A study by The Bottle Club found that a bar on Call Lane is the 'most secret' in the country.
In Leeds, there are bars aplenty- but have you ever found yourself walking through a barbers or laundrette and found yourself inside a speakeasy?
Thanks to some of the most inventive creatives around, the hidden bar scene in Leeds is growing and thriving, despite many of these prohibition bars hiding in plain sight. If you're lucky enough to find your way into one, you'll understand the fascination behind finding that front door.
Read More: Where to find the best secret and hidden bars in Leeds
Hidden bars aren't exclusively in Leeds, they're popping up all over the country, but according to The Bottle Club, we officially have the most secret bars in the UK.
The Maven was crowned as 'officially the best-kept secret bar in Leeds' by The Bottle Club, after the company used their lack of Instagram followers, when compare to larger bars across the UK, as an indicator of secrecy.
The cocktail bar opens from 5pm and remains closed in the daytime. / Image: The Maven Bar
The company described The Maven as a hidden gem, stating "The Maven is a classic prohibition-era inspired cocktail bar located close to the Leeds Corn Exchange behind an unlabelled black door. Not only is this bar well hidden, it is also relatively inexpensive, with cocktail prices ranging reasonably between £8 and £10".
If you've ever been on a night out on Call Lane, you might have a different opinion about the secrecy of the bar but given that The Maven remains nondescript during the daytime, we can certainly vouch for its ability to hide in plain sight.
The Maven was crowned the most secret bar in the UK. / Image: The Maven Bar
The Maven was the first secret bar to open in our city and is loved for its 6-flight cocktail tasting menu and an aperitivo menu packed with negronis and Campari sodas, dedicated to the Italian drinking culture. The bar also offers a range of gins and rums.
According to insiders, there's an additional secret bar, within the secret bar. Sponsored by Monkey 47, and a second-floor party room known as the Green Room, and can be used alongside the two private rooms for hire for large events.
The additional private rooms are just as hidden. / Image: The Maven Bar
As a city, Leeds ranked 7th in the UK for mysterious bars- but no other secret bars appeared in the top 10 of any other category, showing how much of the weight The Maven carried for Leeds to reach a respectable 7th place.
Bottle Club searched high and low for some of the best 'hard to find' bars, stating that:
"We at The Bottle Club wanted to find the best-hidden gem bars from around the UK. But with so many bars doing their best to stay secret, this took some extensive research, both online and on the ground. However, several large drinks later, we uncovered the best ‘mystery’ bars that 25 of the UK’s most vibrant cities had to offer".
Ranked: Top 10 most secret bars in the UK. / Image: The Bottle Club
For each speakeasy to qualify as one of the UK’s most mysterious bars, each bar was ranked against five important factors, for a score out of ten for each factor: secrecy, creativity, cocktail range, cost and Google ratings.
To find The Maven, you need to look out for a black, unmarked door on Call Lane. We won't give you any more clues than that.
Everyone's in love with frozen yoghurt, and Leeds is about to get more of it.
Over the past year, the UK has become a little bit obsessed with frozen yoghurt - and Leeds is no exception.
We've had Kefiyo open in Headingley which met to queues round the block for weeks, as well as the UK's leading froyo brand Frurt open up in Kirkstall.
And now, there's a newbie on the block.
Images: Supplied
Introducing 'Yo-Go', your newest frozen yoghurt bar that will be opening up in Leeds' Hyde Park.
We don't know much about Yo-Go yet, but we do know it's female owned and is sporting some pretty cute branding.
The space is currently undergoing renovation, with the owner posting that she received the keys just a couple of days ago.
The window vinyls are up, and people are already getting very excited about the opening as they flock to the comments of Yo-Go's first Instagram post.
Announcing the news of their opening, Yo-Go wrote: "GUYS!! WE’VE GOT THE KEYS. And apparently they don’t come with a finished shop… rude.
"While we get to work, we need your input. Toppings, flavours, very specific requests, we’re taking notes. Drop them below and I’ll try my best to make it happen x"
Comments included requests for 'unlimited toppings' as well as warm sauces, cookie dough, marshmallow and honeycomb.
Sounds pretty delicious if you ask us, but for now, it looks like there's still some work to be done before the shop is ready to welcome its first customers.
We don't know of an opening date just yet, but we'll keep you updated as and when we do.
Inside the new all-day American diner that has just opened at Leeds Bradford Airport
Clementine Hall
A brand-new American-style diner serving smash burgers, hot dogs and thick milkshakes has opened at Leeds Bradford Airport.
We all know the holiday really starts as soon as you get to the airport, and Leeds Bradford Airport has a brand-new American diner to kick start it in style.
Welcome to Monty’s American Diner, the all-day dining destination bringing a taste of the USA to Yorkshire.
Located in the airport's departure lounge, this new spot is designed to give passengers somewhere to sit back and relax whilst enjoying a proper meal before jetting off.
And just like your classic American diner, there’s plenty on the menu to get stuck into.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Early flight? Breakfast is available until 11am with options including fluffy waffles, French toast bites, chicken and waffles drenched in maple syrup as well as traditional cooked breakfasts and American-style bagels.
Those travelling later in the day can tuck into smash burgers, chicken wings, loaded hot dogs, gooey mac and cheese and even a BBQ platter complete with ribs, corn and wings.
There’s also a menu specifically designed for the little ones, featuring waffles, beans on toast and scrambled eggs on toast, alongside burgers, chicken tenders and mac and cheese throughout the day.
And if you fancy a drink before take-off, because it wouldn't be a trip to the airport without a tipple, Monty’s has that covered too.
There's freshly poured pints on offer as well as cocktails, or you can have the proper American experience with a 'hard shake' - their classic thick milkshakes but made boozy.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space has been decked out in style, so much so that you'll forget you're in Yorkshire and think you've popped into a diner on Route 66.
Classic booth seating, red neon signs, hanging globe lights, all complete with a retro jukebox which you can even pop a song on.
Open all-day long, from the first flight til the last, next time you're jetting off make sure to make Monty's part of your holiday routine.
You can find out more about Monty's at Leeds Bradford Airport here.
Sophie Smith -
7th January 2022 
