Our Favourite LGBTQ+ Spaces in Leeds

Ruby Winter on 22 March 2022

Leeds is considered one of the UK’s most LGBTQ+ friendly cities, with a huge variety of events and safe spaces for all ages and tastes. As there is such a wide range of places, we thought we’d give you a little guide to the best spaces, bars and nightclubs for you to go with your friends and family. Valentine’s Day may have passed, but finding love is never too late. 

Spaces:

Flamingos Coffee House

Flamingos Coffee House in the Central Arcade in Leeds City Centre opened in 2018 and has since become one of the most popular LGBTQ+ spaces in Leeds. It is the only dry, late-night LGBTQ+ friendly coffee house, and they regularly host a selection of events such as speed dating nights each month, which is a great way to meet people in a safe space! It functions as a workspace, meeting space or as a great coffee date. Additionally, they donate a portion of their profits to LGBTQ+ charities each month. 

The Bookish Type 

The independent queer bookshop located in the Merrion Centre, The Bookish Type, is run by Ray and Nic. They aim to actively support and work with the local queer community through selling a range of queer literature. Additionally, they host various events and schemes that bring the community together to share their space, learn about their history, and see themselves represented. It is a community hub and a fantastic place to meet others.

Bars and Nights Out:

Blayds Bar

Recognised as one of Leeds’ safe LGBTQ+ venues, Blayds Bar offers something different every night with weekly entertainment ranging from DJ’s, happy hours and quizzes. They also host a monthly cabaret and yard party, with the emphasis on everyone being welcome. We hugely recommend this bar for a first date.

The New Penny

Reported as Leeds oldest gay pub, it has seen some of the best-known Drag Queens appear on its stage, including Lily Savage, Sisters Slim, Miss Orry and many more. They have some more ‘alternative’ events, with Richard and Rusty running the best indie, rock and electro music night. Be sure to visit here whilst you’re in Leeds, it’s a night you won’t forget.

Viaduct Showbar 

Probably one of the most famous LGBTQ+ venues in Leeds, Viaduct is a student favourite. It’s the home of cabaret, and it hosts various themed nights with quirky bar staff and extremely talented drag queens. This place will entertain you 7 days a week, allowing you to be yourself among the state-of-the-art sound and light system. This is not one to miss. 

Wharf Chambers 

Located on the ground floor of a Victorian former pork pie factory, the business is owned and controlled by the people that work there; on the door, behind the bar, cleaning the toilets and much more. All members have democratic control over the club, and the event spaces are used for live music, club nights, art events, film screenings, workshops and meetings.  One of the most popular events they host is the ‘Love Muscle’ event, a “pumping gay dance party”. It’s a safe space to get your groove on, so get yourself down there.

Living with Seasonal Depression

Ruby Winter on 13 November 2021

As we go into the winter months, the days get shorter and the nights get longer so understanding and acknowledging seasonal affective disorder (or SAD) is vital. SAD (a fitting acronym) is better known as ‘winter depression’ because the symptoms are usually more apparent during the winter.

When I was about 15, I was a very happy, healthy student at boarding school. I did well in exams, had a big friendship group, and generally really enjoyed my studies. But when it started getting cold and dark, I noticed I had started to feel really down for long periods of time. I stopped enjoying things that I usually loved, like going to the café with my friends, or going to play rehearsals, and generally felt tired all the time. I couldn’t put my finger on what had caused this, but as the summer came back round, I reverted into my social, bubbly self. To my horror, the feeling came back the following winter and it got a little worse. I felt worthless and would cry all the time. I put it down to exams and hormones and to be quite honest, it probably was partly due to that. But when my friends started to notice the difference in me, I went to see a councillor. This was the first time I had heard of SAD, and as soon as she explained it to me, I really resonated with the symptoms. For me this was a massive relief; I had a reason for my change in moods.

In terms of what causes SAD, the main theory is that a lack of sunlight can stop the part of the brain that affects production of melatonin, serotonin, and your circadian rhythm from working. All of these have massive effects on mood, appetite, and sleep schedules. 

If you think you might be suffering from SAD, don’t panic! You’re not alone. In fact, SAD affects 2 million people in the UK. There are many different coping mechanisms, it’s just about finding which ones work for you. So here are some top tips:

Food and Exercise

Food is a source of energy and eating the right things can actually help with SAD, by making you less tired. Eating a balanced diet is really important, and simple carbs are a great source of energy – so that gives you a reason to eat lots of pasta! Our physical and mental health are closely linked, so keeping fit is really vital for energy levels and overall mood. If you’re a gym bunny, then great! But a simple walk in the fresh air can also be effective.  I find it has helped to aim for 7,000 steps a day – it gives me a goal to aim for, and it feels great when I reach the goal, and even better when I achieve even more steps. So, get those endorphins flowing.

