This is intended to be a brief guide to indie/alternative club nights in Leeds, UK. In the past the city was renowned for being home to an abnormally large goth population but although you still see plenty of them around, those days are gone. Leeds is a student city, vibrant and busy during both day and night. The 'trendy' nightclubs get a lot of media coverage, generally involving Leeds United players and the cast of Emmerdale being caught in compromising situations. However, Leeds also has a thriving indie/alternative scene, and for this reason I decided the web needed somewhere for the likes of me to find quality nights out. If you have any more information then please let me know.

Leeds University Union

Smile (Thursday nights - 10 till 2)

The best in indie and alternative, past and present

• Playlist - Smiths, Belle and Sebastian, Suede, Pulp, Stereolab, Pixies, Clash etc
• People - indie chicks, blokes in tight t-shirts, Morrissey lookalikes, few goths and grungers
• Cost - £3 admission, £1 a pint, £1 double vodka, £1.50 vodka and slush
• Location - Harvey Milk Bar, Leeds University Student Union, Leeds University
• Open to - students and non students alike, simply say 'Smile' to the doorstaff!
• Rating - The best indie night in Leeds, it's cheap and the music's not bad most of the time. Thankfully very few idiots, although they do sometimes slip through the net. What else are you going to do on a Thursday night?

Wendy House (Some Saturday nights - 10 till 2)

Alternative music and culture

• Playlist - Cure, Pixies, Sisters, Siouxsie etc
• People - all sorts!
• Cost - unknown
• Location - Harvey Milk Bar, Leeds University Student Union, Leeds University
• Open to - anyone
• Rating - Semi-regular alternative night, usually runs every two weeks or so. Never actually been as I work weekends, but highly recommended by a friend of mine.

Black Lodge (every few weeks, usually Wednesday - 10 till 2)

Leeds goth club night, mainly for members but non members welcome

• Playlist - goth music, most of which even I've never heard of!
• People - Goths, freaks, weirdos, fetishists, etc
• Cost - unknown, but cheaper for members
• Location - Harvey Milk Bar, Leeds University Student Union, Leeds University
• Open to - Members, but non members can get guest tickets
• Rating - Genuinely scary goth night with more piercings, Wayne Hussey hats and white face powder than I've ever seen before or since. Very strange music policy!

Leeds Metropolitan University Union

Star (Friday nights - 10 till 2)

Rock and indie

• Playlist - Marilyn Manson, Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, Deftones, Korn etc
• People - glam chicks, grungers, hippies, metallers, biker girls, goths
• Cost - unknown
• Location - Student Union, Leeds Metropolitan University, City Campus, Leeds
• Open to - students and non students
• Rating - Very popular rock and alternative night, can be quite packed. Probably the best rock night in Leeds.

Bar Phono (formerly Le Phonographique)

Oblivion (Saturday nights - 9 till 2?)

Indie and alternative rock music

• Playlist - Nine Inch Nails, Pixies, Korn, Sisters etc
• People - mostly goths and grungers, some skaters
• Cost - expensive!
• Location - Bar Phono, Merrion Centre, Leeds
• Open to - anyone, as long as they observe the dress code. I once saw people turned away for looking normal!
• Rating - A good night out, but drinks are extortionate compared to other student style nights. Tiny venue but great atmosphere on the right nights. Can be very boring at times though!

Sunday Club (Sunday nights - 7 till 11)

Members only goth night

• Playlist - goth!
• People - goths and fetishists
• Cost - unknown
• Location - Bar Phono, Merrion Centre, Leeds
• Open to - Members only, but I believe yearly membership is very cheap
• Rating - Never been as I work weekends, but I'm told its an excellent goth night with a fantastic atmosphere.

The Cockpit

The Garage (Saturday nights - 10 till 3)

Indie and alternative music, with 3 rooms

• Playlist - Human League, Duran Duran, James, Oasis, etc. 3 seperate rooms with different DJ's.
• People - all sorts, unfortunately some Oasis bowl head idiots
• Cost - unknown
• Location - The Cockpit, under the railway bridge, near City Station, Leeds
• Open to - anyone
• Rating - An excellent night due to the size of the venue and the variation between the rooms. Unfortunately you do get some idiots in there who think trying to shove beer bottles up womens bottoms is funny. Luckily they're in a minority!

Pop Tarts (Thursday nights - 10 till 2)

Gay/Lesbian night, but non-homophobes welcome

• Playlist - Garbage, Cardigans, New Order, Placebo, etc
• People - gay men and women of all ages, bisexuals and people who just fancy a good night
• Cost - unknown
• Location - The Cockpit, under the railway bridge, near City Station, Leeds
• Open to - anyone
• Rating - Has been voted best gay night in the country in the past, the atmosphere is tremendous. Some people seem to think it will be seedy but it's not at all, it's just a load of people having a great time. And some of the men's dancing is incredible!