Chase ghosts and sky-high thrills with the best birthday ideas in Leeds!
Ah, that sweet time of the year where you blast 50 Cent’s ‘In Da Club’ while sipping prosecco with your pals is fast approaching. Lovely. Except…that’s exactly how you celebrated your birthday last year—and the one before that.
That’s where we step in, as ‘round here, we do b-days the Leeds way. One of our mates turned 40 this year by shooting zombies at a VR centre, and the year before that? We did axe throwing, escape rooms, ghost hunts, the lot.
You get the gist. Now you’ll get the ideas for a party that actually bangs.
Zip line at Go Ape at Temple Newsam
– From gogetyork
Address: Go Ape Temple Newsam
Contact Details: 01603 895500
Operating Hours:
- Mon, Wed – 10 am to 1 pm
- Thu to Fri – 10 am to 2 pm
- Sat – 10 am to 3:30 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 3 pm
For my celebration last year, I braved the 25-metre-high ropes course of Go Ape, and it was money well spent. I swung like Tarzan and zipped through the trees for nearly 426 metres for 3 glorious hours!
If that sounds a bit too full-on, tamer stuff like Nets Adventure might do it for you. You’ll be suspended about 9 metres above the forest, surrounded by netted walkways and inflatables.
It gets better for child celebrants, since Go Ape provides bundles for children’s parties. Packages start at £24 a sprog and generally involve the same courses adjusted for the youngins.
Tip: Book via the site instead of calling to avoid the extra £3 charge.
Decode mysteries at Escape Hunt Leeds
– From escapehuntuk
Address: The Light, The Headrow
Contact Details: 0113 243 2222
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 9:45 pm
Escape Hunt nails the immersion department. Without spoiling it, let’s just say every room’s atmosphere, props, and challenges stick to the theme (even the clue system), be it ancient Japan or medieval England.
That said, the puzzles outdo them all. We tried The Fourth Samurai and Our Finest Hour, and both had us solving a healthy mix of automated, physical, and photo-based brain-teasers.
Tip: Check their website for discount codes, typically usable between Mondays and Thursdays.
Feast bottomless-style at Manahatta
– From birminghamcocktailweekend
Address: 29 E Parade
Contact Details: 0113 243 5118
Operating Hours:
- Wed – 4 pm to 11 pm
- Thu – 12 pm to 12 am
- Fri – 12 pm to 2 am
- Sat to Sun – 12 pm to 11 pm
Few things feel more glamorous than sipping on endless fizz at the NY-inspired Manahatta.
Even better are the birthday deals; the popular Boozy Brunch, for instance, lets revellers pick from a stacked lineup for smashed avo and burgers. One complimentary prosecco is also poured upon arrival, among 5 other paid sips of your choosing.
There’s also Boozy Nights, a far better choice if you don’t want to get hammered with the sun still out and about. It’ll cost you £5 more, though.
Tip: Consider hiring their posh VIP space for a more private gathering.
Enter new worlds at VR City Leeds
– From vrcitybradford
Address: 33 N Parade, Bradford
Contact Details: 01274 046554
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 1 pm to 8 pm
- Thu to Fri – 12:30 pm to 10 pm
- Sat to Sun – 11 am to 11 pm
We gave VR City Leeds a shout for one major reason: Who doesn’t want to blast zombies or become Lewis Hamilton for their big day?
Seriously, their tech is so immersive that you can feel every turn and thundering sound. The 100-game catalogue just makes it sweeter, with shoot ‘em ups to conquer, race tracks to dominate, and sci-fi universes to explore.
Party bundles are in the books, too. We say go for them if you want a tourney-style shindig that’s professionally hosted.
Tip: Games are fast-paced, so wear something light and breathable.
Have classy afternoon tea at The Ivy
– From theivyasia
Address: 55 Vicar Ln
Contact Details: 0113 531 7990
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 11:30 am to 10:45 pm
- Thu to Sat – 11:30 am to 1 am
- Sun – 11:30 am to 10:45 pm
Flaunting Art Deco decadence through and through, The Ivy sets the scene for a lavish, take-100-selfies type of celebration. That rings truer if you nab the afternoon tea deal.
