City guides : Leeds

Upon your arrival in the city, relive battles in the Royal Armories, get some culture in Leeds Art Gallery and take in the sights and sounds of the city centre, all before you’ve even spent a penny. That's a day in the life of a loiner (yes that’s really the name for a native of Leeds).

Bars and clubs

No one could be disappointed on a night out in Leeds, with so many different pubs and clubs, there’s no excuse to not go out for a dance. For nights out that are easy on the pocket try Bourbon, Yates, The Library and Dry Dock. Both universities have student unions, the Met Bar at Leeds Met and for Leeds University, a pub and three nightclubs, all with reasonable prices. One of the big traditions for Leeds students is the Otley run, where you tour down Otley road and into the city centre, stopping at every bar for a drink along the way. Usually done in fancy dress, this is always a must for freshers. Rios in the Grand Arcade puts on a £10 in all-you-can-drink night on a Tuesday, playing ska/punk/metal music. Not to be missed.

Shopping

The White Rose Centre is home to the high street shops and the Victoria Quarter hosts many smaller boutiques. To step away from the norm, you might want to go for something vintage. The best shop for this look is the aptly-named Vintage, just a short walk from the main shopping street. Its car-boot style layout is a rummagers heaven, where you can find the perfect one of a kind outfit.

Eating out

For good pub food head to The Library and Dry Dock (plus the added bonus of money off with a yellow card). If you’re looking for something a little different, try La Tasca, a Spanish tapas bar, beautifully decorated and located just out of the hustle and bustle of one of Leeds main drinking streets.

 

 

Entertainment

The O2 Academy plays host to the bigger acts whereas the Cockpit and Rios cater for most of the rock/punk/ska/metal bands. Other popular but smaller venues include The Packhorse, Faversham, Josephs Well and Royal Park Cellars. As well as music, there a number of cinemas in Leeds, playing films from blockbusters to small independent films to world cinema. For something a little more cultured, Leeds Museum gives you all you could want to know about the history of Leeds.

Accommodation

Hyde Park and Headingly are the most populated by students, here you can rent a house or a flat. With a large student population in these areas its hard to feel out of place. Alternatively each of the universities have their own accommodation, most in the city centre, but none of them more than 20 mins walk from their respective campuses and all well priced, with even the priciest accommodation coming in at around £90.

Top 3 places to see

• Rios
• Pizzacano
• Hyde Park Picture House

Leeds is a vibrant and exciting city where you will never be short of things to do. No student would feel out of place here. First-class universities, exciting nightlife, more shopping opportunities than you can shake a stick at and a world of culture at your fingertips, Leeds is the perfect city to live and to study!