February was a wild month here in Leeds and it's all down to Leeds' best PR, Social & Experiential Events Agency.
It feels as if there's been a new venue launch every single week in 2022, each offering a never-seen-before experience to add to our long lists of places to visit in Leeds.
The faces behind the glamorous parties and all of the running around that's involved in a new launch is the team at Pink Gorilla Hairy Lemon. Jordan Odu and along with the rest of their talent work tirelessly to ensure the success of each and every one of their clients, and it's obvious that their dedicated work pays off.
Working with their team is seemingly a one-way ticket into an exclusive part of Leeds foodie and drinks scene. Whether you're a food blogger, new restaurant or a long-time bar, working with PGHL is a reputation that Leeds recognises and remembers.
Naturally, this makes them our go-to team to ask about what's going on in Leeds.
In February, the team were responsible for some of the biggest openings, refurb parties and more - so we asked them, where are some of the best newly opened or refurbished spots in Leeds to try out this month?
Playroom
Image: PGHL
Bringing us into 2022 with a brand new concept, the team behind Dollhouse, including internationally recognised DJ Tom Zanetti, opened Playroom, a brand-new drinking, dining and dancing concept club at Electric Press.
The £300,000 project is split over two levels: the venue’s ground floor has a stylish lounge with VIP tables on offer, as well as a heated indoor courtyard and outside terrace in Millennium Square.
Pink Gorilla recommends: It's the go-to place for a late night dinner or if you want to experience fine food with all the tunes you'd expect at an exclusive club hidden in Leeds.
“Playroom brings something totally different to the city with it’s dine, drink and dance concept. We just love the vibes here – you get the best of both worlds with unbelievable food in a club atmosphere. The entertainment also adds to the really unique dining experience” – Lydia Kirton
As the latest launch in the city, The Hoot team have been spending plenty of time down at Granary Wharf exploring every angle of SALT's latest venture: a craft beer and falafel bar.
This place is perfect for laid-back wining and dining, largely because there's cocktails on tap, but the contrast between sun-drenched seats and cosy nooks makes it an ideal day-to-night spot that matches the mood for any occasion.
Pink Gorilla recommends: If you're a fan of the bright red Falafel Guys truck on Briggate, you're going to spend all your post-working hours in here.
“I had so much fun working with the Salt team again for the launch of Salt Craft and Falafel. I can’t wait for summers down at Granary Wharf - nothing beats drinking cocktails on tap, award-winning beers and Falafel guys wraps are next-level tasty. If you haven’t visited already, I highly recommend you take a trip!” – Hannah Clarke
Relocating from its current location on Bond Street to The Light on The Headrow, Roxy Lanes opened a mammoth new venue just two weeks ago- and it seems to be packed out ever since.
The new ice curling lane is free of ice and full of surprises, making it the latest must-try activity in Leeds. Besides the incredible cocktails and pizza slices, Roxy Lanes is well worth visiting for its ten bowling lanes, two duck pin bowling lanes, shuffleboards, American pool tables, basketball machines and air hockey. Quite simply, they have all the activities you need to fill an entire weekend of fun and games.
Pink Gorilla recommends: If you want to test out Leeds first ice curling rink, or just grab a drink and shoot some hoops at the latest bar in the city, this is the only place to go.
“Roxy’s really have outdone themselves with the new venue within The Light, it has definitely taken the gaming scene in Leeds to the next level with bowling lanes, shuffleboards, pool tables, air hockey and curling. My favourite has to be the curling - It’s something totally new to Leeds and definitely something you need to try!” – Lydia Kirton
Leeds nightlife has seen many changes over the past 15 years, but whilst countless venues have come and gone, Revolution Electric Press has always stayed the same – until its huge £300,000 makeover.
The introduction of a new ‘vodka land’ theme that will take its inspiration from wild and wacky fairgrounds and funfairs – but with an adult twist. 22 new cocktails, a giant Dumbo elephant for photo shots and all the vodka you could dream of, this is the late-night bar you can spend all night long inside.
Pink Gorilla recommends: Revolution is now a real-life vodka playground, so it has to be the only place you visit for a flavoured vodka drink.
"This place will always be special to me as it was where I started my marketing career and gave me my first PR job. We had a fantastic turnout for the party and everyone was loving the recent refurbishment. The Vodka-land theme adds a real element of fun to the Leeds nightlife scene and you can’t go wrong with a flavoured vodka shot or five” - Jordan Odu
In March, the pace certainly isn't slowing down. We're expecting some huge new openings, and Jordan, Lydia and the rest of the PGHL team will be on hands to tell us all about them soon.
Asda has decided to launch red baskets in stores to help single shoppers meet the love of their life.
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that dating in the modern world isn’t easy, right?
According to new Asda research, 94% of Brits say modern-day dating is hard to navigate, but what’s also clear is that face-to-face interactions still hold a special place – with a resounding 87% of people saying it’s better to meet someone in real life than on a dating app.
