The Cockpit

It gets 3 stars because, despite the sticky floor, despite the sweaty under arches (Thats the venue not my pits). Despite the fact that the only alternative to cheap larger is a £4 bottle of ale. Despite the mad mix of DJ’s, some who get it and play music that suits, some who think britney spears belongs in an underground club…
Despite all this i keep coming back. I don’t think i’ve been to another ‘club’ as it were in leeds in the last two years. They are champions of unsigned and unknown talent in the void between town and brudenell and i think leeds would be less of a place without it.
Its like that spider on the skirting board. Your not sure why you’ve got attached to him. You could catch flies yourself if you wanted. But if he’s not there you get unsettled and start to wonder… whats keeping him.
Well maybe not, but i like Cockpit despite all the evidence to the contrary :-)

Lately I have felt that the cockpit has been slipping in quality.
Every time I have seemed to go in there as of late it has just stunk of wee, even though there had been doors around the venue open prior to the events. Toilets had no toilet roll whatsoever and this was just something that I thought would be normal to fill up every day that an event is happening.
Honestly I want to say this place is great, because you can have a good time here but the owner really needs to put a little bit of money into it and get a really good fan system that pumps fresh air into the venue. As well music (on club nights) is usually VERY loud, I come out of there barely able to hear a thing. This is not normal night out loud, it is definitely over the top! As a student I do like to go out here as it is my sort of music and ‘scene’ but it needs to stop being a complete dive and just going day to day without any change. I know there is a sense of nostalgia with the way that it looks but it does need an update!
Price wise, it depends when you are there, club nights are ‘decently’ priced if you like vodka and certain other bottles, but if you are looking for ‘variety’, expect to pay quite a bit more and not have a lot of other things to choose from. The bars are not full stock bars, they are a few things on the back and then bottles in fridges.
As I have gotten older, my visits here are becoming less frequent and it is a shame as I do want to go more, but I can’t deal with places like this as much as I used to.

Having only been here for a club night I can’t offer an overall opinion of the place but on a free night such as last Friday seemed to be you could I’m sure do a lot worse in Leeds or elsewhere if indie tunes are your thing.

I’d been on a couple of nights out here as a student but for me now it’s mostly a gig venue.
On average Cockpit is OK, you know what you’re going to get from a night there. Relatively Ok priced drinks, but a sticky floor and often a very young crowd doesn’t make me want to go back and sample their regular nights.
The bands they book are often some of my favourites and for that reason I will continue to go. Overall I do always have a good night but I often put that down to the quality of the bands playing as oppose to the venue itself.
Give me a pint of tasty cider and a good band at the Brudenell any day.

The Cockpit is one of those places in Leeds that just never changes. I’ve been to a fair few gigs there and all of them have been great. There’s a real charge in the air when you walk in here. I know you could say that about many venues but it’s different here. The oppressive black walls, vintage rock posters and metal head bouncers really set the tone.
Sure there’s things I’m not a huge fan of — the drinks come in plastic party cups for one and they’re mega overpriced, so I have to be gasping before I buy one! — but overall it’s a powerful venue that’s seen many rising stars grace its stage. The barstaff are lovely though (as they should be at upwards of £4 for a lousy beer!)
The acoustics are amazing, which I think is in part to the cool WW2 bunker-​like dome ceiling. It’s a narrow venue which you could argue sounds claustrophobic but I think it makes for a much more intimate setting.
The toilets are predictably nasty here so it’s recommended that you use the facilities elsewhere if you can. That said, you know how ‘rock n roll’ a place is by how much like dried urine it smells. If that’s the case the Cockpit must be the Graceland of Leeds!
Last word of advice, ladies: bring deoderant and some makeup as it gets very sweaty in here and you WILL emerge looking like Alice Cooper’s twin sister.
Overall, any music officionados in the city should show their face here at least once if they want to be taken seriously by someone other than themselves. I have alot of happy memories here so pee-​pee smell and pricey drinks aside, I’m a fan :)

