If you're in need of an all-singing, all-dancing night out: this one's for you.
We are the home of Mel B, Kaiser Chiefs and Tom Zanetti.
Not to mention Alt-J, Corinne Bailey Rae, John Porter, The Pigeon Detectives, Jeff Christie, Boston Tea Party, Empress, Pulled Apart by Horses, Gary Husband, Jamie Fisher and just about every decent singer under the sun.
Naturally the Leeds music scene is one of the most impressive in the UK.
Maybe we're a little bias, but when it comes to singing your heart out at the karaoke machine on a Saturday night, we guarantee you'll find at least one song from a Leeds-based artist.
It's in our blood and it's a right of passage, no night out is fully complete without a bit of a sing song in front of the big screen in Leeds.
You don't need to be the next Beyonce to grab the mic and screek the lyrics to your favourite song, but you can form your own band or go solo at plenty of karaoke bars across Leeds.
With so many to choose from, we've rounded up our favourite spots in the city so you can grab your mic and head over whenever you next have the urge to have a sing and dance with your mates.
The karaoke room is open seven days a week, but you can get a midweek discount if you visit Sunday to Wednesday, making it just £24 an hour for your own private stage. There’s even Christmas tunes for those wanting to use this as an excuse to book the work’s Christmas do here. Bring up to 25 guests and channel your inner groupie, sip on cocktails, play some games and sing your heart out.
Hello Music Lounge at House of Fu
The Hello karaoke booths hold up to 18 people at a time. / Image: House of Fu
This is Leeds' latest contender in the karaoke scene lies on the second floor of House of Fu. With a disco ball and neon lighting, there's enough space to fit all of your friends into the spacious booths, and grab a photo or two- because did you really do karaoke if you don't live stream at 3am? There are five booths to choose from, available from £40 an hour.
Mix Karaoke
Mix is open 6pm- 2am every weekend. / Image: Mix Karaoke
As one of the only dedicated karaoke bars in Leeds, Mix has everything you need for an all-singing, all-dancing night out. The popular bar have both private booths and a full karaoke bar available to take advantage of. Taking their karaoke seriously, there host a karaoke competition in August where contestants sing live in front of our audience for a chance to be crowned our Karaoke Queen or King. If you think you have the X-Factor, there's up to £500 up for grabs and plenty of time to practice between now and August 2022. Plus, at £8 per person, per hour, it's a bargain.
If you're up for a bit of karaoke mid week, look no further than the Pack Horse. Every Wednesday night the pub holds a karaoke night for the tone deaf and in-tune singers alike. DJ Kira takes requests until 1am every week and you don't just have to stick to classics like Robbie Williams and the Spice Girls. The pub was recently taken over by Charlie and Kira Mallinson-Brown at the height of the pandemic, and the couple have transformed the space into a fun and friendly space. Monday and Tuesday nights, the pub hosts a game night and there are plenty of fundraising events throughout the year to get involved in too.
The Skyrack, Headingley
Every Sunday, The Skyrack is transformed into a karaoke bar. / Image: Skyrack Karaoke
This weekly karaoke night is a firm student favourite, but you the only requirements to sing at The Skyrack are a song choice and a microphone. Every Sunday night from 8pm - midnight, the pub is filled with wannabe singers, or those that just love a good a cheap pint, and the karaoke commences. This year-round event never fails to impress and The Skyrack pride themselves in having all the tunes you'll want to sing to: we're talking Amy Winehouse, Neil Diamond and Dolly Parton.
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding yet again.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
And there really is no stopping them as just one month after opening a lovely kiosk in the famed Victoria Quarter, North Star is opening another site on Great George Street. Hurrah!
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can find the new North Star opposite the LGI, sporting its fabulous bright colours that will be sure to wake you up even if the coffee doesn't.
At this site there will be all the caffeinated beverages as well as house-made bakes and sandwiches available to grab-and-go.
And we don't have long to wait to check it out, as they'll be opening their doors this Monday 27 July.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
“While it’s easy to focus on the challenges facing hospitality, we still believe deeply in the role that cafés play in our city's community,” said Holly Kragiopoulos, CEO of North Star Coffee Roasters.
“They are places where people come together, to meet, to pause, to connect. Choosing to invest now is a reflection of our belief in Leeds, and in the long-term value of creating spaces people genuinely want to spend time in.”
“These new sites allow us to create meaningful opportunities for both new and existing team members,” Holly added.
“Hospitality is ultimately about people - both those we serve and those who make the experience possible. As a Leeds-born business, we’re incredibly proud to continue investing in our city. The support we’ve had from day one is what’s made this growth possible.”
Bus operator partners with Leeds hospitals to help mums-to-be make vital appointments
Clementine Hall
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”