6 of the best Hyde Park Hangouts
Around a ten-minute walk from our university campus, Hyde Park has an abundance of independent food spots and places to take a breather from your day.
Here are some well-loved places to help you feel right at home.
Popina’s
Ask any Hyde Park resident what they think about Popina’s, chances are that they would mention the word ‘breakfast’. In fact, Poppina’s serve a full English in four different sizes, the biggest being the ‘mega breakfast’ — it’s so big that if you manage to eat it, you’ll get your money back! Their menu also extends to sandwiches, burgers, pizza and pasta if you’ve already had breakfast for the day. You can find Popina’s on Brudenell Road in Hyde Park.
31 Brudenell Rd, Leeds LS6 1HA | Website
Hyde Park Picture House
Take a seat and cosy up on the beautiful ornate balcony at Hyde Park Picture house. This unique cinema is Grade II listed and has retained its original features, including the external ticket booth and the captivating décor. An eclectic programme from arthouse films to independent movies to big blockbusters, there will be something for all. Keep your eyes peeled for the occasional free screening or special events like Q&As with actors and directors — Helen Mirren was even here in January, filming scenes for her new film The Duke.
Hyde Park Picture House will be closed for re-development from March 2020, so other venues across the city will host their programme. Look here for details.
73 Brudenell Rd, Leeds LS6 1JD
Nan’s Thai Malaysian Café
With huge portions and small prices, the newly rebranded Nan’s Thai Malaysian Café (formerly known as May’s) is one of Hyde Park’s well-loved eateries. Take your pick from their delicious starters — menu highlights include the deep-fried king prawns and the spicy fish cakes. Vegan and gluten-free options are available to ensure you’ll get your authentic Thai and Malaysian food fix.
215 Hyde Park Rd, Leeds, LS6 1AH | Website
Brudenell Social Club
Whether you’re there to see your favourite band, play a few games of pool or tuck into a pie, peas and mash alongside a traditional ale, Brude has it all.
The Brudenell has been a centrepiece of the Leeds music scene for decades. You can find live music playing on most nights of the week from a vast range of artists. The venue also hosts various other events: from skateboarding film premieres to beer festivals. It’s easy to see why the Brudenell has become a Hyde Park staple for students and locals alike to enjoy a night out.
33 Queen’s Road, Leeds LS6 1NY | Website
Hyde Park Murals
You may have seen one of these vibrant murals dotted around Hyde Park. These colourful and distinctive murals were created by artists who each have a connection to Hyde Park. As a result of the University’s collaborative community mural project, each illustration was carefully designed to inspire and reflect the people of Hyde Park and the core culture of the area. Read more about it here
East Village
New York’s East Village is known for its cool coffee shops, vibrant art, music scene, and grungy dive bars — and somehow, East Village manages to transport that energy 3,000 miles into the heart of Hyde Park. East Village is a rare cocktail bar right in the backstreets of Hyde Park, which means you don’t have to get a taxi into town to have a few cocktails at happy hour. If drinking’s not your thing, try heading down on Sunday for Jazz night — or try to beat the rest at the East Village quiz night every Wednesday night.
47–40 Brudenell Grove, Leeds LS6 1HR | Website
Needless to say, the list above is in no way exhaustive — we recommend going out and discovering the other spots for yourself!
