Club of the Month: Distrikt (Leeds)

Mention Distrikt to anyone who goes out in Leeds and watch their eyes light up with mischief. They'll use words like 'sweaty,' 'wild' and 'chaotic' to describe the cult basement hidden away behind a large wooden door, just off Duncan Street. Swing it open and you'll head downstairs, beneath the cobbles and past a sign that reads "It's Better Underground." That simple motto has become gospel. In the 16 years since Distrikt opened, independent club culture across the UK has been steadily eroded. But this place remains an unruly gem at the heart of its own scene, on its own terms.

"We wanted it to be a small, intimate club," says Rosita Rogers, who co-founded the 300-capacity venue with Jonathan Simons and Peter Hall. Leeds City Council had other ideas. "They weren’t keen on giving us that license, so we had to change the business model and make it a tapas bar and serve food." Whether you pass by at 6 pm on a Wednesday or 8 am on a Sunday, you're likely to hear muffled beats and excited cheers bubbling up from the basement.

"We all love Leeds and obviously love to party," says Rosita, who reckons the first conversations about opening a place were on a dance floor somewhere in the city at 5 am. Beyond her and Johnny doing bar work in local clubs, they had no experience, but that didn't deter them from taking on a "derelict hole in the ground" accessible only by elevator with no entrance. "It was a big mess at the start with overlapping of roles, and I even went to the extent of hiring a counsellor to help us communicate more effectively as we were all insane."

That madness spilt over into deciding that all events at Distrikt should be free, which few others were doing at the time. "It’s not an amazing business model these days," admits Rosita, adding that increased DJ and agent fees over the years have made it even more of a squeeze. Still, those restraints don't stop the team from making constant tweaks to the custom Morris Audio sound systems both inside and out, and augmenting the covered outdoor terrace - a legendary, jungle-like space that gets wonderfully intense. 

While there have been countless parties with bona fide legends like Moodymann, Green Velvet and Derrick Carter, Distrikt is also a breeding ground for emerging house, garage and minimal DJs and promoters trying to get a foothold. That injection of youthful energy alongside underground favourites over the years like Optimo, Nicolas Lutz or Roman Flügel keeps the parties fresh and the dance floor thriving. The man responsible for that is Benjamin Jordon. He's been a Booker for three years but a resident DJ for the past eight. 

His first-hand experience of the city and the venue helped a successful "rebrand and reinvention" after the fallow COVID times. "We set out three key areas to focus on," he says, listing community and programming before adding the rather more prosaic but no less important matter of drinks offers. "Our mission was to focus on this with the belief that build it and they will come."

And come they did, with most weekends packed to the rafters, and often featuring a mix of visiting football fans on away days, members of the LGBTQI+ community and regular heads from the city. "We play a pivotal role in setting the direction of the Leeds soundscape," says Ben. "Being a free party gives people the opportunity to experience new sounds and styles without worrying about finances. It's a truly special thing."

Musically, the mission is to serve up "a healthy mix of local talent and rising stars with a UK-centric focus" while keeping ahead of wider trends around the country and trusting his own judgement. "It's the promoters and the up-and-coming names that create the magic at Distrikt; these shows wouldn’t work without their continued support. It's really important to keep giving back to the wider community anyway I can by supporting the promoters in booking who they want to see as much as who I want to see."

A landmark moment for Jordon and Distrikt came in 2023 when Margaret Dygas and Dan Ghenacia played New Year’s Eve. "It was our first 10 am finish and was a huge success," he says, adding that the night set a new standard and helped pave the way for the constant run of mammoth shows Distrikt has hosted since.

It is now such a beloved spot that some dancers even have Distrikt tattoos. Beyond their permanent ink, Distrikt has left an equally indelible mark on Leeds itself. 16 years in, it stands proud as one of the city's last true sanctuaries for underground club culture. 

Check out Distrikt's upcoming events here.