Apparently, it's only been sixteen months since nightclubs have been closed, but it feels a lot longer. At last, some of Leeds' biggest nightlife events are preparing their return as we count down to "freedom day".
July 19, dubbed "freedom day", is when restrictions will ease and nightclubs will return to their former glory: swinging open their doors to unearth pulsing basslines and two-step rhythms.
Capacities on bars and nightclubs will be lifted, the 'rule of six' will no longer apply, social distancing measures will also be removed - meaning you can go and order at the bar, rather being stuck at your table.
But most importantly, we'll be able to get up and dance.
There's a huge feeling of excitement in the city, not just from punters but from the promoters and artists who've been waiting over a year to go back to work. Now, at last, the day is nearly upon us.
With that in mind, we've run down three of the best parties Leeds has coming up this summer so you're not caught short. See you down the front, we'll be to the left of the stage.
Newsam Park Festival is the first dance music festival to return to Leeds this summer
Newsam Park Festival Saturday 21st August, Newsam Park
This all-new event will be the first dance music festival in Leeds this summer, so expect a spectacular open-air occasion from one of the best parties in Leeds.
It will be soundtracked by Sven Vath, Nightmares on Wax, Mella Dee, Enzo Siragusa and Folamour and more across gorgeous Lake and Garden stages with epic atmospheres and immersive production. Do not miss it.
Mint Festival returns on Saturday 25th September in a brand new location / Image: Mint Festival
Mint Festival Saturday 25th September, Newsam Green Farm
This year's much anticipated Mint Festival is at an all-new location, just 10 minutes from town.
The natural sprawling beauty of Newsam Green Farm is a perfect canvas for four fantastic stages of high-class music. Brands like Fuse and Trick, headliners like Ricardo Villalobos and Amelie Lens, and high-tech production and pyrotechnics all await you at this ultimate adult playground.
Mint Warehouse in Holbeck is returning will a full programme of clubnights showcasing local talent and that from further afield / Image: Mint Warehouse
Mint Warehouse Multiple dates, Holbeck
It was already the best place to party in the North, but after an almost two-year closure and vast refurbishment, Mint Warehouse is back and ready to take it to a whole new level.
The multi-roomed space has everything from communal main room raves to cozy backroom get-togethers. World-class sound systems boom in every room, and international tastemakers like Jeff Mills, Eats Everything, Patrick Topping, Sasha, Hot Since 82 and tens more are already lined up between now and Autumn.
Leeds Bradford Airport is set for a standstill as almost 130 workers are set to take industrial action over pay.
If you're planning on catching a flight from Leeds Bradford Airport, then you may want to double check the date.
The Unite members planning on going on strike are a mixture of air traffic control workers, customer experience staff, security staff and cleaners.
The workers involved in the dispute have recently come out of a four-year pay deal, with some of the departments having fallen behind other airports in equivalent roles.
Pay talks have been happening since December 2025, with the airport's formal offer not going far enough to address the lack of pay parity.
Strikes will take place from 03:00 Friday 16 October to 06:00 Sunday 18 October for hourly paid staff and from 06:00 Friday 16 October to 06:00 Sunday 18 October for air traffic control workers.
Strike will mean the entire airport will shut down.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Leeds Bradford Airport is very profitable and can more than afford to come back to the table with an offer that doesn't fall short of our members' expectations.
"Our hardworking members should not be paid less than those doing the same jobs at other airports. Workers taking action at Leeds Bradford Airport have Unite's full support in their fight for fairer pay."
Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said: "We know people who have flights planned to and from Leeds Bradford Airport will be concerned to hear of industrial action, however our members have no choice but to strike.
"The airport is profitable, passenger numbers are growing and our members are a major part of its success. They deserve a fair pay rise, and management must come back to the table to deliver this."
Leeds pizza shop hailed ‘exceptional’ and ‘best in the UK’ by major reviewer
Clementine Hall
A Leeds pizza takeaway has received a glowing review from popular review duo.
Edges Pizza opened up their first permanent spot in Leeds back in June this year, after making a name for themselves slinging out pizzas at multiple pop-ups across the city.
Owners Grace and Edge from Harrogate opened Edges Pizza two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their pizzas are a love letter to the class New York slice, think thin and crispy rather than chewy and floppy. But above all else, think absolutely delicious.
And now, they've caught the attention of a major review page, with Bite Twice Food Reviews (a page with almost 300k followers) paying Edges a visit.
The food review duo of Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany popped up in Holbeck beneath the arches to get their hands on a pizza, and the outcome is brilliant.
In the video, Bite Twice said that the pizza is 'f**cking exceptional' and up there with 'one of the best pizzas in the UK'.
Before even taking a bite, they said: "On aesthetic, I don't think anywhere in the UK is doing pizza like this".
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Then after the first bite, they go on to say: "There are very few pizzas in the UK that create this, I’m a little bit blown away".
As Londoners themselves, they go on to say that Edges is 'easily hitting with the best that we’ve got down south'.
And if that's not high praise enough, they sign off the video saying: "Leeds has got an absolute gem. I give this a stamp so hard my foot went through the pizza. Edges. Don Level."
Georgina Pellant -
13th July 2021 
