The Best Clubs in Leeds

With clubs being back open, we thought we'd shout out some of the best venues in the thriving party city of Leeds.

Last updated: 16th Jun 2023

Originally published: 30th Jul 2021

Leeds is one of the most active clubbing cities in the North of England. With a thriving underground music scene that has given rise to a host of brilliant venues. Ranging from huge stages with the biggest names to more intimate venues that showcase the next wave of DJs coming through. 

With so many iconic venues and festivals, people flock to Leeds every year for the best live music and the wildest parties that you'll find in the whole of the UK. With all this in mind, we decided to pay tribute to the best clubs in Leeds right now. Secure your tickets for many of these clubs’ fantastic events by clicking or tapping the venue name or image. 

 

Mint Warehouse

Photo: Mint Warehouse / Facebook.com 

Capacity: 750

Location: Aquatite House, Water Ln, Holbeck in Leeds LS11 9UD

Mint Warehouse is one of the most recognisable names in the Leeds club circuit. Located conveniently close to the train station, the venue had a huge refurb in 2020 that included the installation of a huge LED ceiling. It’s absolutely mesmerising. The club feels intimate with a relatively small capacity compared to some other club giants but it still has a killer sound system and often sees the biggest names in electronic music stopping by to blast tunes until the AM. Oh, there’s also a lovely outdoor terrace for summer day parties! 

 


 

HiFi Club

Photo: Hifi Club Leeds / Facebook.com

Capacity: 350 

Location: 2 Central Rd in Leeds LS1 6DE

One of the best Leeds clubs that also doubles up as a live music venue, HiFi Club has won Best Nightclub and Best Live Music Venue three times at the Leeds Bar & Club Awards. 

Originally opening in 2001, the venue has become one of the city’s most adored venues, known for showcasing a variety of genres. The basement club hosts lots of long-running club nights, with many starting when the venue first opened! Genre wise, you can expect a bit of everything including hip-hop, soul, reggae, disco, funk, R&B, and more. 

 


 

The Warehouse

Photo: The Warehouse / Facebook.com

Capacity: up to 1,000

Location: 19-21 Somers Street in Leeds LS1 2RG

If you’re after the bigger Leeds nightclubs, The Warehouse is always a great choice. It's one of the clubs that helped bring clubbing culture to the north, preceding even The Hacienda in Manchester. 

One of the oldest clubs in Leeds (opening in 1979), the venue has been renovated with a state-of-the-art sound system and new, immersive lighting, lasers, and CO2 jets. Still kicking today, with many ravers loving it, we don’t think The Warehouse will be going anywhere any time soon. The venue focuses mostly on house and techno and has chillout areas for when you need a break.

 


 

Distrikt

Photo: Distrikt Bar Leeds / Facebook.com

Capacity: 200

Location: 7 Duncan St in Leeds LS1 6DQ

Swinging its doors open to welcome ravers in 2009, it wasn't long before Distrikt was known as a haven for underground electronic artists in Leeds. Feeling like a bit of a hidden gem with its intimate 200 capacity in a basement venue, it’s at Distrikt you feel like you’re in on a cool secret. Combining the carefree vibe of a club and the elegance of a speakeasy, get down here if you haven't already! 

 


 

The Old Red Bus Station

Photo: The Old Red Bus Station / Facebook.com

Capacity: 400 

Location: 104 Vicar Ln in Leeds LS2 7NL

The Old Red Bus Station is one of the newer venues in Leeds, first opening its door in 2016. Set up in a converted bus station, this certainly ticks the box for a unique location. This is a venue that offers small gigs and the club nights here have an undeniably buzzing atmosphere. With a cantina that serves the best vegan food too you can't really go wrong.

 


 

Beaver Works

Photo: Beaver Works / Facebook.com 

Capacity: 600-2000

Location: 36 Whitehouse St, Hunslet in Leeds LS10 1AD

Definitely one of the best clubs in Leeds, Beaver Works is a huge industrial space used for some of the biggest raves in the city. Open since 1997, it’s always been the place for crazy parties, loud celebrations and a shared love of dance. It’s not uncommon for their parties to feature circus performers and fairground rides when making use of its outdoor arena. Beaver Works smashes that party atmosphere and brings you some top names from dance music in the process. And their Halloween parties are some of the greatest. 

 


 

The Wardrobe

Photo: The Wardrobe / Facebook.com

Capacity: 460 

Location: 6 St Peter's Square in Leeds LS9 8AH

When The Wardrobe isn't being used to showcase the next great indie band or to host a night of comedy it changes into the perfect space for night owls and ravers. Frequently inviting DJs over to Leeds, The Wardrobe has a reputation as an eclectic venue and as a result, a whole myriad of sound flows through the dancefloor. 

