🎶 Music Venues and Open Mic Nights in Leeds
Leeds is a city with music at its heart, offering everything from iconic concert halls to intimate bars and community spaces. Whether you're here for live gigs, grassroots performances, or open mic nights that showcase emerging talent, Leeds has a thriving music scene to explore.
On this page:
- 🎸 Iconic Music Venues
- 🎤 Intimate and Independent Spaces
- 🎵 Open Mic Nights
- 🎻 Classical Music, Choirs and Orchestras
👉 Click here to view all of these locations on a Google map
Iconic Music Venues
🎸 Brudenell Social Club
A legendary venue that has been a centrepiece of the Leeds music scene for over 40 years. The Brudenell Social Club has been nominated for Britain's Best Small Venue Award numerous times by NME, and won the Grassroots Venue: Spirit of The Scene accolade in the Music Week 2021 awards. It offers a mix of grassroots and touring acts in an intimate setting.
📍 33 Queen's Rd, Leeds LS6 1NY
👉 Brudenell Social Club website
🎶 City Varieties Music Hall
Established in 1865, City Varieties is Leeds' oldest working theatre and the nation's longest running music hall. It hosts a wide range of performances, including comedy, live music, and family shows.
📍 Swan St, Leeds LS1 6LW
👉 City Varieties website
🏛️ First Direct Arena
A premier, world-class venue hosting international acts, big-name artists, and arena tours with its unique fan-shaped design and excellent acoustics.
📍 Arena Way, Leeds LS2 8BY
👉 First Direct Arena website
🎼 Leeds Grand Theatre
While primarily known for theatre and opera, this historic masterpiece also hosts stunning orchestral and musical performances.
📍 46 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU
👉 Leeds Grand Theatre website
🎤 Millenium Square
An iconic spot in the city centre, Millenium Square is an award-winning outdoor space that regularly hosts concerts and performances.
📍 Millennium Square, Leeds LS2 3AD
👉 Millenium Square website
🎶 O2 Academy Leeds
A staple of Leeds' music scene, the O2 Academy is a Grade II listed Gothic building originally opened in 1885. It can hold over 2,000 attendees and offers live performances from global stars and local talent.
📍 55 Cookridge St, Leeds LS2 3AW
👉 O2 Academy website
🏭 The Warehouse
A seminal nightclub that originally opened in 1979, The Warehouse was apparently started by a former American spy. It focuses on techno, house, DnB and trance, hosting an eclectic mix of live music, club nights, and events in an industrial setting.
📍 19-21 Somers St, Leeds LS1 2RG
👉 The Warehouse website
🎵 The Wardrobe
One of the longest-running independent venues in Leeds, The Wardrobe is a versatile venue that hosts live music, comedy, and club nights in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
📍 St Peter's Square, Leeds LS9 8AH
👉 The Wardrobe website
Intimate and Independent Spaces
🎶 Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen
Combining live music, great food, and a rooftop terrace with beautiful city views, this venue is perfect for a variety of music performances.
📍 Cross Belgrave St, Leeds LS2 8JP
👉 Belgrave Music Hall website
🍺 Headrow House
A lively bar with rooftop terraces and a music venue that features an eclectic mix of live performances and DJ sets.
📍 19a The Headrow, Leeds LS1 6PU
👉 Headrow House website
🎼 Howard Assembly Room
A stunning venue within Opera North's home, hosting diverse performances, from classical recitals to world music and film screenings.
📍 46 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU
👉 Howard Assembly Room website
🎵 Hyde Park Book Club
An alternative venue combining live music, DJs, and literary events in a cozy café setting.
📍 27-29 Headingley Ln, Leeds LS6 1BL
👉 Hyde Park Book Club website
🎻 Leeds Conservatoire
A leading music institution offering public performances, concerts, and recitals across genres, from classical to contemporary.
📍 3 Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7PD
👉 Leeds Conservatoire website
🍀 Leeds Irish Centre
A cultural hub offering live music, traditional Irish performances, and a wide range of events celebrating Irish heritage.
📍 York Rd, Leeds LS9 9NT
👉 Leeds Irish Centre website
🎶 Oporto
A cozy bar and venue offering intimate live music performances, from indie bands to acoustic showcases.
📍 33 Call Ln, Leeds LS1 7BT
👉 Oporto website
🎸 Project House
The brainchild of the team behind Brudenell Social Club, Project House is a 1,000 capacity creative and collaborative space featuring live music events, workshops, and exhibitions.
📍 Armley Rd, Leeds LS12 2DR
👉 Project House website
🎸 Northern Guitars
A unique combination of a bar, music shop, and live performance venue, perfect for guitar enthusiasts.
📍 41 Call Ln, Leeds LS1 7BT
👉 Northern Guitars website
🎵 Santiago Bar
A rock, punk and alternative venue offering live gigs, DJ nights, and a lively atmosphere in Leeds' nightlife scene.
📍 1-3 Grand Arcade, Leeds LS1 6PG
👉 Santiago Bar Facebook
🎷 Sela Bar
An intimate venue for jazz, funk, and soul music lovers, with delicious pizzas and a cozy atmosphere.
📍 20 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU
👉 Sela Bar website
🎵 Seven Arts
Located in Chapel Allerton, this community venue showcases live jazz, acoustic sessions, and open mic events.
📍 31A Harrogate Rd, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3PD
👉 Seven Arts website
🎺 The Domino Club
A speakeasy-style jazz and blues bar featuring exceptional live performances in an underground setting.
📍 7 Grand Arcade, Leeds LS1 6PG
👉 The Domino Club website
🍻 The Duck and Drake
A traditional pub with a passion for live blues, rock, and folk music, known for its welcoming vibe and real ales.
