Mojo

The original, and probably still one of the best, rock genre’d cocktail bars in Leeds… You know that a night that ends in MOJO is a night that is ending well!

Often come to Leeds for night out and after visiting, the Highlight comedy club, we came across Mojo, thought we have drink before going on to the Maven and Living room. Well the music was fantastic good mix and lot of songs not heard for long time. The bar staff were friendly and often asked if we ok wanted another drink, which we did as we stayed till half one. The bar area is quite narrow about three or four people across the width, picture of Beatles, Marvin Gaye and many others on the wall, seating or later the dance floor/​seating rather. My god a couple people fell off onto the floor but they ok with another top up on the drinks they up dancing again. The place was buzzing and everyone friendly. Upstairs was another bar again not lot of standing room and more seating. The toilets are also up stairs now I have been told the ladies were not good and girl was using bucket to flush it not good, promise I not in there and was told this. My girlfriend said she not going in there we have to go back to the Hotel, Travel Lodge round the corner.
Will be back next time visit Leeds

Returned to Mojo for a quick rum sniifter on our way home. This place has a grand selection it must be said. This latest experience was poor.
Got chatting to the barman — very friendly — and asked for some recommendations. As were discussing which rum to have the phone rang. To my amazement the guy stopped talking to us and answered it: ‘Hello Mojo…’… The golden rule in customer service is never, EVER break off from serving someone, especially if the phone rings. Quite simply it’s bad manners! I was astonished, even more so when the guy said to whoever had rung that he’d ‘go downstairs and look’ for whatever had been asked for, and promptly disappeared down the stairs. My partner and I looked at each other in amazement and, after half a minute or so, we left.
The guy was polite enough when we talked but that’s truly appalling customer service. We were asking him what rum he could recommend and he broke the conversation off to answer the phone. A big no-​no.
We went back to North Bar where we got the service we expected from such an establishment. A far superior establishment.

try an old fashioned made with plumb syrup .
great alternative

I know I do a lot of ⁵⁄₅ reviews on here — I much prefer to chat about what I like rather than don’t — and Mojo is one of those places that I’ll feel eternally jealous of no matter how far I end up getting in life.
The Leeds branch of Mojo is small but that adds to the warm and hospitable atmosphere. An extensive and well-​researched, all-​seasons cocktail menu compliments a strong back bar and beer selection. They don’t serve draught beer here but do you really need that everywhere? No.
I could spend hours looking at all the pictures of musicians and posters for gigs of the past in the Rhum Room (how’s that for a rum selection btw? daaaamn!), which is a great little space to hire and for general use.
My usual tipple is a bottle of decent beer and a chaser of the dealers choice for us both, and my latest visit was Brooklyn Lager and a Four Roses. Good call all round really.
One of the few places in the bar and restaurant scene where I’ve never had an average visit.

Considering I’ve popped into Mojo’s on and off for a few years I really should write a review about the place! I visited a week ago and introduced it to a friend who was out of town and I think she was pretty impressed. As bars go for ‘up town’ drinking I think its generally slim pickings in the way of a decent tipple so couldn’t think of a better place to go.
I generally go pretty early doors and it’s usually somewhere I end up after a day of afternoon drinking as it opens at 5. This is mainly because it can get quite packed out later on in the evening and I always love a bit of a natter with the bar staff.
I would probably describe this place as pretty cool really. The décor is non-​offensive and easy on the eye. One thing that really pushes my button is the over-​the-​top décor in some of the more expensive bars in Leeds and although I’d put this into a quite expensive category it is definitely not pretentious. As suggested I would say it’s quite expensive but well worth it. Now I’m no light weight when it comes to alcoholic tipples but these cocktails certainly pack a punch and no cheap and nasty second measures are used here! Copulated with some indie, electro, rock and old skool beats I always have a tendency to dance about whether there are people in the bar or not !
Not much has changed in the way of what I’d describe as one of Leeds best bars for cocktails by a country mile. Even when this bar becomes busy it tends to attract some really friendly folk and because the bar is so small you can easily become part of another groups antics!
Much liked bar and a high five to the friendly Adam who’s a legend at cocktail making!

