Street Guide
Call Lane
Call Lane is the first name to come to many a Loiners’ lips, as well as many of those visiting the city, when it comes to planning a night out on the tiles.
It’s distinguished by its many unique independent venues and its spirit of night time revelry, But Call Lane also has a great brunch and lunch scene, and offers up some great venues for catching live music, too.
Call Lane will get your ears excited, whatever your tastes. There are different genres belting out from each and every establishment, and live music every week.
You could almost spend a whole 24 hours in this popular little enclave, working through brunch, to lunch, to a gig, to dinner, to a late night of great drinks and dancing. With each bar enticing subtly different crowds, take a look at our list below to work out where to spend your weekend…
“You could spend almost 24 hours in this popular little enclave, working through brunch to lunch to a live music gig to dinner to a late night of great drinks and dancing.”
IF
IF serves up speciality coffee, as well as takeaway sarnies, bottomless brunch, and stuff for your sweet tooth, from homemade cakes to cocktails. Take advantage of one of their great breakfast deals, like homemade granola, yoghurt & compote with coffee for £4.50, or a hot breakfast sarnie (bacon & egg or egg & avo) for £6.00.
On Friday and Saturday nights, IF turns from coffee bar to cocktail bar, so pick up one of their house specialities (2 for £10 through the daytime though, so worth a stop in sunlight too)!
If you just can’t choose when to visit, your best option might be to go for Bottomless Brunch. Choose your foodie options from a list including pancakes, Yorkshire breakfast, Eggs Benedict and Tofu Scramble (amongst others), to pair with a bottomless supply of beer or prosecco, for £27.50.
Web:ifupnorth.co.uk
Northern Guitars
Northern Guitars has stood in Call Lane for almost thirty years, but its most recent iteration sees it become a bar and live music venue as well as a famous guitar shop. Great beer, coffee, and friendly staff make this the perfect port of call, whether you’re interested in purchasing guitar-based goods upstairs or not. Live music is on most days, so check their upcoming events line-up to see if there are any performers you want to catch whilst visiting.
Address:41 Call Ln, Leeds LS1 7BTWeb:northernguitars.co.uk
Cuckoo
Crazy venue Cuckoo is a unique concept - a bar which serves up nibbles, to keep you going whilst you drink and dance. What’s more, the food is always free! A mismatch of fun, bright colours and unusual and downright bonkers decor (crocodiles and zebras protrude from walls) combines with that holy grail - free pizza with your drink until 9pm! It really sets you up for an evening of drink and dance.
Address:37 Call Ln, Leeds LS1 7BTWeb:cuckooleeds.co.uk
Brooklyn
Brooklyn brings that New York edge to central Leeds, serving up industrial chic, neon and cocktails for days. They also have an outdoor area out back - the perfect place for enjoying a drink before sundown. Brooklyn have also brought famous drinking game Beer Pong to Call Lane, so bring your competitive streak, grab a cocktail from the bar (they are also stocked with a selection of craft beers, lagers and other options) and get to the beer pong table!
Address:50 Call Ln, Leeds LS1 6DTWeb:brooklynbar.co.uk
Call Lane Social
Call Lane Social started up in 2010, and this family-run bar is all about making good memories (whether you’re able to remember them afterwards or not)! It fits the bill looks-wise, with stripped back and cosy interiors (watch out for the stag’s head). Head upstairs to The Tiki Hideaway for another experience - a Hawaiian-inspired, cosy space with great cocktails and a laidback vibe.
Address:38 Call Ln, Leeds LS1 6DTWeb:calllanesocial.co.uk
Oporto
This bar has been bringing great drinks, live music and atmosphere to Call Lane regulars for more than two decades. With resident DJs as well as weekly live music events (offering up everything from candlelit acoustic gigs to sweaty rock bands), Oporto is definitely one to visit on your Call Lane wanderings.
Address:33 Call Ln, Leeds LS1 7BTWeb:oportobar.co.uk
Neon Cactus
Neon Cactus is Oporto’s next-door neighbour and little sister, serving up vibrant Mexican food alongside a menu of fab cocktails. Think tacos and burritos, fried chicken and Mexican street food - the menu changes daily, based on the best and freshest produce the chef can find. There’s plenty of Mexican influence in the cocktails, too, with classics like the Margarita, to new innovations, all pulling on those Central American influences.
Address:35 Call Ln, Leeds LS1 7BTWeb:neoncactus.co.uk
Jake’s Bar
Let the good times roll at Jake’s Bar (once you’ve navigated their tricky staircase in your heels - it’s tough enough in flats never mind stilettos!). Fifteen years on, Jake’s are ‘still’ leading the way on Call Lane - using their own copper stills to decant unique and innovative spirits of their own invention! This is the place to be if you’re into something a bit unique and a bit special, in a stylish subterranean space full of big beats and potent spirits.
Address:29 Call Ln, Leeds LS1 7BTWeb:jakesbar.co.uk