In fact, 77% of singles saying they’re not currently active on a dating app at all, and to top it all off, 64% say they fancy someone at their local supermarket.
So, with Valentine’s Day right around the corner now, Asda has decided to take matters into its own hands by placing special red baskets in select stores, giving singles a simple way to signal they’re open to a chat while picking up bread, browsing the bakery, or grabbing a few treats.
Unfortunately for us, the baskets will only appear in Leicester, Liverpool, and Glasgow, as this is where the research revealed people are most actively looking for love.
While the supermarket admits there’s no one ‘right’ way to meet someone, its research does suggest that 62% of couples who met face-to-face describe themselves as being ‘extremely happy’, compared with 51% of those who met online.
And that sense of connection goes beyond romance too, as among those couples who met in real life, 71% of them say they ‘trust their partner 100%’, while 66% describe their relationship as a ‘deep friendship’.
“We know people are craving real-life connections, but we also know our customers are busy and don’t always have the time to put themselves out there,” a spokesperson for Asda admitted.
“That’s why we’re turning the weekly shop into the ultimate meet-cute. These red baskets are a fun, light-hearted way to help people connect while they’re already doing their everyday shop – a simple, playful nudge to start a chat and maybe even spark a little romance.”
Featured Image – ASDA
News
10 of the best new openings coming to Leeds in 2026
Clementine Hall
Allow us to get you excited about the next one with a list of new openings coming to the city.
If you're feeling a little bit down in the dumps about 2025 ending then do not fear, because we've got a feeling that the next year is about to be even bigger and better.
There's already a great selection of restaurants, bars and shops gearing up to open up in Leeds during, so let us fill you in.
Salon Madre and Madre
Wellington Street
Image: The Manc Eats
Are you ready for a fresh taste of Mexico Leeds? Well you better be – because Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, is setting up shop on Wellington Street in due course.
Not only that, but their lively sibling Salon Madre will be opening next door on Friday 20 February. Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens. Madre will open one month later.
Trinity Kitchen 2.0
Image: Supplied
Trinity Leeds is embarking on a major transformation with a £15 million expansion, introducing a second food court called ‘Freight Island’ The upgrade will add around 72,000 sq ft of new space, including a stunning rooftop terrace overlooking City Square the perfect spot to enjoy great food with skyline views.
Burgerism
Meanwood
Image: The Manc Eats
You may remember when Burgerism had a delivery kitchen in Leeds, and ever since it closed we’ve had a Burgerism-shaped hole in our hearts. Well not any longer, because the Manchester-based burger chain has been given the go ahead to open a takeaway on Meanwood Road - hallelujah.
Dishoom
Taking over the old Flannels Site on Vicar Lane
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The legendary Indian restaurant group is coming to Leeds, and we’re absolutely buzzing about it. Dishoom is inspired by the Irani cafes of 1960s Bombay, which were meeting places for people from all walks of life.
Famed for their Indian twist on a classic breakfast (seriously, their breakfast naans are out of this world), Dishoom offers an all-day dining approach so you can get your Bombay fix from morning to noon and noon to night.
Planning permission is up for the restaurant to take over the former Flannels site on Vicar Lane, so fingers crossed it won’t be too long until we can all get stuck in.
Just when you thought the wine scene in Headingley couldn’t get any better, Once Upon A Vine is popping the cork on their third site - right in the heart of Headingley.
Expect hundreds of wines, plenty of bottles of fizz, and of course, a carefully curated local beer selection.
Uniqlo
Briggate
Image: Uniqlo
It’s happening…Uniqlo has confirmed it’s opening up right here in Leeds next year and we must say it’s looking very nice indeed. The Leeds store will be 1,100 square metres and will be located on Briggate in the old House of Fraser site. It’s part of a new expansion across the UK alongside new stores in Birmingham and Bristol.
A new Japanese grill and BBQ restaurant is opening up from Fern, the absolute mastermind behind Fern Modern Sushi. Opening up in the heart of the city on Vicar Lane, we can't wait for this one.
Dough Club
Burley Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Dough Club, a Manchester-based Detroit-style pizzeria, is planning to open up in Leeds.
Famed for their chewy, thick, cheesy crusts that are loaded with all the toppings imaginable, they’ll be opening up a spot on Burley Road for all your pizza needs.
MADE Matcha
Lower Briggate
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Introducing MADE Matcha, a matcha and açaí bar that has created waves in the foodie scene over in Sheffield since opening back in September last year. And it's pretty clear they're doing very well indeed, to be opening a second site in another city less than six months after launching is no mean feat.
Made Matcha will be opening on Lower Briggate in the Nice Things site and this pastel green paradise specialise in seasonal matchas that (almost) look too pretty to drink.
Lane 7
Albion Street
Image: The Hoot leeds
The independent bowling brand is set to open at Trinity Leeds in late spring, spanning a whopping 23,000 sq ft.
As well as 12 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, Lane7 will be home to other games including darts, pool tables, beer pong, golf simulators, and even an interactive 'Playground'.
Sophie Smith -
2nd March 2022 
