Leeds

This Leeds speakeasy is hosting exclusive pride afterparties with free shots and live DJs

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 11th July 2025

If you're heading to Leeds Pride next weekend, then Behind Closed Doors are here to keep the party going.

Leeds Pride is one of the most important events in the city's social calendar.

And this year it is set to be a celebration even bigger and better than ever before.

Taking place on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July 2025, the day is set to be packed with fabulous music, food, cabaret and more.

Image: Supplied

But if you're wondering where you'll go once the parade ends and music finishes, then think no more as we've got just the place for you.

Behind Closed Doors, Leeds' iconic adult-themed speakeasy on Call Lane are hosting pride afterparties all weekend long so you can keep dancing into the early hours.

Head on over to Behind Closed Doors for free entry as well as 2-4-1 cocktails if you show your wristband or say the word 'Pride'.

And to make it even better, £1 from each cocktail purchased over the weekend will go to a pride charity. Now how can you say no to that.

Image: Supplied

The drinking den will be open til 5am each night with vinyl DJs blasting the tunes til close, and the best part? You can bag yourself free shots with every drink purchased.

If that hasn't convinced you to text your group chat and get a night out sorted, then allow us to try and reel you in even more.

Behind Closed Doors, the self-professed ‘naughty’ bar that started over in Manchester, has taken Leeds by storm since its grand opening back in August last year.

Their ethos of Sex, Rugs & Funk ’n’ Soul means you'll find vintage erotica all over the walls, as well as retro phones on every table so you can ring your mates from across the room.

It's safe to say that this isn't just your average night out.

The drinks aren't average either, with a cheeky cocktail list featuring drinks like the Love Bite (pink gin, raspberry and cucumber slushie), Smoke my Sweet (a barrel stave smoked old fashioned) and Chocstar Martini (a chocolate espresso martini with whipped cream top).

There'll even be a pride cocktail menu for the weekend for you to get stuck into. And they don't just taste good, they all act as a great pop to snap a photo with too.

To find out more about Behind Closed Doors, take a look at their website here.

Read more: The best rooftop bars in and around Leeds to enjoy a tipple in the sunshine

Featured image - Supplied

Leeds

Lily Allen at First Direct Arena, Leeds – tickets, setlist, stage times and more

The Hoot The Hoot

Following one of the most iconic returns to music late last year, Lily Allen is heading to Leeds with her West End Girl UK tour.

The 'Nonmonogamummy' herself will be performing at the First Direct Arena in Leeds this weekend, following a run of intimate gig dates up and down the country earlier this year.

The demand for this British pop star to add more dates was inevitable and that's exactly what Allen did, as she now kicks off an arena tour across the UK.

Once wasn’t ‘Just Enough', and we've been blessed new Lily Allen dates, including her gig at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on Sunday 21 June.

Although the 'Smile' singer refrains from playing some of her older smash hits, this gig is still remarkable, with the Hammersmith-born singer performing the previously mentioned tongue-in-cheek LP in full.

Meet us at the ‘Pussy Palace’ for an evening of messy lyrics and quality vocals, fulfilling all of our nosey desires, she even provides text receipts for us to read.

Expect to feel like you’re having your friend relay the truth about their toxic relationship post-break up and then celebrating them finally leaving that loser - Lily just gets us. 

Gig Guide | Lily Allen at First Direct Arena, Leeds

Lily Allen returns to Leeds for a gig at First Direct Arena. Credit: Henry Redcliffe

Lily Allen UK tour dates

  • 16 June – Newcastle Utilita Arena
  • 17 June – Glasgow OVO Hydro
  • 19 June – Manchester AO Arena
  • 20 June– Manchester AO Arena
  • 21 June – Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
  • 23 June – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
  • 24 June – Cardiff Utilita Arena
  • 26 June – Birmingham BP Pulse Live
  • 27 June – London The O2
  • 30 June – Dublin 3Arena

Are there tickets left for Lily Allen at First Direct Arena?

Yes and it’d be a real ‘Shame For You’ to miss out on this one.

On Sunday 21 June you can get seats for £49.85, £66.35, or £88.35, or standing tickets for £66.35 - see the latest HERE.

Seriously, ‘What You Waiting For?’ - get it booked.

Support act for Lily Allen in Leeds

Lily's gone for a rather novel support act on her West End Girl tour, which is proving to be quite a laugh at arenas so far.

She's pulled in Dallas Minor Trio to warm up the crowds, a trio of cellists who perform a setlist of Lily Allen's biggest hits from through the years.

And if that's not enough, they put the lyrics on screen too, so it's like a true karaoke moment.

Lily Allen setlist for 2026 tour

The show ‘Lily Allen Performs West End Girl‘ will see the singer/songwriter play her brand-new album in its entirety, in the order the songs appear on the record:

  • West End Girl
  • Ruminating
  • Sleepwalking
  • Tennis
  • Madeline
  • Relapse
  • Pussy Palace
  • 4chan Stan
  • Nonmonogamummy
  • Just Enough
  • Dallas Major
  • Beg For Me
  • Let You W/In
  • Fruityloop

Stage times for Lily Allen at First Direct Arena, Leeds

Lily Allen has announced a gig at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. Credit: Charlie Denis
Lily Allen has announced a gig at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. Credit: Charlie Denis

These are the only times that are confirmed, but it's expected that Lily Allen will be on stage around 9pm:

  • Doors open 6pm
  • Starts 7.50pm

Getting to First Direct Arena

Bus Station

Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.

Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.

Nearest Bus Stops

  • Clay Pit Lane
  • Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
  • Woodhouse Lane

Nearest Train Station

Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.

Parking

There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here

The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.

None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.

Hiring Bikes in Leeds 

If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:

  • Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
  • Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.

Read more:

Featured Images - Press shot (supplied)

Leeds

A slice of New York has arrived in Leeds – and the pizzas are 18 inches wide

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Popular pizza pop-up Edges Pizza has opened a permanent home in Leeds city centre.

Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residencies across the city.

Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.

Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason. Edges Pizza has just opened a permanent new takeaway under the arches in Holbeck, and it's absolutely class.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Owners Grace and Edge who are from Harrogate opened Edges two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.

They've completely transformed the space into a proper love letter to the big apple. It will operate mainly as a takeaway, but there is a small seating area where you can perch and tuck into your pie.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

The menu is perfectly curated, consisting of eight pizzas and three dips. And trust us, they are absolutely massive.

We opted for the American Hot with spicy pepperoni, banana peppers and parmesan as well as the mushroom pie topped with garlic creme fraiche and chestnut mushrooms.

Drizzled and dunked into moreish hot honey, it's rivalling some of the best pizza in the city.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

For now, grabbing a pizza from Edges operates through a pre-order system. Pre-orders open at 12pm the day before via their website, you can pick your collection time and then you simply have to rock up and get your pizza.

There's loads of parking available nearby and if there are any remaining slots available you can pre-order up to an hour before collection.

We've got a feeling they're going to very busy indeed.

Read more: A cafe dedicated entirely to matcha gelato has just opened in Leeds

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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