Between 3 pm and 5 pm, your party gets to indulge in seasonal pastry and savouries, mostly scones and curried egg sandwiches. Naturally, an exquisite menu of intense, mellow, and minty teas is included.
Tip: Enjoy perks (like discounts and birthday rewards) by getting the app.
Hurl axes at Boom Battle Bar
– From boombattlebar
Address: S43 Ground Floor Level and First Floor Level Victoria Gate LS2 7AR
Contact Details: 0113 245 8000
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 12 pm to 12 am
- Thu – 12 pm to 1 am
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 2 am
- Sun – 12 pm to 11 pm
Boom Battle Bar lives up to the ‘adrenaline-pumping’ label. It’s part pub, part action joint, with group activities designed for energetic nights.
Our favourite is axe throwing. At £9 to £17 a head, it’s one of the most low-cost, high-chaos ways to throw a birthday do.
Even better, the celebrant doesn’t have to pay a quid if they get the bar’s birthday package. The party-planning bits are all done by the staff as well, so no need to make a spreadsheet.
Tip: Stop by on a Saturday if you want to recharge via a bottomless brunch.
Go-kart at TeamSport Leeds
– From ourmotorsportuk
Address: S Accommodation Rd
Contact Details: 01252 732300
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 11 pm
You’ll get a taste of high-octane twists at TeamSport, owner of Yorkshire’s lengthiest indoor circuit.
Their 580-metre tarmac has seen our celebrants quite a lot. Honestly, we just love the bridges, tunnels, and straights, which racers zoom through while strapped in a 270 cc petrol kart.
Plus, even those who’ve never seen a go-kart can enjoy the ride! Novices can take the 20- to 30-minute lessons, and they’re delivered on the track, not via a PPT presentation.
Tip: A membership gets you a free race on your birthday.
Get pampered at Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa
– From thorpeparkhotel
Address: 1150 Century Way
Contact Details: 0113 264 1000
Celebrating at Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa basically means getting pampered for a day. That’s the standard you’d expect from an establishment that bagged accolades like the Best Luxury Spa award in 2022.
I’m especially fond of their Spa Break deal. The £160 fee got me 24 hours of relaxation, mostly achieved by chilling in their 13-metre pool, sauna, jacuzzi, and steam room.
A 25-minute treatment taster session is also part of that package. It’s a nice intro if you’re still on the fence about committing to the full treatments, such as the pricier massages and facials.
Tip: Want a 10% discount on your first stay? Sign up for their newsletter or book directly.
Play a variety of games at Roxy Ball Room
– From roxyballroom
Address: Grand Arcade, 9a Merrion St
Contact Details: 0113 467 2230
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Wed – 4 pm to 12 am
- Thu – 4 pm to 1 am
- Fri – 3 pm to 2 am
- Sat – 12 pm to 3 am
- Sun – 3 pm to 12 am
When we say Roxy Ball Room has a variety of games, we mean a lot. The birthday champ and their crew can start the day playing duckpin bowling, hit the shuffleboard next, and wrap it up in a karaoke booth.
We still reckon Crazy Pool beats the rest. Ever heard of crazy golf’s mad obstacles? It’s the same thing, but with American pool.
On top of that, they’re not shy about rolling out party packages. You have about 8 options to check out, each combining games with different sips and bites.
Tip: Off-peak days are cheaper (Sunday to Wednesday).
Battle it out at Yorkshire Outdoor Activity Park
– From yorkshireoutdooractivitypark
Address: Escrick Park Estate, Skipwith
Contact Details: 01757 289322
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 5 pm
Odds are, you know Yorkshire Outdoor Activity Park as a paintball-only hub. Can’t blame you, though, as that has been their branding since 19-freaking-88.
However, there’s more on the menu than just good old paintball. A mate’s kid, for example, celebrated his big day by playing junior gelball, Nerf wars, and laser tag with his pals.
