Live Music Pubs in Wakefield

Westgate Common WMC

5 Park Grove Road, Wakefield WF2 8TW

popular WMC, a fully air-conditioned building with comprehensive photos on the premises website. Hours shown are those permitted by the club's licence.

Luis Bar @ Fernandes Wakefield

5 Avison Yard, Kirkgate, Wakefield WF1 1UA

The Fernandes name revives that of a 19th Century brewery on Doncaster Road which was owned by Portuguese Luis B Fernandes. A major refurbishment in Autumn 2021 saw the two drinking floors switched, so that the centre floor became the main one with official re-opening on Friday 24 September.

Henry Boons

130 Westgate, Wakefield WF2 9SR

Named after Henry Boon Clark who founded the Westgate Brewery in 1905. It does get very busy in Friday & Saturday evenings. Old hogshead barrels are used as tables and the canopy around the bar is thatched. An additional bar called Boons Yard can be opened up to provide extra capacity as well as an upper room for functions, and a side bar houses a pool table and jukebox, making this a popular place for both young and old. Real ale plus a late licence at weekends! Literary groups including the Destiny Poets meet here.

Wakefield Labour Club

18 Vicarage Street, Wakefield WF1 1QX

The Red Shed is an old army hut that has survived the redevelopment of the area. Home to many trade union, community and charity groups, quiz night is Wednesday and live music plays many Saturdays (see club website). Left wing comedians, actors and orators are proud to appear here. There are three rooms of which two can be hired for functions. An extensive collection of trade union plates and badges is displayed over the bar together with numerous CAMRA awards adorning the walls. The beer range changes constantly, with Ossett, Thwaites, Moorhouses and Acorn alongside many unusual micros.

Polka Hop

60 George Street, Wakefield WF1 1DL

After major refurbishment the pub re-opened as the Polka Hop in Autumn 2018. The Polka Hop is a dance performed by Morris Dancers, the new owner is a member of the local dancers. The bar has been relocated to a former recess creating a comfortable seating area with secluded corners and a real fire complements the warm welcome. Numerous board games are provided. Access from street problematic for wheelchairs. Current owners have installed new managers.

Inns of Court Hotel

22 King Street, Wakefield WF1 2SR

An imposing 3 storey hotel tucked away among narrow streets housing solicitors' practices, offices and law courts. It was known as the Royal Oak 1794-1883. The long open-plan lounge bar is divided into small drinking areas; popular with members of the legal profession, their clients and students (GBG 1993)

Wharfside

46 Thornes Lane Wharf, Wakefield WF1 5RL

Former Jolly Sailor with very elegant toilets! Lovely waterside location, unfortunately no longer offering food at the time of this entry in spite of info on many websites

Reflex

51 Westgate, Wakefield WF1 1BW

A young persos' venue open five nights a week with a mix of 80's, 90's and 00's party classics

Grey Horse

221 Kirkgate, Wakefield WF1 1JG

A friendly edge of town local with conservatory and enthusiastic football team Colour of walls changes almost annually!

Flares

Westgate, Wakefield WF1 1XH

substantial building, listed as a Building of Local Interest, dating from the 1700s, previously known as the Woolpacks, now a young persons' venue with classic 70s music. Awarded blue plaque for Joshua Ellis 1853

Black Horse Pub & Dining

102 Westgate, Wakefield WF1 1XR

A busy traditional city pub, Building of Local Interest, built 1818 with dark wood decor and a large patio/beer garden where you look over Westgate as from a ship's poop-deck, folk music Weds night. As part of refurbishment the redundant shop premises have been re-absorbed into the licensed area. For food menu, see premises website.

Balne Lane WMC

Benjamin Street, Wakefield WF2 9AN

licence permits opening from 9am (10 Sun) if required for activities

Qubana Restaurant & Grill

25/27 Northgate, Wakefield WF1 3BJ

lively Cuban restaurant and bar specialising in tapas Spanish nights Thursdays Moved to grander premises in former Barclays Bank. Opening times shown are actually food times.

Swan

156 Westgate, Wakefield WF2 9SR

The pub had a brief period in the 1990s as a Scruffy Murphy's but then reverted to its 1807 name, refurbished in modern light coloured décor, losing its two necks to new management in August 2013. Appears to be leased by The Swan (Wakefield) Ltd or Management Services (Wakefield) Ltd from Punch Taverns plc

Eagle

161 Flanshaw Lane, Flanshaw, Wakefield WF2 9JF

Velvet Cocktail & Wine Bar

9,11,13 Queen Street, Wakefield WF1 1JR

Gay-friendly and licensed to be open from 4pm-4am Mo, 4pm-2am Tue-Thu, 1pm-4am Fri-Sun

Wagon

45 Westgate End, Wakefield WF2 9RQ

cosy pub standing slightly askew from Westgate since 1793, known as the Wagon & Horses until 1994 Hours shown are those permitted by the pub's licence.

