By early evening, the yards off Briggate are filling with people moving between traditional pubs and modern bars, while the first queues form on Call Lane. Later, the streets around Millennium Square and the Northern Quarter take over as clubs open and the city settles into its late rhythm.
Leeds has a large student population, and that has shaped a nightlife scene that runs from traditional pubs to ultra-chic concept bars and late-licensed clubs. Whatever your taste — cutting-edge chic, indie and alternative, house, or cheesy tunes — you are likely to find something to match it. The city suits visitors who want variety within a compact centre, and it is common to meet clubbers who have travelled in from other parts of the country.
Where to go out in Leeds
1. Call Lane
Call Lane, in the Exchange Quarter, is one of the city's main nightlife districts. It offers a range of bars that many would argue are the best in the city, running from chic to bohemian.
The area around the Calls and the Parish Church has overspill from Call Lane, plus waterfront bars and restaurants. It suits a night built around bar-hopping rather than a single venue.
2. The yards off Briggate
The yards off Briggate hold both traditional pubs and modern bars and clubs. This is a good choice if you want old and new Leeds within a few steps of each other, and it works well for a group with mixed tastes.
3. Boar Lane
Boar Lane is for the most part made up of standard chain bars and more downmarket drinking establishments, though a few buck the trend. It suits a straightforward, uncomplicated night out.
4. Assembly Street
Assembly Street is architecturally lovely and holds a select number of swanky bars, clubs and restaurants. It suits a more dressed-up evening with fewer stops and a higher spend per venue.
5. Greek Street and Park Row
Greek Street is expensive, and between the high-end exclusivity are tackier bars that attract a less desirable crowd at weekends. Park Row continues along the same lines as Greek Street.
This pair suits you if you want a polished start to the evening and are prepared to pay for it.
6. The Northern Quarter
The Northern Quarter is centred on New Briggate and spreads north and down Grand Arcade. It is home to several older Leeds institutions but is now up-and-coming, with many hot new venues.
It suits a night that mixes established character with newer openings.
7. The Civic Quarter
The Civic Quarter has everything: flashy bars in the Electric Press, traditional pubs, and loud, trendy bars and clubs above Millennium Square. It suits a night where you want the option to change direction without crossing the city.
8. Lower Briggate
Lower Briggate is the centre of the gay community, and a variety of establishments in the area reflect this, though most are welcoming to, and many are popular with, everyone. The city's gay village includes venues such as Queen's Court, housed in a fine 17th-century building, among others including Fibre, The Bridge Inn, Blayds Bar, The New Penny, The Viaduct and Religion. There are also gay nights in clubs on and around Lower Briggate.
9. Brewery Wharf
Brewery Wharf, on the south bank, is growing as a drinking destination. It suits an early part of the evening before crossing back into the centre.
10. The financial district
The financial district has a number of dispersed, chic watering holes. It suits a quieter drink rather than a full night out.
11. Railway arches
Railway arches are increasingly popular homes for bars and clubs across the city centre. They suit anyone curious about how the city's nightlife has spread into unexpected spaces.
12. Headingley and Chapel Allerton
Outside the city centre, Headingley and Chapel Allerton are extremely popular for bars and restaurants. Exclusive Street Lane in Roundhay is also becoming increasingly popular. These districts suit a local, neighbourhood evening rather than a big night in the centre.
13. Chapeltown Road
The West Indian Centre on Chapeltown Road has a reputation for great fun nights of a less-mainstream kind, including the ever-popular monthly Subdub. The venue itself is friendly and safe, but Chapeltown has a bad reputation, so go in fairly large groups, do not wander around outside, and take a taxi or at least a bus rather than walking the two miles from the centre.
How a night out unfolds
The sources do not give detailed timings for eating and going out in Leeds. What they do show is a scene built for late nights: the city has around 29 nightclubs with late licences, alongside more than 180 city centre bars and pubs, and Leeds has been voted Best UK City for Clubbing. Plan for a long evening rather than an early one.
Festivals and events worth timing a trip around
- Leeds Lights — Christmas illuminations, an annual display from November to January.
- Leeds International Film Festival and Leeds Young People's Film Festival — two annual film festivals.
- Leeds Festival — three days of live bands every summer bank holiday weekend, with camping or single-day attendance; it has a tendency to be a bit riotous.
- Leeds International Pianoforte Competition — held every three years at Leeds Town Hall.
- Party in the Park and Opera in the Park — annual events at Temple Newsam.
- Mint Festival — a two-day music and dance event on Newsam Green Farm east of the city.
- Ice Cube — an outdoor ice skating rink set up in Millennium Square between January and March.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the main nightlife in Leeds?
All areas, indeed most streets, of central Leeds offer something in the way of nightlife. Call Lane in the Exchange Quarter is one of the main nightlife districts, and the yards off Briggate, the Northern Quarter and the Civic Quarter are also central to a night out.
What kind of music can I expect?
The city centre is packed with bars and clubs ranging from cutting-edge chic to indie and alternative to cheesy tunes, plus small select places for people who really like their music. House is still very much in vogue in Leeds, but whatever your musical taste, you are guaranteed to find something.
Is there a gay scene?
Yes. Lower Briggate is the centre of the gay community, with a variety of establishments reflecting this, and there are several gay nights and fully gay venues in clubs on and around Lower Briggate.
Do I need to worry about safety?
Central Leeds is described as packed with bars and clubs rather than as a place to be cautious. The one area the sources flag is Chapeltown: the West Indian Centre itself is friendly and safe, but Chapeltown has a bad reputation, so go in fairly large groups, avoid wandering around outside, and take a taxi or bus rather than walking from the centre.
Decide which district matches the night you want, check what is on while you are in town, and plan your evening around it.