I do visit the Cockpit reasonably frequently but for one thing only an thats gigs. They attract some good names and it seems a go to for many bands who chose to visit Leeds; there are three rooms used for gigs which attract bands of varying sizes/​popularity.
The very small room upstairs get’s EXTREMELY hot, I saw the Menzingers up there who attract a lively crowd to say the least and this was easily the sweatiest I have ever been ever. Great atmosphere though.
However the venue really lets The Cockpit down; the staff aren’t great and don’t really have any sense of urgency during busier times. I was here at the weekend to see The Bronx, which was pretty busy; as I got to the bar the girl came straight to me so I passed her over to the girl next to me and told her she was first. I know when it’s busy at the bar it’s hard to see who’s next etc, and you’d expect her to come straight back to me to reward me for my impressive bar etiquette — but this girl then proceeded to serve another 2 people before someone else finally came to serve me! Not good. The prices at the bar are expensive, especially considering The Cockpit have easily the worst drinks selection in Leeds. They don’t even keep their Jäger in the freezer.
Like others have said the toilets are pretty grim and you’re lucky to find some loo roll but I’ve come to expect this here — not that anyone should settle for this anywhere.
Of course I will continue to come to gigs at The Cockpit as they do attract some great bands, but I won’t be going to their club nights — I haven’t for a few years now, they don’t seem to have changed much, or maybe I’m getting old? It’s a shame The Cockpit seem to rely on the gigs and music to bring people in, when they could attract even more people if they cleaned it up a bit and improved the bar and just made a bit more of an effort.

Hey, I recently went to the Cockpit… well last night in fact. I have to say I had a really good time. Door staff were Friendly, the bar staff were polite and enthusiastic, good drinks promos, great tunes and a Fantastic Mick Hucknell lookalike on the bar too. Ok the toilets ain’t great (lol) but generally a really good vibe and a great time had. Major plus train station-​taxi rank is a minute away and a high percent of local taxi firms pick up from the rear of the train station too. I want to pick faults with the Cockpit, but I find it hard, double thumbs up.

Seen loads of bands here and it’s normally pretty cheap, and a fun night. The only thing is the venue is a bit dingy and dirty but a lot of music venues are like that! Probably don’t go as much now as I did when I was younger so I think it was probably more fun back then as I didn’t mind as much that the floor was sticky and the toilets were disgusting! Right next to the station too so in a good location.

Went to Futuresound Competition here last night to see my new favourite band ‘Backyards’.
This place hasn’t changed in the ⁸⁄₁₀ years since I was last in it– other than the floor being a bit stickier and the toilets smelling a bit worse.
I’ll never be a fan of drinking from plastic cups but when needs must eh!
And the beer is a bit pricey for this treatment.
The sound is great here so am not surprised they get some good bands on and have something to suit most tastes from the listings I could see.
It will always be too small a space to really pack in the crowd in a safe and enjoyable manner and I think they should take out the bar to allow some more space in the mainstage area.
Good comp currently being held there– I obviously loved the Backyards set and wish them well to get further in it.

