Updated on 6th January 2025

15 Things to Do in Leeds Instead of Drinking

Going sober got you stuck for ideas?

Written on Culture Updated on 6th January 2025

Whether you’re going dry for the month or you’re a long-term teetotaller, here’s a list of activities in Leeds that don’t involve drinking.

If you’re looking for fun activities in Leeds that don’t end in a night at the pub, you’re in luck. Whether it be going against the clock in an escape room, catching a film at the last surviving gaslit cinema in the world or embarking on a food tour around the city, there’s plenty of activities in Leeds that prove you don’t need a drink to have a good time.

Indulge in a hot chocolate at Knoops

For a chocolatey, indulgent treat, get yourself straight down to Knoops. The luxury chocolatier has taken Leeds by storm, and the fact that you can choose from 20 varieties of chocolate might have something to do with that.

From creamy 28% white to rich 100% dark, craft your perfect blend and pair it with one of nine indulgent milks – at no extra cost! Enjoy it whipped into a velvety hot chocolate, a mocha or a milkshake.

Knoops, Trinity Centre, 26-28 Albion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6HX.

Play some games at Chance & Counters

An array of board games on two shelves

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There’s so much fun to be had at Chance & Counters that you’ll soon forget about drinking in no time – trust, us, there are over 500 different games spread across two floors!

From favourites you grew up loving, like Monopoly and Scrabble, to unusual games you’ve probably never heard of, like Dexterity and Cat & Mouth, they’re all here and then some with a gaming fee of just £2 per person, per hour.

Chance & Counters, 6-8 Merrion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PQ.

Make your own charm bracelet at Adorn

If you’ve not come across Adorn yet, this is your sign to book a session there. You’ll find them in Koncept Studios, where owners Liv and Isabella have set up their very own make-your-own charm bracelet workshop.

You’ll start by choosing your bracelet, before sitting down and picking out your charms. Liv and Isabella will attach them for you, before popping the finished product on your wrist. Why not grab a coffee from the downstairs Miles & Co on your way out?

Adorn, Koncept Studio, 94 Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DJ.

Go skating at The Skate Sanctuary

A group of people in a roller skate studio

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Still want to roll with the good times this Dry January? Well, why not check out Roller Girl Gang? They hold weekly roller skating workshops for beginners and mixed abilities, as well as family-friendly sessions for the kids to enjoy.

Their teachers have experience in roller derby, outdoor and street skating, rhythm roller dance and more, so you can rest assured knowing you’re learning from the best. They even have a shop at their venue, stocking all the roller skating accessories of your dreams!

The Skate Sanctuary by Roller Girl Gang, Mill 5, Mabgate Mills, Macauley Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 7DZ.

Get strong at Depot Climbing

Bouldering walls at Depot Climbing centre

Climbing has never been more in vogue than it is now, which is why a trip to Depot Climbing is a must. They’re all about social climbing, and have a range of instructor-led social sessions for you to enjoy the experience with your friends.

If you’re (literally) looking to take your climbing to the next level, they have a whole host of adult coaching classes, whether you’ve just completed an induction or you’re ready to push your grade – the only way is up, after all!

Depot Climbing, Maybrook Industrial Park, Armley Road, Armley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS12 2EL & 173 Richardshaw Lane, Stanningley, Pudsey, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS28 6AA.

Cook up a storm at Leeds Cookery School

Learn to commandeer a kitchen just like Gordon Ramsey at Leeds Cookery School. Head Chef Simon Chappelow and his team will get you slicing and dicing with sustainably-sourced Yorkshire produce to create everything from Malaysian fare and plant-based Chinese dishes to fresh pasta and donuts.

They even hold knife skill classes, where you can chop, julienne and segment your way to success. 100% of their profits go to Zest, a local Leeds charity supporting people living in disadvantaged areas of the city.

Leeds Cookery School classes are held at The Old Fire Station, Gipton Approach, Gipton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 6NL & Leeds Kirkgate Market, George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7HY.

Go against the clock at an Escape Room

Two women at the Great Escape in Leeds

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Want to cure the January blues while also testing your wits? That’s exactly what you’ll get at Leeds’ best escape rooms. Gather a group of your most curious-minded friends, before being herded into a themed room filled with tricky challenges, riddles and puzzles.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to solve the clues against the ticking clock and make your escape. No two games are ever the same, with wildly diverse adventures for all to enjoy.

Check out Leeds’ best escape rooms.

Devour tasty street food at Trinity Kitchen

The neon sign at Trinity Kitchen

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Trinity Kitchen is home to some of the best street food in Leeds that will have you forgetting about booze in no time. They’ve devised a unique concept in which six permanent eateries, like Archie’s and Pho, sit alongside six rotating food vans, bringing new flavours and cuisines every six weeks.

