Chemic Tavern

The Chemic Tavern is a historic public house located on Woodhouse Street in the Woodhouse area of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Dating from around the 1800s, it is one of the oldest pubs in the city and has a rich history tied to the local chemical works that gave it its name. Originally known as the Woodhouse Brewery, it was one of the last home-brew pubs in Leeds, ceasing brewing operations in 1938. For much of its early history, it operated under a beer-only licence, a restriction that lasted until the 1960s. The pub has been a fixture of the local community for over a century, passing through various landlords and families, including the Lengthorn family who kept it from 1860. In recent decades, the Chemic Tavern has evolved into a vibrant community hub, particularly known for its music scene. The modern era of live music began around 2004 when the Chemical Sisters, Dawn and Ruth, took over. Since then, the pub has hosted a wide array of weekly events, including pub quizzes, Irish sessions, folk nights, open mic nights, comedy nights, and performances by local bands such as the Leeds Project Big Band. The pub also supports community festivals like Goodfest, which raises funds for local charities. A significant turning point came in 2015 when the pub was saved by the local community and listed as an Asset of Community Value, ensuring its preservation as a community space. The Chemic Tavern is dog-friendly and features a beer garden, though it does not serve food, instead encouraging patrons to bring in takeaways from nearby shops. With its strong community atmosphere, friendly staff, and unique character, the Chemic Tavern remains a beloved local institution in Leeds.

The Chemic Tavern, located on Woodhouse Street in Leeds, dates from around the 1800s. It was originally known as the Woodhouse Brewery and was noted as such in 1907 when Thomas Lengthorn was the licensee. The Lengthorn family had kept the pub since 1860, and other family members were landlords at the Croppers Arms in Marsh Lane and the Black Bear in East Lane off Kirkgate. The pub was one of the last home-brew pubs in Leeds, ceasing to brew in 1938, and it retained a beer-only licence until the 1960s. In early directories, it was shown as being in Johnston Street; both the street and the pub took their names from the nearby Johnston's Chemical Works, which gave the pub its distinctive name. Over the decades, the Chemic Tavern changed hands multiple times. In 1990, Stuart took on the pub, and around the same time, new landlords took over. In 2002, Joan took on the pub, which was then licensed to sell only beer, and the owner was Mr Vause. It was known as 'Arkwrights' but for many decades was famous as 'Slingers'. In 2004, CS Pubs Ltd, run by the Chemical Sisters, Dawn and Ruth, took over, marking the start of the modern music scene. In 2006, the pub saw the first sighting of Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers and a 50th birthday party for Dibbs. The last day of smoking in the pub was 1st July 2007. In 2011, Dawn took over, followed by DBBA Ltd with Kate, Rob, and Charlie on 22nd February 2013. In 2015, the pub was saved by the local community and listed as an Asset of Community Value. In 2017, Anna and Kit took over, introducing pub cat Captain. In March 2022, Megs and Cam became managers and introduced pub cat Narla. In May 2023, a second pub cat, Tabasco, was added, and the first annual Goodfest Community Festival was held in support of Rainbow Junktion. The Chemic Tavern continues to be a vibrant community hub, hosting a wide range of weekly events including pub quizzes, Irish sessions, folk nights, open mic nights, comedy nights, and performances by the Leeds Project Big Band. It remains a dog-friendly pub with a beer garden and does not serve food, but welcomes patrons to bring in takeaways from nearby establishments.

• 2023

  Second pub cat Tabasco added (May); first annual Goodfest Community Festival in support of Rainbow Junktion.

• 2022

  Megs and Cam become managers; new pub cat Narla introduced (March).

• 2017

  Anna and Kit take over, with pub cat Captain.

• 2015

  The pub is saved by the local community and listed as an Asset of Community Value.

• 2013

  DBBA Ltd, Kate, Rob and Charlie take on the pub (22nd February).

• 2011

  Dawn takes over the pub (29th July).

• 2007

  Last day of smoking in the pub (1st July).

• 2006

  First sighting of Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers; Dibbs 50th birthday party.

• 2004

  CS Pubs Ltd, the Chemical Sisters Dawn and Ruth, take over; start of the music scene.

• 2002

  Joan takes on the pub, licensed to sell only beer; owner is Mr Vause.

• 1990

  Stuart takes on the pub; new landlords take over around this time.

• 1960

  Retains a beer-only licence until the 1960s.

• 1938

  Ceases brewing, ending its time as a home-brew pub.

• 1907

  Noted as the Woodhouse Brewery with Thomas Lengthorn as licensee.

• 1860

  The Lengthorn family begins keeping the pub.

• 1800

  The Chemic Tavern dates from around the 1800s.

A community-focused, historic pub with a strong music and events programme, offering a unique and friendly local experience in Leeds.

Product categories. Beer · Ale · Lager · Cider · Spirits · Soft drinks

1. 1The Chemic Tavern – The Heart of Woodhousechemictavern.co.uk
2. 2History – The Chemic Tavernchemictavern.co.uk
3. 3Chemic Tavern - Wikidatawikidata.org