Possibly one of Leeds’ most iconic streets, Call Lane is full of surprises at every turn.
A hidden tiki hideaway, great vegan junk food and a rowdy tequila bar – it can only be Call Lane. Popular with Leeds locals of all ages, and for good reason, it’s a must visit on every night out. Do one, do two, do them all, but here are all the bars you need to check out…
The Maven
At the very top end of Call Lane, through the unmarked doorway and up the Victorian tiled staircase is where you’ll find The Maven.
Leeds’ first speakeasy, it’s the place to be if you’re in the mood for expertly made cocktails – which we always are. Their Yorkshire-themed menu is the stuff of dreams, with cleverly named delights like God’s Own Espresso and the Filey Bay Old Fash, all as pretty as they are tasty.
It’s at nighttime, though, when it comes into its own. The chairs are pushed aside, the playlist is booming and the dance floor is absolutely packed.
Where is it? The Maven, 1 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7DH.
Who’s it for? It’s a mixed bag, perfect for everybody depending on the time of day.
When’s it best? Daytime’s for quiet cocktails and nightime’s for raucous dancing.
Jake’s Bar
Descend the stairs and you’ll stumble upon Call Lane gem Jake’s Bar. It’s been a cornerstone of Leeds nightlife for nearly two decades now.
Proud owners of the only working copper pot still in Leeds (that’s Tabitha to you), they brew up their own syrups, bitters and liqueurs and mix them up into heady concoctions – the ‘Teq Your Pick’ always does the trick, with tequila, mezcal, Cocchi, black pepper and coriander.
Be warned – the inside is quite small, so it can get pretty busy, pretty quickly. You might find yourself waiting at the bar, so make sure you’re double parked!
Where is it? Jake’s Bar, 29 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7BT.
Who’s it for? Younger people who don’t mind loud music.
When’s it best? When it’s busier at nighttime.
Oporto
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If you love indie music, you’ll love Oporto. It’s all dark lighting, flashes of neon and a banging soundtrack – the wall is plastered with polaroids of famous musicians who’ve visited.
The beer here is seriously top-notch, with lagers, ciders and craft ale alike all waiting to be supped, but there’s also a stellar selection of spirits if that’s more your thing. When we go (which is often), we can’t help but get a Baby Guinness… or two… or three.
Aside from the drinks, the atmosphere has to be our favourite thing here – in the wee hours of the morning you’ll often catch people dancing on the tables.
Where is it? Oporto, 33 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7BT.
Who’s it for? Indie music lovers of all ages.
When’s it best? When there’s a gig on.
Power, Corruption and Lies
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Power, Corruption and Lies is the Jekyll and Hyde of Call Lane – come day it’s the perfect place to grab a quiet bite to eat and by night it’s a disco wonderland.
The cocktails are seriously grown up – you won’t get any Mojitos or Pornstars here. They all have funky names, from the Midori Sensation to the Roku The Casbah. The Chocwork Orange is seriously indulgent, with Kahlua, Triple Sec, coffee and more – we could only manage one.
Pan-Asian small plates wash everything down nicely. Grab the Korean fried chicken or crack wings, but don’t bother sharing, because you’ll want them all to yourself.
Where is it? Power, Corruption and Lies, 36 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DT.
Who’s it for? It’s a favourite among young professionals.
When’s it best? In the evening, when you can grab a bite to eat and dance without it being too busy.
Behind Closed Doors
Could this be Call Lane’s sauciest bar? We certainly think so. You’ll find Behind Closed Doors in the former Wire, where they’ve made quite the splash.
Your night out will start off behind a secret door, where you’ll need to ring a bell for entrance. Once in, you’ll be met by a den of debauchery, with racy vintage snaps plastered all over the walls and retro naughtiness playing on the television. Our favourite thing? All the tables have a phone, so you can ring anyone who catches your eye.
The cocktails are equally as jaw-dropping – you’ll certainly be blushing when ordering a frozen Love Bite or two.
Where is it? Behind Closed Doors, 2 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DN.
Who’s it for? People who aren’t afraid of the risqué!
When’s it best? After 12am when it’s busiest.
Call Lane Social
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Ah, Call Lane Social. Named after the buzzing strip itself, there’s good reason why this is one of the most frequented bars in Leeds.
The independent, family-run bar will immediately catch your eye with its glowing red interior – step inside and you’ll be met by a bar stacked with every liquor under the sun. Cocktails, craft beers, wine and more all await – just ask the bartender and they’ll shake it up for you.
The playlist? It’s all classic rock, indie and soul anthems, bound to keep you on your feet until they close at an eye-watering 4am – every day of the week!
Where is it? Call Lane Social, 38 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DT.
Who’s it for? Young people and students.
When’s it best? Before 12am, so you don’t have to queue to get in.
Tiki Hideaway
A hidden entrance, flaming cocktails and a whole load of flower garlands? It can only be Call Lane Social’s upstairs neighbour, Tiki Hideaway.
It’s one of Leeds’ hottest bars, and we’re not just talking about the drinks. The Polynesian paradise has bamboo-lined walls, an epic playlist of rock ’n’ roll classics, and as Call Lane always should have, a whole load of dancing – it may be called a hideaway but this is always one of the busiest places on a Saturday.