Of course, the grown-ups can get in on the action, too. By ‘action,’ we mean immersive and tactical airsoft or paintball skirmishes, with zombie-themed missions to boot for those who prefer a doomsday scenario.
Tip: Check out their airsoft gear if you don’t have any.
Tee off at Junkyard Golf Club
– From junkyardgolfclub
Address: The Light the Headrow, The Headrow
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 4 pm to 12 am
- Thu – 2 pm to 12 am
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 1 am
- Sun – 12 pm to 10 pm
There’s crazy golf, and there’s Junkyard Golf Club’s ‘craziest golf’’ that cranks it up to eleven.
Here, you’ll be marking your birthday on courses with mad obstacles and themes. Seriously, where else can you tee off while dodging grizzly bears, pirate hogs, crazy clowns, and toxic volcanoes?
Tip: You can play unlimited rounds (plus get 2 cocktails) with a Sunday to Wednesday visit.
Sip cocktails atop Sky Lounge
– From skylounge__leeds
Address: DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds City Centre, Granary Wharf
Contact Details: 0113 241 1043
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – 5 pm to 12:30 pm
- Wed – 2 pm to 12:30 am
- Thu – 2 pm to 1 am
- Fri – 2 pm to 2 am
- Sat – 11 am to 2 am
- Sun – 11 am to 12:30 am
Thirteen stories high, Sky Lounge brings the altitude and attitude to your bash. It’s luxe, panoramic (it’s city views galore here), and doesn’t run out of cocktails.
Their signature Martini is a safe bet. The blend is on the fruiter side, so it’s fit for light drinking.
If you’re with friends, though, opting for the canapé menu is a smart move. The nibbles, like the goat’s cheese and tempura prawns, elevate the cocktails.
Tip: Why not become a bartender for your birthday by trying their cocktail masterclass?
Sing your heart out at K-Cube
– From kcubeleeds
Address: The Merrion Centre, 82 Merrion St
Contact Details: 0113 322 6625
Operating Hours: Daily – 8 am to 4 am
Whenever someone asks me where to go for birthday karaoke in Leeds, I always say K-cube. Their neon-lit rooms have the upbeat atmosphere befitting a celebration.
Not a bad deal either. The hourly rates will set you back £10 (Sunday to Thursday) or £12 (Friday to Saturday), and each space can host 6 to 20 singers, wannabe and pro alike.
The cherry on top is that their songbook is stacked with classics and fresh bangers, available in 8 languages!
Tip: A £40 minimum spending for the fare is required. Take that into account when budgeting.
Catch a jaw-dropping spectacle at Leeds Grand Theatre
– From aaronshales
Address: 46 New Briggate
Contact Details: 0113 243 0808
They don’t call Leeds Grand Theatre the ‘Grand Old Lady of Leeds’ for nothing. Pick this as your spot, and you’ll celebrate in a 1,466-seat venue draped in Romanesque-Victorian Gothic architecture.
Regarding shows, their calendar is stacked with big musicals, operas, and dances. Workshops sometimes pop up as well, like LHT Unwrapped’s ‘Drama Day,’ an improv class opening on August 7.
Tip: Groups of 10 or more get discounts. Call 0113 297 7040 (Monday to Friday only) or email [email protected] for details.
Ghost hunt with Haunted Happenings
– From hauntedhapp
We’re into all things eerie, so a ghastly fete with Haunted Happenings is totally on brand. Now, if you’re wondering why our crew chose them, well, 6,000 unstaged ghost hunts and 300,000+ hunters kind of speak for themselves.
Plus, they cover a pretty spooky location in Leeds: the Thackray Medical Museum. You see, the Victorian-era building (formerly known as the Leeds Union Workhouse) once housed 800 destitute individuals subjected to brutal conditions.
Here’s the sweetest part: Brave souls get to explore that haunt’s darkest rooms for about 6 chilling hours of ghost chasing. If you’re (un)lucky, that includes an encounter with the feared Yorkshire Witch.
Tip: Get a slice of the thrills by streaming some of their live videos on TikTok.