I have been here to see a lot of gigs. The thing I like most about this venue is that unlike many of the other smaller venues in Leeds (Rios, Joseph's Well etc), the bands always run on time and it gives you plenty of time to catch the last bus home.
On entering the venue there is usually a sign with stagetimes which is really handy and the times are pretty much always bang on.
Drinks are around £2.50 for a pint of lager/ cider.
The toilets are smelly (especially the fumes from the mens) but usually fairly clean. The toilet roll holders in the ladies are the most badly designed i've ever seen though. There's usually toilet paper in them but half of the time it's stuck in there and it takes 5 minutes to pull just a couple of sheets out. A minor gripe but it annoys me every time I go. That, plus the lack of locks on the toilet doors.
I've seen some great bands over the years at this venue and some of those bands (The Killers, for one) have gone onto sell out stadiums.
If you want to catch the next big thing, this is the place to go.

the cockpit is actually great. its really near the station too.

The Cockpit has three rooms and three stages.  Their policy of not telling people until the last minute which room the gig is in is terrible as the sound quality and view of the stage in Room 2 is shocking.

They would rather squeeze everybody within an inch of their life into Room 2 rather than putting a band on in the main room and giving everyone a little bit of space.

So if the band you want to watch are playing in the main room which you wont know until you get there then your sorta fine but if they shove the band into Room 2 and they have drawn a fair size crowd you can kiss goodbye to seeing them unless your the jolly green giant.

Unfortunately The Cockpit aren't the only venue who don't care if the audience can see the band or breathe.