As the UK’s third largest city, there’s no wonder Leeds has so much to offer. Here we’ve put together just a small sample of some of the more local interests that no Leeds resident should ever miss out on…
1.) Hyde Park Picture House
One of the oldest cinemas in the country and only surviving gas-lit cinemas in the world is conveniently located right on your LS6 doorstep. Built in 1914, it’s survived two world wars, decades of urban development, and countless students on nights out…!
Hyde Park Picture House prides itself on being the cosiest cinema in Leeds and certainly doesn’t disappoint. A hot spot for young lovers, many a romance has blossomed in the back row, but even if you go alone you’ll fall for the charming period interiors and surprisingly agreeable prices.
Read up on the astounding history of this local landmark and check out the latest listings here: Hyde Park Picture House
2.) Brudenell Social Club
Brudenell Social Club provides undeniable proof that looks can be very deceiving. What appears to be a slightly run-down, inconspicuous building that welcomes only local patrons is actually a treasure trove of surprises.
Inside you’ll find a warm, welcoming atmosphere, a comfy bar and drinks prices that won’t have you dodging your next round.
It is quite literally the centrepiece of the Leeds music scene; most famous for hosting secret gigs for bands such as Kaiser Chiefs and Franz Ferdinand. With live music playing almost every night, some of the best local and international talent has performed here.
Not only does the club make for a thriving night time haunt, it’s a great place to meet up in the day time too. Facilities include: a lounge, Games Room with Snooker Table, 5 Pool Tables, Darts, Table Football, Pinball Machine, a large concert room, Sky TV and ESPN showing all the live sports in HD… Need I say more?
Full details of the club and newest listings can be found here: http://www.brudenellsocialclub.co.uk
3.) Call Lane
Where do you go when in Leeds, looking for an array of top class restaurants, bustling bars and diverse collection of clubs? Call Lane of course!
Offering an eclectic mix of eateries, swanky cocktail bars and heaving nightclubs, Call Lane is one of Leeds’ premier destinations for after dark entertainment.
with a great array of top class restaurants, bars and clubs.
Whether you’re looking for live music, a romantic dinner for two or just somewhere to dance the night away, Call Lane has it all. For drinks it’s worth checking out Norman’s, Brooklyn Bar and Jake’s Bar, all of which have their own distinctive characters and are situated just seconds away from each other. For clubbing, check out Wire and Hifi Club, both within two minutes walk of Call Lane and two of the most exciting small venues / clubs in Leeds, with regular events for fans of all genres of music.
For a more in-depth description of all that Call Lane has to offer, head over to Leeds-List website for their take on what make it so great: Ultimate guide to Call Lane
4.) The Otley Run
Drink, drink, drink… Responsibly!
The Otley Run is undoubtedly one of the most famous, fun, and outrageous pub crawls in England (and possibly the world).
It’s a fantastic way to discover some of Leeds’ most vibrant areas: Starting off in Headingly, you’ll work your way through Hyde Park, past the University of Leeds and Leeds Becketts Campus before finally ending up just north of the city centre having visited 20 pubs along the way. There’s usually an Otley Run within the first week or so of term, so it’s a fantastic way to make friends and break the ice with your new course mates. Dressing up is pretty much compulsory but if by any chance you forget, you’ll pass plenty of fancy dress shops along the way, so you can construct a costume as you go.
5.) Tribe Records
One of the last remaining independent record shops in the city, Tribe Records has been at the centre of the Leeds music scene for almost 20 years. It’s the go-to place for records, music and art supplies.
If you want to know what’s going on in Leeds, Tribe Records is a hub for all the major events and sells tickets for most of them too.
A Mecca for all things underground, dub step, drum & bass, reggae, techno and dance. You’ll find a wide array of records for sale on the top floor, while downstairs you can stock up on art supplies like pens and spray paint, and browse a collection of exclusive street wear designed by independent artists from around the city.
Tribe is very much an internationally renowned name nowadays, and even if its genre isn’t particularly your thing, it’s well worth a look round.
6.) Roundhay Park
Scenic walks, summer picnics and tropical adventures are only a short bus ride away. If your course, lectures and the general hustle and bustle of the UK’s third largest city are getting on top of you, Roundhay Park is the perfect retreat. Covering three square miles of Leeds’ glorious countryside, the park features beautiful gardens, an open air swimming pool, impressive lakes and fountains, and its ‘Pièce de résistance’ – Tropical World. Tropical world holds the UK’s largest collection of tropical plants outside of Kew Gardens, and is also home to a wide variety of cute and not-so-cute critters, from monkeys to meerkats, and spiders and lizards. It’s a great place to take visiting parents or just for a fun day out with friends, and it’s open all year round.
7.) University of Leeds Student Union
A well equipped student union which holds regular live music and club nights, as well as providing an arena for bonding, boozing, lunching, shopping and even getting the occasional bit of uni work done.
Leeds students union is one of the biggest and best in the country, and a fantastic place to meet up and do work, or just kick back and socialise. It includes a huge beer garden / terrace which is great in the summer, a vast canteen and also a tasty snack bar. It houses three nightclubs and two bars which play host to some of the biggest music events in the North. On top of all of that there’s a theatre, food shop, in-house radio station and great games area.
