Love music? Love free stuff? We have the perfect combination for you, as these Leeds venues put on gigs for absolutely nowt.
Going out for live music is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but it’s not always easy to afford the big shows. That doesn’t mean you have to miss out though, because there are loads of free gigs in Leeds. From the city’s best venues to the many bars and pubs that put on live shows nearly every night of the week, here’s where to go to catch great live music completely free of charge.
Want more? Check out our guide to the best music venues in Leeds.
Brudenell Social Club
Credit: Jamie MacMillian
Brudenell Social Club is one of the most important music venues in Leeds. It welcomes the best and brightest from around the world to its hallowed stage – yet it still has time to put on free gigs. They have a handful of free shows each month from up-and-coming artists, usually local, emerging musicians. Look out for the pay-as-you-feel Made With Music and Brudenell Piano Sessions too.
Where? 33 Queens Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 1NY.
Opening times: 12pm-12am Sunday-Thursday, 12pm-1am Friday-Saturday.
Check it out: brudenellsocialclub.co.uk
The Duck & Drake
© Copyright Leeds-List 2026
The Duck & Drake is a friendly local boozer doubling as one of the city’s most popular live music venues. You can catch free bands every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, less regularly on other nights. They put on a mix of tribute acts of classic rock stars from days gone by, alongside artists performing their own tunes. They never charge for live music here, so fill your boots.
Where? 43 Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DR.
Opening times: 10am-11pm Monday-Thursday, 10am-12am Friday-Saturday, 11am-11pm Sunday.
Check it out: duckndrake.co.uk
Leeds Conservatoire
Leeds Conservatoire is one of the leading music-based institutions in the UK and they host many free gigs. Whether it’s in their Recital Room or The Venue, you can see the next generation of musical talent showing off the tunes they’ve been working on as students, but it’s not just local artists. From classical to pop, they welcome renowned touring musicians for the odd free show too.
Where? 3 Quarry Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7PD.
Opening times: 7:30am-12am Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm Saturday-Sunday.
Check it out: leedsconservatoire.ac.uk
Sela Bar
A lot of Sela’s live shows are free (or pay-as-you-feel), which is staggering when you look at the artists they welcome into their subterranean city centre hideaway. Sela is known for its love of the leftfield and their live gigs often reflect that – from their regular Jazz Jam sessions to nights from The Sela Funk Band. They often welcome local and touring acts for free shows on other nights too.
Where? 20 New Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6NU.
Opening times: Closed Monday, 4pm-12am Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday 4pm-2am Thursday-Saturday.
Check it out: selabar.com
The Domino Club
© Copyright Leeds-List 2026
The Domino Club is one of the coolest venues for free gigs in Leeds. Head down the stairs in the back of a Grand Arcade barbers and into this New York-style speakeasy. Jazz, funk and soul bands play throughout the week – a lot are ticketed, but Wednesday events are pay as you feel. It changes from night-to-night, but in the past, they’ve lined-up The Domino Trio and Jacob Savage.
Where? 7 Grand Arcade, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PG.
Opening times: Closed Monday-Tuesday, 8pm-1am Wednesday, 6pm-1am Thursday, 6pm-2am Friday-Saturday, 7pm-12am Sunday.
Check it out: thedomino.co.uk
Santiago
Love punk and metal? Get down to whiskey dive bar Santiago for their free gigs. This Leeds favourite has been putting on good times for over 20 years with the best bands they can find. Local live groups often take to the stage in one of their event spaces on weekends, as well as the odd weeknight show. It’s not always the case, but you don’t have to pay to get into some of their gigs.
Where? 1-3 Grand Arcade, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PG.
Opening times: Closed Monday, 5pm-12am Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, 5pm-3am, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Check it out: facebook.com/santiagobarleeds
Left Bank
Left Bank is one of few truly community-oriented third spaces left in Leeds. The repurposed Grade II-listed church hosts everything from craft fairs to fitness classes and gardening sessions, and most of the events are free to take part in. When it comes to live music, they’ve got a fantastic offering, with regular Charity Shop Disco events where you can boogie to the finest vinyl for free. They also host gigs from local artists, bands and collectives including Leeds’ Women of Soul – some of these shows are ticketed but most offer tiered pricing with some free entry available.
Where? Cardigan Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 1LJ.
Opening times: Closed Saturday-Sunday (unless there’s a special event), Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am-5pm, Wednesday 10am-9pm.
Check it out: leftbankleeds.org.uk
Headrow House
Credit: Andy Hughes
Headrow House is a cool-as-heck bar with a dedicated venue space. They host touring acts, the vast majority of which you’ll have to pay for, but keep your eyes peeled for the odd free gig from local artists which tend to crop up on their social media from time to time. They also work with local indie Crash Records to put on one-off shows from big names to celebrate the release of their new albums.
Where? Bramley’s Yard, 19 The Headrow, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PU.
Opening times: Monday-Thursday 4pm-late, Friday 2pm-late, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-Late.
