I tried out Leeds’ new 2,500-capacity superclub Mint XL - and it’s a gamechanger for the city
The huge venue has had queues snaking down the street
We review bars and pubs every week, but there’s one part of the city's nightlife scene that we don’t always get around to exploring.
When I arrived in Leeds as a student more than a decade ago, there were clubs around every corner. My colleagues often reminisce about the legendary clubs of years gone by, from The Cockpit to the Majestyk.
But the scene changed forever when Covid hit. Spontaneous weekly club nights have turned into saving up for a big event a few times a year, and we expect much more from our nights out because we’re doing them less often. Or maybe that’s me showing my age.
Enter Mint XL.
Taking over the 2,500-capacity venue above the Merrion Centre that was previously home to Pryzm, and Oceana before that, the team behind the legendary Leeds brand have tapped into the demand for big events, and big names.
The huge queues snaking down Merrion Street on a Saturday night suggest it's already proving a hit. I headed down for an event hosted by Leeds-based Airspace to try it for myself.
The venue is something of a maze, with a festival-like feel and three distinct spaces: The Ballroom, The Cage and The Club Room.
Bristol-based Notion headlined the event in the Ballroom, a huge room with state-of-the-art lighting and production. The Funktion-One Vero sound system was crystal clear in every corner of the room.
But it was the cage room that stole the show for me - a more intimate, 360-room where you can dance around the DJ. Liverpool-based Kyle Starkey’s set was a vibe from start to finish, mixing euphoric hard house with garage and bassline.
The drinks menu was a little pricey, but what I’d expect for a big venue. I had a few double gin and tonics (£9.50) and there’s white claw, a decent range of beer and alcopops on offer. Staff were friendly and managed the busy orders with ease.
There are some potential teething problems to iron out; some have complained about being unable to get into The Ballroom when demand for a headliner has been high at other events.
But if this is just the beginning, I'm excited to see what comes next. Leeds has lost too many of its clubbing institutions over the years, and there's a real appetite for somewhere that puts dance music and big nights out back at the heart of the city.
Mint XL has the space, the sound system and the ambition to help make that happen.
Factfile
Address: 16-18 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 8LX
Website: www.mintxl.co.uk
Scores
Drinks: 7/10
Value: 7/10
Atmosphere: 10/10
Service: 8/10