Brewbar Espresso

Another of Leeds’ delicious coffee shops. But probably, due to it being slightly outside of the high street, the most underused of the best!
The coffee is quality enough to be on par with the big boys! I’ve had just about every drink on the menu, and the piccolo’s are definitely my fav!
The place is pretty small but has a fair amount of table space, and is a great location for work or study with wifi and a quiet ambience.
I suggest you take the slightly longer walk up the road, and you’ll find coffee that is a million times better than any chain, and staff that will happily chat away.
Well worth popping by!

My visits to this little coffee shop have been brief, but memorable enough to make a really good impression. For starters, it’s a coffee fan’s haven, with an excellent range of good brews. If you’re a masala chai fan get here stat, as that’s on offer too — something I only noticed after grabbing an Americano. Rookie error.
There’s wifi if you want to catch up on a bit of internet time, whist you sip, and plenty of cool art work about the place to take in. It shares its space with the craft and design gallery, so you can always have a wander and purchase some creative and cool goodies whilst you’re there.
The sort-​of-​underground location means it’s not been packed when I’ve visited, and makes it a really cool secretive hide away for a meet up and a chat. There are a few tables outside too, should you fancy a bit of al fresco with your caffeine perk. They’ve a few bites to peruse as well, if you’re lunching, and the staff have been friendly on both visits that I’ve made.
Basically, this spot is cute as they come, and will fix you up with a coffee that kicks the arse off your standard chain venues. It’s worth more than a few visits, and I’ll be back to report on that chai sometime soon…

This place is worth a visit.
The mint tea had so much mint it was like 1:4 ratio! Could easily spend an afternoon just topping it up with water. And the seats get sun but have protection from the wind.
Staff are friendly and the coffee looked and smelt as good as laynees or Mrs athas.
They had food I did not sample but as usual when avoiding cake all the baked goods looked immense.

Who knew that Brewbar existed?!! Not me, I’m ashamed to say! I’ve walked past the mighty chess board, been in the library but had never been in. So glad that’s changed now!
This is a great place. Nice atmosphere, coffee, sandwiches, cakes & lovely people working here. I had my best cheese sandwich of 2012 here. Seriously!
On top of all that, they even have free wifi! YES!!!
If you’re looking for somewhere calm to have a chinwag & a coffee or a place to relax and read, then this is the place to do it.

I’ve walked past Brewbar dozens of times without even realising it; busy on my way to or from the Library. So, imagine my surprise when I finally stumbled onto it after almost a year!
It’s a lovely little shop underneath the library/​art gallery building in Leeds City Centre. While it’s a bit small, it doesn’t feel confining because the shop is connected to the art gallery gift shop. The décor is modern and interesting. The music is mostly current indie stuff. The coffee is sound. It feels like I’m back in the States!
It’s got a good enough atmosphere that I wouldn’t mind hanging out there all day, if it wasn’t for the fact that my laptop battery doesn’t last forever. It might be very American of me to wish that more UK coffee shops had outlets to plug your laptop into but I wish it all the same. I know that people can take advantage of this (buying a biscuit and staying for 8 hours) but there’s something magical about sneaking into your favourite coffee shop in the early hours; having some baked treats and a coffee, plodding on with work or writing or what-​have-​you and then selecting a delicious sandwich or salad to go with your second cup of the day before finally bidding the barista adieu in the early afternoon.
All of that to say, Brewbar is a solid choice if you’re in the mood for a killer cup of joe.

Following my last disastrous experience, it has taken me a while to revisit Brewbar. In all honesty I felt terrible about writing a 1* review — even though my previous experience was a 1* experience. It played on my mind. Then, Brewbar requested to follow me on Twitter, meaning my review was then seen by Brewbar themselves. Hats off to them — they apologised immediately and offered me coffee and lunch to say sorry. I didn’t actually take them up on the offer as I felt so awkward about it — I couldn’t imagine walking in and introducing myself. However, I have since called in a couple of times, on the second visit I was recognised by one of the staff as we’d talked about music and the awesomeness of Oceansize via Twitter. On that occasion I was given Oceansize Awareness Discount — which made me smiley.
The coffee is great, I would never have disputed that. I’ve never sat in to drink my coffee or sampled any food however it’s a lovely little place and the food looks nice too.
Once I get over my weird awkwardness I will probably visit more often.

As I’ve started doing haiku reviews, it seems only fitting Brewbar gets one.
Magic Brewbar boys,
Arabica-​cadabra!
Secret coffee cave.