The weather is getting colder but the festivities are hotting up.
If you're a football fan then you will have been waiting for this week to come around for a long, long time. Many of you will be itching to get nestled inside a cosy pub, sports bar or beer hall to watch the matches in an incredible atmosphere and luckily for you, we've got a list of places around the city for you to get yourself to.
And not only that, but Leeds has truly got it's Christmas hat on with tipis, ice rinks, markets and more popping up around the city. There's something to get involved in every night this week as we get closer and closer to the end of the month.
Keep reading to find out how you can make the most of this week in Leeds…
World Cup 2022
Sunday 20 November - Sunday 18 December 2022
Image: BOX
The Qatar World Cup 2022 kicked off yesterday and we couldn't be more excited about it. It feels as though it was only yesterday we were sat in the pub, watching the 2021 Euros games in a world that was just reopening after being locked down for months on end.
Now we finally have the chance to make the most of the local sports bars and watch the world cup in the company of like-minded fans, there’s ample opportunity to grab a seat and pint around the city. So take a look at our guide on where to watch the games over the next few weeks, it's going to be a whole lot of fun.
Chow Down Winter Village
Thursday 10 November onwards | Chow Down, Temple Arches
Bringing together indie food trucks, live music, boozy bingo and the sports of the season, Chow Down’s Winter Village is returning in all of its glory- and you’ll have a full eight weeks to get yourself down there. There’s going to be plenty to get involved in too. We’re talking the return of the ever-popular drag brunches, as well as Bingo Lingo, comedy nights, a Christmas-themed dog social and the big pub quiz to round off the year with Chow Down Quizmas.
Monday 21 November - Saturday 31st December | Bundobust, Mill Hill
Image: Supplied
It’s officially the festive season and with that comes Christmas specials aplenty popping up around the city. Indian Street Food favourite Bundobust are of course getting in on the action, and we could not be more excited about it.
From Sprout Bhajis to Mince Pie Parathas, there's something for everyone to tuck into on this new festive fuelled menu. Built for the party with it’s beer hall style interior and a food menu made for sharing, it really is the perfect place to gather with friends, family or colleagues to cheers to the festivities.
Monday 21 November 2022 – Saturday 26 November 2022 | Leeds Playhouse, Quarry Hill
Image: Sarah Lou, Flickr
Roald Dahl’s devilishly delicious tale of young golden ticket winner Charlie Bucket and wild confectionary wizard Willy Wonka will take you to a world of pure imagination this festive season. Take a journey down the chocolate river and grab your golden ticket to this incredible production by Leeds Playhouse with Neal Street Productions & Playful Productions.
Friday 25 November 2022 onwards | Millenium Square, Leeds city centre
Image: Leeds City Council
Taking centre stage on Millennium Square, the 400 sqm real ice rink will feature a transparent marquee-styled roof to ensure sessions can take place whatever the weather. And with it comes a string of exciting attractions and stalls which will set up shop in the nearby Victoria Gardens and Cookridge Street. Including a family funfair where thrill-seekers can climb aboard the 30m high Star Flyer or check out the North Pole Funhouse alongside a selection of Children’s’ festive themed rides and games.
Thursday 24 November 2022 | Hirst’s Yard, just off Duncan Street / Call Lane
Image: The End Bar
The trendy new bar is due to open in November and will offer visitors an “elegant and lavish drinking space” in Leeds city centre. Named ‘The End’, the hip new bar will be the result of a complete transformation of a historic building on Hirst’s Yard, of what was previously occupied by Mook Bar.
Wednesday 23 November 2022 | O2 Academy, Millenium Square
Image: O2 Academy
Returning for the second time this year after her performance at Live At Leeds: In The Park, Holly Humberstone is back in Leeds at the O2 Academy for one night only. The BRIT Rising Star performer will be bringing tunes from her new album Can You Afford To Lose Me, as well as single Sleep Tight, which was co-written with The 1975’s frontman, Matty Healy.
Get tickets for Holly Humberstone at the O2 Academy here.
