Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Levelling up in Leeds!
Hey, I’m Yasmin and I am studying Performing Arts at Leeds Beckett. I am currently in my second year and am loving every moment. This blog is for the gamers as I'll be highlighting all of my favourite gaming gems in Leeds; whether you're a casual player or a hardcore streamer, you'll find something in Leeds to pique your interest.
Now, when I'm not learning lines or script writing, you'll find me knee-deep in gaming. I've been at it since I was five years old, sneaking in rounds of Assassin's Creed and Hitman on the PS2 whenever my parents were out of sight. Fast forward to today, and I've graduated from Minecraft to a whole new level with games like CS2, Smite, Overwatch, Valorant, and a bunch more, since I switched to PC gaming.
Growing up in a village where trees outnumbered people, I had to get creative with my entertainment (you can only climb a tree so many times before you get bored). But when I caught wind of the gaming scene in Leeds, I knew this city was where I belonged. Leeds isn't just a city—it's a place for exploring who you are and what makes you tick. With endless opportunities at every turn, there's something here for everyone, no matter your interests. And personally, it's helped me find my people and make some lifelong friends who share my passion for gaming.
So, stick around fellow gamers, because I'm about to spill the beans on some of my favourite gaming hangouts in Leeds—whether you're dropping solo or as a squad.
Gaming Bars
I found out about gaming bars when I first came to Leeds. I thought the concept of gaming alongside friends and strangers was so cool. I love to go to Pixel Bar and it’s so popular. There’re game themed drinks, gaming booths for Xbox/Switches and PCs you can play on for only a few quid an hour. It’s kid free in the evening! So, gamers our age hangout with 2 for 1 cocktails and food. Time flies when you’re hopping between the PCs and trying to beat Cuphead on Switch.
LBU Gaming Society
My first time at Pixel Bar was meeting up with an online friend that I had known for 6 years before going to uni. He was a student at Leeds Beckett and told me about the gaming culture within the city. From here, I joined the Games Society discord that Beckett has with hundreds of gamers like myself. I was shocked to see a society based on something I love to do; it was a breath of fresh air. Student life has been so much better than expected because of this. I went from feeling quite alone in a gaming world to befriending tons of people who loved doing the same thing as me. Turns out there’s more people who love gaming than you know!
Leeds has created an environment where I feel accepted, within the LBU Games Society and spaces around the city. It’s unusual to find a place that has an open culture to gaming which makes living here awesome.
Hidden Hangouts
A couple years back I got really into collecting figurines and Pokémon cards and always had to order things online but when I discovered Geek Retreat and Travelling Man located in the City Centre, I realised how much more fun it was chilling, looking around and buying things in store.
Travelling Man is a gamer's paradise, with everything from board games and figurines to card games and manga—seriously, the list goes on and on. Plus, the staff there are absolute stars, always ready to lend a hand and share their expertise. If you think it couldn’t get any better, there’s killer deals and a loyalty card too, so you can indulge in your hobby without breaking the bank.
As for Geek Retreat, it's my go-to spot for unwinding while opening booster boxes. Chill vibes, with fellow geeks bonding over board games and welcoming newcomers with open arms. Trust me, I walked in there for the first time and didn't feel an ounce of judgment while tearing into Pokémon packs. It's the kind of place where you can lose yourself in your own little world, with affordable eats and drinks to keep you fueled up while browsing their epic collection or playing a game.
Bottom line? These two spots are an absolute must-visit for any self-proclaimed nerd—you won't regret it.
Gaming Social Club
Have you ever wanted gaming nostalgia? You’d fit right in at Arcade Club—with three floors jam packed with authentic gaming cabinets dated back to the 1970s, sit-down drivers, multiplayer arcade games, virtual reality and so much more than you can imagine, it’s any gamers dream. I was overwhelmed with the amount of games to play on my first visit. A fee of £17 and you are free to spend as much time as you want here with unlimited plays on the machines. I once spent 5 hours in there with my partner and didn’t even get through all of them… My favourites were the Japanese rhythm games, Mortal Kombat and a stand-up driving game which are multiplayer too. It was such a great experience and I think anyone would love going here, gamer or not.
Overall, Leeds is a fantastic city that offers so many things to satisfy every taste and interest. It was such a big factor that played an important role in choosing Beckett as my place of study and I have had so much fun during my time here. For people like myself interested in gaming, Leeds is the right choice with a variety of gaming spaces that are cheap and easy to find. Being able to indulge in a hobby like this in Leeds has created an environment where I feel accepted, within the LBU Games Society and spaces around the city. It’s unusual to find a place that has an open culture to gaming which makes living here awesome.
