Hanging Ditch

The slightly tucked away entrance makes this hideaway bar all the more intriguing, while a dimly lit interior and interesting looking clientele only add to the feeling that you’ve made it into some sort of special society for the night. Hanging Ditch, for those who are yet to visit, is Leeds’ Street best little slice of stealth.

Leather bound menus, candles tucked into bottles, fur pelts hanging from corners and a bookshelf stacked with classics, this place feels low-key classy. The casual cool bartenders stop it feeling at all pretentious though; with their easy chat and way with the cocktail shakers, they make this elegant spot also lively and full of character.

The main feature and ode to their name, are the dozens of hanging bottles that adorn the space above the bar. Far from simply being decorative though, the bartenders whip them down whenever they’re needed for a specialist drink, giving the whole place a sense of fun and playfulness. And if it’s a specialist drink you’re after, well you’re in luck, because Hanging Ditch has an epic range of contemporary cocktails, and for the nostalgic amongst us, the old classics too. If you’re into snacking while you make your way through the cocktail menu, there’s a number of small cheese and nibble dishes available, or if you’re wanting to move on from the shaken and stirred, there’s plenty of wine and craft beer too.

The ambience is awesome, the music is spot on and Hanging Ditch is sure to quickly become your new favourite bar (just make sure you keep the secret to yourself..)