Howard Assembly Rooms

The beautifully-restored Howard Assembly Room is a unique concert hall in the centre of the city located on New Briggate. Once connected to the Grade II* listed Leeds Grand Theatre, it is operated by Opera North and was first built in 1878 as part of a magnificent Victorian entertainment complex. Today, it is accessed through its own separate entrance on the corner of Harrison Road and considered a go-to in Leeds for gig performances.

The charming 300 capacity concert venue is a must for live music fans, and hosts artists from the worlds of classic, jazz, folk, and more as part of its vibrant schedule of events. Whilst gigs feature prominently it’s not all about live music here, and you can also expect to discover a range of talks, film screenings, spoken word performances, workshops and installations taking place throughout the year, in testament to Opera North’s forward-looking attitude to the art form.

Considered to be something of a hidden gem, the historic building has been meticulously restored to its former glory thanks to a significant investment in the neighbouring Grand theatre, affectionately referred to by locals as ‘the grand old lady of Leeds’. Its intricately adorned ceiling, designed by John Wormald Appleyard, is carefully preserved, whilst large domed windows flood the space with light during afternoon matinee performances. The assembly room also features a wooden mezzanine gallery, where shows can be watched from above.

The concert hall has welcomed some big names to Leeds over the years, including world renowned writers and musicians Brad Mehldau, Lesley Garrett, Abdullah Ibrahim, The Unthanks, Kneehigh Theatre, Joanna MacGregor and The Tallis Scholars. It also boasts its own bar and restaurant, until recently operated by the fantastic Kino team, where visitors can grab a drink and a bite to eat. Kino had received rave reviews since opening, including from the esteemed Guardian critic Jay Rayner since opening in 2022, but sadly shut its doors at the end of 2024 stating it “just couldn’t make it work.”

As well as hosting an eclectic calendar of events devised by the Leeds-based Opera North team, the Howard Assembly Room is also available to hire out for private events. Offering historic charm, grand settings and fantastic acoustics in spades, it’s a popular choice for conferences, exhibitions, rehearsals, wedding receptions and award ceremonies. In house catering is also available for those looking to host their event here.