showing the nearby canal (photo 3). The Concert Room has a mural of British and American folk and country singers – see how many you recognise (photo 5).
The pub is a long time champion of cask ales and has been in the annual Good Beer Guide for many years. It does food at lunchtimes during the week to cater for local office workers.
The pub was owned by Johns Smiths Brewery for many years and there are nice carved ‘John Smiths Magnet Ales’ signs along both outside walls (photos 1 & 4).
