Beat Bar

I can say this place is pretty good still. There still isn’t a sign on the place though. Maybe it gives the place that cool underground feel? It isn’t good if you don’t know Leeds or know where the bar is though (it is in a place where many don’t bother to venture).
On entry the security staff were really friendly and having a laugh. Shown my ‘E-​Ticket’, got a stamp. No fuss at all. No metal detector, no searches, no chewing gum in the bin (I hate the Leeds 02) and no ‘what the hell is an E-​Ticket?’
Security is really chilled out which can be a good thing and bad thing depending on the gig (a wild ass house gig might get a bit messy).
I also had more time to look at drinks this time! The bar staff were really friendly and passionate about music and artists they put on stage. At £3.50 for a bottle of Strawberry Koppaberg this place isn’t too bad on the gig drinks front! Most either choose Carlsberg or Red Stripe though. I didn’t pay attention and see if there was any drought beer, but lets face it — you aren’t doing a gig right if you expect a place that does live hip-​hop, house and funk on the regular to be Camra approved so you can sip on a pint of ‘Old Rosie’. Get to Sela or Sandanista round the corner for that. This place has no tables. You’ll be spilling your pint in here! This place is for going wild and dancing!
There really is a nice atmosphere in here, but it really does depend on the gig. I was at a jazz-​funk gig this time (Lonnie Liston Smith) so the crowd was rather mature and laid back full of aging soulers, jazz heads and hip-​hop types. I could imagine if this was 20 or 30 years ago this would be a smoky jazz club.
You really can’t predict the crowd, so go by assumptions based on genres. In my past going here I have had a fair share of weird eccentrics, unfriendly dudes who aren’t scared to do battle, dudes so high on ‘Ket’ that they don’t even know where they are or who they’re seeing and crazy ass women with their homegirls nearly taking down the decks! In general though the majority of people there will always be people in here wanting to have a good time!
Another negative is the lack of air con! This place while small and intimate is hot as hell! This is probably to do with the place being in a basement, but Jesus… you come out soaking in sweat when the place is really busy!
I forgot to mention the toilets are pretty bad too.
So in conclusion, this venue can be your heaven or hell depending on the gig and clientele who decide to show up. Drinks are a good deal too so things aren’t too bad. Just wear your coolest clothes (literally).