There has always been something intriguing about a speakeasy. Whether it is to do with having to be in the know or the fact that cocktails are all the rage. Leeds is a growing city that has become a cosmopolitan hotspot with cool bars and fancy cocktail bars popping up all over the shop.
As well as these cocktail bars, Leeds has a range of speakeasy bars that have some creative entrances. One of which has been named the ‘most secret’ bar in the UK.
The Bottle Club conducted their own research and found that Leeds has the most secret bars in the UK. The Maven in Leeds city centre was crowned ‘officially the best-kept secret bar in Leeds’ by the company. The bar’s lack of Instagram followers, when compared to larger bars across the UK was used as an indication.
Call Lane is a hotspot for a Leeds night out and The Maven is a popular choice for locals. But, if you pass the bar during the daytime its non-descript plain black door keeps the venue a hidden gem.
A speakeasy would have to meet The Bottle Club’s five factors to qualify, which are secrecy, creativity, cocktail range, cost and Google ratings. Each of the options is given a mark out of 10. Leeds ranked 7th in the UK for mysterious bars- but no other secret bars appeared in the top 10 showing how important The Maven is to the city.
The Maven was described as a hidden gem by The Bottle Club, who stated: “The Maven is a classic prohibition-era inspired cocktail bar located close to the Leeds Corn Exchange behind an unlabelled black door. Not only is this bar well hidden, it is also relatively inexpensive, with cocktail prices ranging reasonably between £8 and £10”.
The Maven is the OG of secret bars and is beloved for its range of cocktails and tasting menu which includes a menu a range of gins and rums as well as a range of classic cocktails and innovative originals.
Discussing the top 10, Shyam Lakhani from The Bottle Club, said: “In a world dominated by social media stories and online advertising, many are drawn to the idea of exclusivity.
“Providing what the consumer craves through secrecy and rarity, the speakeasy drives our deepest desire to uncover the mystery, discover the story for ourselves and be part of a premium experience, all at once.”
Bottle Club, stating that: “We at The Bottle Club wanted to find the best-hidden gem bars from around the UK. But with so many bars doing their best to stay secret, this took some extensive research, both online and on the ground. However, several large drinks later, we uncovered the best ‘mystery’ bars that 25 of the UK’s most vibrant cities had to offer”.
Read More: This Cocktail Bar In Leeds Is Hidden Beneath A Barbershop – And Its Amazing
