57 Call Lane,
LEEDS,
LS1 7BT
(0113) 243 8055
The ViewLeeds Review
It’s more than 50-years-old and claims to be one of the oldest gay venues in the UK. But the New Penny is far from over the hill.
You'll find a mix of old and new and the crowd who come here are gay or straight but most definitely fun loving.
The Venue
It doesn't look the part from outside and it's pretty easy to pass in front of the New Penny and not realise what it is. The frosted glass provides no clues but the rainbow flag above the entrance gives you some hints. This is a gay pub and club with a lot of history to it (it opened in 1953).
Inside there's scarce seating which leaves lots of room for the dancing that happens here seven nights a week and there's just a few stools around the walls for you to sit down while drinking. There's a back room, somewhat older looking with brick walls, and a modern front area with mirrors, steel panels and a cool black ceiling with colour-changing mini lights. A series of screens above the bar show photos of the fun events at The New Penny.
Everything considered the New Penny doesn't look like a gay bar inside either. It's not glamorous or camp nor does it look particularly remarkable. It's the music and the people who make the place.
The People
The music is good and the lights are great for such a small place but The New Penny remains 100 per cent casual. Different ages mix freely here and the average customer seems to be a thirty-something professional in jeans and a jumper, drinking a beer while playing with the old style game machines or chatting with a friend. Only the young and stylishly bartenders are attention catching. If you're not a regular no one's going to notice.
The Music
If during the day the New Penny looks inconspicuous just wait for a Saturday night when the queue is longer than anywhere else around Call Lane. The straight crowd reduces in size and lots of gay and lesbian couples line up to dance. The music is what you'd expect from a gay venue. It's an enjoyable, happy mix of party anthems, 80s and 90s tracks, a bit of techno and anything else that gets people to pack the dancefloor. Flamboyant drag queens (a show in themselves) and more average looking DJs take turns on the decks.
The Drink
There are no cocktails here as the drinks on offer are simpler than that. You can get all the usual doubles and mixers for £3.20 with flavoured vodka shots like strawberry cheesecake and banoffee pie for £1 each or 6 for a fiver. Beer is around £3.10 and all the regular names are available with San Miguel a good choice.
The Last Word
History and looks do not justify its popularity alone. The true talents of the New Penny are the good music and lights and a great party atmosphere.
New Penny has been reviewed by 3 users