The Junction, the new neighbourhood at Wellington Place is saying farewell to summer with a huge party - and everyone is invited.
From 6pm on Saturday 16 September, get yourself down to the secret garden, a new green space that was once part of the old Leeds railway.
Located just next to the 665 apartments from The Junction, the End Of Summer Party is the perfect example of how the new neighbourhood shines a spotlight on local independents, and is creating a new way of living right in the heart of the city.
The farewell to summer will be a proper Leeds affair, with some of the city's favourite independent food and drink companies providing masterclasses, food stalls and a pop-up bar on the landscaped space at Monk Bridge Viaduct.
The secret garden overlooks Wellington Place, and of course, the Leeds skyline. / Image: Unsplash
Shouk! has been on the Leeds foodie scene for a few years now, bringing Leeds flavour-packed pittas and falafels aplenty from Trinity Kitchen and popups at Wellington Place, North Brewing Co's Springwell and a whole host of private events.
Now its The Junction's turn for a taste of the authentic Middle Eastern street food - and we really can't think of a better menu to say goodbye to summer with.
Drinkswise, Wolfe Bros, another local favourite you might recognise from its award-winning Yorkshire distillery. The popular gin makers are just three years old, but have plenty of experience in creating the perfect tipple.
Wolfe Bros actually comes from the same people behind Call Lane's own Roland's and secret jazz bar, The Domino - so these guys are perfect to quiz about making the perfect gin.
The best of Wolfe Bros gin will be available from the pick 'n' mix G&T bar at The Junction this weekend, whilst The Domino Club will be running a masterclass, sharing the secrets behind creating a Gin Junction cocktail.
Masterclasses will run on a first-come-first-served basis on the night, so make sure to get there with plenty of time to secure a space.
Offering a different way to celebrate than the usual offerings in the city centre, The Junction is only ten minutes from Leeds Train Station - and where else will you have the chance to spend the evening watching the sun go down with a glass of gin in hand, hanging out with your mates and listening to the sounds of Bare Brass Band?
Tickets are just £3, with all proceeds set to be donated to LATCH: Leeds Action to Create Homes, a Leeds-based charity that helps to transform derelict and run-down houses in suburbs like Chapeltown, Harehills and Burley.
To make sure you don't miss out on all the fun, get a ticket booked via Eventbrite here.
About The Junction
The new green neighbourhood, featuring 665 apartments to rent, has emerged just moments from Leeds city centre – and it has some seriously swoon-worthy features.
Outdoor event spaces, private dining rooms, green spaces, 24 hour security, and the coolest walk to work in the city – that's just the beginning.
Check out some of these amenities that everyone living at The Junction will be able to take advantage of right here.
Feature Image - Supplied, The Junction
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Leeds’ most famous pub has announced the return of its annual FREE Beer Festival this summer
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Sophie Smith -
14th September 2023 
