Leeds City Guide

Leeds is one of the UK’s top cities – there are copious numbers of student who attend the two universities and there are also many visitors who descend upon the city for a day or weekend. The city attracts teenagers and young adults because of its wide array of night clubs, music venues and entertainment complexes. Others tend to visit Leeds as a result of its great shopping districts, restaurants and theatres as well as for the festivals which take place each year.

Nightlife

The great variety of night time activities within Leeds means that all of its visitors and locals are kept entertained until the early hours. You can head to Call Lane for a great party atmosphere. Oporto was recently named the Best Night Out in the UK and is extremely popular with Leeds’ student population. You can also try out Normal and Jake’s Bar which serve food in the day and have great party atmospheres at night.

The North Bar is a quirky bar which attracts many cool types into its building. They play a range of alternative music and the interior has weird and wacky artwork all over its walls. A stylish bar you should try is the Oracle; this has an outdoor Moet terrace and has views across the river. Live music is another large part of the nightlife on offer in Leeds. The Wardrobe hosts a range of big name acts whilst The Cockpit has rock bands and also hosts some great club nights.

Many people choose to end their night at one of the Leeds night clubs. The O2 Academy is popular with many people as the large establishment plays a wide range of hits. Space is another notorious establishment as they bring in famous guest DJs to play house and electro music. A Nation of Shopkeepers is a small up and coming club you should visit which is situated in a brand new building and plays a range of alternative tracks.

Shopping

Leeds has over 1000 shops which range between high street brands, vintage stores and unique boutiques. Victoria Quarter houses all the main designer brands such as Louis Vuitton and Vivienne Westwood. The Light is the most popular shopping district as it contains the majority of fashion outlets and lifestyle stores. You can also relax in its cinema, bar and restaurants after a hard day of shopping. You should also delve into Kirkgate Market for its bustling atmosphere and its great bargains and deals.

Festivals and Events

Leeds has a number of festivals and events for those who are looking for a cultural experience to remember. The Leeds festival is a famous music festival which has been running since 1998 and hosts a range of chart-topping artists and DJs each year. People also flock to the city for the Opera in the Park for a different musical vibe – this is held in July each year.

Another festival to try out is the Leeds International Film Festival which showcases premieres for both UK and worldwide pieces. Thought Bubble also attracts many fans as it celebrates comic book heroes, has writing workshop and hosts famous guest speakers from the graphic novel genre. The West Indian Carnival is another must-see event as the city is whipped into a party atmosphere as a result of the many live music acts, dancers and performers which parade through the streets.