City Centre
The sprawling city centre is filled with quirky cafés, interesting stores and hip bars serving locally brewed craft ales. Within walking distance of each other, you’ll find iconic Leeds eateries, drinking dens and gallery spaces including The Tetley, Nation of Shopkeepers, Headrow House and Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen – no need for whipping around in taxis, simply stroll from hot spot to hot spot. Ensure that you take the time to check out some of the best independent shops in the city including Tall Boys Beer Market, Village Bookshop and Colours May Vary.
Headingley / Hyde Park
Headingley may be renowned as the student area of Leeds, but its abundance of vegetarian eateries, craft beer bars and even a shop dedicated to beards ensure that it is also one of the coolest areas of the city. Conveniently located in between the city centre and the greener outskirts of the city limits, the Headingley and Hyde Park neighbourhoods are rife with young people. Check out Brudenell Social Club to watch the best touring and local bands in an intimate setting and keep your eyes peeled for the legendary local house parties later in the night.
Holbeck
Still in the midst of development, Holbeck Urban Village is one of the prime up-and-coming locations in Leeds at the moment. Home to the majority of creative and media businesses operating out of the city, the cool crowd that descend here Monday-to-Friday, nine-to-five are beginning to hang round to experience the area’s hip bars, pubs and restaurants when they clock off. Grab your breakfast from Out of the Woods juice bar, eat at The Foundry, The Engine House Café or Wasabi Teppanyaki, then partake in a mini bar crawl around The Hop, The Grove and The Cross Keys.
Chapel Allerton
Just a hop, skip and a jump from Headingley, the characterful suburb of Chapel Allerton is filled with independent shops, cafés and bars. One of the most picturesque areas of Leeds, the neighbourhood has often been referred to as the ‘Notting Hill of the North’, offering the perfect fusion of cosmopolitan eateries, green spaces, art galleries and cool boutiques. More up-market than its neighbouring areas, Chapel Allerton nevertheless maintains a trendy atmosphere with tables spilling out onto the streets from its many restaurants and bars.
Meanwood
Located just inside the ring road, nestled in between Chapel Allerton and Headingley, Meanwood is currently thriving with new restaurants and stores opening on a regular basis. Boasting a village-like atmosphere with a vibrant community spirit, the neighbourhood is green and leafy with many parks, meadows and woodlands for enjoying sunny days outdoors. Cool stores and eateries such as Blackbird Vintage and Burts & Nelly’s pizzeria provide reason for hipsters living elsewhere to flock to the neighbourhood as a welcome reprise from the bustling streets of the city centre.