I always have a good time at Mojo’s and the staff are great and really know their stuff. The music is cool — they even have their own radio station which you can listen along with online.
They have a great list of cocktails and I’m partial to one of these on an evening. It does get very busy on the weekend, but it attracts a decent crowd of people generally and is great for a dance! My friends and I now prefer this end of town to Call Lane, which is just so busy now and frustrating for my males friends as groups of four normal lads will often be refused entry especially at Jakes. No problems like this at Mojo’s or any of the bars on Merrion Street.

I do think that Mojos is a little over-​hyped. It is a long, thin, super hot bar
However, you really cannot argue with its effortless cool and rather nice rhum. They play pretty damned good music and/​but allegedly a bit of a meat market at the weekend.

First things first, the drink selection here is very good. And better than that, the bar staff all seem to know exactly what they’re talking about and can give excellent descriptions of all the drinks and offer up good advice depending on taste.
An extra nod to the staff has to go for something that happened to me on this particular visit. I’ve never experienced a gone-​off bottle of lager before, but dear lord is it unpleasant! My second bottle of Cusquena tasted somewhere between vomit and vinegar, and the taste stuck in my mouth for most of the night. However, when I took the bottle back to the bar, the lovely barman had a sniff (mistake!), apologised profusely and replaced my bottle. But then to my surprise he also offered me another bottle on the house when I’d finished that one! A much appreciated gesture indeed!
The music is also excellent, with a range of rock tunes that cover both the more obvious classic tracks you’d expect, but also a selection of album tracks that aren’t played enough in places like this!
This is a relatively small bar though, and one that can get pretty packed at times. And when it does it very much becomes a chore to be there. Of course this is something I don’t like anywhere, and also a nod to the bar’s popularity rather than a damning of Mojo.
Overall, I’d say Mojo is a must-​visit bar, but probably a little earlier on when it’s not overly packed and you can chat to the wonderful bar staff about the drinks on offer.

Love this place!
Worryingly I forget it’s there on most of my nights out so when I do get chance to go there I’m on it.
Fantastic playlist, very cool and diverse choice of drinks and great for people watching!
The only minus for this place is it’s size but I wouldn’t want it to change as it would then loose it’s charm.

Ok, so I think i’m due another review. I’ve got over my double hangover and crippling tiredness from this weekend… and I thought «let’s have a little talk about how good Mojo is»
Anybody who knows me, will know that I like Mojo. A lot. For me, it’s a combination of the music and the people who go there. When you first walk in, you will probably feel a bit crowded. They do squeeze quite a fair few people in, but after 4 double («we don’t have jack daniels but we do have house bourbon & coke»)‘s — you will settle in to your little space and the fun will begin…
It’s worth having a wander upstairs too, if you want a change of scenery. It’s kind of like an old saloon with the wooden stairs and the burgundy décor. It’s a weird kind of trendy — but it works. It’s almost like trying to describe Sophie Ellis-​Bextor… you just can’t put your finger on it.
The music… this is why I go to Mojo. Now, I have a lot of issues with essentially any genre of music which ends in ‘beat’ or ‘step’ or house, garage, garden… (i took a guess on that last one) — but they are my issues and i’ll deal with them at my own pace. So this is why I love Mojo. Because I can walk in and know that without a doubt, I will be able to listen to some good music. It will start with a bit of Rolling Stones, maybe a bit of Jet, then we’ll have some Doobie Brothers, maybe a bit of Foreigner… a touch of Jackie Wilson. Meanwhile… i’ve thrown my straw away and i’m now going freestyle on my ‘house bourbon not JD’ and coke’s. If Tommy Sheen is there… Tequila slammers will accompany.
This is where the ‘scene missing’ bit happens. At some point, ‘Missippi Queen’ by Mountain will come on and then, (in the style of Lou Ferrigno from the Incredible Hulk…) I go mental. I can’t see or hear anything for about 3 and a half hours until I wake up on the bathroom floor. Successful night out.
Mojo’s gets the elusive ‘8 thumbs up’ award. It’s brilliaaaaaant.
Neil.