Past residents have included Spuds & Bros and their delicious poutine, as well as Big Mouth Gyoza and their selection of plump, stuffed dumplings. What better chance to broaden your culinary horizons?

Trinity Kitchen, Trinity Leeds, 27 Albion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5ER.

Take yourself to a rip-roaring show

The cast of Dreamgirls on stage

Credit: Matt Crockett

Looking for a cultural injection? Luckily for us Leeds folk, the city has a theatre scene that’s hard to beat. With iconic venues like Leeds Grand Theatre and City Varieties as well as cool indies such as Carriageworks and Leeds Playhouse putting on all manner of productions, there’s truly something for everyone.

Unmissable West End musicals, family-friendly shows, improvised productions, awe-inspiring ballet, we have it all here. To the box office!

Check out what’s on in Leeds’ theatres this month.

Go wild at Arcade Club

Arcade machines at Arcade Club

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Did you know that Kirkstall is home to one of Europe’s largest arcades? That’s right, Arcade Club is a three-floor extravaganza, wall to wall with modern and retro gaming ware. Pay a one-off fee for the whole day and you’ll have unlimited access to five decades worth of games.

Rock out on Guitar Hero, work up a sweat on Dance Dance Revolution or aim for the high score on Space Invaders. How you play is up to you, but one things for sure – you’re bound to have a bonza time.

Arcade Club, Abbey Retail Park, Savins Mill Way, Kirkstall, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS5 3RP.

Make furry friends at Kitty Cafe

Two people holding a cat at Kitty Cafe

A trip to the Kitty Cafe is in order for one of the most wholesome activities in Leeds. As well as being a great place to grab a coffee and a cake, you’ll also come away having made some of the cutest furry friends around.

The cats have free roam of the cafe, running, jumping and playing across elevated walkways, platforms and towers. What’s more, the cafe doubles up as a rescue centre, caring for the cats and kittens and helping them find their forever home. How purr-fect!

Kitty Cafe, 8-9 Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6BZ.

Eat ‘til you pop with Leeds Food Tours

A woman eating at Leeds Food Tours

Credit: Michael Law, North Core Creative

Want a bite to eat but not sure where to go? Enter Leeds Food Tours! Founder Ellen Miller has been putting tours together since 2019, helping people eat their way around the city. With the destinations selected for you, the only decision you need to make is whether you go for a guided or self-guided tour.

The former will see you join Ellen or one of her team on a tasty tour of the city, while the latter lets you take on a tour at your own pace, using the trusty Leeds Food Tours app.

Download the Leeds Food Tours app.

Unleash your inner viking at Whistle Punks

A man holding an axe behind his head at Whistle Punks Axe Throwing

Credit: Whistle Punks

Whistle Punks is one of the best dedicated axe throwing venues in Leeds, and it’d be a crime not to visit. They have a range of packages and throwing experiences available, so no matter if you’re on an office social or having fun with friends, there’s an activity for someone of every ability.

After a safety briefing, their dedicated instructors will teach you how to get your technique down before it’s time for the competition. Who’ll be the first to land that bullseye shot?

Whistle Punks, Millennium Square, D, The Electric Press 4, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 3AD.

Catch a flick in one of Leeds’ historic cinemas

The exterior of Hyde park picture house

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Forget Vue or Odeon, did you know that Leeds is home to two historic cinemas? That’s right, Cottage Road has been showing films since 1912 and Hyde Park Picture House has been in business since 1914.

They’re both packed to the rafters with charm and character, making them perfect for your next movie night. Whether it’s the latest indie, a foreign film or a blockbuster hit that everyone’s talking about, you can see it all and more here at these two legendary cinemas.

Hyde Park Picture House, 73 Brudenell Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 1JD & Cottage Road Cinema, Cottage Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 4DD.

Go booze-free at Functional Drinks Club

People at Functional Drinks Club

If you still fancy a tipple, albeit a non alcoholic one, Functional Drinks Club is the place for you. They’re a booze-free bottle shop who stock the largest range of kombucha, non-alcoholic craft beers, lagers, ales, cider, and wine in West Yorkshire.

They’re firm believers that non-alcoholic drinks don’t have to taste like dishwater, and one bevvie here will prove that. In fact, they even hold regular tasting sessions so you can find your new favourite without breaking the bank.

Functional Drinks Club, 17 Manor Square, Otley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS21 3AP.

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Image of Ella Aldridge
Ella Aldridge Writer

Ella moved to Leeds in 2018 and never looked back. She joined the Leeds-List team as a writer in 2023 and her knowledge of the city continues to grow every day. She never passes up an opportunity to try somewhere new, be it visiting an exhibition or dining out at restaurants off the beaten track.

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