A favourite among students and many young people across Leeds, due to its ability to please the most eclectic music tastes, LUU is essential if value-for-money is your priority. If its grimey vibes you are after then look no further, for trendy sophistication walk on by.

The Venue
Located in the heart of the sprawling university campus, the Union is accessible via a 10 minute walk, either from the Clarendon Road entrance (opposite Hyde Park), or the south entrance on Calverley Street, or the main entrance by the infamous ‘Parkinson Steps’. If you need to take a taxi all the way to the venue, however, it is possible from the Clarendon Road entrance to be dropped off just outside the doors to the Union.

The bars look retro, no frills and are rather aged in appearance. It’s the sort of worn in look you expect to find with most university unions. On the lower floor there is access to a rather overcrowded, enclosed, outside smoking area which has sheltered benches but no outside heating - a let down on colder nights.

Further to the bars, there’s the rather cramped gig venue, Refectory, which has played host to many a big name music act including Lost Prophets.

The People
There is a carefree and attitude-free feel to the whole venue, with the clientele and staff being predominantly made up of students of Leeds University and surrounding universities. However, when The Wendy House event is on there is a very distinctive look and feel to the place with gothic outfits being almost compulsory on floor 1 and big fluffy boots and neon on floor 2.

There is an abundance of security staff on hand both on the door, at the entrance cashier till and at the outside smoking area which provide an imposing and unwelcoming presence throughout the night.

The Drink
The redeeming feature of the experience are the drinks prices with most 2 drink rounds being around a fiver, however if it is variety you are after, avoid this venue at all costs as the most exotic drink on offer is VK!

The Music
The 3 spaces: Stylus, Mine and Pulse, on most Fridays of the academic year combine to produce a super-event called Fruity Friday with party anthems, R&B; and indie tracks on offer.

However if hard dance or alternative 80s goth music is more to your taste, then The Wendy House (every 3rd Saturday) of the month is the one for you. To avoid disappointment make sure you know what is on, as the music varies drastically between event nights.

The Last Word
As far as unions go this one is the best in Leeds and if it is fun on a budget you are after, then this is for you, however attitude should be left at the door, as this is one of the most laid back places to party in the north

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