Having played host to legendary club nights for over 40 years, iconic club space The Warehouse has now revealed it will start hosting gigs too.
Over the years, The Warehouse has welcomed some of the most iconic bands and DJs to the city, including heavy hitters like The Sugar Hill Gang, Stone Roses, Oasis, Greg Wilson, Mike Pickering and Fat Boy Slim.
It's become known over the years as a great clubbing venue, hosting legendary nights like SpeedQueen and Kaos - but it initially began life as a live music venue.
The new loft space at The Warehouse / Image: The Warehouse
Now, it's come full circle: launching a new format that will see the celebrated house music venue welcome live performances in the early evenings.
A new format will see The Warehouse host live gig performances up until 10pm, then switch over to club nights as the evening turns into the early hours of the morning.
The club and gig space has already sold out its opening week parties and is bringing some huge names to Leeds, including Annie Mac, Alan Fizpartick and Richy Ahemd, Black Grape, Goldie Lookin Chain and Versatile as part of its relaunch.
The main room at The Warehouse is well set up for live gigs / Image: The Warehouse
Speaking on the decision to switch things up at The Warehouse, co-owner Will Habergham explained that they feel the pandemic has very much shifted the focus of the nightlife scene into a new direction.
"Post-COVID nightlife and venues have had to adapt. We have had to take a new direction. Traditional nightclubs have had to diversify to survive, essentially offering a flexible space that can accommodate all sorts of events", said Will.
"In the conventional sense, nightclubs are no longer what they used to be, and unfortunately, many venues have been forced to close due to the pandemic.
The Warehouse team have worked really hard throughout the pandemic to get the club ready for reopening / Image: The Warehouse
"There has definitely been a move towards bar culture and nightlife, as we know it, has changed.
"Whilst there is still a place for nightclubs, we think nightlife will be more event and experience-led, and due to the pandemic, for some students, it will be the first time they have ever even experienced a nightclub!"
Co-owner and live events organiser at The Warehouse , Dan Ickowitz-Seidler, continued:
"We were keen to restore the legacy of The Warehouse as a fantastic live music venue as well as one of Leeds' most legendary nightclubs."
"We can't wait for people to see what we've done. We think there will be so much pent-up demand for live music and events after over a year without any.
"While events have attempted to go online during the pandemic, I think it's really made us all realise you just can't beat the experience and feeling of being in the room and witnessing an event in person.
"We're excited to get people back into our venue and witnessing some legendary events."
The Warehouse returns at one minute past midnight on July 19 with its first "Freedom Rave".
Find it at 19-21 Somers Street, Leeds, LS1 2RG.
News
Team behind Headrow House and Belgrave to take over and reopen Woodside just one year after opening
The foodie-favourite restaurant and bar is now under new management.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that Woodside has sadly been closed for a few months.
We certainly have, and ever since December we've had a Woodside Sunday roast-shaped hole in our hearts that's been gasping for one of their glorious Marmite glazed parsnips.
But luckily, it has now been confirmed that Woodside isn't going anywhere as Superfriendz, the team behind Headrow House, Belgrave and many other top Leeds spots will be taking over. Hallelujah.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Woodside opened at the end of 2024 from the owners of The Brunswick and The Melbourne.
Labelling itself as a 'neighbourhood eatery and bar', Woodside quickly became a favourite amongst Leeds foodies and was known for its smoked meats, great cocktails and stellar Sunday roasts (do I need to talk about the parsnips again).
The menu was fresh and innovative, with oysters topped with kiwi granita and an incredibly garish banana split standing out as highlights.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We hope that the new management continues to maintain Woodside's brilliance, but mainly we're just so glad that it's sticking around.
Superfriendz take care of a whole host of spots in the city, including proper Leeds favourites Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Waterlane Boathouse.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Woodside said: "After a longer-than-expected winter break, Woodside is back and will reopen on Thursday 19th March!
"Your favourite neighbourhood bar and eatery returns with the same warm welcome, but an all new management team.
"We can’t wait to see you so keep your eyes on our socials for news on great food and drinks, big screen sports, quizzes and more.
"We’d also like to thank Sam and the original team for all the hard work that went into setting-up the venue. We hope we can do it justice."
A new female-founded business has opened in Leeds and it’s a trinket-lover’s paradise
Clementine Hall
Lisa Angel has just opened inside the Victoria Gate and it’s an Aladdin’s Cave full of jewellery, prints, gifts and everything in between.
The best part? It’s a female-founded brand that has chosen our wonderful city for their first Yorkshire site. We absolutely don't blame them.
Founded in 2004 by Lisa hand making jewellery which she sold at craft fairs local to her Norfolk home, the business has gone from strength to strength every since.
The brand is now a recognised part of the British high street landscape, boasting seven other stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Midlands.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Shoppers can expect beautifully handcrafted jewellery, unique trinkets and wonderful staff who are open to have a natter.
It's the perfect shop for when you don't exactly know what to buy that someone special, just pop in here and you'll be hit with a wave of inspiration immediately.
We could've genuinely spent a good hour in there and come out with a much lighter wallet.
Lisa herself spoke about the opening: “As an independent retailer, we are thrilled to launch in a destination with such a reputation as Victoria Leeds.
"We believe retail should remain grounded in inspiration and discovery, and we look forward to bringing just that to the vibrant city of Leeds, in our first store in the north.”
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Managing Director James Moody said: “We're incredibly excited to be opening our first northern showcase store in such a prestigious location.
"Victoria Leeds represents exactly the kind of vibrant retail destination where we can bring the full Lisa Angel experience to new customers. This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to grow our retail presence."
Georgina Pellant -
16th July 2021 
