The Duncan

This pub is one of those that, thanks to the smoking ban, you’ll never just casually pop in to for a pint. I did this once, before the ban, and I can tell you it was an ill-​advised risk to take! I hadn’t been living in Leeds for long and so hadn’t yet gotten savvy to the best watering holes. I was on my way to Call Lane to see a friend’s gig and was early, so decided to pop into The Duncan and pass half an hour before meeting everyone.
Initially it wasn’t so bad, there were a few very local types who stared at me without blinking, but the young bar man was pretty friendly. Then one of the locals and his girlfriend befriended me. At first it was just quirky little comments and amusement at my being from ‘dahrn sarth’, or from the south of England. Before long the two of them seemed to want to be my bezzie mate and go out on the town as a merry threesome. It was all fairly intimidating. I made my excuses and quick footed out of there, checking my back. Since then I’ve been laughed at a lot by friends in Leeds for ever having dared to set foot in there, according to them the place is none too friendly as the night goes on.
I can’t say the look, or scent, of the place has changed a great deal since. The main difference is that the locals convene as much on the pavement as inside on account of the old smoking ban. If you are planning on becoming an old Yorkshire gurner sort, then start drinking here. Other than that, there’s not much else there for you except a rather risky pint of real ale.