Leeds Caribbean & African Centre

At Leeds Caribbean & African Centre (formerly Leeds West Indian), Caribbean and African culture meet a strong sense of local community. Home to everything from big sound system parties to community weddings, christenings, photography workshops, and a reggae choir, this legendary venue and long standing community hub sits at the very heart of Chapeltown.

Established for and by the community in the early eighties, over the years the centre has become a significant cultural hub and celebrated venue for live shows and club nights. A welcoming space for local people to celebrate their heritage and culture, it plays a crucial role in helping to foster a sense of community and identity amongst locals and visitors alike. 

Over the last forty years, it has welcomed artists like the Jamaican reggae band Mystic Revealers, the Trinidadian calypsonian David Rudder, South African poet and singer Mzwakhe Mubuli to its stage, as well as numerous sound systems like Iration Steppas, Genesis, Sparta, Blacka International, Cosmic Slop, and OBF Sound System. The centre is also home to a reggae choir that puts on performances for the public, and hosts regular creative photography workshops in partnership with Lens Lab. 

Events you’ll find on offer here range from weekly neighbourhood games of Dominoes and cards, to vibrant dance work out groups like Soca-cise and thumping vinyl-only sound system parties, There are meetups held for Leeds West Indian men and women community groups, too, and the venue is also available to hire by the local community, with two different rooms on offer to choose from.

The main room is a popular choice for weddings, celebrations of life, and christenings, amongst other events, thanks to its ample and versatile space. With a well-equipped stage and its own private, fully stocked bar, it’s just at home hosting a big community birthday party as it is a ticketed live performance or cultural show. The second room, meanwhile, is more intimate and offers direct access to the outdoors and the option to be divided into two, creating the opportunity for different break out spaces when hosting workshops, meetings, or private functions. 

Designed to foster a sense of belonging and unity, the Leeds Caribbean and African Centre is central to the local area’s history. Today it is operated as a Community Interest Company, acting as a hub for social interaction, education, and cultural enrichment.