Hop

19 Bank Street, Wakefield WF1 1EH

This converted Victorian building has been transformed into a joint venture between Ossett Brewery and Mike Heaton, drummer with chart-topping band Embrace, with bars on the ground floor and music studios above - real ales plus live music, comedy and dance. A multi-faceted venue for drinking socialising, music appreciation and conversation. It retains the bare brick walls, fireplaces and other original features. The draught beers are complemented by an extensive wine list and a selection of bottled Belgian beers. There is acoustic music on Mondays and a range of live music on Fridays and Saturdays. Tuesday is quiz night and the first Monday of each month features a live comedy store. Private rooms are available for hire. Car parking is plentiful but pay & display with non-council sites charging around the clock.

New Union

2 Almsgate, Wakefield WF1 1UZ

A modern city centre pub, the Nw Union is partially sports themed pub where entertainment is derived through with pool tables and TV’s showing live sporting events. Note that Wakefield Kirkgate Station is also about the same distance away. Gay friendly. Hours shown are those permitted by the pub's licence.

Warehouse 23

23 Smyth Street, Wakefield WF1 1ED

Note that hours shown are those for which nightclub is licensed. Formerly a "gentlemen's club" with exotic dancing, used to be known as H2O, then Blue Rooms, then Pablo'z Nite Club, then D.N.E. Music, then Black Flag This is what they say now: Abandoned WAREHOUSE style rave meets chic cocktail lounge in this exciting new development in Wakefield's nightlife scene. Combining next level club nights with epic live music elements powered by World famous TurboSound™ & FunktionOne™ sound systems, driven by local, national & international talent. After a long application process, WAREHOUSE:23 now holds a 100%, BRAND NEW license allowing full nightclub activities AS WELL as the performance of live music which previously had denied this fantastic site the ability to perform to its full potential. Designed by DJs, Made for Dancing, Built for Wakefield.

Queens Arms

159 Denby Dale Road, Thornes, Wakefield WF2 8ED

opened 1830 as the Spangled Bull, then in 1866 became the Queen, 1867 Queens Arms, 1883-1994 Queen's Hotel, majors on good value meals, pub quiz Thurs eves

Harewood Arms

101 Kirkgate, Wakefield WF1 1JG

A popular city centre establishment with front and back bars, dating back to 1830, not currently offering traditional ales, lunchtime food available, gay friendly. Now painted red.

Jolly Tap Real Ale Café

43 Northgate, Wakefield WF1 3BH

A former newsagents, then an American diner, it was taken over a couple of years ago by the Jolly Boys Brewery which is located in Royston just over Wakefield's southern border. It has minimalist furnishings with the addition of a sofa and a couple of comfortable chairs. Always has three Jolly Boys beers on plus three rotating Guest Beers. An interesting feature is a piano which customers can play.

Favela Brazilian Grill

2 Carter Street, Wakefield WF1 1XJ

latest incarnation of these upstairs premises sees a Brazilian grill (meat!!!) with bottled Brazilian beer, cocktails, late drinks licence applied for

Harry's Bar

107B Westgate, Wakefield WF1 1EL

This small one-roomed pub set in an alleyway just off Westgate. A real fire and a bare brick and wood interior plus vintage sporting pictures enhance this small, cosy pub. There is also a fantastic view of Wakefield's famous 99 arch viaduct, if only steam trains were a regular feature! There is also a selection of bottled Belgian beers to add to the temptation. Hours permitted by pub's licence are greater. Wakefield CAMRA Pub of the Year 2013. Note construction of a new more extensive outdoor drinking area - see photo gallery.

Old Printworks

107A Westgate, Wakefield WF1 1EL

NOTE RESTRICTED OPENING HOURS once a printworks, (note old pictures on walls) now a new real ale bar in the "off Westgate" quarter The bar was rescued from the defunct Union pub on Horbury Road. The time bell came from a paddy train on the Selby Coalfield. Licence permits sale of alcohol 09:00-02:00. Hours shown are provisional and like beer range may alter with demand. toilets upstairs

Snooty Fox Club

8 King Street, Wakefield WF1 2SQ

Players Snooker Club was originally an old warehouse, either for wool stapling or cloth production, then a nightclub called Kube. The gig room has a raised stage at one end and a bar at the other, with a possible capacity of 100/120, re-incarnated Spring 2014 Hours shown are those permitted by the premises licence not necessarily the actual hours open. In May 2016 name changed to Snooty Fox Club. live music upstairs and a chill out area downstairs, on the ground floor is the Black Mass room, with live music and club nights. In the basement there's the Fox's Den a chilled out pub like room with the occasional acoustic artists. Website: http://www.snootyfoxlive.com Phone: 01924782929

Lobby

Ground Floor, Unity House, Westgate, Wakefield WF1 1EP

A landmark building in the history of the co-operative movement, built in the 1880s as the Wakefield Co-operative headquarters opened in 1867. More recently used mainly for musical performances and events. The café was permitted to be open from 8am with alcohol permitted from 11, there and in the main hall bar upstairs. Re-opened with a new focus at the end of 2018.