Dry Dock is one of the most well-known student pubs in Leeds. Originally a coal barge working the Leeds docks, it was revamped as a pub by Stonegate Group under its ‘Social Pub and Kitchen’ brand. It has since become a hotspot for students from all over the city, with its student discounts, and event nights taking place every week. Located on the edge of the city centre, it sits opposite Leeds Beckett University and a 5-minute walk from the University of Leeds campus.
Dry Dock holds many events throughout the year, throwing some one-offs and others that return year in, year out. Each week during University semesters, Dry Dock hosts events daily. Some of these events also have their own special seasonal variants laid on at particular times of year. Most events have food and drink deals to go alongside them: an extra reason to visit Dry Dock.
What’s on day-to-day at Dry Dock
Dry Dock starts the week off with Monday’s Speed Quiz. It’s become one of the popular quiz nights in the city centre and is usually booked out. A burger and drink deal accompanies the quiz, meaning customers can get any burger and a drink for £11, with an alcoholic drink upgrade for an extra £2.
On Tuesdays there’s a £10 pizza and drink combo, also with the drink upgrade option, but in the evening, there’s a student karaoke takeover. With £3 entry and pints from £2.50, it’s a night to sing away with friends.
Thursday at Dry Dock might be fondly remembered for its Drag Nights, hosted by Sue Pertrooper and Charra Tea – but drag is moving over to make way for for Live Music Thursdays, showcasing a variety of talent. Alongside the live music, Dry Dock customers can enjoy cocktails for £3.75, including classics like Aperol Spritz, or Passionfruit martini, or Dry Dock originals like the newly-popular Rumbungo, or the Berry Woohoo.
The Otley Run and other special events
During university semesters Dry Dock is host to a number of society nights, with the likes of cheer, football, hockey and many more hiring out the venue for their social events.
There are also many one-off events like The Hoedown – a night of country music, cowboy hats and learning to line dance. At the end of 2024, the pub became Dry Dock (Taylors Version) for one night, hosting a Taylor Swift night for customers to come down and get their Swiftie on.
But the main attraction, that everyone might know Dry Dock for, is Saturday nights – Dry Dock being the finish line for the Otley Run, Leeds’ famous pub crawl. People will begin their Saturdays in the depths of Headingley, starting out at Woodies and the Three Horseshoes, before making the walk through Headingley and Woodhouse via 15 other pubs, finally reaching Dry Dock. There, they can say they’ve completed the Otley Run and dance the night away with other pub crawlers, before making their way into the city for the rest of the night.
Dry Dock’s daytime meal deals
As well as its special events and night-time deals, Dry Dock’s customers can enjoy its permanent daytime deals all week. For example, customers can book in for a two-hour ‘Bottomless Brunch’ at £29 per person (student discounts apply), with a selection of foods like stone-baked pizza and hand-crafted burgers and drinks such as draught beers or cocktails. Or there is the weekday ‘Lunch and Drink’ menu, which offers a soft drink plus a limited selection from the main food menu for only £7. Customers can still upgrade to an alcoholic drink for an extra £2. Both the ‘Bottomless Brunch’ and the ‘Lunch and Drink’ menus have vegetarian and vegan alternatives.
