Sticks’n’Sushi is set to open in Leeds as the restaurant's northern expansion continues.
It’s a Danish brand but a Japanese restaurant, with 16 sites nationwide so far proving its popularity.
Sticks’n’Sushi serves (as if you hadn’t guessed) a menu of sushi dishes as well as grilled meats served on sticks.
They’re set to join the heritage-led Vicar Lane regeneration scheme with the opening of its 18th UK restaurant early next year.
Occupying an 8,839 sq ft grade-II listed space on Vicar Lane, the three-storey building will include a 220-cover dining room, 30-cover terrace and an upstairs bar.
Sticks’n’Sushi is founded by half-Japanese, half-Danish, brothers Jens and Kim Rahbek, and Thor Anderson in Copenhagen.
They have 12 restaurants in and around the Danish capital, as well as three in Berlin, and now Leeds is set to be the 18th UK site for Sticks’n’Sushi.
Image: Supplied
The menu will feature the brand’s signature sharing dishes of sushi, sashimi, salads and grilled sticks, available à la carte or in generous set menus.
Expect favourites like Ebi Bites (tempura shrimp with miso aioli, lime and chilli) and the Maki Maki selection of four signature rolls.
The sharing side of things includes a premium selection of build-your-own handrolls, maki and sticks, and classic Japanese grills like Shōyu Tebasaki (chicken wings marinated in garlic, ginger, tamari and soy), Gindara No Miso (miso-glazed black cod), and Aka Ebi (shrimp in gochujang and garlic butter).
The drinks menu showcases sake, Japanese teas, cocktails, premium spirits, and beer – including the brand’s own-label yuzu pale ale – alongside a concise wine selection.
Andreas Karlsson, SticksʹnʹSushi Group CEO comments: “We are delighted to be joining this development; Vicar Lane is one of the most vibrant retail and leisure hubs in Leeds and aligns perfectly with our dining experience from lunch through to late evening.
"We look forward to building a new team and becoming part of the Leeds community.”
BBC Introducing and Leeds promoter Futuresound have announced a city-wide takeover this November as part of their ‘Introducing Live’ event.
Taking place in ten towns and cities across the UK, Introducing Live will hit Leeds on Saturday 28 November and showcase some of the best emerging artists in the UK today.
Not only that, but it will be held in some of the city's most iconic independent music venues including The Wardrobe, Belgrave Music Hall and Oporto.
The 450-capacity venue The Wardrobe will be home to an 'Introducing on Radio 1' showcase featuring a packed programme including the Egyptian born, Manchester based alt-pop artist Nxdia, Lincolnshire indie-pop quintet Cherryholt, dark pop artist Precious Pepala, Scunthorpe singer-songwriter Will Parker and many more.
Meanwhile, over at Belgrave Music Hall, Emily Pilbeam from Introducing's Mixtape on 6 Music will showcase black country duo GANS, the local 7-piece project Group A.D., underground group holybones and more.
Oporto, famous for hosting some of the biggest names in music during the start of their careers, will host a dedicated 'Introducing Rock' takeover with Radio 1’s Alyx Holcombe, with a line-up featuring Nottingham-formed rock duo Alt Blk Era, goth-grunge alt group Venus Grrrls, indie-pop BRIT School alumna jo from school, post-hardcore band Hollow Bloom, and Sheffield-based electro-metalcore band DUSTHOUSE.
Joe Hubbard, promoter at Futuresound Group, said: “We’re really excited to be working with BBC Introducing to bring this event to Leeds, for the first time! It feels a very fitting partnership after our partnership on Live at Leeds together over the years.
"Between headliners Nxdia, Alt Blk Era, Gans and Jaguar, I feel there’s something for everyone. I’m also really proud of the local offering we’ve got, with strong representation from BBC Introducing Leeds & Sheffield across the bill. There’s been months of work behind the scenes to make it happen, so it’s a great feeling to finally release the line-up to the world. See you in November!”
Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am and you can get yours here.
Famous Leeds pub to finally reopen after four years – and it’s getting an Irish makeover
Clementine Hall
One of Leeds’ best-known boozers is set to reopen after four years.
But, it's going to look a little bit different.
The George on Great George Street has been closed since 2022, leaving a popular spot in the city centre sitting empty for years.
But now, the historic Leeds local is getting a new lease of life, with plans to reopen its doors as an Irish pub.
The George will be transformed into 'The Galway Girl' following a huge £430,000 investment by Star Pubs and West Yorkshire pub operators TL Inns.
Work on the pub has already begun and is set to reopen in mid-November. The investment is expected to create 15 jobs.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Galway Girl will be TL Inns’ second Irish pub. Its first, also called The Galway Girl, opened in Pontefract in 2024.
The investment will see a complete overhaul of the pub’s interior and exterior, creating a traditional, pared-back Victorian-style city pub. The small courtyard garden will also be upgraded with new Murphy’s-themed barrel-style tables, chairs and planters.
Inside, the pub will feature a two-bar layout, with one bar on the ground floor and a second bar and function area in the basement. The basement bar will also be available for private functions and the pub will also offer barista-style coffee, brunches and all-day food.
Tony Lumb says: “We’ve had tremendous success with our first Irish pub, The Galway Girl in Pontefract. I have every confidence that the new one will be equally popular, breathing new life into a derelict building. The location and bones of the pub are great. It will be really lovely once it has had investment and a sympathetic refurbishment.
“Authentic Irish pubs, as opposed to theme pubs, are having a moment. People want the craic, the warm and welcoming atmosphere, and live entertainment that they associate with a proper Irish pub.”
Clementine Hall -
18th March 2026 
