Nineteen venues, and a whole lot of Margaritas to celebrate National Margarita Day.
If you're a fan of Margaritas, then you will most definitely want to keep reading.
As of next week, from Monday 19 - Sunday 25 February 2024, a mile-long Margarita crawl aka the Margarita Mile is coming to the city.
Why? Well it's all down to El Tequileño. Produced in the Mexican town of Tequila, the award-winning Tequila brand together with everyone's favourite posh salt, Maldon Salt, are helping venues across Leeds to create the very best tasting Margarita cocktails.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Margarita Mile started last year in Manchester with a bang, and now Leeds is getting in on the action.
Cheers'ing big to National Margarita Day on 22 February, nineteen of the coolest venues across Leeds will be showcasing their very best El Tequileño Margaritas and other El Tequileño tequila cocktails for just one week only.
The bars, which include fan-favourites like Tabula Rasa and Neon Cactus, will all be putting their own signature flair on the drink – so you can make it your own mission to decide whose is best.
Challenge accepted if you ask us.
Embark on the mile-long crawl and drink as many or as little as you like, but remember you've only got one week to sample them all and you should always drink responsibly.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And it doesn't stop there, there will also be some exciting events taking place at the venues during the week for you to get involved in.
On Wednesday 21, The Domino Club will be hosting 'Music To Drink Margaritas To', a raucous version of their usual live music evenings, so grab your sombreros and get ready for a fiesta at one of the city's best speakeasies.
Fancy making the drink yourself? Well you're in luck as The Liquor Studio will be hosting a consumer Masterclass on National Margarita Day itself, 22 February.
Closing the celebrations, The Watermark will be hosting 'La Loteria', a wild version of Mexican Bingo – expect lots of fun and frivolity which you'll want to raise a Margarita to.
And if you'd like to have a guided experience of the mile, then The Gin Journey crew will be hosting a Mini Margarita journey on Saturday 24 where you can drink 3 different Margaritas and 3 El Tequileño tasters in 3 of the city’s bars with an expert guide. Find out more here.
Take a look at Leeds’ Margarita Mile map below.
With the hospitality industry suffering greatly in recent times, the Margarita Mile is a fantastic initiative to help venues draw in and generate business.
Steffin Oghene, Global Ambassador for El Tequileño, says: “El Tequileño encourages everyone, from cocktail fans to tequila lovers to those who want to learn more about quality craft spirits, to get out on the mile to try a Margarita.
"We are super proud to be extending the Margarita Mile to 3 key UK cities in 2024 including Leeds. Tony and I look forward to meeting the people of Leeds out on the mile!”
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Clementine Hall -
15th February 2024 
