Pixel Bar Leeds — Restaurant in Leeds

I really like this place; great atmosphere, really nice drinks, and they’ve invested in good hardware, though I probably won’t return…

I’ve just been let down a couple times on the service side of things.

Normally it’s great; but the attitude of one staff member when giving me a verbal warning regarding the establishment policies has ruined the experience on two occasions

I brought a drink in from outside (a bubble tea with like 50ml left), and the guy comes over and tells me that “you can’t bring drinks from outside here, we’re a bar and we sell drinks; that’s how we make money”.

I get what he’s saying; and he’s completely right; I just didn’t know this, and if I were to visit again, I would completely comply as I always have, but it’s the passive aggressive undertones and the additional comments which are completely unnecessary; even after I’ve apologised immediately. Not to mention, I have bought drinks on numerous occasions before, but this just seems to be irrelevant.

Another time, I moved from one of the PCs, as I was having trouble with mine (the microphone on the headset wasn’t working). I assumed that I wasn’t allowed to change peripherals, so there was consequently one PC in between my friend and I.

This PC I moved to was reserved after a certain time, and I acknowledged this fact, and my friend and I had agreed to leave before that time which wasn’t for at least an hour, and a similar thing happened; but I remember it just left me feeling miserable, and I didn’t come back for three months.

Both times, the way I’ve been spoken to has just completely ruined my mood and the atmosphere with my friend, to the point where I’ve decided not to return; as if this guy turns up, I’ll be disciplined for violating a rule which I was unaware of.

I’ve always tried to be pleasant, and I often converse and laugh with the other staff, I have manners, but I feel like it’s always me that he has a problem with, and even though I apologise and make sure never to make the same mistake again, there’s just this thought in the back of my mind saying “he’s going to be there, and you’re going to do something which is subconsciously against the rules, and it will ruin the rest of your day”.

I love the rest of the staff; they’ve always been pleasant, and there have been times where they’ve communicated a similar message to me e.g., “sorry man, I can’t give you that drink because it was only valid for the day you bought the 5h of play-time on the PC”.

I just wish the dude would communicate with me or be a bit more polite instead of immediately disciplining me with passive aggressive remarks.

Other than those two times, for the 12-13 times I’ve been in the previous two years, I can say it’s been a really great...

Great Experience – Don't Understand the Bad Reviews!

I honestly don't understand the negative reviews for this place, so I wanted to share my own positive experience! I went in with my girlfriend and a friend, not knowing much about the bar beforehand, and just wanted to give it a try. We didn’t realize we had to book in advance, but the staff were perfectly fine with that. They kindly offered us the option to wait until a table became available—and they delivered! While waiting, we even got to use the cool arcade machines they have, which was a fun bonus.

The atmosphere was fantastic. The place was full of people with similar interests, everyone seemed friendly, and it was clear that everyone was enjoying themselves. When we were seated, we were placed at the Nintendo Switch station. Since we hadn't booked, we didn’t mind at all—it was perfect for us! With plenty of party games like Mario Kart and Smash Bros, we had a blast. Plus, they had three screens for one Switch, which would have been amazing if my girlfriend and friend hadn’t insisted on using the same screen as me. (Old habits die hard, I guess! Haha.)

The drinks were great too—reasonably priced and delicious. The bar staff were fun and personable, which I appreciated. It’s refreshing when staff can be themselves rather than act like corporate robots. I didn’t catch the name of the guy who served us, but he was fantastic and really friendly. I ordered a Pokémon-themed mocktail (since I don’t drink and I love Pokémon—perfect combo!) and my girlfriend ordered a fancy drink with beautiful swirls on top. We were all impressed with the care and skill he put into making them. I meant to take a picture, but I got so caught up in the fun that I completely forgot—sorry about that!

All in all, I’d definitely recommend giving this place a go! Book a table, go in, and...

What an absolute gem for not only gamers, and geeks, but anyone looking for a unique night out.

From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by an incredible vibe—a vibrant mix of retro nostalgia and modern fun.

The décor is fantastic, with gaming-themed touches that any enthusiast will love.

The games are a brilliant touch—completely free to play when you order drinks or food.

Whether you’re into old-school classics or newer titles, there’s something for everyone. It’s the perfect way to unwind with friends while sipping on some of their amazing cocktails.

Speaking of cocktails, they’re out of this world! The "Princess Peach" is a fruity delight, and the "Witch’s Brew" is a magical concoction you won’t forget. Or maybe you will, depending on how many you drink! We had almost the entire cocktail menu!

They’ve clearly put a lot of thought into their menu, and it shows.

The music awesome, with a playlist that keeps the energy high without being overbearing.

I recently lost my wife to cancer, but a friend wanted to get me out of the house, for some different scenery, and of course to catch up and reminisce. I've been feeling very anxious lately so the thought of going out into Leeds or into a bar scared me, but I pushed myself to go.

This was the perfect place, and perhaps the time that we went (6pm) helped because it wasn't overly busy. So I felt at ease and my anxiety faded very quickly after sitting.

It’s the kind of place where you can spend hours without realising the...