I visited Vinyl Grounds, the new bar bringing analogue charm and laid-back drinks to Leeds
This new bar in Leeds is shunning the digital world in favour of an analogue sound.
The revival of old‑school music formats over the past decade has been remarkable.
Streaming services, an increasingly digital landscape and a healthy dose of nostalgia have all played their part in vinyl’s resurgence. In Leeds, long‑running institutions like Crash and Jumbo have been joined by newer arrivals such as Record Plant in Farsley.
But it isn’t just collectors returning to analogue. Vinyl‑focused cafés and bars have become increasingly popular, offering a slower, more tactile way to enjoy music.
One of the latest, Vinyl Grounds, opened on Central Road in November 2025. Its concept is straightforward: a coffee shop by day, a bar by night, all soundtracked by a curated rotation of jazz, R&B and hip‑hop pressed to wax.
The bar already seems to have found its crowd. On an early afternoon visit, only a handful of tables are free, with the rest occupied by a mix of laptops, flat whites and the first glasses of wine and beer of the day.
Cosy orange walls give the space a laid‑back, almost Californian warmth, while the sleek bar doubles as both record display and DJ booth.
From the speakers, mellow R&B and jazz‑infused hip‑hop fill the room without overwhelming it; one suspects the music takes on a more prominent role as evening arrives.
Vinyl Grounds has clearly embraced a less‑is‑more philosophy. The menu is concise but considered, offering white, rosé, red and crémant wines by the glass.
Beer drinkers won’t find Stella or Carling here. Instead, Guinness (£6.40) is the only major name on tap, joined by three beers - Lucky Buddha, Pardal and Ripe - priced between £5.50 and £6 a pint.
Cocktails and matcha teas will also be available in the near future.
Service comes from the bar’s founders, Saroop and Jasbir, who guide customers through their hand‑picked selection with genuine enthusiasm and delivers their drinks to the table.
A glass of pale rosé and a Sauvignon Blanc set me back £18; both are crisp, refreshing and dangerously easy to drink. The 4.8% Lucky Buddha, a Chinese lager, is similarly light and a solid choice for those who prefer beer to wine.
Vinyl Grounds is a charming concept in a cosy setting, and while seating and drink options are limited, its personal touch ensures the experience feels anything but.
Factfile
- Address: 30 Central Rd, Leeds LS1 6DE
- Opening hours: Mon-Tues, 8am-6pm; Wed-Thurs, 8am-11pm; Fri-Sat, 8am-1am; Sun, 9am-6pm
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/vinyl_grounds/
Scores
- Drinks: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
- Atmosphere: 9/10
- Service: 9/10