The Mustard Pot, Chapel Allerton: a country-style gastropub with relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere

Our group had booked a seat in the pub’s marquee for a much-anticipated Euros 2020 game, and on arrival were greeted immediately at the entrance to the beer garden.

The garden itself was beautifully decorated, with picnic-style tables widely spread across the grass, string lights providing lighting and a quirky addition of a standalone gin bar off to the side of the garden - though this was regrettably closed when we visited. Were the football not on, this is the area we would have been most drawn to.

We were seated in the marquee which was adorned with colourful lanterns, housed around 6 tables and had a TV at the front. Though the weather stayed dry for our visit, the walls of the marquee were open, so this is something to consider in wetter weather.

We nabbed a seat just in front of the screen, and the ordering process was done through an app which was straightforward to use. The pub offered a wide array of drinks, with an especially extensive menu for gin lovers. Prices were around expected for an upmarket gastro pub, with a pint of beer or small glass of wine around the £5 mark, while cocktails were around £7. The menu even offers “mocktails” for non-drinkers.

Our first drinks - two gins with elderflower tonic - arrived swiftly at the table and were well-presented, with garnishes of strawberries in one and lemons in the other.

The atmosphere in the marquee was buzzing ahead of the game, with a mixed crowd of families, older punters and younger people. The smell of home-cooked pub food in the air, meanwhile, left us feeling tempted to order in spite of having already eaten.

A couple more drinks followed, brought to the table swiftly by polite staff, and the game thankfully went the way we were hoping. The atmosphere was chatty and lively throughout though not rowdy.

The bill came to just shy of £25 for a couple of soft drinks and three gin and tonics which felt a little pricier than other local pubs, but the atmosphere and setting made up for this. Overall, this is a lovely local with a welcoming atmosphere and a family-friendly vibe with a beer garden made for sunny days.

Factfile

Address: 20 Stainbeck Ln, Chapel Allerton Leeds LS7 3QY

Telephone: 0113 269 5699

Opening hours: Sun 12-10pm, Mon-Thurs 12-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 12-11pm

Scores

Drinks 8/10

Value: 7/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Service: 7/10