A vital stalwart of the Victorian era, the historic Electric Press is now home to some of the city’s top venues.
At the heart of Millennium Square you’ll find the Electric Press – a thriving hub of drinking, dining and entertainment, set within a stunning Grade-II listed building. With extensive outdoor seating and a glazed, heated courtyard, it’s the perfect destination for year-round socialising, whatever the weather. From the Viking-inspired hijinks of Whistle Punks to Playroom’s lush late night vibes, here’s what to expect at this city centre hot spot…
Whistle Punks
Axe throwing is currently the hottest sport in town and Whistle Punks were the first brand to bring this Nordic craze to the UK. If you’ve not tried it yet, it’s definitely more challenging than it looks, but get it right and you’ll be oh-so-smug. The 70-minute sessions are perfect for first-timers, with prices starting from £20 per person and featuring full training from a resident axe-pert. After you’ve slung a fair few axes and hopefully hit the target, you can kick back at the bar to soak up some well-deserved pizza and beer. Loser gets the round in!
Tavernaki
Tavernaki Bistro brings a little corner of the Mediterranean to the Electric Press, serving up authentic Greek and Cypriot cuisine within warm and friendly surrounds. It’s like stepping into a Grecian taverna, with a welcoming atmosphere to boot. The food – as you’d expect – is larger than life. Kick things off with homemade hummus and stuffed vine leaves, before moving onto mouth-watering dishes like souvlaki and kleftiko. Meat lover? Dive into the poikilia, a veritable feast of pork, chicken, sausage and lamb chops, served with chips and made to share!
Carriageworks Theatre
Steeped in history, the Carriageworks Theatre started life as a carriage manufacturer back in the 1900s. Today the Victorian building is a cultural hub in the heart of Leeds city centre, welcoming national and international theatrical productions and showcasing a whole host of local talent. You can test your detective skills at a mysterious whodunnit, sing along at a musical or tickle those funny bones at a comedy evening. Don’t forget to grab a drink in the on-site bar, which boasts views overlooking Millennium Square.
Be At One
If you like your cocktails, you’ll be in heaven at Be at One. Their expert mixologists serve no less than 100 concoctions, which paired with their party atmosphere, will keep you dancing all night. The White Mocha-tini is a tequila-infused twist on the classic Espresso Martini, elevated with white chocolate liqueur. Prefer it fruity? The Peachy Blinder blends Absolut Mandarin with peach wine, lemon, clementine and vanilla. The best bit? Every day is happy hour, so you can grab 2-4-1 on all cocktails between selected hours for double the fun.
Red Chilli
Red Chilli is no run of the mill Chinese restaurant. Specialising in Beijing and Sichuan dishes, it’s perfect if you’re an adventurous diner or looking to widen your experience of Asian cuisine. Serving up pocket-friendly fare that nourishes your stomach and your soul, they’ve cultivated a loyal following in the city. For starters, the Beijing roast duck is a fantastic sharing dish, complete with all the trimmings. Follow it up with the spicy mapo tofu for a deliciously rich dish packed with umami flavours and tingly Sichuan peppercorns.
Revolution
Revolution has been throwing unforgettable parties from its home in the Electric Press for the past 20 years, slinging a wide array of premium drinks alongside an extensive food menu. Famous for their vodka, Revs serves 18 uniquely flavoured shots on top of some seriously good cocktails. For a real showstopper, the sharing Flat White Martreeni mixes Disaronno Velvet, Kahlua and coffee for a caffeine-infused centrepiece. Hungry? Their pizzas are not to be scoffed at – try the Buffalo crispy chicken for big flavours that pack a punch.
Playroom
For a sultry drinking and dining experience within lavish club surroundings, look no further than Ibiza-inspired Playroom. Immersive lighting, live performers and electronic music provide the perfect environment in which to set your senses alight. The food is incredible – from fillet steak and baked lobster tails to teriyaki salmon and salt and pepper cauliflower, outstanding flavours are matched by Insta-worthy presentation. Not hungry? There’s plenty of room to drink and dance all night, with two expansive floors and an indoor heated courtyard.
