Griffin

You're on Boar Lane, right in the thick of Leeds city centre, and you've ducked into somewhere that doesn't feel like a corporate chain despite being one. The Griffin does what good pubs should do—it's got enough character to make you comfortable, enough space so you're not crushed against someone's rucksack, and staff who seem to actually know what they're doing. The kind of place where you can nurse a proper pint after work, grab a decent lunch, or settle in for the evening without it feeling like you've made a massive commitment. It's got the bones of an old boozer, decent enough beer selection, and the vibe is refreshingly unpretentious.