Review Brewbar Espresso, Leeds
Leeds gets another new quality coffee shop with this arty little cafe under the Leeds Art Gallery
Review: Brewbar Espresso, Leeds
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It was only a few months back that we were banging on about a growing number of ace independent coffee shops opening up in Leeds, and now we have another one. Sharing the space under the Leeds Art Gallery‘s Tiled Hall Cafe, with the new (and pretty excellent) Art Gallery Shop, Brewbar Espresso is a small laidback cafe with a focus on music, art and, of course, coffee.
It really is a smart place to have a quality coffee shop. Sandwiched in between the city’s main art gallery and Leeds Central Library, there should be plenty of browsers ready to pass some time discussing art, reading books or just mulling over a purchase from the neighbouring shop. Plus, while you’re wondering round the shop, the smell of coffee drifts over nicely – tempting you to give up on shopping and grab a brew.
So, while doing a brief bit of Christmas shopping one lunch, the smell of espresso proves too much for me and I pop over to the cafe for a spot of coffee and cake.
The space is simple – all white walls and straight lines, decorated intelligently with art on loan from the upstairs gallery’s collection, while the glass table tops have posters, magazine pages and record sleeves stuffed under them.
Indeed, as well as the obvious arty themes flowing through this little coffee shop, music plays a big part in what Brewbar does. Written on a blackboard over the bar is a list of their three current musical recommendations, and their choices are always pleasingly leftfield, while staying vaguely in an indie/folk sphere (when I call in, their picks include the new Kate Bush album and She & Him’s Christmas record – both suitable wintery choices). The board obviously reflects what’s played over the stereo to soundtrack your coffee – certainly beats the generic coffee shop male singer-songwriter playlists (y’know, your James Morrisons and the like).
And yeah, they do coffee too. And it’s good stuff. They do a range of filter coffees from around the globe, plus all the espresso-based drinks you’d expect. I opt for a flat white for £2 and it comes back just perfect – a deep, bitter, warming hit of coffee sitting among that creamy, milky loveliness, just to take the edge off the coffee. It’s surely how coffee is meant to be drunk.
Sandwiches are available too, but I just tuck into a fruity bit of tiffin (£1.95) for sustenance. The homemade slab of chocolatey goodness may not come cheap, but it’s worth the price – a substantial chunk of cake, crammed with enough dark berries to make it feel positively festive.
The Brewbar is a great place to pop into for a brief pause in a busy day, but next time I’ll make sure I call in post-library or Art Gallery visit, giving myself some time to sit and contemplate and soak up the art and music in this unassuming little space.
Posted on Wednesday 11th January 2012
TG
Brewbar Espresso
Under Leeds Art Gallery, The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AA
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Comment by Lloyd Spencer
Posted on Mon 16th Jan 12 4:39 pm
It is a lovely space and they do marvellous coffee. Some of the best baristas I have come across anywhere. Only drawback for me is that on the weekend coffee is served in cardboard cups… but only on the weekend. Great coffee deserves real cups. But a really good place to go. And a superb giftshop alongside it. A great new facility.
Comment by Jonny Atkinson
Posted on Wed 8th Feb 12 1:27 pm
The bar is light and well spaced out resulting in a nice atmosphere to enjoy a drink and snack.
Althought the member of staff was busy the standard of coffee was consistently good and a number of tables were waited on for those wanting food. There was a small but good choice of coffee beans to compliment an extensive list of coffee based drinks, finished off with some beautiful latte art.
