Simon Baker - Secret Leeds

Grim up north? Not according to Simon...

Franks Bar www.myspace.com/franksbarleeds
20 New Briggate, Leeds. LS1 6NU 0113 2436947

On Upper Briggate, it’s a small intimate affair, run by friends of mine (whom also promote one of the better club nights in town Asylum/Technique). It’s a stones throw from my flat so when I feel the walls are closing in, I take a leap over the road and chill out in Franks. The bar has free Internet access, hot/cold sandwiches and drinks all day, as well as serving food for lunch; homemade lasagne, nice wintry soups and the likes. The atmosphere is very relaxed, the tunes are cool and the staff are friendly. Come night time, the bar changes into more of a party environment with a variation of DJ’s serving up house to jazz music….with more Havana and cokes than you can poke a stick at.

The Fav
www.thefaversham.com
1-5 Springfield Mt, Leeds, LS2 9NG

One of Leed’s best music venues. A mansion house turned bar-restaurant.
With a large terrace, this venue takes a lot of beating. There is always something going on at The Fav. Asylum & Technique where I am resident take over the bank holidays through summer with the infamous ‘Garden Parties’ that are always rammed and great fun. We use the outdoor terrace and inside. The last party we invited James and Giles of secretsundaze fame and also Alex Smoke. Other than these parties the Fav caters for a mainly student crowd, and has a whole array of bands and DJ’s on from the Klaxons to The Coral. There’s something for everyone at The Fav. Plus you can get a nice cheap Sunday dinner if you so fancy! Student rates…!

Park Square
St Paul’s Street, LS1

I live in a flat on one of the busiest roads in the city centre, unfortunately I don’t have a balcony or any outside areas. Its one of the cons of where I live. There are many pro’s though, but whenever I feel the need, especially on sunny days, I will take the 5 minute walk from my flat to Park Square. At the park there are plenty of benches to sit on, beautiful flower beds, perfectly trimmed grass verges, trees etc etc (you get the picture) Its very similar to something you would get in somewhere like Islington. I like to chill and read or listen to my ipod here. It gets me away from everything and even though it’s situated in the city centre of Leeds, you would never think so, as it’s so quiet and peaceful.

Tribe
info@triberecords.co.uk
13 Crown Court buildings, Crown St (Nr Corn Exchange), Leeds LS2

The best record shop in town. In fact the only one now, well, the only one that serves up the music that I play anyway. My friend Jay Kilka runs the shop. Whenever I go to Tribe I generally end up staying 5 times longer than planned, as it becomes a bit of a social occasion chatting to various faces in the shop. It’s definitely a difficult place to leave I find. Not only do you get records here, but you can also get lots of freebies! Promo chocolate bars / drinks / free mags / Slices DVD’s etc etc. How can you go wrong!? They also run a Leeds based music magazine called Traffic from the shop. It certainly offers more than your average record shop. Worth checking out.

The Adelphi Pub
www.theadelphi.co.uk
1-3 Hunslet Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS10 1JQ

The best pub in the city in my opinion. It’s somewhere you can go on lazy Sunday afternoons, have a nice lunch, chill on big retro leather sofas, listen to cool tunes and even play board games with your mates. Whilst obviously getting pissed out of your face. Well that’s what I like to do anyway! The pub has various rooms all with different themes, its almost like been in someones living room. The Adelphi also plays host to various parties upstairs. All in all a very cool venue and one definitely worth a visit.

Published: 24/10/2007

Click a city on the map to find out its secrets. You can zoom in with the '+' or
the mouse wheel and drag the map around to choose the city you're interested in.

More from...