When it comes to nightlife, Leeds rocks big time!!

I have just finished my first year at Leeds Uni and loved every minute. You name it and Leeds has it. 10% of Leeds income is from the night economy and that?s a lot. There are hundreds of pubs, bars and clubs that cater for all tastes and with a student population of over 40,000 its no wonder.

In terms of pubs, the best ones have got be those on "the Otley run". This is ?the? student pub crawl and stretches from "Woodies" through Headingley (the main student area) past the Uni and down into the city centre ending in the bars and clubs. All the pubs (about 15) are reasonably priced with great atmospheres. Make sure you have a good alcohol tolerance and best part of £30 to complete the run/crawl without ending in the gutter. Fancy dress is also highly recommended.

The main bars in Leeds are found in the centre. There is everything from cheesy themed bars like "Walkabout" to vodka bars like "Revolution". Prices vary but most bars have a couple of student nights in which there are 2 for 1 offers or bottles for a quid. My favourite bars have to be "Walkabout" for its offers and cheesy music (all the sports teams go there) and ? The Courtyard? which has an outside heated area. I also love the cocktails in Bar Censa and Squares (expensive unless on Student nights). Leeds also has many more expensive bars that are for business people, some gay bars, quiet bars for couples, large bars for birthday?s etc and also a few very tacky places to be avoided. The ultimate after lecture bar has to be ?The Old Bar? in the Uni. union. Its really cheap and as expected very studenty.

Like pubs and bars, clubs also thrive in the centre. They also cater for all tastes, many larger clubs like "Majestyk" have different types of music on different nights. The newest to hit the streets is "Creation". Its wicked and with 4 rooms of r'n&
#39;b, cheese, dance and hip hop its got to be one of the best nights out. Plus it has no dress code so is a great way to end the "Otley Run". ?Space? is the big dance club in Leeds and ?The Cockpit? rocks if you?re into stuff like Limp Bizkit. Like the bars there are student nights in the clubs. Prices vary from 80p entry at ?Heaven and Hell? to £3/£4 quid in ?Majestyk?. Drinks prices range from 50p for a shot of vodka in ?Evolution? to about £3 a bottle in "Majestyk". The Uni Union is also getting a new club probably opening after the summer so that will be worth checking out. They all stay open till at least 2am will some open till 3 or later.

Leeds also gets all the big acts. Radio 1 regularly do stints in the clubs and we get everyone from Chesney Hawks to Jason Donavon. The ?Cockpit? got an exclusive Offspring gig played on radio 1 a couple of months back. Most of the big clubs have special events at Christmas, Valentines Day and post exams. They also have foam parties, pyjama parties and loads of other silly events.

If you are a student then it?s worth finding what?s cheap and when. In fresher?s week you get bombarded with flyers from all the bars and clubs informing you of their offers. Its standard that students avoid the centre on Friday and Saturday nights cos this is when the locals go out. The prices double and I find it a bit scary cos hardly anyone is a student. Dress codes apply in some places but a lot of the time mid week, trainers and jeans are cool. I have never been ID?d but be warned NUS?s aren?t always accepted. Oh yeah and be prepared to go to battle with the other Uni. Leeds Uni. vs. Leeds Met in singing, cheering, dancing and drinking competitions!!!

Whatever you taste and financial situation Leeds has something for you. It?s fast overtaking Sheffield and Glasgow as the coolest place to be. Who needs Gatecrasher, Cream or The Ministry when we?ve got everything and its cheaper!!!!!