The Wrens

The Wrens is a historic pub, hotel and bar located on New Briggate in the centre of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It sits on the corner of Merrion Street and New Briggate, directly opposite the Grand Theatre and about five minutes' walk from the First Direct Arena, placing it at the heart of the city's theatre, shopping and nightlife district. The building is old and, as the venue notes, its layout means it is not wheelchair friendly. The business takes its name from Alfred Edwin Wren, who owned the establishment in the early 1880s and originally set it up as an eating house and hotel. By the 1891 census the Wrens Hotel — effectively "Mr Wren's Hotel" — was being run by Mr J H Townsend and his family. Around 1913, shortly after the 1911 census, the name changed to "The Wrens Hotel and Bar". The building itself predates the Grand Theatre by nearly forty years, having been built in the 1830s during Leeds' rapid expansion driven by the cloth industry. Its prominent corner position with a large clock drew the attention of theatre patrons, and for many years the premises offered accommodation to stars of the stage. Today The Wrens operates as a combined hotel and bar. The bar serves up to five changing real ales from Yorkshire breweries, with updates posted on Facebook, alongside a regular craft beer from Beavertown Brewery. The venue has teamed up with local award-winning microbrewery Sunbeam Ales to supply different pale and blonde cask ales throughout the year. Its lager range includes Amstel, Heineken and Birra Moretti, plus draught cider and draught Guinness. Accommodation includes twin and double rooms as well as four-person and seven-person apartments, popular with theatre-goers, tourists and weekend shoppers. Check-in runs from 2.30 pm to 10.00 pm, and because of the central location the venue offers complimentary ear plugs for guests wanting a quiet night's sleep. The Wrens is a privately run, independent hospitality business rather than part of a large chain. Its identity is closely tied to its history as a Leeds theatrical pub and to its position opposite the Grand Theatre.

The Wrens occupies a building on the corner of Merrion Street and New Briggate in Leeds that was constructed in the 1830s, during the city's rapid expansion driven by the cloth industry. The building predates the Grand Theatre, which stands opposite, by nearly forty years. Its prominent corner position and large clock made it conspicuous to theatre patrons, drawing attention to the premises. The establishment takes its name from Alfred Edwin Wren, who owned it in the early 1880s and originally set it up as an eating house and hotel. By the 1891 census, the Wrens Hotel — understood as "Mr Wren's Hotel" — was being run by Mr J H Townsend and his family. The name changed to "The Wrens Hotel and Bar" around 1913, shortly after the 1911 census. For many years the premises offered accommodation to stars of the stage, reinforcing its identity as a Leeds theatrical pub with a stronger claim to the title than most, given its position opposite the Grand Theatre. In recent years the building has been given a makeover, though the venue notes that the history can still be felt while drinking there. The old building's layout means it is not wheelchair friendly. Today The Wrens operates as a combined hotel and bar in a vibrant part of Leeds city centre, opposite the Grand Theatre and about five minutes' walk from the First Direct Arena. It has become popular with theatre-goers and tourists, and its central location also suits shopping, restaurants and the city's nightlife. The bar serves up to five real ales from Yorkshire breweries that change regularly, with updates posted on Facebook. A regular craft beer from Beavertown Brewery is available, and The Wrens has teamed up with local award-winning microbrewery Sunbeam Ales to supply different pale and blonde cask ales throughout the year. The lager selection includes Amstel, Heineken and Birra Moretti, alongside draught cider and draught Guinness. Accommodation options include twin and double rooms and four-person and seven-person apartments. Check-in is available from 2.30 pm to 10.00 pm, and because the central location can be noisy at weekends, complimentary ear plugs are offered to guests who need a good night's sleep.

• 1913

  Shortly after the 1911 census, the name changes to 'The Wrens Hotel and Bar'.

• 1891

  By the census, Wrens Hotel is being run by Mr J H Townsend and his family.

• 1880

  Alfred Edwin Wren owns the establishment and sets it up as an eating house and hotel.

• 1830

  The building on the corner of Merrion Street and New Briggate is constructed during Leeds' cloth-industry expansion, nearly forty years before the Grand Theatre.

A historic, independently run Leeds pub-hotel opposite the Grand Theatre, known for Yorkshire real ales and theatre-going accommodation.

• Real ales from Yorkshire breweries

  Up to five changing real ales, with updates posted on Facebook.

• Beavertown Brewery craft beer

  A regular craft beer on offer.

• Sunbeam Ales cask ales

  Pale and blonde cask ales supplied through a partnership with the local award-winning microbrewery.

• Lager selection

  Amstel, Heineken and Birra Moretti.

• Draught cider and draught Guinness

  Available at the bar.

• Hotel rooms

  Twin bed or double bed rooms.

• Apartments

  Four-person and seven-person apartments.

1. 1Homethewrenshotel.co.uk
2. 2About the Wrens Hotelthewrenshotel.co.uk
3. 3The Wrenswikidata.org