Inner City Electronic
Leeds, UK
Back to Basics created and then broadcast the heart beat of Leeds to the world for 25 years and still goes strong, bringing the best of underground house to the city. It's the reason I moved to Leeds in the first place, nearly 20 years ago.
It’s important to look forward and newcomer Inner City Electronic is ensuring Leeds remains an electronic music capital, taking the party city-wide across multiple venues. I love the collaboration it delivers with a growing list of the city’s best venues (and sound systems) hosting the world's finest artists with a commitment to upcoming talent. All curated by one of the scene's masters - Ralph Lawson (who also happened to play the first record at Back to Basics).
North Bar
North Bar, New Briggate, Leeds, UK
North Bar’s pioneering approach to top quality craft beer from across the globe has seen it hold a firm footing in the Leeds scene for over 20 years - the first craft beer bar in the UK ? who knows or cares. They helped forge the path for a thriving craft beer scene in the city - something I'm eternally grateful to John and Chris for! Not satisfied with those credentials, sister bars are now dotted across the far corners of Leeds and beyond. The Cross Keys on the South Bank for Sunday lunch, Further North in Chapel Allerton and Preston’s in Roundhay for neighbourhood bars as good as anywhere. Latest addition City Taps has a refreshed look, feel and smell (with the help of the Little Bau Boy, currently serving Asian street food here). All serve the North family house brews from North Brewing Company....need I say more ?
Corn Exchange
Leeds Corn Exchange, Call Lane, Leeds, UK
An icon for the city of Leeds, sitting proudly at the centre of the city with everything else seemingly built around it. I'm hit with a sense of the city’s heritage every time I visit. Worth calling in for the architecture and list of independents but if you happen to be in town for special events this place can become a must see - Leeds International Festival underlined that with Daniel Avery’s Falling Light in 2019 and brought the place to life.
Athena Rising
Platform, New Station Street, Leeds, UK
The proportions of this mural above the railway station are staggering. Brought to us by local artists Nomad Clan in 2017, it hasn’t lost the wow factor and I can’t think of anything that currently defines the city so clearly. Standing taller than the Statue of Liberty it's the largest mural in the UK which in itself calls out the spirit, culture and aspiration I see in Leeds and that’s before you get under the skin of what the art represents. I can’t help myself from looking up at it whenever I'm in the city centre.
Leeds Water Taxi
Water Taxi Leeds, Canal Wharf, Leeds, UK
I’m not a regular user but these quirky little yellow boats, called Twee and Drie, have become part of the fabric of Leeds. I can’t think of a better way to spend a £1 or to see parts of the city that many visitors (and for that matter residents) don’t even realise exists – the waterfront.
Patty Smith’s Burger Co.
Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen, Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds, UK
The best burger in Leeds, the UK and maybe the world. Located within another of my favourite haunts and rapidly iconic Leeds venue, Belgrave Music Hall. There isn’t much more to say than try the Dirty Burger, and Session Fries, and we can see if you still want to argue the claim….
Hip Store
The Hip Store Leeds, Vicar Lane, Leeds, UK
A staple of the scene for 30 years, Hip and the chaps that work there have set the tone for men’s style in the city and helped me feel I look like I belong. Consistent offering of stylish but street wise outfits from quality outfitters, mixing independent with large brand to prove you don’t need to be in London to dress well. They’ve lightened my wallet on many a pay day.
Inner City Electronic
Back to Basics created and then broadcast the heart beat of Leeds to the world for 25 years and still goes strong, bringing the best of underground house to the city. It's the reason I moved to Leeds in the first place, nearly 20 years ago.
It’s important to look forward and newcomer Inner City Electronic is ensuring Leeds remains an electronic music capital, taking the party city-wide across multiple venues. I love the collaboration it delivers with a growing list of the city’s best venues (and sound systems) hosting the world's finest artists with a commitment to upcoming talent. All curated by one of the scene's masters - Ralph Lawson (who also happened to play the first record at Back to Basics).
North Bar
North Bar’s pioneering approach to top quality craft beer from across the globe has seen it hold a firm footing in the Leeds scene for over 20 years - the first craft beer bar in the UK ? who knows or cares. They helped forge the path for a thriving craft beer scene in the city - something I'm eternally grateful to John and Chris for! Not satisfied with those credentials, sister bars are now dotted across the far corners of Leeds and beyond. The Cross Keys on the South Bank for Sunday lunch, Further North in Chapel Allerton and Preston’s in Roundhay for neighbourhood bars as good as anywhere. Latest addition City Taps has a refreshed look, feel and smell (with the help of the Little Bau Boy, currently serving Asian street food here). All serve the North family house brews from North Brewing Company....need I say more ?
Corn Exchange
An icon for the city of Leeds, sitting proudly at the centre of the city with everything else seemingly built around it. I'm hit with a sense of the city’s heritage every time I visit. Worth calling in for the architecture and list of independents but if you happen to be in town for special events this place can become a must see - Leeds International Festival underlined that with Daniel Avery’s Falling Light in 2019 and brought the place to life.
Athena Rising
The proportions of this mural above the railway station are staggering. Brought to us by local artists Nomad Clan in 2017, it hasn’t lost the wow factor and I can’t think of anything that currently defines the city so clearly. Standing taller than the Statue of Liberty it's the largest mural in the UK which in itself calls out the spirit, culture and aspiration I see in Leeds and that’s before you get under the skin of what the art represents. I can’t help myself from looking up at it whenever I'm in the city centre.
Leeds Water Taxi
I’m not a regular user but these quirky little yellow boats, called Twee and Drie, have become part of the fabric of Leeds. I can’t think of a better way to spend a £1 or to see parts of the city that many visitors (and for that matter residents) don’t even realise exists – the waterfront.
Patty Smith’s Burger Co.
The best burger in Leeds, the UK and maybe the world. Located within another of my favourite haunts and rapidly iconic Leeds venue, Belgrave Music Hall. There isn’t much more to say than try the Dirty Burger, and Session Fries, and we can see if you still want to argue the claim….
Hip Store
A staple of the scene for 30 years, Hip and the chaps that work there have set the tone for men’s style in the city and helped me feel I look like I belong. Consistent offering of stylish but street wise outfits from quality outfitters, mixing independent with large brand to prove you don’t need to be in London to dress well. They’ve lightened my wallet on many a pay day.