1.Smokestack
Located on Lower Briggate, Smokestack is the perfect place for a dance to all the best soul, jazz, funk, and blues. Opened 10 years ago in 2007, Smokestack has two floors and events every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They offer a range of cocktails and it’s free entry too. Don’t expect to sit down – this is a place for having fun!
2.The HiFi Club
HiFi on Central Road replaced what was The Underground in 2001. Whether you’re into DJs or live music, Hifi offers both throughout the week, playing soul, funk, hip-hop, reggae, motown, and disco. They do a comedy night on a Saturday too, or head down on a Sunday from 10pm for free entry and live music.
3.The Viaduct Show Bar
Viaduct is a gay bar in the Freedom Quarter on Lower Briggate with countless glitter balls, and acts from drag queens and cabaret performances. Head in on a weekday from 2pm for bingo, quizzes and games with cash prizes, or get there from 8pm on a Monday for their club night Twerk with cheap drink offers.
4.Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen
Belgrave is the place to go for culture: music, arts, and food events go on throughout the month. Their pizza slice bar makes this place too good to miss, and there’s always a vegan option too. Every 2nd Saturday of the month, Belgrave hosts the Belgrave Feast with street food and art markets that’s free entry from 11am-8pm. It’s a great way to ease into your night of drinking and dancing on the Belgrave open air rooftop!
5.Wire
Off the beaten track on Call Lane, Wire is a place for tech and house lovers with world class DJs in a small and quirky underground club. Get there on a Thursday for their club night Fuzzy Logic playing music from the 70s and beyond, or head down for the Butter Side Up club night playing house, techno, and disco music. Don’t expect to get any signal on your phone…
6.Stone Roses Bar
This place on Lower Briggate is not to be missed on a visit to Leeds. Open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Stone Roses Bar plays the likes of The Courteeners, Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, The Smiths, and more. There’s student discount with an NUS card and it’s open until 6am!
7.Call Lane Social
If you’re one that likes to dress up for a night out, head to Call Lane for a street full of quirky and classy bars (well, as classy as Leeds gets). Call Lane Social is amongst the most popular of the street, with its 2010 established Tiki bar upstairs. Open 7 nights a week until 4am. Get there Wednesday-Saturday between 7 and 9pm for 2 for £12 on cocktails.
8.Bierkeller
This is a night out like no other. Bierkeller is an authentic German Bavarian where you can get your drinks in (2 pint) stein glasses and dance on the benches! Open every day from 5pm until late or head down from 12pm on a Saturday for a Bavarian style afternoon. They even have live Oompah bands at the weekend. Students get down to Bierkeller on a Wednesday where they host Kellerbomb, a student night with great drink offers: Steins for only £4, £2 kellerbombs, and more. It’s a unique alternative to house club nights where you can still dance to your favourite pop music (amongst other genres) but in an unconventional setting. It’s worth booking a table for your group in advance or else you will miss out on the table-top fun*.
(*Standing/dancing allowed on the benches only, not the table tops as these can be wet and slippery.)