Mint XL is the newest addition to the rave scene in Leeds.
Upon arrival to its opening night on Friday, the queue was huge, thousands of ravers ready to see what the hype is about.
Inside, there is something noticeably missing from the hands of the 2,500 people there – phones.
Michael McMahon, Head of Marketing at Mint, said: “The no-phone policy makes a massive difference because it encourages people to be present and connect with what is happening in the room.”
Inside, the venue was filled with music you didn’t just hear – you felt. One sound engineer told Leeds Now that the sound system was the best they have ever used.
Lydia Marshall, who attended the opening night said: “I’d say it’s on the same level with clubs in Ibiza! My favourite is The Cage – I like the layout and how there are sofas at the back you can chill on but still listen to the music.”
There are three rooms – The Cage, The Club Room and The Ballroom.
The Cage is a “really immersive, industrial space, with metal cladding, copper walls and floors, and a 360-degree DJ booth bringing everything together,” Michael said.
“The layout and proximity to the DJs give each room a genuine sense of intimacy, so the venue will not feel overwhelmingly large for people looking for a different kind of experience,” he said.
Mint XL has taken over the old PRYSM Club. It was stripped down completely before Mint started to plan the room layouts and where everything felt right.
Source: Katy Strong | All Rights Reserved“Ultimately, every decision centered on the sound, the atmosphere and the experience of the raver,” Michael said.
The team behind Mint Festival and Mint Warehouse said they were “ready to take the next step” and have been looking for a bigger space for years.
At a time where venues across the UK are struggling, the team are confident in what they are creating. After the opening night, the support and excitement from students and locals has been amazing, proving the team at Mint know what they’re doing.