I’ve only been back to The Cockpit a few times of late, and it’s usually only ever to see a band that I go, so I can’t comment on the quality of a more regular night here. In judgement of the last two visits, which spanned across the wee room upstairs and the main band room, I’d say on average I had a great time. Largely, that was due to the company kept and the bands that played –the venue has something to do with that, for sure, but my enjoyment levels were boosted more by those factors than the building itself.
It’s still hella grimy. The toilets were in a happier state of undress last night, in comparison to how they have been, but still have all the qualities of Wakefield station’s finest dispatch point –not quite Fab Café standard, but certainly not amazing. All the pints consumed were poured to the top without a head, so invariably ended up rather flat. I’d stick with bottles and cans on your next visit, and hope that they’ve been duly fridged for a decent amount of time prior to serving. Also, for two pints and a pint of orange and lemonade, they’ll ask for a tenner. A tenner? Cripes. I spotted that was because the Sagre is £3.70.
The bouncers were surly, with barely a grunt acknowledgement. I don’t need to tell you how much a smile costs. However, the bar staff made up for the lack of ebullience from said meat mountains, with plenty of banter. Took a while to get noticed for serving, but once we got on to the subject of being IDd (my friend wanted the compliment) there was plenty of back and forth –some life at least! I thank them for that.
As for the music, well. It was one of the Futuresound heats, to win a spot at Leeds fest I believe, so we had four of Yorkshire’s finer acts battling it out over the evening. Backyards, I Swim With Sharks, Rosie and Secret Society. Whilst the music was rather varied, in skill, song and sound, the sound was pretty consistent. I’ve heard worse gigs here, so props to the sound guy –considering the myriad of set ups to contend with, overall I was pretty impressed with the sound. At one point a mic or two seemed as though it needed upping, but hey. For the most part it was spot on.
Overall, the quality of the bands were great. I was surprised to find Rosie’s latter half of the set really enjoyable, though bewildering and bombarding, since it was a sort of pisstake cover-​medley of 90s dance tunes. They also had a man/​boy in a banana suit, which was excellent. However, the one’s to check out are I Swim With Sharks. Of course, I’ve an obvious bias since they’re who I went to see, but in my humblest opinion they stole the show. Aggressively confrontational vocals, sweaty unrelenting drums, addictive bass-​lines and they’ve even their own strobe light show. True story.
As for the Cockpit, I am certain to return. I’m still a fan, I’ll still spend my money here, I’ll still recommend it. It’d just be aces if they fixed up a few things.

This is another pretty dirty place that still manages to win me over! It’s all about the music here, with both the club nights and the bands that play here helping to make it a proper rock club, which are few and far between in Leeds. The last time I was in here I took an accidental head to my face, resulting in sort of a red Braveheart style makeover, but the guy who did it was very apologetic, and even the bouncer was trying to look after me — lovely people!

Someone had to say it! A below average gig venue that had its decade in the sun purely because Leeds didn’t have a single decent medium sized venue in the centre. Flat sound, rude/​poor staff and grime everywhere — rock venues aren’t meant to be pretty, but vom-​free maybe?
The club nights have a good buzz and are very safe, but like most «rock clubs» cater mainly to the under-​age and those purely there because they feel uncomfortable anywhere else. If this is you, or you like really, really mainstream indie and metal bands (yes, if it has been in the NME/​Kerrang then it is mainstream), then you’ll probably have a whale of a time.
If you do get the DJ to play something interesting, prepare to dance alone.

solid gig venue. i’m used to going to gigs in glasgow, and it has a lot of good venues, but the cockpit fares well against those for the most part. it can get pretty disgustingly hot in there (especially cockpit 3!) though.
they have good drink deals on clubnights if you don’t mind being restricted to what you drink (my friends and i love strongbow so we’re laughing!). from the few times i’ve been there, the DJ plays some… rogue choices! good fun though, if you’re drunk.

I’ve only been here on Fri nights for dancing, but I can tell you, it is POPPIN’. This place is definitely a favourite of Leeds, as a club and as a venue. The atmosphere is all around rock-​grungy, though mostly filled with indiekids/​hipsters, sticky floors, cavernous rounded ceiling, stacks and all. I must mention that you have to put up with crowds if you plan to visit the Cockpit. Getting to the bar is a battle, as usual, but when’s it not?
As an American, I’m used to hearing hip hop, rap music and whatever is top 10 in club venues, so the Cockpit is a great change (I personally much prefer hearing alt/​rock/​indie/​dance on the dance floor). Fri night has an assortment of the great rock/​pop songs out at the moment as well as favourites from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.

The Cockpit is a great live music venue and continues to attract some brilliant bands. And this is definitely the venue’s best selling point.
The main bar area is dilapidated, the floors are sticky, and the toilets are foul. The first two points are perfectly acceptable in a decent club and live music venue… but I appreciate clean toilets!

