All year round options for those that don't want a boozy beer.
This might be the busiest Dry January on record, given those participating in a month of no alcohol has jumped from 3.9 million in 2020 to over 6.5 in 2022. In fact, record numbers of people are choosing to go without booze all year round.
The trend of non-alcoholic drinks is so popular that the first alcohol-free off license has opened (and is thriving) in London. But as we're nowhere near the capital and the pubs need us to drink them dry to make up for the pandemic-anxiety-related flop that was December, it's time to get to the pub and grab a pint of something non-alcoholic.
Naturally, beer is a great crowd pleaser and a good non-alcoholic lager will taste almost as good as its predecessor, so it's become our go-to this Dry Jan. Here's our favourite places to grab a pint without getting tipsy in Leeds...
Throughout the month of January, you can get free refills of all your favourite pints for the price of one and what’s not to love about that? Bestsellers like the original Punk IPA are available in the offer, just transformed to remove the alcoholic part- forming Punk AF, soon to be your new favourite Dry Jan alternative. You can also get cans of alcohol-free Lost, Punk, Hazy and Nanny State beers to take away with you after last orders is called.
Fruity, refreshing and tastes exactly like any other IPA, just without the boozy bit. North Brew Co have an ever-changing supply of fresh beers, lagers, pale ales and every other variety imaginable, so if you're looking for a safe bet of getting a non-alcoholic pint on draft, we'd recommend putting your money on this place. Plus, they have Little Bao Boys supplying the food, so there's a winning combination waiting for you at North Brew Co.
If you're a fan of Beavertown's boozy beers like Neck Oil and Gamma Ray, you're sure to cling onto the Lazer Crush Alcohol Free IPA this January at Hoist House. The bar describe it as "a heavyweight flavoured IPA with a featherweight ABV- it’s well worth a try" but if you prefere Peroni 0.0%, Leffe, AF Heineken or Adnam's Ghost Ship, there's plenty of other options available for you too.
Draught Pint- Brooklyn Special Effects from Kirkstall Bridge
In addition to Veltins non-alcoholic beer and Erdinger Alkoholfrei, which is technically a 'refreshing isotonic drink with less than 0.5% alcohol', it looks like Kirkstall Bridge is gearing up to serve Brooklyn Special Effects, a hoppy lager with just 0.4% ABV on draft soon. If you need a snack whilst your there, pair your beer with their winning January food offers- a pizza and a side for a tenner, and you’ll be beating the new year blues in no time.
Leeds Brewery are particularly proud of this bottle of non alcoholic pale ale, describing the product as "specially crafted to create a well-rounded, full flavoured, traditionally styled beer." Available at the Lamb and Flag, as well as The White Swan, Duke of York and Crowd of Flavours- or any other pubs owner by Leeds Brewery.
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 -
12th January 2023 
