#266Global
provisional 2026 rating
★ Currently qualifies as Kinda Decent in the Kinda Decent Index 2026.
A standout in Leeds, judged against the size of its scene, not just the size of the city. See the full class →
This live rating may change until the incorporated world’s 50 best bars 2026 results and remaining accepted 2026 inputs are locked in a reviewed, committed snapshot and the edition is frozen.
Below Stairs is a basement, table-service Leeds cocktail bar focused on creative drinks, experimental ingredients and approachable guided service.
Description source · Checked 2026-09-20
Plan Your Visit
12 S Parade, Leeds LS1 5QS, UK
- Style
- Basement experimental cocktail barChecked 2026-09-20 · Source
- Hours
- Monday closed; Tuesday–Thursday 5pm–11pm; Friday 5pm–1am; Saturday 2pm–1am; Sunday 3pm–11pm. Last orders are called 30 minutes before close.Checked 2026-09-20 · Source
- Booking
- Reservations are accepted daily for up to six. Bar stools are retained for walk-ins, but booking is recommended, especially at weekends.Checked 2026-09-20 · Source
- Prices
- The owner-linked Small Joys 2025/26 cocktail menu lists Licking The Spoon at £13, Handbag Snacks at £14 and Consort House Punch at £14. The venue adds a removable 10% service charge.Checked 2026-09-27 · Source
- Menu
- The current 2025/26 menu presents creative cocktails built around experimental ingredients in a table-service format.Checked 2026-09-20 · Source
Hours and menus can change. Check the venue’s latest details before visiting.
The score & its evidence
Seven signals. One score.
40.4 / 100
The composite combines the seven weighted signals and the published adjustments. The chart shows each signal before weighting.
Read the full calculation- Guest ratings
- 80.2
- World's 50 Best
- —None found · Checked; no qualifying signal found; contributes zero
- Top 500 Bars
- —None found · Checked; no qualifying signal found; contributes zero
- Spirited Awards
- —None found · Checked; no qualifying signal found; contributes zero
- Regional Recognition
- 63.5
- Serious press
- 9.8
- Social Vibes
- 63.7
Weights: Guest ratings 23% · World's 50 Best 12% · Top 500 Bars 10% · Spirited 12% · Regional Recognition 18% · Press 10% · Social Vibes 15%
Missing evidence, confirmed none and evidence outside a scoring window each contribute zero. We do not redistribute their fixed weight to other signals.
Social Vibes
Score read updated:
Sentiment score
91/ 100
Score context
South Parade basement speakeasy: welcome drink, personalised cocktails, tight service. Yorkshire Evening Post and Tripadvisor call drinks and hospitality near-perfect; the room is small.
Guest score details
What guests like
- personalised and menu cocktails
- welcome drink and water top-ups
- hidden basement room
- value versus quality
What to know
- For current booking information, see Plan Your Visit.
- small capacity / timed tables
- can be hard to find
- cocktails ~£10–12
Source excerpt
“An amazing speakeasy tucked away down a set of stairs (hence the name). One of the best cocktail bars in the UK!!”
Source: tripadvisor.com (linked below)
Review & discussion links
Other cited sources
Crowd signal
Google 4.8★ across 514 reviews.
View on Google · Checked . Ratings and review counts can change.
Awards
Results from the three global systems scored separately in our formula.
No recorded global awards in the scored window.
Regional Recognition
Regional and national lists, local awards and bartender peer picks considered for this room's Regional Recognition score. The strongest result from each program and year scores; assessed guides use the latest accepted dated status once.