Yard Act
Thursday 24 November 2022 | O2 Academy, Millenium Square
Image: O2 Academy
The Leeds legends are returning for a huge homecoming gig at the O2 Academy, and the city couldn’t be more excited. Since releasing their debut album in February, The Overload, reached number two in the charts, the four piece Yorkshire band have been continuing to bring their tuneful observations of everyday life to the masses, and this performance will be no different.
Friday 25 November 2022 | O2 Academy, Millenium Square
Image: Skiddle
Worried about Henry presents a huge Friday night line-up. Chase and Status will be taking over the O2 Academy until 4am with sets from the likes of S.P..Y, Voltage, Born On Road Ft Aries, b2b Kelvin373 b2b Gray, Disrupta, Dilemma, Garston, Hosted by, Lowqui, Fox and Carasel.
Get tickets for Chase and Status on Friday 25 November 2022 here.
Feature
Where to find the very best pizza in Leeds and the surrounding areas
Circle or square, thin crust or deep dish, pizza is always a good idea.
From double-fermented sourdough to Fior di Latte mozzarella, the pizza options in Leeds leave you feeling like you’ve stepped onto the cobbled streets of Rome.
But of course finding that perfect slice for you can be hard, so we've rounded our very favourite spots in and around Leeds where you can try to find it - in no particular order.
Rudy's
Image: The Hoot Leeds
With three locations in Leeds, Rudy’s is an absolute classic if you're looking for a banging Neapolitan style pizza.
Their dough is made using Caputo ‘00’ flour (which ferments for at least 24 hours), which is then topped with quality ingredients imported from Naples, including the likes of San Marzano tomatoes grown on fields next to Mount Vesuvius, and Fior di Latte mozzarella.
Wash it all down with a classic Aperol Spritz or Campari soda, and you’ve got the perfect combination.
Dough Boys
Image: The Hoot Leeds
For anyone who spends their weekends chilling out in Belgrave Music Hall, you’ll know the pure joy of ordering a slice of Dough Boys.
Describing themselves as having a ‘love affair with dough’ they are famous in Leeds for their slices and pies with some delicious innovative flavours as well as the loved classic. The pizzas are hand stretched using all fresh ingredients, sourced from local producers.
You can grab slices for half price Sunday to Thursday until 7pm.
Homeboy Pizza Co.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Probably one of Leeds' most famous indies, Homeboy Pizza Co sling out some of the best slices in the city.
Now with two locations, one in Roundhay and one in Burley - it's the only place to order from if you're looking to get tucked up on the sofa and get stuck into a proper pie.
Poco
Fried Sicilian calzone and Pizza Al Taglio have become a Leeds foodie staple all because of POCO.
The flavours here are imaginative, but authentic. Think spicy Calabrian ‘Nduja sausage with roast peppers and mozzarella, pear and gorgonzola or even ham and potatoes (and by potatoes, we mean mini fries) across huge oblong slices of pizza; with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to compliment the seemingly never-ending selection. It makes for the perfect takeaway lunch.
Pizza Pilgrims
Images: The Hoot Leeds
A relatively new addition to Leeds, Pizza Pilgrims on Boar Lane make some absolutely banging pies.
Known for their iconic leopard crust, their pizzas are authentic and made with the best quality ingredients. We'd recommend ordering a few of their sides too, the cucumber salad is out of this world.
Edges Pizza
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Located on Green Room's rooftop, Edges Pizza are bringing a slice of New York City to Leeds. Thin, crispy bases which can be dipped into a range of sauces - it's the perfect slice to dive into with a couple cocktails on the side. Bliss.
Livin' Italy
Fancy a trip to Rome whilst staying within the LS postcode? Take a trip to Livin' Italy where they specialise in authentic Italian food, and they do it very well.
They’ve got a great selection including a spicy pizza with tomato sauce, goat cheese, mozzarella fiordilatte, grated parmesan, Calabrian chilli sausage ‘Nduja, and spicy salami spianata. These kind of flavours, you won't find anywhere else in Leeds. Looking for something more classic? We'd recommend with mozzarella fiordilatte, pecorino romano, goat cheese, grated parmesan, sweet gorgonzola, walnut crumble & fried sage.