Good bar good music. shame no draught beer but not really a poor point

A really cool, un pretentious bar with excellent music. It always gets a little too crowded on Friday and Saturday nights but they serve a really good selection of cocktails so it can be forgiven. I recently went to a rum tasting event organised by Unilocal and had a really fun time. The staff are always really friendly.

MOJO is one of the best rock n roll cocktail bars in Leeds. Offering the finest alcohol, the best music and the friendliest of staff, MOJO is a hidden gem. Located on Merrion Steet, MOJO Leeds is one of four MOJO bars located in the North (and overseas) other bars in Liverpool, Manchester and Barbados.
It’s the perfect little bar to catch up with friends early evening or sup cocktails and dance the night away to their jukebox of awesome tunes. The décor is amazing with every wall packed with a history of music including old records, music posters and a huge Beatles canvas that stretches across one wall.
During my visit I went to a Cocktail Masterclass for my friends 21^st. We were taken to the Rhum Room where we were greeted by two of the lovely MOJO staff who looked after us all night. To start with we were given a delicious cocktail and were introduced to the evening’s cocktail menu of what we were going to make.
We were then split up into two teams and had a Cocktail sensory test. We were given several small tubs filled with different spirits which we had to smell and guess what they were. The winning team won a shot of Jagermeister!
This was then followed by a Cocktail demonstration unlocking the secrets of great cocktail making. With our new found skills my friends and I had the opportunity to whip up some cocktails ourselves including; Whisky Sour, Mai Tai, Rum Punch and White Lady. It was so much fun, plus we got to taste them afterwards!
For the grand finale we were shown how to make a mojito, and we all had a go at making our own. The MOJO guys judged our drinks to find the best mojito and the winner (luckily the birthday girl) won a professional MOJO Cocktail Set.
It was a great night and was something really different — It made her 21^st birthday that bit special. It’s also a great idea for stag and hen dos or just for a change, so book now because I heard they have become very popular. Check out their website for more info.
For the Cocktail Masterclass, available at all MOJO bars, it cost £25 each which lasts around 2 – 3 hours. Plus you drink what you pay so it’s well worth it! Definitely a bar to visit when in Leeds, Manchester or Liverpool or if you’re lucky Barbados!

I first came to Mojo years ago and I’m happy to report that the years have been kind, possibly kinder to Mojo than myself, as the place has retained all the charm and fun that it ever had. At the far end of the bar there is an art work describing ‘Mojo’ and throughout the décor of the bar gives off the essence of cool, without being arrogant.
I’ve always found the staff to be vibrant and friendly and they’re certainly expert in their knowledge of the drinks they serve. Be it cocktails or a continental beer they can advise you well, depending on your palette. The music is cool, with a great mix of inoffensive indie and electro. You can dance, albeit be it at your own risk, since the bar is small and often tightly packed!
Drinks might be a little more on the expensive side, and they don’t serve anything on tap (at least they never used to), but that has the bonus side-​effect of enticing a good crowd into the bar. Coctktails and interesting beers are on the menu so you’re spoiled for choice! So, prop up the bar, grab a window stool or nab a comfy seat at the back, either way you’ll be certain to have a good time.

