The Crepe Hut - Leeds

I 'm going to start by saying that the inside is actually far better than the smell in the doorway... When I first came here- there wasn 't another bar with decor like this in Leeds- but there was at least one in every other city. I love the dark wood, but I 'd already seen the paintings in the Victoria in Birmingham- part of me thought it could almost be one of a chain. I think after that, it did become a bit of a comparison game- The bar is very full, and the mixologists do know their stuff, and the small listed menu has a good and diverse range of cocktails on offer (the lime and chilli one was far far hotter than expected- burny lips! , and the prices are cocktail prices- but I 've had cocktails just as good in London and other southern cities in bars I would actually consider secret bars . Their floral cocktails are mega, their staff are nice, it can get pretty cramped in here- it 's no less busy than any other bar on call lane even without signage. I 've been several times and I will go again, but I wouldn 't want to spend all night here.

There are so many levels at which I 've fallen in love with this fabulous new bar. From the prohibition style hidden entrance, obvious only to those in the know or savvy passers by, to the classy, simply attired interior, to the fantastic staff, who offer up cocktails of the highest order. It almost feels like the 'bar '(wo man 's bar, since every detail in the drinks are so meticulous they take obvious pride in what they provide, and that alone is commendable. (And also worlds apart from some of the other 'cocktail ' orientated places you can find. If you 've not been along yet, expect tea cups attached to glass stems, Victorian perfumery bottles enveloping absinthe, blowtorches and flammable powders, alongside a back bar of cocktail dreams, a multitude of fruit and a selection of damned good beers. I 've been back several times since the opening night and have enjoyed every last drop of liquid that I 've consumed within. The music was fantastic as well, with a more electronica infused soundtrack from the DJ on the Friday, and a lively 80s mix on the Saturday. (Think Chaka Khan, Ain 't Nobody . Of course, mention must be made of the fantastic staff that serve their libations until 4am. (Not every night, I don 't think, but that 's their licence. Every one of them has been fantastic; friendly, full of banter, expert at mixing up the drinks and each and every one of them looks ruddy dapper to boot. It 's a class act. Essentially, don 't just take my word for it. Check 'em out for yourselves. Most of the cocktails on the list will set you back about £7, which might be steep for some, but once you get a taste you 'll know why you came.

I first learned about The Maven, a recently opened restaurant, from a friend who works at Milo bar across the street. Despite being a well-kept secret, The Maven's location on Call Lane makes it a great spot for a night out. When I visited on a Tuesday night with friends, we were the only ones there initially, but the atmosphere quickly picked up. The bar staff were welcoming and provided excellent table service. The cocktail list was extensive and the menu featured tasty sharing platters. The venue was clean and new, and I look forward to seeing how it fares when busier. Overall, The Maven is a wonderful addition to Call Lane and I wish them success!

I stopped by this restaurant on Saturday night craving an Old Fashioned. We arrived at 8pm and found only two other couples inside. I thought this meant we would receive our drinks quickly. However, after placing our order, we waited and waited. The heat was becoming unbearable on this humid evening, and there were only a few other couples in the restaurant. Eventually, a waitress came over but with a carafe of water, not our drinks. I understand that cocktails take time, but waiting 15 minutes seemed excessive. The drinks were delicious, but we were sweating due to the heat. When my partner stood up from the leather couch, she almost got stuck to it. She had never been to this restaurant before and could not leave fast enough. As we were leaving, a loud group of people in t-shirts and shorts came in, which was not what I expected. Overall, I was very disappointed with the whole experience.

If I had visited The Maven about 18 months ago, I would have been amazed by its interior. While the bar display is impressive with a wide selection available, the paintings on the walls of animals dressed in Victorian clothing seemed quite cliché as I have seen this in several other places. Marketed as a 'secret bar', located on the first floor off Call Lane, you practically needed to know someone who was aware of it as there is no sign outside (although later in the evening, the presence of a doorman gave it away completely). The lighting gradually dimmed as the night went on, and the staff, dressed in a pre-Prohibition style, did their best to keep up with the requests for cocktails - there may be a bit of a wait if there are others ahead of you. I would recommend a rum old fashioned if you are not interested in one of the cocktails listed. The background music playing, by Postmodern Jukebox, was really enjoyable and matched the atmosphere perfectly. I was happy to have had the opportunity to visit.