Check it out: headrowhouse.com
Hyde Park Book Club
© Copyright Leeds-List 2026
Part bar, part cafe, part venue and 100% brilliant, Hyde Park Book Club is a hero of the Leeds suburbs. Pop by for an eclectic range of events, from comedy to new bands, open mic nights and quizzes – many of which are completely free. If you like food with your tunes, sample their great vegan grub, such as fresh fruit pancakes and stacked nachos. On fine days, people spill out into the outdoor seating in the former petrol station courtyard and get the perfect panorama on Hyde Park life.
Where? 27-29 Headingley Ln, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS6 1BL.
Opening times: 9am-12am Sunday-Thursday, 9am-1am Friday-Saturday.
Check it out: hydeparkbookclub.co.uk
HEART
HEART puts on free gigs on a regular basis in the Shire Oak Hall. On Thursday evenings, Leeds Jazz Orchestra holds rehearsals and performances. You can also check into their Acoustic Night on the second Friday of every month, or pop along to one of their monthly collaborations with Leeds Conservatoire. Keep an eye on their socials to see what’s coming up.
Where? Bennett Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3HN.
Opening times: 9am-9pm Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday.
Check it out: heartcentre.org.uk
Seven Arts
© Copyright Leeds-List 2026
Seven Arts is one of the best places to watch free gigs in Leeds. They have two weekly jazz shows from the folks behind JazzLeeds and Leeds Jazz Festival. Some are free and some aren’t, but any of the live music events promise a who’s who of the British jazz music scene. It’s not just jazz though – they also put on free gigs from local bands, singer-songwriters and classical musicians.
Where? 31a Harrogate Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 3PD.
Opening times: Closed Monday-Tuesday, 11am-10pm Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 11am-11pm Friday-Saturday.
Check it out: sevenleeds.co.uk
The Chemic Tavern
The Chemic Tavern is a charming local pub just minutes from Leeds city centre in Woodhouse. It runs a packed weekly line-up of free gigs. Head in on Mondays for their Open Irish Session, on Tuesdays for the Community Choir, on Wednesdays for the Ukulele and Irish Group and on Thursdays for their Open Mic Night. Pop in any other night and you can expect anything from sea shanties to jazz.
Where? 9 Johnston Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 2NG.
Opening times: 2pm-12am Monday-Thursday, 2pm-1am Friday-Saturday, 2pm-11pm Sunday.
Check it out: chemictavern.co.uk
Northern Guitars
© Copyright Leeds-List 2026
There’s often live music blaring out of Northern Guitars, the bar on Call Lane that’s just a little different to its neighbours. All gigs are free, so head in on Saturdays for their laid-back acoustic performances, or to their regular Northern Guitars Open Mic nights. In between all that, they welcome a host of top touring bands and local musicians, so stick your head in, grab a pint and enjoy.
Where? 41 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7BT.
Opening times: 12pm-11:30pm Monday-Thursday, 12pm-1am Friday, 11:30am-1am Saturday, 2pm-11pm Sunday.
Check it out: northernguitars.co.uk
The Grove Inn
The Grove Inn is one of the most storied music venues around and quite possibly the original home of free gigs in Leeds. This traditional pub on the edge of the city centre has hosted the city’s longest-running folk music night since 1962 – it’s still going strong and, most importantly, it’s still free. They have live music on nearly every night of the week, from Americana to rock, blues and country.
Where? Back Row, Holbeck, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5PL.
Opening times: 11am-12am every day.
Check it out: thegroveinnleeds.co.uk
Wharf Chambers
Credit: Cavie 78
Wharf Chambers is a co-operative, which means it’s run by its members for its members – and to become one, you have to pay an annual £2 fee or a one-off £15 for a lifetime membership. But once you’ve done that, you’ll get access to loads of gigs included in your membership. You can see anything from emerging local bands to big name touring acts, so make sure you check their ever-growing events calendar.
Where? 23-25 Wharf Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 7EQ.
Opening times: 5pm-11:30pm Wednesday-Thursday, 5pm-3am Friday, 3pm-3am Saturday, 3pm-11pm Sunday, closed Monday-Tuesday.
Check it out: wharfchambers.org
The Fox & Newt
An old-fashioned pub with its own micro-brewery on-site, there’s a lot to The Fox and Newt, but did you know it’s a live music venue too? Above the pub, it’s got one of the most intimate event spaces in Leeds, with regular gigs for around 80 punters, some of which are free, others you’ll have to part with a couple of quid for. There’s huge variety in what they programme, so there’s something for everyone.
Where? 9 Burley Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS3 1LD.
Opening times: 4pm-11pm Monday, 12pm-2pm & 4pm-11pm Tuesday-Thursday, 12pm-12am Friday-Saturday, 12pm-11pm Sunday.
Check it out: facebook.com/thefoxandnewt
Howard Assembly Room
Credit: Justin Slee
Howard Assembly Room is one of the best music venues in Leeds, and remarkably, some of its rich programme is free to enjoy. They’re one of the venues that the Brudenell Piano Sessions often visits from time-to-time, but that’s not all. Whether it’s community shows, part of wider festivals or just one of their shows, you can enjoy free or pay-as-you-feel live music in their amazing events spaces.
Where? 46 New Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6NU.
Opening times: 4pm-11pm Thursday-Saturday, closed Sunday-Wednesday.
Check it out: operanorth.co.uk/howard-assembly-room
