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.
From nights out to trips to the beach, Rebel Roots Theatre Company's latest production explores how spiking can change lives and why young people need to hear its message.
Imagine heading out with your mates, having what should be a brilliant night, only for one decision to change everything.
It's an uncomfortable thought, but it's one that Leeds-based Rebel Roots Theatre Company is bringing to the forefront with Aftermath, a play written by Lottie Burns that explores the devastating impact of spiking on individuals and their families.
At the centre of the story is Layla, a young woman preparing to leave home for university, and her father, David, who must confront the realities of women's safety as his daughter prepares to start a new chapter.
But Layla isn't the only one affected. Her brother Ethan is also spiked by his own friends during a trip to the beach, opening up another side to a conversation that often focuses predominantly on women.
His experience challenges the assumption that spiking is exclusively a women's issue, highlighting how men can also become victims, sometimes at the hands of people they trust. It raises important questions about male friendships, peer pressure and the way harmful behaviour can be dismissed as a joke.
Written by Burns while studying at Leeds Conservatoire, the play was inspired by growing concerns about spiking in 2021 and the way these fears were changing women's experiences of nights out.
Through Layla, Ethan and their father, David, Aftermath looks beyond the incident itself to explore its wider consequences, from damaged relationships to the difficult conversations that follow.
And it's exactly why this production deserves to reach young people in colleges and universities.
For many, heading to university means newfound independence, making new friends and experiencing student nightlife for the first time. Taking Aftermath into educational settings could help open young people's eyes to the realities of spiking, encouraging conversations around consent, trust, peer pressure and supporting those affected.
Rather than simply telling students to watch their drinks, the production offers an opportunity to understand the human consequences through a story they can connect with. It could also challenge audiences to reconsider their own behaviour and recognise when something that seems like a joke can have serious consequences.
The project has also received support from anti-spiking organisation CounterSpike. Rebel Roots Theatre Company is passionate about taking theatre beyond traditional venues, bringing new writing and important stories into pubs, community spaces and other accessible settings.
Ultimately, Aftermath is about more than one night out. It's about trust, family and the lasting impact of experiences that can affect anyone.
And if bringing this story into a college or university helps even one young person rethink their actions or better understand what someone else might go through, it's a conversation worth having.
We’re sure this production will enjoy another run thanks to its important message and core values. But if you want to catch it for yourself, you can see it this Saturday, 24 October, at The Attic in Leeds. It’s a pay-what-you-can event, starting at 7:30 pm, so don’t miss out.
Featured image - Supplied
News
A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!
Sophie Smith -
25th November 2021 