Only been in Cockpit a couple of times and not particularly enjoyed on any occasion. I love music, but I like a variety of music — not just metal. Or not just indie. Despite the DJ’s apparent lack of variation, and what made it more annoying, is the kids in there LOVE IT.
Maybe I’m a bit old now, but teenagers with long hair and tight jeans that look like every other boy, I mean, indie band on the scene just annoys me.
The live music on the other hand pulls it back from disaster because the Cockpit plays host to some top notch bands. This to me is it’s saving grace.

There’s no doubt about it, The Cockpit is the most popular venue in Leeds for people who are not Oceana, Revolution and Varsity types. The Cockpit is full of the most fashionable, indie loving and mostly student types.
The Cockpit is useful for a number of reasons, the club nights are great, although on a Friday do expect to get at least one elbow in your face, it gets busy! The Cockpit is fabulous as a gig venue, its seen many bands at the start of their career and as a result is able to blag the hottest acts today. Up and coming gigs include The xx, New Young Pony Club and You Me At Six. I saw Ladytron last year at The Cockpit and in the tunnel that is The Cockpit, the sound was brilliant
The Cockpit is perfect for music lovers against the grain. Tuesday nights are essentially for those emos of you out there, it’s the only decent night going to for your New Found Glory’s and Paramore’s. Also brilliant is Session on a Friday, playing the likes of La Roux, YYY’s, Devo and The Smiths.
If you can get past the sweat, walls that actually become wet and mess of a floor, then The Cockpit is essential for you music lovers and trend setters.

In my opinion, and evening at the cockpit is the best club night you are gonna find in Leeds. Most of my friends disagree, if you are an Oceana, Gatecrasher «bump and grind» kind of clubber, the Cockpit is not going to agree with you!
However for me cockpit offers cheap drinks, the best names in live music and an amazing Saturday night!
Cockpit has seen the biggest names in indie, metal and rock in the world including Kings of Leon, Kaiser Chiefs, Pete Doherty, Biffy Clyro, Patrick Wolf and Eighties Matchbox.
For me the Cockpit is the perfect venue for gigs of such a genre. The club is situated under the train station arches offering a dingy, dark and underground vibe. Inside the dark theme is extended with dark walls and extremely basic, matrix-​esque décor.
In addition to live music a Saturday night at the Cockpit is an amazing evening with a classic indie room playing The Smiths, The Cure and Rolling Stones. A heavier room playing a range of metal and alternative rock and a vintage/​retro room playing Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and other 60’s hits!
It is a little shabby and dirty with plastic cups and cheap vodka but that’s the way I like it! If you like to think of yourself as a little rock n roll, get on your most diverse, shiny, multicoloured outfit and get down there for some serious fun!

Ah, a pit of cocks. Snigger. When I told friends at uni that I was heading back home for a gig at The Cockpit, they always did the very same. Chortle chortle. So, let’s get that out of the way — yes, it’s called the Cockpit, you immature so and so.
One of the most all-​round gig venues in the city. It’s not the biggest, nor the smallest, but with three different rooms for bands to play in — it can cater for all. I’ve seen London-​band, the Mystery Jets in each of them and can safely say that they all have their own character and beauty.
A venue steeped in history and tradition, The Cockpit has played host to a number of legendary local bands and some of the best touring ones too — think The White Stripes, Kaiser Chiefs, Queens of the Stone Age and Amy Winehouse. It’s got stiff competition in the form of the O2 Academy these days for those sort of acts, but it’s still going strong.
Clubnights such as Slamdunk (Tues), The Session (Friday) and The Garage (Saturday) keep bringing in late-​night revellers too. Notably, all three are popular with not only the student crowd, but Leeds’ own youngsters too.
Look out for new nights Fuel and Popscene in the coming weeks.

The Cockpit is awesome, that’s all there is to it. Intimate enough that you can see who’s on stage, big enough that you can bounce around a bit. Beer’s not bad, toilets could do with a facelift, but all in all, my favourite live music venue in Leeds. I’ll not namecheck the bands I’ve seen here, as this is a review of the Cockpit, not my music taste.