📍 43 Kirkgate, Leeds LS2 7DR
👉 The Duck and Drake website
🎤 The Key Club
A premier alternative music venue hosting punk, metal, and emo gigs, alongside club nights in the heart of Leeds.
📍 66 Merrion St, Leeds LS2 8LW
👉 The Key Club website
📚 The Lending Room
Above The Library pub, this venue showcases up-and-coming bands and local talent in an intimate space.
📍 229 Woodhouse Ln, Leeds LS2 3AP
👉 The Lending Room website
🎵 The Old Woollen
Housed in a repurposed mill in Farsley, this venue hosts live music and community-focused performances.
📍 Sunnybank Mills, Town St, Farsley, Leeds LS28 5UJ
👉 The Old Woollen website
Open Mic Nights
🎸 Northern Guitars
A unique venue combining a guitar shop and bar, Northern Guitars is a hub for open-mic enthusiasts, attracting a crowd passionate about music.
📍 41 Call Ln, Leeds LS1 7BT
👉 Northern Guitars website
🎤 The Cardigan Arms
This historic pub offers a vibrant open-mic scene, creating an inclusive platform for artists to share their music in a classic Leeds setting.
📍 364 Kirkstall Rd, Burley, Leeds LS4 2HQ
👉 The Cardigan Arms website
🎶 The Chemic Tavern
A cherished local pub that offers a dedicated live music room with a great sound system and a piano for open-mic events.
📍 9 Johnston St, Leeds LS6 2NG
👉 Chemic Tavern website
🍻 The Duck and Drake
A traditional pub near Leeds Minster with a passion for live blues, rock, and folk music, known for its welcoming vibe and real ales.
📍 43 Kirkgate, Leeds LS2 7DR
👉 The Duck and Drake website
🍻 The Grove Inn
A cozy pub known for its strong ties to the folk music scene, offering regular open-mic nights where musicians of all levels can perform in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
📍 Back Row, Leeds LS11 5PL
👉 The Grove Inn website
🎤 The Nelson Arms
A friendly Morley pub hosting lively open-mic nights that showcase local talent.
📍 Victoria Rd, Morley, Leeds LS27 8LS
👉 The Nelson Arms on Facebook
🐎 The Packhorse (Mos Eisley Cantina Open Mic)
A long-running open mic night that is run by Cloth Cat Open Mic.
📍 208 Woodhouse Ln, Leeds LS2 9DX
👉 The Packhorse website
🎤 Wharf Chambers
A co-operative bar with an eclectic range of events, including open mic nights featuring experimental and grassroots talent.
📍 23-25 Wharf St, Leeds LS2 7EQ
👉 Wharf Chambers website
Classical Music, Choirs and Orchestras
🎼 Howard Assembly Room
Home to Opera North, this intimate space offers exquisite chamber music, recitals, and classical performances in an atmospheric setting.
📍 46 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU
👉 Howard Assembly Room website
🎻 Leeds Baroque
Dedicated to the performance of 17th and 18th-century music, Leeds Baroque is the city's only period instrument choir and orchestra.
📍 Various venues in Leeds such as Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall
👉 Leeds Baroque website
🎶 Leeds Conservatoire
A state-of-the-art performance space hosting an array of classical concerts, recitals, and innovative performances by students and visiting artists.
📍 3 Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7PD
👉 Leeds Conservatoire website
🎶 Leeds International Concert Season
A year-round celebration of classical music, featuring an array of concerts, recitals, and performances by world-class orchestras, ensembles, and soloists across Leeds.
📍 Various venues around Leeds
👉 Leeds International Concert Season website
🎹 Leeds International Piano Competition and Piano Trail
A renowned event that celebrates extraordinary piano talent through its prestigious competition and accompanying Piano Trail, which places stunning public pianos across the city for everyone to enjoy.
📍 Various venues across Leeds
👉 Leeds International Piano Competition website
🎼 Leeds Lieder
A celebration of art song and poetry, this annual festival attracts internationally acclaimed artists and showcases the beauty of lieder through recitals and workshops.
📍 Various venues across Leeds
👉 Leeds Lieder Festival website
🎵 Leeds Philharmonic Society
One of the UK's leading choral societies, renowned for their exceptional performances of classical and contemporary works, often collaborating with world-class orchestras and soloists.
📍 Leeds Town Hall, The Headrow, Leeds LS1 3AD
👉 Leeds Philharmonic Chorus website
🏛️ Leeds Town Hall
One of the city's most iconic venues, Leeds Town Hall hosts symphonies, chamber concerts, and performances by the Leeds International Concert Season.
📍 The Headrow, Leeds LS1 3AD
👉 Leeds Town Hall website
🎼 Northern School of Contemporary Dance
While focused on dance, the school frequently hosts collaborations with classical musicians, offering a unique take on live music and movement.
📍 98 Chapeltown Rd, Leeds LS7 4BH
👉 NSCD website
🎼 Opera North
One of Europe's leading opera companies, Opera North stages stunning productions and offers a rich program of classical music and workshops.
📍 8 Harrison St, Leeds LS1 6PA
👉 Opera North website
🎵 The Diocese of Leeds Music at Leeds Cathedral
An acclaimed music program fostering choral and instrumental excellence, hosting stunning performances by choirs and musicians in the breathtaking setting of Leeds Cathedral.
📍 Great George St, Leeds LS2 8BE
👉 Diocese of Leeds Music website
🎹 University of Leeds International Concert Series
The University hosts an outstanding series of classical performances, including orchestra concerts, chamber music, and solo recitals by both emerging and established artists.
📍 University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT
👉 University Concert Series website
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