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This Leeds bar is hosting a pyjama party to celebrate its third birthday
Think pyjama parties are just for kids? Think again. The Watermark Bar is embracing its inner child - transforming into a huge pillow fort for one night only
Popular neighbourhood bar The Watermark will be transformed into the ultimate pillow fortfor one night only for a pyjama party and it's safe to say we're very excited.
Yes, that's right, the Watermark Bar is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to party in your dressing gown inside their Pillow Fort bar. You absolutely need to be there.
Taking place on Saturday 17 October in honour of its third birthday, the bar has invited guests to join to celebrate three years of making cocktails in Leeds.
Guests are encouraged to dress in their finest pyjamas or kimonos and join in with the festivities. Pillows and dressing gowns are optional.
Located on Cross Belgrave Street, the bar is known locally for its late night kitchen, cocktails, endless selection of spirits and all-around laid-back vibes.
Sharing photos of the last big night in, the bar reminded customers that although they may appear grown up on the outside there are plenty of moments where they embrace the lighter side of running a bar.
For example, one of their bartenders 'occasionally' refuses to serve drinks in glasses. The solution? We think the photos say it all.
A sneak peak of the atmosphere at the Watermark Bar's birthday event / Image: The Watermark Bar
In their notorious tongue-in-cheek manner, Watermark is promising to 'bring it harder than your grans Christmas jigsaw' after missing out on celebrating the second anniversary of their opening in 2020 because of coronavirus restrictions.
A mighty selection of food is served at the Watermark until the early hours and their birthday bash will be no exception.
Taking post-night-out food to a whole new level, their famed chicken and waffle dish just needs to be ordered before 3 am - a sure delight to anyone that usually craves salt after an evening on the town.
The critically acclaimed bar regularly receives five star reviews, described as 'consistently amazing' by their regular customers for its service, food and drinks.
Inspired by the owner's home bar in Beeston, the interior is cosily decorated throughout, complete with classic board games and quirky wall features.
Previous Watermark Bar Events have been a wild success with regulars and newcomers alike / Image: The Watermark Bar
The owners are so excited about their birthday, they will be giving out awards for the best set of pyjamas - and have even invested in new lighting to enhance the pillow fort come house party ambience. A perfect example of the preparation a grown up pyjama party needs.
There couldn't bar more perfectly suited to host a pyjama party in the city centre and we can't wait to see the event in action.
A list of the UK's best independent coffee shops for 2026 has been released, and one in Leeds has come up trumps.
The coffee shop in question may come as no surprise to some of you, as some would say that after 15 years in the city it's become somewhat of an institution.
Of course it's none other than Laynes.
Founded in 2011 by Dave Olejnik, Laynes began life on New Station Street and quickly became one of the first venues in Leeds to focus on carefully sourced and roasted coffee beans, helping lead the way for the city's now-thriving independent coffee scene.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's a proper Leeds staple at this point, sat proudly with its glowing yellow exterior and queues out the door full of punters looking for their morning caffeine fix.
But it's not just us who think it's flipping fantastic, as a new study has revealed the top 10 most popular independent coffee shops in the country and Laynes comes in at a very respectable number 8.
The list, made by Capital on Tap, analysed coffee across the UK looking at Google reviews, monthly searches and social media success.
Laynes was in some pretty good company including Idle Hands in Manchester and Kaf Coffee in Glasgow. But most importantly, none of the top 10 were in London - make of that what you will.
The top 10 most popular independent coffee shops for 2026:
Neighbourhood Café, Belfast
Colonna & Small’s, Bath
Established Coffee, Belfast
Hard Lines Coffee, Cardiff
Rough Handmade, Liverpool
Idle Hands Coffee, Manchester
Full Court Press, Bristol
Laynes Espresso, Leeds
Kaf Coffee, Glasgow
Dom’s Coffee, Cambridge
Bravo Laynes, a well earned accolade for one of our favourite spots in the city.
A bakery serving giant NYC-style cookies and fluffy cinnamon buns has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
If you've got a seriously sweet tooth, then you're going to love this new opening.
It seems like there's been a flurry of new bakeries popping up in and around Leeds recently, and we're certainly not complaining.
Introducing Crumbb, a beautiful new bakery that has just opened its doors on Hyde Park Road just moments outside of the city centre.
Owner Naila started the businesses as a wholesaler six years ago, stocking up local businesses from far and wide with sweet treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Since then, Crumbbs opened its first location in Bradford just a few months ago that has been nothing short of a resounding success. So much so, that Crumbbs 2.0 was born right here in Leeds a few days ago.
Right, let's talk you through what's on offer.
For the sweet toothed out there, there's a whole myriad of treats for you to enjoy. We're talking giant NYC-style cookies, fluffy cinnamon buns topped with gooey icing, brownies slices, cookie muffins, rocky road, flapjack, the list is truly endless.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can even get warm cookie trays and hot brownies to enjoy in house that can be topped with ice cream or thick custard.
And it doesn't stop there, Crumbbs also whip up freshly baked savoury focaccia slices as well as cheese twists, pizza slices and savoury rolls filled with creamy mozzarella and herbs.
They've also got a fabulous drink selection on offer including matcha, coffee and hot chocolates.
Located in Headingley, we've got a feeling this spot is going to be a huge hit with students and locals alike looking to get their sweet treat fix. But they'll have to beat us to it first.
Sophie Smith -
8th October 2021 