Water Lane Boathouse
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Not just famous for hosting arguably Leeds' best quiz night or the huge ourdoor terrace looking over the canal, Waterlane Boat House are excellent at making pizza.
Their pizza dough is made using just three ingredients: Organic Yorkshire flour, water and salt - that makes it a proper Yorkshire pizza doesn't it? The Spinach & Blue Cheese is a real crowd favourite; San Marzano, fior di latte, spinach, blue cheese, mushroom, red onion with crumbled walnuts.
Culto
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Over in Meanwood you'll find Culto, a firm local favourite that serve up brilliant pizzas which you can take out or enjoy inside their beautiful dining space.
They've won awards for their pizzas and it's not hard to see why, we'd recommend kicking things off with an antipasti board first.
How to spend a weekend in Chapel Allerton – one of Leeds’ most loved suburbs
Clementine Hall
As one of the top ten places to live, as voted for by The Sunday Times, Chapel Allerton is a hive of community-spirit withlots to explore.
Back in 2021, The Sunday Times judges said that Chapel Allerton is: “a well supported independent high street – with a fishmonger, bookshop, cheese shop and much more – and an inspiring and imaginative community group, CA Spaces, make this urban village our favourite corner of Leeds.”
They’re not wrong. One of our favourite points about Chapel Allerton is its strong focus on supporting local businesses- there aren’t many places in Leeds, or indeed the UK, that you can visit a separate butchers, greengrocers, cheese mongers, wine store and more to complete your food shop with all locally grown and sold produce.
That’s not all that Chapel Allerton has to offer: there’s a host of indie cafes, plenty of green space and even a posh Aldi (whatever that means) that keeps this a family favourite place to visit.
Keep reading to find out what The Hoot recommends for a weekend in the leafy suburb…
House of Koko
62 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 4LA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The overwhelming success of the cafe is well-known about Leeds- and it comes with a whole host of raving reviews.
Bringing fine-dining to a laid back setting is a winning combination that House of Koko have got down to a tee in Chapel Allerton. The menu here comprises beautifully presented dishes like pancakes drenched in syrup and you can't leave without trying their famous hash browns...if you know, you know.
George and Joseph, an incredible Cheesemongers on Chapel Allerton high street, is the place to go for everything squeaky and delicious.
You can grab everything from truffle brie to charcuterie essentials like cooked meats, fresh sourdough and local low-batch bottles of booze to accompany your dishes. This truly is the place to shop local and experience some brand new tastes you’d never pick up in the supermarket.
Originally a bike clothing brand, Paria has grown from an online side hustle to a full time business online and in Chapel Allerton. There’s coffee from local roasters Hard Lines and sweet treats from Laynes Bakery to choose from, all whilst you browse the cool collabs on the wall.
Name a better duo than a nice cold pint and a fluffy bao bun...we'll wait. Because that's exactly what you'll find at Brew + Bao, Chapel Allerton's newest watering hole offering banging drinks alongside asian street food. A real match made in heaven.
Yoga Kula
114 Harrogate Rd, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 4NY
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Looking to feel zen? Then look no further than Yoga Kula, Chapel Allerton's newest Yoga studio helping you to feel your absolute best.
The space is absolutely. beautiful and they offer classes for all abilities with lovely staff by your side every step of the way.
The Woods might be in the running for our favourite beer garden in Leeds, and since coming under new ownership by the legends at Roland's last year it's only gotten better and better.
It's the perfect spot for a sunny pint with mates whilst tucking into a couple of pizzas, a great oasis outside of the city centre that still has a lively feel about it.
Bloc Studios
31 Well Lane, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, LS7 4PQ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you haven't heard, Reformer Pilates is all the rage at the moment. And luckily for us, there's a fantastic little studio in Chapel Allerton where you can do it.
Bloc Studios is a gorgeous boutique space offering the very best reformer pilates classes. Whether you're a complete newbie or a seasoned pro, there's a class for you at Bloc to get your workout in.
Clementine Hall -
21st November 2022 
