There is a music pub in Leeds for everyone, regardless of their musical preferences: house, indie, rock, jazz, or soul. In addition to serving you delicious drinks, these establishments showcase their love of music. While you shake your thing to local DJs, live bands, and expertly chosen soundtracks, order yourself a beer, some wine, or an inventive cocktail. When you can dance with friends in your favourite bar, why host a disco in your kitchen?
BarThe Headrow
The good news is that the upstairs bar has its own separate entrance if you don't intend to eat at the incredibly delicious ramen restaurant House of Fu beneath. You may honour or kill your beloved tunes in the maze of private karaoke booths here, and the top floors are home to HELLO, a really hip music lounge with an excellent sound system. In addition to hosting the best DJs in the area and featuring playlists selected by music enthusiasts, you might hear one of the proprietors playing old jazz and funk tracks from his own collection. It's guaranteed to be a success when you include craft beer and cocktails.
Bar 20 New Briggate
You'll find live music, pizza, craft beer, and cocktails on the menu when you enter this underground location. The Sela Funk House Band, the house band, performs live every week on the first Thursday of each month. With tickets typically costing less than five pounds, you may even be able to see foreign performers. It must be on your "must boogie" list because it offers dozens of beers, including some excellent choices from Brooklyn Brewery and other Yorkshire breweries, as well as an abundance of delectable drinks.
Bar 93 Kirkgate
Doghouse is a laid-back, dog-friendly spot to grab coffee or a quick pint and a snack in the afternoon. The bagels are among the best in town. Later, though, you should go upstairs to locate one of Leeds's best-kept music bars. Regular events include DJ's who plays a variety of jazz, broken beat, house, and other genres every other Friday. Additionally, every Thursday is "Doghouse Unleashed," where upcoming Leeds acoustic acts perform for free. This is the ideal opportunity to see the next great thing.
Bar 6 Heaton's Court
This is the place for good times, as seen by the gig posters, racks of Jagermeister and extensive collection of whisky, both rare and well-known. In addition to working your way through those single malts, you can enjoy a great cocktail menu and a late licence that will keep you dancing until the early hours of the morning.
Bar 38 New York Street
A little bit of a hybrid is Outlaws Yacht Club. This popular spot on New York Street is a coffee shop, bar and art club. It is both unique and a little bit of everything. In the afternoon, it's crowded with midday drinkers and freelancers playing old-fashioned board games. The music comes at night, with DJs spinning every Saturday and Friday. Not only does it perform music, but it also honours it. You may listen to their vinyl collection at the listening station, and on Sundays, reggae DJs spin records while Caribbean soul food and 2-4-1 Bloody Marys are served.
Bar 20 New Briggate
As you listen to an amazing music, savour some cold beers (served in iced chalices) or creative drinks like a cool Melon and Mint Margarita. The music-themed décor, which includes old boomboxes and framed album covers, furthers the sense that this venue genuinely loves music, and on some evenings, DJs spin vinyl. It resembles your ideal dive bar.
Bar 16 Merrion Street
With comedy on Tuesdays and music the rest of the week, there are live events five nights a week. While Thursday's "Rum 'n' Rock" does exactly what it sounds like, live rock bands with rum and a mixer for £2.50. Sundays are the most laid-back, with live acoustic performances. On Friday and Saturday, there will be more rock and indie. Admission is free, and if you're among the first 30 people downstairs, you'll receive a free tequila shot.
Bar 159A Lower Briggate
Smokestack is a haven for people who prefer more soulful music. The Harlem Shuffle takes place there on Fridays. Since the heyday of the renowned Leeds night The Cooker, the DJs have been rummaging through the crates to mix together funk, Motown, Latin, and more. Although it's also totally fine to spend an evening nodding your head on the sidelines while sipping a Negroni, they know how to pack a dance floor. The bar and beverages have a New Orleans feel to them; picture yourself on Bourbon Street as you party till four in the morning.
Bar 33 Call Lane
The live events organised by Dead Young Records are legendary; its cellar bar gives way to a tiny gig space with a capacity of 120 people. You may support local up-and-coming artists by purchasing a ticket, and any of the visiting bands might become future legends. Just the way we like it, the bar is lined with racks of high-end liquor, and the refrigerators are brimming with craft beer.
Bar 1-3 Grand Arcade
Not all music spots are created equal, and those seeking out one of the best rock bars in Leeds should get themselves down to Santiago. Live bands are on regularly, but even if there’s no-one booked, you’ll still get a soundtrack of the harder stuff to accompany your drinks. It’s the bar to hear music from Rancid, Pantera, Black Flag and Metallica while you make a choice from their seemingly endless array of whiskeys.
Bar 5 Cross Belgrave Street
With a dance floor that is rarely vacant for long, it's all about having fun. In addition to attracting a whole new generation of Leeds music fans, fans of the original Sandinista have been returning in droves. They have some really unusual spirits in stock, so fuel your dancing with good beers, rums, and cocktails. Then, dance until four in the morning while listening to indie and soul music.