The Chemic Tavern

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

Visit now

The Chemic Tavern

9 Johnston Street, Leeds, LS6 2NG
01132457670
  • Monday2:00pm - 11:30pm
  • Tuesday2:00pm - 11:30pm
  • Wednesday2:00pm - 11:30pm
  • Thursday2:00pm - 12:00am
  • Friday2:00pm - 12:30am
  • Saturday2:00pm - 12:30am
  • Sunday2:00pm - 10:30pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Courtesy of the Chemic Tavern
Book now

We are a historic real ale pub situated in the heart of the Woodhouse residential area, just over a mile north of Leeds City Centre.

Established in the early 1840s, The Chemic is named after Johnstons Chemical Works, a local factory that produced Vitriol – also known as Sulphuric Acid. The factory was demolished in the 1890s, but the pub has endured as a popular community hub, welcoming creatives, musicians and local residents for decades.

Community spirit is at the heart of everything we do here at The Chemic. In addition to a spacious main bar area featuring an ever-changing lineup of real ales, ciders, wines and spirits, our Tap Room is often used for community meetings, live performances and private hire events.

Open seven nights a week, with regular events including folk night, open mic and Monday Night Quiz, The Chemic guarantees you a friendly welcome and a truly authentic local experience. In 2015, we were proud to be listed as an Asset of Community Value by Leeds City Council – helping to secure our place as a cornerstone of the local social scene for many years to come.

What's on near The Chemic Tavern

Africana and Caribbean Food Fest
FestivalsLeeds
African & Caribbean Food Fest 2025

Calling people of Leeds and beyond! The city’s favourite African and Caribbean Food Fest is back, and this year it’s turning up the heat with Harmony of Colours, a celebration…

Free entry

Where to go near The Chemic Tavern

Leeds
Brewery
Springwell

The home of North, with a beautiful taproom over looking the brew house, on Buslingthorpe Lane. Every weekend we open the doors to our brewery and pour incredibly fresh beer next to the tanks where it was brewed!

Woodhouse Moor
Leeds
Park
Woodhouse Moor

Woodhouse Moor is a popular park in Leeds near the universities district of the city and the Hyde Park area of Headingley.

Oranaise Cafe Leeds
Leeds
Restaurant
Oranaise

Oranaise is a North African cafe with a smart range of fresh food, savoury pastries, and drinks.

Leeds
Restaurant
LS6

LS6 is an independent café with flamboyant decor and a long-list of celebrity patrons. LS6 boasts a reputation for being the best breakfast around the Leeds area.

Image of exterior of Stage@Leeds Theatre
Leeds
Theatre
Stage@Leeds

Stage@Leeds is a public theatre situated at the heart of the University of Leeds campus, programming a wealth of contemporary performance both on and offline.

Leeds
Bar or Pub
Northern Monk Refectory LDS

Northern Monk brewery opens its doors to guests at The Old Flax Store, where a mighty range of their beers are available to try.

Leeds
Event venue
Hyde Park Book Club

Hyde Park Book Club has blossomed into a multi use music and arts venue that acts as a home from home for many of the area’s local creatives.

RJC Dance Xmas Show
Leeds
RJC Dance

RJC Dance, based in Chapeltown, Leeds, champions youth and education, leading inclusive Black dance in the North through national partnerships.

The Riley Theatre
Leeds
Theatre
The Riley Theatre

The Riley Theatre at the Northern School for Contemporary Dance is Yorkshire’s largest dedicated dance house, hosting a year-round programme of dance and theatre events and performances.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North.
Theatre in the North

From outdoor shows to drama in the dark, our theatre guide celebrates genre-pushing work, new writing and contemporary performance.

Author portrait
Literature Events in the North

Our latest round-up features plenty of one-off live literature events to wrap your ears about, so get those diaries ticking over...

Two women stand next to an orange car.
Cinema in the North

August brings a huge LGBTQ+ film festival, plus a reggae classic and a spotlight on Japanese animation.

Blondshell by Hannah Bon.
Music in the North

From Lyra Pramuk’s sacred synths to the sugar rush of YAANG, our latest music picks bring ritual, rebellion and ridiculous levels of fun.