A person walking on a snowy path Description automatically generated with low confidence

Light

Get as much natural light as possible; if you’re struggling with that, there are loads of light boxes available that are designed to simulate sunlight. The benefits accumulate overtime, but about 2 hours a day most days can help to release serotonin.

Seek Advice

If you find all the ‘at home’ coping mechanisms or lifestyle changes aren’t working, then seeking help from your GP or other mental health services for advice can send you in the right direction for necessary therapy or medication.

Lastly, TALK! Talk to your friends, family, lecturers, society leaders, anyone! There will be support for you everywhere you look, even when you might think you’re alone. 

Black Owned Eateries

Ruby Winter on 22 October 2021

Supporting Black-owned food businesses in Leeds.

One of the most direct and sustainable ways to support the Black community is with your money! Post-lockdown, this is even more important; it prevents the shutting down of independent businesses and also helps to get yourself back into the local community after being locked away for so long. In this article, we’ve highlighted some of the best local black-owned eateries for you to visit in the city.

SWEET TREATS

LoveStorm Cakes

LoveStorm Cakes is a custom cake company, whose name stems from a little kitchen in a desperate time in a single mother’s life. Renee Cottle’s knack for eye-catching cakes motivated her to open this business in 2015, which now has over four thousand followers on Instagram and nearly fourteen thousand likes on Facebook. Renee’s cakes and business ethos has rave reviews so be sure to check her out for your next special occasion. Renee’s business doesn’t end there though! She has raised an entire family of entrepreneurs, with her daughters owning goodie businesses of their own. 

LoveStorm Cupcakes by Leilani 

Renee’s daughter owns this custom cupcake start-up, and her products look both indulgent and beautiful. Recently Leilani has also started doing ‘smash hearts’, which are essentially edible pinatas, and I am desperate to try one. Avaiya, also Renee’s daughter, has followed her mother and sister’s footsteps and set up her own business, The Kookie Kid. She bakes and sells handsome sugar cookies and extravagant cake pops, and they look so delicious you’d be silly not to try them!

SAVOURY FOOD

Jerk Express

If you’re looking for some classic Caribbean street food, Jerk Express is the place to go. With native chefs Audley Ellis and Clarkey, this place is sure to give you the most authentic Jamaican food in Leeds. It’s located in Hyde Park, making it a student favourite.

PERSONAL FAVOURITES:

  • Mac and Cheese: if you’re expecting the classic English Mac and Cheese dish, you will be pleasantly surprised. The Jamaican version is a Mac and Cheese pie, and it is spiced to perfection.
  • Jerk Chicken with rice and peas meal: The Jerk seasoning has that distinctive hot and savoury flavour, with a warming kick, but not too spicy. The rice and peas had loads of flavour for a rice dish and is very authentic. All in all, it’s a mouth-watering meal.

Ryan’s Kitchen

If a lot of spice isn’t for you, then this restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy authentic Jamaican flavours without the heat. Their ethos is to make the dishes milder, without losing the traditional Caribbean flavours, and they succeed. This is most likely due to the fact that everything is cooked fresh, and sourced from local suppliers, with their main spices sourced from Jamaica. This restaurant opened up in 2017 and has hundreds of five-star reviews online. It performs mainly as a takeaway but they do have a small dining area for eating in.

PLANT-BASED

Soul Box

Sisters Maye and Monifa founded this plant-based takeaway in Leeds. Their menu changes every week, and they are soon hoping to start making vegan desserts. Both the sisters eat a plant-based diet and have been cooking for their large family since a young age. Their slogan – “Raises your Vibrations, Feeds the Soul” – comes from their desire to provide healthy but flavoursome food, and their food is exciting for vegans and non-vegans alike.

DRINK

The Assembly

This independent bar and bottle shop was established in 2018 by husband and wife duo Steph and Matt Cliffe. It now has two locations, Crossgates and Garforth, both of which have an intimate home-from-home feel. They serve craft beer, classic cocktails and a selected wine list to go with their locally sourced charcuterie and bar snacks.

Header Image Credit: Jerk Express on Facebook.