Winter warmers taste just a little better when there's a splash of Baileys inside.
Hot chocolates are the ultimate winter drink. Sipping cocoa by an open fire features in almost every British winter movie scene for good reason.
In and around Leeds there are plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants ready to not only satisfy our hot chocolate needs, but take them to the next level with a boozy makeover.
Whether you like yours with Baileys, Amaretto or toasted marshmallows: here are the best boozy hot chocolates in and around the city centre.
Hidden along Roundhay Road, Grön Kafe is the clean-eating, no-nonsense cafe that knows how to spice up the menu. Alongside scandi-inspired dishes, taster platters and brunches with hidden hangover cures, features the only boozy hot chocolate you'll need this winter.
Infused with either Baileys, Whiskey or Raspberry Liquor, hot chocolates from Grön Kafe have the option of a boozy upgrade. If that doesn't take your fancy: white hot chocs, marshmallow melts and batch filter hot chocolates are all on the menu too.
Thor's Tipi
The Ferrero Frosty. / Image: Thor's Tipi
There's just something about a trip to a tipi and sitting by the log-burning fire that makes it feel like Christmas. Using their own 'special blend' imported from Germany, Thor's Tipi have some of the best hot chocolates around: and they're all topped with cream and marshmallows.
The ‘Ferrero Frosty’ is a true speciality, made up of salted caramel vodka, hazelnut liquor and chocolate milk but you can spice up your winter warmer with anything sweet, fruity or naughty- the list of added alcohol is endless. Think Karamel Vodka, Coconut Rum, classic Baileys, Cherry Liquor, MOOSE Alpine Spirit, Amaretto, Hazelnut Liqueur and more.
There's nothing better than taking a walk along Ilkley Moors and watching the sunset before and grabbing a hot drink before heading home where the PJs and central heating are calling- just make sure you take a detour to 39 The Grove. Specifically, to grab a Baileys hot chocolate.
Grab a seat under the tree and unwrap a few layers of hats and scarves before tasting the creamy, booze infused treat. Just make sure you visit Wednesday - Sunday as the cafe is closed every Monday and Tuesday.
The Christmas Markets may not be back this year, but the mini markets at Victoria Gate have given us a glimpse of a pre-Covid christmas in Leeds city centre. All the hot chocolates here comes from an everlasting tap of Nutella.
Add a warming shot of booze based on your preferences to make it go down a little sweeter and get a little gingerbread man, marshmallows, whipped cream and a little candy cane on top.
So technically this hot chocolate doesn't come with a shot of something alcoholic, but it's sweet enough to make it on to our list anyway. From the 'boujee hot chocolate' range comes three Instagram-friendly hot chocolates: Biscoff, Jaffa Orange and S'mores.
The S'mores hot chocolate has a full snack inside. Think belgian hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream, digestive biscuit, chocolate sauce and toasted marshmallows; this hot choc will have you transported to a campfire in no time.
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Sophie Smith -
10th December 2021 
