Drinks, Dancing or Darts: The Best Student Date Spots in Leeds

Dating as a student marks a significant leap into adulthood. Sure, there’s the atrocity that is Hinge, and the awkwardness of seeing someone you kissed in Freshers’ week in the library, but it’s a delightfully grown-up experience to go on a proper date in a big city. Leeds has a lot to offer in terms of date spots, and whether it’s a first date or a celebration with a long-term partner, there’s sure to be a place that’ll suit the occasion. I present to you: A list of the best spots in Leeds for fun, romantic and largely affordable dates. 

For Drinks:

East Village

East Village is a very popular date spot for students living in and around Hyde Park, and for good reason. An ambient, cosy and intimate but lively space, they serve delicious 2-for-1 cocktails for around £10, the taste-testing and rating of which has proven to be a reliable icebreaker amidst understandably nervous conversation. Perfect for first dates, you can sit on the tables outside for some quality conversation, or enjoy the music inside, which is just about loud enough that you’ll have to sit very, very close to your date if you want to hear anything they have to say. I fondly recall a time in third year when two of my housemates and I all had dates here on the same night.

Image Credit: The East Village

Sela Bar

If you fancy a similarly ambient space with a bit more opportunity for dancing, Sela Bar is the perfect spot to let loose and test whether your date’s moves will make you feel nauseous. Serving beer, pizzas and cocktails in a warmly-lit underground space, they host romantic live music like Jazz and Blues, music quizzes and resident DJs playing every Friday and Saturday. Relax at a table and enjoy the music while chatting to your date, or hop up onto the dance stage and impress them with a boogie! (Proceed with caution).

Bottle Chop

Located in Headingley, hidden away near the start of the Otley Run, Bottle Chop is a personal favourite of mine. A small and mellow space, with only a few tables, they serve many types of natural, biodynamic wine and small plates of high-quality cheeses, olives and focaccia. The staff are lovely and the wine is affordable, all around making this a charming and comfortable spot for a more relaxing date. Also, grab a tin of Perello Gordal olives to go and thank me later.

Image Credit: Neil Sowerby / Bottle Chop

The Domino Club

Perhaps one for special occasions, The Domino Club is the place to go if you really want to impress your date. Even the entrance is exciting, as the live music bar is a speakeasy hidden in a barbers. Once you’ve entered, you’re greeted by skilled mixologists wearing turtlenecks, serving delicious cocktails which you can sultrily sip on while you listen to Soul, Jazz, Blues or Funk music in a dimly lit, luxurious booth.

For Food:

Sous Le Nez

If you want to go out for dinner, Sous Le Nez is a French restaurant located underneath Quebecs Hotel in the city centre that provides the perfect combination of comfortability, sophistication and delicious french onion soup. Their Menu de Soir offers three courses alongside half a bottle of wine each, for £45 per person or £36 without wine. Enjoy a classy meal in a simple and authentic-feeling interior. (I cannot stress this enough, get the french onion soup!)

LIVIN’ Italy

Located on Granary Wharf, LIVIN’ Italy allows you and your date to step out of Leeds (metaphorically) and enjoy the romance of high-quality Italian food, cocktails and live music in a pretty restaurant and bar setting.

Activity dates:

Roxy Lanes The Light

Sometimes a sit down date isn’t quite what you’re after. Activities are some of the best ways to relieve tension, get to know your date and most importantly, have fun! Roxy Lanes offers all sorts of classic date activities, like bowling, darts, pool and shuffleboard, alongside a range of food and drink deals. A bit of good-natured competition always makes for an exciting date! Bonus points if you win and can gloat for the rest of the night. 

Meanwood Park

One for the warmer months, Meanwood Park is a great place for a picturesque picnic or a romantic stroll. Choose one of its beautiful routes and grab an ice cream or a hot drink. A perk of this is you can talk to your date while walking, which is much less daunting than sitting down face to face.

Image Credit: Romilly Anderson

Royal Armouries Museum

Maybe a bit of a strange one, but if you love museums and fancy a trip, why not go on a date? It’s interesting, you’ll learn something new, and it’s a great way to alleviate the pressure of conversations always being about yourself or your date. Think of it like an educational art gallery date, just with less art gallery and more museum.

Words by Romilly Anderson