What do you get when you mix a totally soulful and music rich bar with immense cocktails? Well the end result pretty much equals Mojos. I love the place because it flies in the face of some of the cool by design join the dots decors of the über chic bars in Leeds. It’s music baby and that’s the way we like it. That’s not to say it isn’t well thought out in design, because it is. It feels more intimate than many places in the city and it really does attract a massive cross-​section of people too.
I actually like to head down through the week, especially after a particularly stressful day at the office. They have offers aplenty from 5 till 9 and you can mix it up with some tasty snacks. But a food is just a welcome distraction for me, the cocktails (and the people who serve them) are what it’s about.
At the risk of sounding like Captain Jack Swallow, the rum is where it’s at and I’d happily grab a barrel and take to the high seas with the fine selection they have. Not just your usual fare but umpteen to choose from. They literally have dozens to choose from, be it aged, dark, golden or flavoured. Superb and a shiver me timbers. If there is a group of you try the fabulous punchbowls. I look no further than the Flaming Scorpion Bowl, Appleton rum, cognac, gin with lime, orange, mint and some lime wedges. Watch the hangover though! Fear not if rum isn’t your thang, the menu is vast and I mean whopping. More tequila than you can shake a stick at, scotch, shots and of course cocktails galore. All round win, win

A superb bar tucked away from the centre of Leeds nightlife, and luckily tucked away from the commercialites. Originally dragged to Mojo, I eventually give my friends and flatmates permission to head off to ‘cheap drink, poor music, idiotic crowd bar’ (could be one of many), leaving me to enjoy the friendly and tasteful Mojo-​ers company, without fellow students nagging me to follow them to listen to ‘DJ same-​old’ at ‘if you accidentally bump into a male on a soggy dancefloor, then be prepared to have a fight and end up thrown out’ bar.
The music, drinks, service, and attendees alike, are top-​dollar. I will be thinking of you, Mojo, when I’m pulling a face like nappy-​filled baby, attempting to look like I’m enjoying the next student night.

Mojo is a small bar/​club playing out alternative and rock music down one of Leeds sides street hidden behind the huge Gatecrasher building. Student nights, chart music venues and dance music nights take over the majority of the city’s night life! Therefore it was a welcomed change for me to roll into Mojo one night slightly drunk, prop up against the 60’s rock n roll themed bar and nod along to the Rolling Stones.
Chart music isn’t for everybody, so if you like a bit of Violent Femmes, Rolling Stones and Kasabian listener rather than a Pussycat Dolls fan you have to pop in.
Drink are an average price and you can get a gorgeous cocktail for under a fiver as well as a pint and house wine for £3.50. Order a Mojo swizzle for something a bit different (you will see what I mean when you order it!)
Fed up of Oceana, pop into Mojo for a cocktail in a sixities underground atmosphere on a Friday night for a dance along to Bob Dylan and Jagger.

Mojo is one of those unique gems that you either stumble upon, or are dragged to by someone else who has stumbled upon it.
Hidden down a side street near Gatecrasher, Mojo is a tiny little bar that does everything it can to be different from anywhere else in Leeds — and it succeeds in this aspect.
A wide selection of continental beers are on offer — you can choose your own, or simply leave it to the barman to decide by asking simply for a beer. They also offer spirits and wines with a similarly global feel, and play some absolutely quality tunes, old and new, spread across eclectic genres such as soul, indie and rock. Mojo isn’t cheap, but it’s something different from what the rest of Leeds has to offer, so I’d definitely recommend it if you’ve got the dosh.

No better way to break my one month Unilocal hiatus then an international Unilocal review and another first! But enough about me and on to the drinking…
Mojo was the second bar in Leeds I hit up in my recent international excursion to Europe. The night started off big at BRB and ended up here where they were playing AMAZING music throughout the night. The place had a great dive bar feel without the any bad jukebox song selections. In fact, the American in me was loving the music so much that I never once yearned for Journey’s «Don’t Stop Believing.» If you know me… you’ll know that was said with extreme sarcasm.
A very friendly place where you can drunkenly befriend the stranger sitting next to you (which we did). Needless to say my hands were never without a drink and my legs were constantly moving the music. Good times and a great place!