Eats

The new music bar taking over New Briggate with upcycled furniture and cactus cocktails

There's even a secret sliding bookshelf that leads to the upstairs

Sophie Smith - 31st August 2022

This isn't your average new bar opening.

It feels as if Leeds is experiencing a wealth of growth at the moment, with innovative spaces popping up seemingly by the week.

Whilst many are bringing something new and exciting to the city centre, Delirium and Revelry is offering the rare opportunity to find your new favourite spot for a night out.

We're talking about a brand new bar space with inventive cocktails, eclectic music, and vintage-inspired interiors, all with a modern spin.

Located at the Grand Arcade next door to Brotherhood, the new independent comes with generous opening times (until 3 or 4am), and a bespoke collection of spirits for some one-a-kind-cocktail concoctions.

We're talking about blends of tequila and Midori liqueur, lime and Ting called Don't be a Pr*ck, served in a cactus-shaped glass, whilst the Ruby Revival, served in a lightbulb-esque glass and mixes rhubarb and grapefruit gin with Italicus, Campari and rhubarb bitters.

The selection here is vast and eclectic as the music offered inside, with a selection of crowdpleasing hip hop during the day, before upping the BPM for some disco house, garage, and techno as dusk falls.

Taking over the former space of Hardy's, think Edison bulbs, suede booths and upcycled furniture with animal light fittings and an overall jungle theme.

There's also a small private VIP room upstairs for those looking to book for on the first up to 10 guests, and featuring a secret sliding bookshelf- and this promises to be extremely popular with anyone looking for a unique way to start the party.

The bar also has comes with a large second floor, which hopes to follow the unique trends inside Delirium & Revelry, but as a speakeasy bar complete with retro arcade machines, which the owners hope to complete at a later date.

The new bar is the brainchild of Lydia Phillips and Andy Hedley, owners with over 15 years in the hospitality industry, spanning as far as Newcastle and Durham, as well as right here in Leeds.

Co-founder and manager Lydia Phillips said:

‘’I first fell in love with Leeds about 7 years ago when I came here for university and was blown away by the nightlife. There’s a decent bar on almost every corner of the city, with a warm Northern vibe and a host of familiar and friendly faces.’

‘’Having worked both behind the bar and later behind the scenes, I feel I’ve got a good eye for what works and what doesn’t. My business partner and friend Andy is a local lad who’s had similar experiences to myself, and we just decided the time had come to give it a shot ourselves.’’

‘’Delirium & Revelry has been a real passion project for both of us, and we’re confident we’ve created a space that’s truly unique, whilst at the same time complementing the existing bars in the Merrion Street area.’’

‘’As small independent ourselves, it’s important that we support each other, as well as other local breweries and businesses. Sustainability is also high on our agenda, and we’ve tried to integrate this into building the brand, by using upcycled furniture and recyclable bar accessories wherever we can. We’ve had a lot of late nights getting ready for launch and can’t wait to welcome our first guests to the bar’’

You can find Delirium & Revelry at 52 New Briggate in Leeds city centre, LS1 6NU.