If you’ve ever been on a night out in Leeds then you’ve most definitely been to Call Lane, which is located in The Calls district.
Whether you’ve spent a night on the tiles at Jakes Bar or enjoyed a delicious brunch at IF…, Call Lane is quite frankly iconic and is a honeypot for brilliant independent bars, restaurants, and clubs.
The first evidence of Call Lane can be traced back all the way back to 1557. It’s a long street that connects Kirkgate to the bottom of lower Briggate and rumour has it that there a number of underground tunnels that connect all the bars together.
On Call Lane you will also find an iconic part of Leeds history, The New Penny. This bar is the oldest gay bar in Leeds and has been at the heart of LGBTQ+ life in the city since it first opened in 1953 as The Hope & Anchor.
Read more: The ultimate guide to a night out on Call Lane
With a late-night license you can expect a night filled with fantastic music, dancing, and performances from world-renowned Drag Acts. Icons such as Lily Savage, Sisters Slim and Amber Dextrous have all graced the stage at The New Penny.
Call Lane is part of the larger area named The Calls. The Calls is one of the oldest districts of Leeds, an area with a rich history that has unfortunately suffered from decline for many years.
Recently though, many buildings have been conserved and The Calls has experienced a welcome revival. The Calls was originally an open space consisting mainly of orchards but is now a built-up area full of desirable real estate, offices and leisure.
Read more: Short Stuff: Inside one of Leeds’ longest running family-run restaurants
Feature image – The Hoot Leeds
