|
As Yorkshire’s commercial capital and one of the fastest growing cities in the UK,
Leeds has undergone more facelifts than many of the stars of reality TV. Fortunately
the results are somewhat more pleasing to the eye. Although still rough around its edges, the
centre of Leeds now exudes the cosmopolitan confidence of a city that’s recently
experienced something of a cultural renaissance.
Amid the grimy grandeur of its Victorian buildings now sit numerous café bars and swish stores such as John Lewis and Harvey Nichols. Indeed Harvey Nics opened its first store outside London in Leeds, the 60,000 sq ft store in the 19th century Victoria Quarter, dubbed at the time the "Knightsbridge of the North". GLAM AND GRITThe city’s combination of glam and grit is no more evident than within its gay scene. The gay enclave is clustered around Lower Briggate. Here a world first took place. Back in 1888, French cinematographer Louis Le Prince took the world's first ever moving picture. He could have chosen to film the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building or the Houses of Parliament, but no he chose to wander across Leeds Bridge and film there. It was the site of a famous gay pub called the Old Red Lion. This traditional pies 'n' peas pub had been around for years... as had most of its punters, which is why the place became known locally as the "Old Dead Lion". The music wasn't so much handbag, as colostomy bag. Sadly in August 2021 the Police applied to the council to close the pub because of safety concerns after a number of incidents with people carrying knives. Nowadays it's completely abandoned and totally smashed up by vandals and thieves. The only option left now is demolition. It's not all bad news though, another gay venue not too far away - the Bridge Inn, has reopened after suffering the financial effects of the pandemic. The Bridge attracts a mixed, convivial crowd bringing some new flavour to the thriving freedom quarter of Leeds LGBTQ+ scene. With a pine surround and a tangerine theme, it has a warm, cosy feel about it - very much a People's Party Pub with regular Karaoke nights and afternoons with DJ's every Saturday to let you dance your night away. | |
| On Lower Briggate, Bar Fibre with fairy lights, mirrors and a large courtyard hosts happy hours every day. Daytime it's a busy cafe-bar, but nighttime sees Fibre transformed into a busy and lively mini club, with late licenses all through the week. They host legendary Courtyard Parties and their DJs know how to make any space come alive. |
Largin' it at Bar Fibre |
Viaduct Showbar on Lower Briggate is full of special events and drag stars
such as Precious McMichaels, Mamma Bear and Verry Cherry. There are a couple of bars and
space that you can hire for your own events.
UK'S OLDEST GAY PUBJust around the way in Call Street is the New Penny. Once called the Hope and Anchor, this is claimed to be the oldest gay pub in the UK. Depending on who you ask, the place has been gay for anything from 30 to 50 years. The Penny fills up fast on a Saturday night and attracts a regular crowd of all-sorts and all ages. As its only open normal pub hours expect to be chucked out just as things get going.Off Lower Briggate, tucked away up Blayd’s Yard, is Blayd's Bar. Although a small, unusual sized space, Blayd’s holds heaps of atmosphere. The bar lost it's licence in 2021 after the tragic death of it's owner, who died in his husband's arms whilst on holiday in Gran Canaria. They initially had a battle with the council to get the licence renewed but now they are fully back up and running. Pleasingly, it’s not uncommon for the bar staff to put on a show while pulling your pint and launch themselves into a synchronised dance routine. With a high spirited and unpretentious mix of people, OutUK found Blayd’s to be Leeds’ friendliest and liveliest gay hangout.
CLUBBINGAfter hours, most queens tend to head over to Queens Court in Lower Briggate. Once the popular downstairs café bar closes at 11pm, the club upstairs begins to kick off. Open nightly from 9pm till 2am, Leeds’ only full-time gay club is small, smart and sleek. Although the main floor widens down the back, it can be quite a squeeze to get on down and there’s often not enough room to throw a dirty look at the person who’s just elbowed you in the ribs and kneed you in the balls. Expect the crowd to be wide-eyed and/or legless. On Saturday nights, once the club closes, the downstairs space is re-opened so that people can chat and chill over a coffee.Leeds clubbing was given a real makeover with the start of Club Federation a few years ago, created by the same people as Fibre. Their popularity led to a highly successful event called the Made in Leeds Festival which was staged in June each year until 2022. | |
| Made in Leeds paved the way for a even bigger event, the Rockstar Energy Leeds Festival, and in 2025 it will take place from Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th August 2025 at Bramham Park in Leeds. The new festival attracts a much wider range of people, but there is a special campsite area called THE GROVE (Community Camp). This is a warm and welcoming space for festival-goers who want to camp with a supportive, like-minded community. The Grove is all about inclusivity, respect, and creating a positive environment where everyone can relax and be themselves. In partnership with Safer Spaces Now CIC, this camp is supported by gender-inclusive teams who are dedicated to creating a safer environment for all. More information from the Leeds Festival Website. | 
Feelin' the force of Federation |
GETTING HOT LATE NIGHTThere are a couple of saunas that are worth a visit in Leeds. Steam Complex is one of the North's largest All Male Gay & Bisexual Saunas. It has all the facilities that you would expect. It's now part of the Adult Leisure Group who own similar venues in Bury, Blackpool and Huddersfield. The variety of play rooms are well laid out particularly the dungeon room. Plenty of guys there. Plastic Ivy is Yorkshire's busiest and most established sauna complex for Gay & Bi men in nearby Dewsbury. The Plastic Ivy offers a smart, clean, discreet place to relax and meet other men. It's less than a half hour drive, about 9 miles away from Leeds city centre.
Revised February 2025. | |