We recommend arming yourself with a Zombie, a mouth-puckering mix of rum, absinthe, grapefruit juice, cinnamon and grenadine. They’re so strong they’re limited to two per guest!
Where is it? Tiki Hideaway, Call Lane Social, 38 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DT.
Who’s it for? Young people and students.
When’s it best? On a weekend when the dance floor’s packed.
Neon Cactus
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Tacos and tequila is what Neon Cactus does best – the old-world Mexican cantina-style bar promises to transport you thousands of miles away from Call Lane.
Walk in and you’ll be met with an explosion of colour, with neon signs, Day of the Dead murals, tiled walls and bright bunting. We love the variety of seating available – soak up the sun with a frozen Marg on the outside benches, snaffle a taco or two in the downstairs bar or dance along to tunes in the main bar when dusk hits.
There’s a whopping 50 tequilas to choose from, great for shotting or mixed up in a cocktail of your choice. And what better way to partner a tray of tacos?
Where is it? Neon Cactus, Call Lane Social, 35 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7BT.
Who’s it for? Tequila lovers.
When’s it best? Tuesdays – you can get 10 tacos for £20.
Cuckoo
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When the clock hits 12am, don’t be surprised if you feel a magnetic force dragging you through the doors of Cuckoo.
One of Call Lane’s most hip-and-happening bars, it’s immediately eye-catching with a bright neon sign, but step inside and you’ll be met with what can only be described as a fairground. Craft beers, quirky cocktails and alcoholic slushies are all on the cards, and if you order a drink before 9pm, you can dig into a complimentary pizza!
Beyonce, Madonna and Kanye West will accompany your evening, as you spend your time split between the dance floor and games like giant Jenga and beer pong.
Where is it? Cuckoo, 37 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7BT.
Who’s it for? Those who like their music loud.
When’s it best? Before 9pm so you can grab a pizza.
Roland’s
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We have to say, Roland’s is not only one of our favourite bars on Call Lane, but in the whole of Leeds. The Guinness is always perfectly creamy, the cocktail list extensive and it’s dog friendly so you can dabble in a spot of pooch watching.
Choose from the effortlessly-cool, low-lit main bar, the covered courtyard or, our favourite, the intimate roof terrace. It’s great for watching the trains whirr by.
Better yet, their in-house food vendors Kerbside Kids cook up some of the best smash burgers in Leeds, so you could easily spend all afternoon here.
Where is it? Roland’s, 39 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7BT.
Who’s it for? Everyone!
When’s it best? When it’s sunny for a trip to the roof terrace.
Northern Guitars
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Cool, laidback and unpretentious, Northern Bars is great for an after-work drink with your pals. They put on live music pretty much every day of the week, with an open mic on Mondays – it’s a great place for stumbling upon local, undiscovered talent.
Their drinks offering is just as impressive, with craft beer delights from Kirkstall Brewery and more. We were blown away by how little a bottle of wine cost!
It isn’t just a bar though, oh no. Head up the stairs and you’ll find a whole floor of new and vintage guitars just begging to be bought.
Where is it? Northern Guitars, 41 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7BT.
Who’s it for? Guitar and music lovers.
When’s it best? In the evening, so you can catch some live music.
Brooklyn
You’ll find Brooklyn tucked away under the railway arches of Call Lane, and if you love R&B and hip hop you’re bound to be a fan.
By day, they screen the very best of Sky, TNT and Box Office, so grab a pint and get settled in. Come 9pm, guest DJs take to the decks, spinning up a storm with the very best of 50 Cent, Tupac and more – it’s not unusual to see people up on the bar reciting ‘Rap God’.
But the cocktails have to be our favourite thing, with cleverly named concoctions like ‘The Chronic’ and ‘Gin and Juice’, which is, you guessed it, a boozy cup of fruit and gin.
Where is it? Brooklyn, 50 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7BT.
Who’s it for? Hip-hop fans.
When’s it best? After 12am when it gets raucous.
Backroom
Fancy partying until 6am? Better get yourself down to Backroom, where drinks flow into the wee hours and the hip hop is top-tier.
The speakeasy bar may not catch your eye at first, but walk inside and you’ll find that it’s a split-level maze, with different rooms at every twist and turn. There’s even an outdoor terrace that really comes into its own in summer, with all-day long parties headed up by the North’s top DJs.
They market themselves as an up-market club, meaning you might be hit with a dress code, so keep that in mind.
Where is it? Backroom, 50A Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DT.
Who’s it for? Mixed groups, as they don’t always let all-male groups in.
When’s it best? On Saturdays, when they play the widest variety of music.
Döner Summer
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Fancy lining your stomach before a night out on The Lane? Get yourself straight to Döner Summer for tasty treats.
It’s all about the classic kebab here, but not as you know it. They pride themselves on offering completely vegan junk food, made with their own mock chicken, döner and more. The Bad Girl Kebab takes the biscuit for us, with döner and garlic chilli chick’n, pink cabbage, pink aioli and more. Yum.
But it’s not just only food, because there’s also a whole host of cocktails available, from Espresso Martinis to Pińa Coladas.
Where is it? Döner Summer, 10-12 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DN.
Who’s it for? Foodies and people looking to try something new.
When’s it best? All day long!
