Verve

You'll spot this place by the crimson glow spilling onto Merrion Street – those red walls aren't just for show, they set the mood for what's easily one of Leeds' better late-night spots. The cocktails are properly made (not the sugary nonsense you get elsewhere), and the fact that live music and comedy don't come with a cover charge feels almost old-fashioned in the best way. Weekends bring out the tequila bar, which transforms the whole vibe into something more raucous. It's the kind of place where you can start with a civilised drink after work and somehow find yourself still there at 3am, wondering how that happened. The crowd skews young professional rather than student, and the music policy leans into proper bands rather than DJ sets.