Oporto
Oporto, Call Lane, Leeds, UK
Sitting at the top of Call Lane, this iconic bar and gig venue is a must for any fans of guitar music, Guinness and good times. Open day to day as a bar it’s a great place to catch up with some old friends, soundtracked by recording of the best post punk and indie artists. But the venue really comes alive when the sun sets, and the hottest new acts grace the stage. If you don’t want to take my word for it see the polaroid wall inside, and you might see a few familiar faces who have enjoyed a night at the old ship.
Belgrave
Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen, Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds, UK
Much like Oporto, Belgrave swaggers its way through a double life as a gig venue and bar. Equipped with dough boys and patty smiths (two of the tastiest vendors our city has to offer) it is the perfect place to hang out any time of day, with friends or with your laptop as you hack away at your work. Arrive before seven in the week, and you can get a half price slice of pizza and wash it down with a locally brewed pint.
Brudenell
Brudenell Social Club, Queen's Road, Burley, Leeds, UK
This is the third and final venue on this list, and it is situated just out of the centre in Hyde Park. Tim Burgess of the Charlatans dubbed this his favourite venue in the world, and it isn’t very hard to see why. With two truly iconic gig rooms, a games room, and enough pies to feed all of Leeds, you should definitely pay The Brudenell Social Club a visit. With there being two gigs most evenings, you’ll be sure to find something you like. Sometimes the gigs are even free!
Crash Records
Crash Records Leeds, The Headrow, Leeds, UK
Crash Records has my vote for best record store in the country. Situated along The Headrow, it boasts a wide range of new vinyl, with Wall of Sound offering some more vintage discs. When I’m not sifting through the collection or quizzing the staff on the best up and coming bands, I will be scrolling through their social media and viewing all the gigs they promote. Having seen Father John Misty, The Cribs, The Courteeners and many more through Crash, I could not recommend a better record store in the world!
Welcome Skate Store
Welcome Skate Store, Thorntons Arcade, Leeds, UK
Much to the humour of my skateboarding friends, I can’t actually ride a board. But I can spend hours browsing the wears that Welcome sell. This skate shop and clothing store in the Thorntons Arcade stocks some of the most exciting skate brands as well as the nicest boards, and everything in between. You’ll see the affluent Leeds skate scene line the city, mainly by Millennium Square, the university, and the playhouse. If you want to get involved, be sure to stop by Welcome to make sure you look the part!
Hi, I’m Alex. I moved to Leeds when I realised that to pursue a career in music I had to dive into a cultural hub with a bustling music scene. Whether it’s one of the many independent venues or trendy stores, Leeds has always astounded me with how it always has its finger on the pulse, showing time and time again why it’s THE place to be.
Oporto
Sitting at the top of Call Lane, this iconic bar and gig venue is a must for any fans of guitar music, Guinness and good times. Open day to day as a bar it’s a great place to catch up with some old friends, soundtracked by recording of the best post punk and indie artists. But the venue really comes alive when the sun sets, and the hottest new acts grace the stage. If you don’t want to take my word for it see the polaroid wall inside, and you might see a few familiar faces who have enjoyed a night at the old ship.
Belgrave
Much like Oporto, Belgrave swaggers its way through a double life as a gig venue and bar. Equipped with dough boys and patty smiths (two of the tastiest vendors our city has to offer) it is the perfect place to hang out any time of day, with friends or with your laptop as you hack away at your work. Arrive before seven in the week, and you can get a half price slice of pizza and wash it down with a locally brewed pint.
Brudenell
This is the third and final venue on this list, and it is situated just out of the centre in Hyde Park. Tim Burgess of the Charlatans dubbed this his favourite venue in the world, and it isn’t very hard to see why. With two truly iconic gig rooms, a games room, and enough pies to feed all of Leeds, you should definitely pay The Brudenell Social Club a visit. With there being two gigs most evenings, you’ll be sure to find something you like. Sometimes the gigs are even free!
Crash Records
Crash Records has my vote for best record store in the country. Situated along The Headrow, it boasts a wide range of new vinyl, with Wall of Sound offering some more vintage discs. When I’m not sifting through the collection or quizzing the staff on the best up and coming bands, I will be scrolling through their social media and viewing all the gigs they promote. Having seen Father John Misty, The Cribs, The Courteeners and many more through Crash, I could not recommend a better record store in the world!
Welcome Skate Store
Much to the humour of my skateboarding friends, I can’t actually ride a board. But I can spend hours browsing the wears that Welcome sell. This skate shop and clothing store in the Thorntons Arcade stocks some of the most exciting skate brands as well as the nicest boards, and everything in between. You’ll see the affluent Leeds skate scene line the city, mainly by Millennium Square, the university, and the playhouse. If you want to get involved, be sure to stop by Welcome to make sure you look the part!