Tabula Rasa is serving up unique colour-changing cocktails in a beautifully decorated bar, hidden the heart of Leeds.
Inspired by the roaring 20s, this sophisticated cocktail bar focuses on aperitivo and cocktails, as well as speciality coffee with a modern art-deco design and some of the most irresistible cocktails around.
Amongst the unique combinations on the menu is an incredible, colour-changing cocktail inspired by legendary artist, Pablo Picasso.
Starting off as a pale crystal-like blue colour, this magical cocktail transforms into shades of lilac, before becoming a violet-coloured drink using The Botanic Request spirits and pink sugars. Now how many cocktails can do that?
Other options include the 'Anna Kerina' cocktail, made using Finlandia vodka and a dash of absinthe. Tabula Rasa describe this one as "beautiful, fierce, and mysterious just as the woman who dared to challenge the Russian aristocracy in her path to self actuation. Is “Anna Karenina” a great love story or a warning against the myth and cult of love?! Some dashes of absinthe always reveal the truth…".
Like the other cocktails on the Tabula Rasa menu, they're all named after influential or historical figures- great for those awkward first dates if you have nothing to talk about.
The concept comes from owner Filippos Filippopoulos' years of hospitality experience and passion for fine tuning flavours. Long time Leeds residents may recognise Filippos from the Watermark Bar on Belgrave Street as the former co-owner.
Now located on 8 East Gate, Filippos focuses on an authentic aperitivo experience in the evening, whilst daytime is served for early drinkers and the perfect coffee.
Filippos Filippopoulos shaking a cocktail inside his former home of The Watermark Bar. / Image: The Watermark Bar
We love a local that champions other independents and that's exactly what we can expect from Tabula Rasas. In the mornings, grab a coffee with a slice or two brownie from the Savvy Baker or snack your way through the afternoon and evening with bruschettas from The Cheesy Living Co's selection of charcuterie and cheeses.
Open 6 days a week, Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00am, the bar also serves an exclusive coffee blend made just for Tabula Rasa.
Charcuterie sharers from The Cheesy Living Co. / Image: Tabula Rasa
For more information, including a sneak peak at the cocktail menu awaiting you, you can visit the bar's Instagram page or head over to 8 East Parade in Leeds city centre from 10am on weekdays until and as late as 2am between Thursday and Saturday.
Veteran Manchester rock and blues band Proud Mary recently announced a limited run of UK reunion shows, including one right here in Leeds.
The seasoned Northern outfit may have seen plenty of lineup changes and a long hiatus of sorts, but now they’re returning for just a small handful of comeback gigs across the country.
Ahead of their seminal debut album turning 25 years old this year, 2026 also seems them steadily creeping up on the best part of three decades as a group in some form or another.
For anyone uninitiated, the native 90s and early noughties name was the first band signed to Noel Gallagher’s Sour Mash Records in 2001.
Their first-ever LP, The Same Old Blues, still remains their most revered work to this day.
Dubbed by the older Burnage brother and legendary Manc musician as “a lesson in songwriting” in an interview with the NME way back when, they started out as long-time friends and turned into fellow studio peers.
As well as supporting the likes of Oasis, Neil Young, The Stereophonics, Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene, Ryan Adams, Noel’s High Flying Birds and more on various tours over the years, they also famously headlined Isle of Wight Festival in 2004.
Having collaborated with the likes of another Britpop legend, Gem Archer, as well as The Smiths’ Andy Rourke, not to mention gaining plaudits from so many other contemporaries, they’re likely one of your favourite bands’ old faithful bands.
Moreover, in regional terms, rising local indie rock quintet Rosellas are also joining them on the road for their shows.
Proud Mary will be playing at The Warehouse in Leeds on Friday 8 May and you can grab your tickets HERE.
Featured Images — Proud Mary (press shots supplied via Sonic PR)
News
Reverend and the Makers frontman Jon McClure becomes chairman of Sheffield FC
Danny Jones
Reverend and the Makers frontman Jon McClure has officially been confirmed as the new chairman of the oldest football team in the world, Sheffield FC.
He might be a die-hard Wednesday fan, but given the turbulence his lifelong club have been through over the past couple of years, maybe this is the start of a new love affair.
Sheffield FC had teased that important news was coming soon earlier this month, simply writing on socials: "Not long until we can tell all. We’ve been sitting on something big."
As it turns out, the news is that one of the Steel City's most famous and beloved sons is now part of the club's new ownership structure. McClure quickly took to social media to help join in with the announcement as well.
The veteran indie frontman and Day Fever co-founder has continued to branch out from solely music-related ventures, having gone into business not only with multiple names for the smash hit afternoon-into-early evening music festival, but also joining forces with a fellow Sheffielder.
Since November of last year, Jon's has often appeared alongside his brother Chris, who plays the comedy character of 'Steve Bracknall' on the Game's Gone podcast.
A bit like Yorkshire's answer to Alan Partridge, there remains a sporting throughline in pretty much all of the 44-year-old's career at the moment - now so more than ever.
Speaking online, McClure said: "What am I doing at the world’s oldest football club, you ask? Well, meet the new chairman of Sheffield FC.
"Our vision is that we honour the club’s roots and pay homage to its incredible history, whilst restoring it to its former glory." He's already been making his presence known around their home ground.
— Sheffield Football Club (@sheffieldfc) March 3, 2026
While some are still looking for updates on the plans to bring the historic outfit back closer to Sheffield proper - the non-league club currently playing at The Home of Football Stadium in Dronfield, Derbyshire - this fresh start for the now oft-neglected native minnows has still sparked some excitement.
At present, 'The Ancients' are in the process of developing a new 5,000-seater arena at the old Sheffield Transport Sports Club site in Meadowhead, which was initially slated to open this year.
But as for the musician, he went on to add that "There’s a lot to be done, but we’re ready to get stuck in and give Sheffield FC the love it deserves"; McClure and co. have dubbed this "a new chapter" for "the first in the world", and the update will no doubt bring some fresh hope to the organisation.
What do you make of the announcement, and is a local figure like Reverend and the Makers' Jon McClure the right person to help take over this community cornerstone and national institution?
Sophie Smith -
13th January 2022 
