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Canal Club only opened last year but it is already one of the city’s hotspots for all-day drinking and dining. Boasting ultra-trendy interiors with industrial chic furnishings and contemporary neon signs it provides the perfect backdrop for those Insta selfies and creative reels. It’s certainly giving the swanky rooftop bars and hotels in Leeds some healthy competition!
During the summer months, Leeds’ top influencers could often be found soaking up the sun on their roof terrace whilst sipping tropical cocktails. Regrettably, I didn’t manage to squeeze in a trip to this trendy waterfront bar to discover why it had made such an impact on Leeds’ hospitality scene. I missed out on the sumptuous Summer small plates, colourful cocktails and boozy brunches so I have been eager to familiarise myself with the venue this season.
Earlier this month, Canal Club launched a brand new menu for Autumn and I was invited over to sample it last Tuesday. The decor didn’t disappoint. It was everything it promised to be with fushia pink accents and glimmering gold highlights giving an otherwise industrial-style setting a funky and glamorous uplift.
After being seated by the window in one of the comfortable booths, my Husband and I scoured the drinks menus. A creature of habit, I went straight to the cocktails.
I ate out A LOT during the summer and I think I had more than my fair share of cocktails. Most of them were Pornstar Martinis and, to be frank, I was sick to death of them by the end of August. The pornstar on offer at Canal Club isn’t your usual passionfruit flavoured offering as it’s a pineapple-based creation instead. I decided to give it a try. Upon tasting it, I was glad that I did. Fruity, refreshing and a little bit frothy, it was up there with one of my favourite cocktails of the year.
Canal Club’s menu is pretty extensive. There are numerous meat, fish and veggie small plates on offer plus a range of sides and nibbles so it took us a while to choose three dishes each. I was hoping to order their Truffle Mac & Cheese having seen it being expertly showcased on some fantastic Instagram reels. Piping hot, perfectly golden on top and possessing that all-important cheese pull, I was desperate to try it.
Unfortunately. this was just one of two dishes on the menu that they didn’t have available. After much deliberation and discussions with Mr Wilson-Barrett about whether we would share all the dishes or just eat our own, decisions were eventually made. To share, we ordered Pulled Pork Tacos, Festive Nachos, Greek Skewers, Trio of Mini Sliders, Pigs in Blankets and Mini Fish & Chips.
The food didn’t take long to arrive at all and our table was soon filled with plates of steaming hot food.
Mr Wilson-Barrett is a big fan of pulled pork. He would eat it until it came out of his ears so I often make it for him at home, despite not being a lover of it myself. The Pulled Pork Tacos were packed with the stuff and generously topped with sour cream. Happy husband.
The Festive Nachos were also piled high with pulled pork but were enhanced by the presence of other components. Almost every tortilla chip was enveloped in the most delicious homemade cheese sauce and there were little morsels of stuffing and Pigs in Blankets scattered among them. A fabulous festive twist on a classic sharer!
The Mini Fish & Chips consisted of three battered goujons and a handful of homecooked chips. Completely free of grease, the dish was well cooked and there was enough on the plate for us both to enjoy.
The Greek Skewers featured marinated chicken and crispy halloumi fries upon slices of flatbread, a finely chopped salad and generous dollops of Tzatziki. Enjoyable but not the most memorable.
For me, the best by far was the plate of miniature Pigs in Blankets. Succulent Sausages wrapped in crispy smoked bacon and served with a tangy Honey & Mustard Dip, they were superb and almost the cause of a small domestic when we were down to the final one!
It took us a while to work our way through all the dishes and we didn’t quite finish it all but we enjoyed every dish. I’m still a tad disappointed that I didn’t get to try their Truffle Mac n Cheese as I should imagine it would pair beautifully with the Pigs in Blankets. However, it’s given me the perfect excuse to head back to Canal Club over the festive season and introduce friends to their funky interiors, extensive menu and sensational cocktails.
This review was written and published following an invitation to dine at Canal Club. An invitation does not guarantee coverage on our publication or any other publications owned by Roaring Media Ltd – we only publish reviews following positive experiences, whether we have been invited to dine or made a personal reservation. The brands we work with have no editorial control over our content