 


 

Wire

Photo: Wire / Facebook.com 

Capacity: 300

Location: 2-8 Call Lane in Leeds LS1 6DN

With a full Funktion One sound system and a capacity of just 300, Wire is where you go to feel the music shake your bones. Wire is all about championing the best electronic music in a friendly, intimate environment. The club has welcomed many impressive guests on its decks. Just a ten-minute walk from Leeds City Centre, this haven for those who love sweaty, cosy raves is super easy to get to. 

 


 

Canvas Yard

Photo: Canvas Yard / Instagram.com 

Capacity: 5,000

Location: Trent St, Holbeck in Leeds LS11 9SP

A brand new addition to the scene, Canvas Yard opened in spring 2023. The venue has already hosted huge Defected and Hacienda events, so we can’t wait to see what else they’ve got coming up. Huge and open-air, Canvas Yard also has a food village and chill-out areas. It’s basically like a mini festival.

 


 

Sheaf St

Photo: Sheaf St / Facebook.com 

Capacity: 350

Location: 3 Sheaf St in Leeds LS10 1HD

Café, bar, events space, and chill-out location Sheaf St offers an eclectic array of events, fresh, locally-sourced scran, and parties. Head here to chill with a pint after a tough day at work or to get grooving to some incredible DJ sets. They’ve got some smashing events booked this year, so go have a look! 

 


 

The Key Club 

Photo: The Key Club / Facebook.com 

Capacity: 300

Location: 66 Merrion Street in Leeds LS2 8LW

Prefer moshing to two-stepping? The Key Club is the best club in Leeds for fans of heavier tunes. They do occasionally offer pop, electronic, hip-hop, and R&B events, but Key Club has regular club nights for pop punk and emo, indie, alt, and rock/guilty pleasures. Owned by Slam Dunk, club nights here are top-tier. Especially the regular Black Parade 00s emo and nu-metal night. And drinks are pretty cheap!

 


 

Wharf Chambers

Photo: Wharf Chambers / Facebook.com

Capacity: 175

Location: 23-25 Wharf Street in Leeds LS2 7EQ

Open Wednesday to Sunday until 11 pm, Wharf Chambers is a multi-use venue providing a space for art, music, film, discussion, politics, and more. Events here vary with poetry readings, open deck events, and live performances spanning multiple genres (even classical). Tickets are very reasonably priced, with some being free. It’s all about the community here.

 


 

The Space 

Photo: The Space Nightclub, Leeds / Facebook.com

Capacity: 650 

Location: The Space - Hurst Yard (off Duncan St) in Leeds, LS1 6NJ

Popular with the student crowd, The Space is the best of all Leeds nightclubs if you’re looking for cheesy tunes and cheap drinks. It's got Skint Thursdays for the cheapest drinks, Paradiso Fridays with disco house vibes with pink decor, and Underground Saturdays with local DJs spinning house, tech, disco, and dance. Open until 5 am on Saturdays, head here for a long one! 

 


 

The Lab

Photo: The Lab Leeds / Instagram.com

Capacity: Unknown but on the larger side

Location: First Floor, 6 Grand Arcade in Leeds LS1 6PG

Known for great, welcoming vibes, good drinks at decent prices, and DJs that know how to keep the party going, The Lab is one of the best clubs in Leeds for a lovely night out. Common genres at Lab include bashment, amapiano, garage, bassline, dancehall, afrobeats, and R&B. The Lab also has MUNCH in its calendar, the club's first women-only event!

 


 

Canal Club

Photo: Canal Club Leeds / Facebook.com 

Capacity: 100

Location: 1 Little Neville Street in Leeds LS1 4ED

A bit of a calmer one, Canal Club is an all-day drinking spot with gorgeous cocktails, craft beer, cider, and spirits, and a sharing menu inspired by global cuisine. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are a bit livelier, with local DJs and a percussionist joining in on Saturdays. Located in the city centre, with space in the sun, Canal Club is a great shout for the start of your night before moving to another if you fancy a late party. 

 


  

02 Academy

Photo: O2 Academy Leeds / Facebook.com 

Capacity: 2300

Location: 55 Cookridge Street in Leeds LS2 3AW

For bigger club nights right in the heart of Leeds city centre, the O2 Academy is the place to go. While the O2 brings plenty of live performers from artists of various genres and comedy, the venue also doubles up as a club. They’ve brought in some of the biggest DJ names from across the world to pack out the dancefloor at this huge venue. Set in a Grade II listed building, this intimidating gothic building is hard to miss.

 


 

A huge party city, Leeds has countless incredible clubs ready for you and your mates to discover on a mad one, no matter what vibe or genre you’re into. 

 



 

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

 

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Header: Mint Warehouse / Facebook.com