Nightlife in Leeds

From cosy pubs with roaring fires, to ones with lively outdoor terraces, Leeds is filled with watering holes that you could quite happily spend the whole day in.

There’s The Cross Keys on Water Lane for example - a beautiful old pub full of exposed oak beams that pulls off that ‘country pub in the city’ vibe to a tee. There’s a fine selection of local ales, a cosy real fire and even a little beer garden if it’s nice enough to catch a few rays. You’ll find it a short walk from our Leeds City Centre (Whitehall Road) hotel.

Visit Whitelock’s Ale House in Turks Head Yard in Briggate - with three centuries of history under its boozy belt, it’s Leeds’ oldest public house. A real antidote to all the modern chrome and glass of the city centre, this 300-year old beauty is a real find. Full of polished brass and stained glass, its Edwardian marble bar serves a great choice of craft beers, plus a range of local ales made just down the road in Leeds, Kirkstall and Elland.

If the weather’s nice, head to Parkside Tavern on Merrion Street. With three outdoor terraces and plenty of seating, it’s a great little city centre sunspot. A great pub if you love real ale, there’s a constantly changing selection of local beers, along with a pizza menu to soak it all up.

Leeds’ city centre nightlife is legendary, and you’ll find plenty of clubs to throw some shapes in.

Most popular has to be Pryzm, on the corner of Merrion Street and Woodhouse Lane. With its convenient city centre location, it may feel like the entire town makes a beeline there after the pubs have called last orders. There’s plenty of space inside though, with five different rooms, playing everything from house and R&B to disco. Checking into our hotel near Pryzm in Leeds means you’ll have a quiet, comfortable room to recover from the ringing in your ears.

Or try Mission at Heaton’s Court. Another city centre favourite, it has a suitably underground feel, spread out under the low, brick ceilings of six of the city’s railway arches. Its three dance floors are banging with the sounds of house music every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and, if you get too hot, there’s an outdoor terrace that’s licensed, so you can take your drinks out there too.

As jaw-dropping venues go, Church is hard to beat. Owned by New Order’s Peter Hook, the Grade II-listed converted church looks spectacular, with its stained glass window and huge dance space. Plus there’s the smaller Chapel that’s perfect for more intimate nights out. With its location on the doorstep of Leeds University, students flock here for its all-night house music fests.

If traditional pubs aren’t really your bag, what about upping the style stakes by starting your night off with a cocktail (or two)?

For a real hidden gem, head to Vice & Virtue on New Briggate. Near our Leeds Arena hotel, you can make yourself comfy in the cool, contemporary lounge for decadent cocktails with lashings of added luxury. And, thanks to the table service, you won’t have to move! Here you’ll find a huge selection of expertly mixed concoctions, all made with premium spirits.

Also on New Briggate is North Bar. It’s always packed with locals and incredibly well-stocked - you can choose from around 150 beers.

If you like your bars on the quirky side, head to the Joint on Woodhouse Lane - a converted church. Try an alcoholic Panda Pop or the ever popular Grandpa’s Special Candy – a pint glass with fig liquor and a Werther’s infused Wild Turkey whiskey into which coke is poured until it fizzes up - it’s served with whipped cream and sprinkles.