Leeds' two large universities mean there is a vibrant, diverse and thumping nightlife scene including many clubs as well as a huge range of fine drinking establishments from traditional pubs to ultra chic concept bars. It is estimated that there are over 180 city centre bars and pubs, and around 29 nightclubs with late licenses. Railway arches are increasingly popular homes for bars and clubs across the length of the city centre. Leeds City Guide (http://www.leeds-city-gui...) is a good source of information, as is the comprehensive and excellent listings magazine the Leeds Guide. Leeds was voted Number one city for clubbing (http://www.leeds-city-gui...). All areas indeed, most streets of central Leeds offer something in the way of nightlife, but the main areas are:
Exchange Quarter
Call Lane in the Exchange Quarter one of the city's main nightlife districts, offering a range of bars which many would argue are the best in the city from chic to bohemian. The area around the Calls and the Parish Church has overspill from Call Lane and some great waterfront bars and restaurants.
Civic Quarter
The Civic Quarter has everything: flashy bars in the Electric Press, traditional pubs, and loud, trendy bars and clubs above Millennium Square
financial district
The financial district has a number of dispersed, chic watering holes. Park Row continues along the same lines as Greek Street
Brewery Wharf
On the south bank is growing as a drinking destination
Clubs
Mission
Very trendy. Ranging nights, from Glasshouse to Purrfect Electro this has it. It also has some gay nights.
Wire
Quality indie, rock and alternative club.
The Space
Great Thursday nights Habit and great weekends sometimes too! Although Fridays and Saturdays are to be avoided unless you know it will be busy, its not really a Friday or Saturday night place.
Halo
Student nightclub located in a former church near the university entrance, where you will find Voodoo and Skewed Circus events. Skewed Circus (http://www.komedykollecti...) is the pan-Northern funky alternative cabaret event run by theatre, comedy and musical promotions company Komedy Kollective (http://komedykollective.com) held monthly in Leeds, at the Halo nightclub. Similar high profile monthly events are held at Manchester and Bradford. A mile from the city centre. Voodoo is also always packed and a great night. More mainstream dance.
Hifi
Good range of live music, particularly jazz. Regularly voted the best club in the city, has a range of quality nights out with quality music in easy-going yet chic surroundings...everything from jazz to reggae to hip hop.
Rehab
After a shaky period, this club is picking itself back up, having poached ever-popular nights Speedqueen and Fruity.
My House
aka Stinky's Peephouse - new home for one of the UK's biggest club nights: Back to Basics Sa.
Oceana
Huge, has many rooms, overpriced like all other big nightclubs in Leeds but still fun. 19+ Friday night, 21+ Saturday night. Upstairs can be hired out for private events until 10PM when it opens, but this is a cheap way to get friends people or under 21 in on a Saturday night.
Mint
Quality dance music nights. Much to eet.
Discotheque by Gatecrasher
Very popular Saturday nights. £10-£15 entry Sat. Night.
Townhouse
Very trendy bar and pseudo-club for the beautiful and well-dressed with a range of music and great drinks. Upstairs can be hired out for private events.
Leeds was voted Best UK City for Clubbing, certainly not for nothing! People flock to the city from all parts of the country for a bit of the action. It is common to meet clubbers from London on a night out. The city centre is packed to bursting with bars and clubs, ranging from cutting edge chic to indie and alternative to cheesy tunes for the drunken masses to small select places for people who really like their music house is still very much in vogue in Leeds, but whatever your musical taste is, you are guaranteed to find something. Here is a short list of some of the best and/or most popular places in the city at the moment:
Pubs and bars
The Adelphi
Great selection of British beers, interesting decorative mix of Victorian pub architecture and 70s retro decor. A gem! Gay friendly. Good food too including a few veggie options at reasonable prices.
Milo
Bohemian, has bucket-loads of atmosphere and great drinks. DJs and often a bit of dancing too.
The Duck and Drake
A 'locals' pub.
Fab Café
Great place to visit if you like your music away from the mainstream, and they actually have what seems to be an original 'Star Wars: The Trilogy' arcade cabinet!
Further North
Hidden gem owned by the people who brought you North Bar. excellent beer selection in a cosy Belgian style corner bar.
Norman
Sexy and stylish, has bucket-loads of atmosphere and great drinks.
North Bar
Unrivalled beer selection! Recently named best place to drink in Britain by The Observer.
The Oracle
Swanky new waterfront bar has a glittering reputation founded on its outstanding cocktail and champagne menu, exclusive members bar, ultra-cool interior design, gourmet burgers, chauffeur service and lovely riverside setting.
The Palace
Prohibition
If you like to flash the cash, Greek Street is the place for you - and Prohibition one of its best bars.
The Reliance
Laid back, loungy bar, also does great food.
The Scarbrough Hotel
Leeds CAMRA Pub of the Year 2003/4.
Whitelocks
A great historic pub, one of the most impressive and oldest in Leeds.
Jake's Bar
Thought of by many as having the best drinks in the city, and is on one of the city's busiest bar strips.
Leeds Campaign for Real Ale CAMRA (http://www.leeds-camra.com/) offer free pub guides from their website. What follows is a selection of some of Leeds' highlights, but it is by no means definitive or all-inclusive!
Leeds' thriving gay village the city's first annual Pride festival launched in 2006 has a number of venues, including the ever-popular old stalwart Queen's Court, Lower Briggate housed in a fine 17th century building, amongst notable others including Fibre, The Bridge Inn, Blayds Bar, The New Penny, The Viaduct and Religion to name a few.