Rum Sampling, spirit masterclasses, pop-up shop, street food, 100+ brands, a daiquiri competition- and that's just the beginning for Leeds Rum Festival 2022.
For the sixth year running, an eclectic mix of rum brands from near and far will once again take over Leeds’ this month.
Taking place on Saturday 17 September 2022, Leeds' Corn Exchange is set to host this exciting festival from Rolling Social Events, following the success of sister events, Leeds Whisky Festival and the upcoming Leeds Tequila Festival.
The one-day-festival will see 100 different rums on show, including popular names like Nusa Caña, who will be sponsoring the festival, Plantation, Takamaka, , El Dorado and Skipper, as well as new up-and-coming boozy brands too.
Image: Supplied (Chapter 81)
The sixth September edition of Leeds Rum Festival is set to be its biggest yet, according to producers.
Rolling Social Events is cementing itself as an events company that prides itself not only on showcasing the best in spirits but putting a spotlight on fun and education. Accompanied by music and entertainment, as well as food, Leeds Rum Festival is a premier all-round experience for rum lovers.
Amongst the exciting rum brands on offer, Nusa Caña, an Indonisian rum "packed full of tropical flavour charged with the attitude and energy of today's Bali" will be sponsoring the occasion whilst returning sponsor Three Cents will be creating mixers inspired by bartenders for bartenders with a fusion of premium sodas to act as the ideal accompaniment for your rum throughout the day-long festival.
Image: Supplied (Chapter 81)
The set-up will also feature a Monin Rum bar, where you'll be able to shake up your usual rum concoctions with a range of tropical classic cocktails- each with a twist. Think Piña Coladas, spiced mango rum punches and watermelon daiquiris.
And if that isn't enough, for the first time in Leeds Rum Fest history, a speed daiquiri competition will allow guests to make their own daiquiri at the Monin stand- with a Monin cocktail kit for the winner.
If rum isn't your usual tipple, there's ample opportunity to taste test a range of local craft beers on the day too.
Tickets to Leeds Rum Festival will cost £30 each and include access to all of the 100+ rum brands, as well as the opportunity to partake in several masterclasses, including talks from Satinago de Cuba, Nusa Caña and Speciality brands.
Lee Jones, Creative Director at Rolling Social Events is excited about the return of the festival: "It’s been great to see Leeds Rum Fest grow year on year and become part of the ‘don’t miss’ events for people in the city. It gets better every time that we do it and 2022 is no exception. With over 100 different samples, it’s our biggest selection yet. Rum is a great spirit - there’s an expression for everyone and always something new to explore.
"It was important to us that we bring rums from all kinds of producers and give a platform for the smaller/indie brands to showcase what they do - not just the big hitters
Image: Supplied (Chapter 81)
"We want to make this year’s festival bigger and better than ever, meaning more rum, more music, more masterclasses and more great street food traders. As ever, the festival is designed around drinking better quality alongside fun and education , and we’re very lucky to be working with another stellar line-up of incredible brands. We look forward to seeing you in September!”
For more information about the sixth annual Leeds Rum Festival at Leeds' Corn Exchange, including how to book your tickets for the event, visit the Eventbrite website.
Feature Image- Supplied (Chapter 81)
News
Huge international girl group tipped for reunion tour after teasers from big UK arenas
A major international girl band appear to be gearing up for a big reunion tour following a number of teasers popping up at some of the largest arenas around the country.
Including right here in Leeds.
In case you haven’t already guessed it from the thumbnail, we’ll give you another hint: there used to be six of them, though it remains to be seen how many will be returning…
Yes, the once-huge all-female pop group, The Pussycat Dolls, looks set to reunite once again, though the full lineup and exact nature of the shows are yet to be fully verified.
They were a big chart-topping act throughout the noughties, and some of the famous faces are still doing bits in around showbiz today; they’ve been away for a long time, but the First Direct Bank Arena and more have just fans getting ready to “loosen up their buttons”.
Image: Co-op Live
Sharing the big digital advert splashed at the top of the venue on Wednesday, 11 March, the First Direct Bank Arena couldn’t have made it any easier for fans to guess.
Choosing one of the most obvious lyrics turned puns and asking us, “Don’t Cha Wish you knew who we’re announcing tomorrow (Thurs, 12 Mar)”, it didn’t take any time at all for people to figure it out.
With the comments across social media platforms now filled with people sharing gifs of their old performances and dance routines, or simply sharing their general excitement, the hype train is already well and truly on the way.
And then, as if things weren’t already blatant enough, the Pussycat Dolls’ official page has also shared a short clip ahead of the inevitable reveal featuring the words, “PCD Forever”, along with pointing them towards a website listed under the same name.
Now, the last time they performed was not long before the pandemic, with most of the original lineup performing on The X Factor, releasing their first new song in over a decade, ‘React’, which was supposed to signal the start of a reunion.
However, the planned comeback tour was ultimately cancelled in January 2022, and we hadn’t heard much else since – until now. Fans are crossing fingers that they get at least a trio of Nicole Sherzinger, Ashley Roberts, Carmit Bachar, Kimberly Wyatt, and Jessica Sutta, but we’ll find out very soon.
A bar in Leeds is serving £1 Baby Guinness shots in celebration of St Patrick’s Day
Clementine Hall
Baby Guinness shots for a quid? It would be rude not to.
Get ready to raid your wardrobe for anything green, because one of the funnest (and booziest) holidays of the year is just around the corner.
Of course, we're talking about the almighty St Patrick's Day that is taking place on Tuesday 17 March 2026.
It's a day filled with merriment, Irish music and plenty of Guinness. Whether that be pints of the good stuff or shots of Baby Guinness.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
We're particularly a fan of the latter.
And there's a few spots in Leeds where you'll be able to get those bad boys for just one pound.
Roxy Ball Room & Roxy Lanes are hosting the offer which will be available from Friday 13 - Sunday 22 March, that's over an entire week of £1 shots for you to get stuck into.
All you have to do is download their brand-new rewards app, claim the voucher and leave the rest to them.
The voucher can be used at any time during the day and at any of their Leeds locations. Pretty class if you ask us.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
And you're really spoilt for choice because you'll find Roxy Ball Rooms on Merrion Street and Boar Lane as well as a Roxy Lanes on The Headrow.
Not only will you be able to bag yourself a £1 shot, but in the same timeframe they're also offering limited edition Jameson shots to mark the occasion as well as two for £10 pints of Guinness.
Of course you'll be able to enjoy all the usual Roxy games and unleash your competitive side, from beer pong and tech darts to karaoke and ice-free curling.
So, get your mates together and get ready to grab a bargain this St Patrick's Day by downloading the Roxy Rewards App here.
Sophie Smith -
7th September 2022 
