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Food & Drink

A 1970s-inspired cocktail bar is coming to Leeds this month from the team behind some of the city’s best bars

Clementine Hall - 14th October 2026

We've been waiting a while for this one - and it's finally here.

If you know a thing or two about cocktails, or just drinks in general, then you're going to be just as excited as us.

The very talented team behind Roland's and The Domino Club, just to name a few, are setting their sites on a brand-new venture.

Introducing Paper Plane, an intimate new cocktail bar that will be taking over the old Casa site in the city's beautiful Grand Arcade.

Paper Plane will be inspired by the glamour of 1970s air travel and will be a vinyl-only listening bar, serving a world-inspired cocktail menu alongside a carefully curated whisky collection.

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The space will be lovely and intimate, with around just 40 covers, designed to transport guests somewhere completely different from the minute they step foot through the door.

And what a location too, joining a whole host of fantastic independents in the arcade such as Alfonso's Deli, Stuzzi and Sonder.

Not only has Roland's been consistently one of the busiest bars on Call Lane since they opened back in 2014, but The Domino Club was recently crowned one of the best cocktail bars in the world. Now that is some accolade worth shouting about.

Paper Plane was announced all the way back in July, and just this week they have announced their official opening date.

Paper Plane will be opening its doors on Thursday 29 October, and we can't wait to welcome them to the city. We'll definitely see you there for a cocktail or two (or three).

Keep an eye for further updates via their Instagram page here.

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Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Food & Drink

Beloved Leeds pub to undergo huge transformation following £230k investment

Clementine Hall

A Leeds pub has closed its doors for a major refurbishment, and will open under a completely different name.

The Mustard Pot in Chapel Allerton has received a whopping £230k investment, and is set to reopen as a ‘Grandstand’ sports pub.

The much-loved community pub will be completely transformed, with new features designed to deliver a 'stadium-style' sports experience.

The refurbishment will include the installation of multiple massive screens, an immersive state-of-the-art sound system, and flexible tiered seating.

The beer garden will also be refurbished, with new TV screens installed, whilst the interior will be decked out with sports memorabilia of local stars past and present.

Once reopened, the pub will show all key sporting fixtures, including football, rugby, cricket, tennis, F1, darts and horse racing.

Operations Manager, Zoe Eastwood, said: “We are so excited about the plans to re-open as a Grandstand pub. We know our locals are sporting mad and can’t wait to be able to offer them the best possible experience when they can visit us again.”

Local Leeds sports teams will be able to apply for a Grandstand ‘Black Card’, giving them access to exclusive offers and rewards for celebrating their wins at their new local.

The Grandstand transformation follows industry research revealing that 8.5 million consumers have watched live sport in pubs, with 86% of fans preferring sports pubs for their atmosphere.

The Mustard Pot has now closed for refurbishment and will reopen on Wednesday 4 November.

What do you make of this transformation then? Will you miss The Mustard Pot as you know and love it, or are you excited for the new concept?

You can find out more about the new space here via their website.

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Featured image - Supplied

Food & Drink

‘This recognition belongs to you’ – Leeds restaurant added to the Michelin Guide just months after opening

Clementine Hall

A newcomer to the Leeds foodie scene has been added to the coveted Michelin Guide.

You may remember back in April when a Leeds icon was reborn under a different name.

The Smithfield took over the site that was home to The Reliance for more than two decades, and it's safe to say it exceeded expectations.

The team transformed the site to its former glory, taking the site's exterior back to its memorable dark red. But the efforts to recapture the essence of the iconic old venue go way beyond that.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

The Smithfield, a collaboration between Crooked Brewing and Chef James Donovan, offers simple dining with seasonal food and natural wines.

It's the sort of place where you can rock up for a plate and a glass people watching through the huge window on North Street, or really get stuck into a sharing pie and chips with friends on a Saturday afternoon.

Either way we love it, and it seems we're not the only ones as The Smithfield has been added to the Michelin Guide just five months after opening.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Announcing the great news to Instagram, The Smithfield said: "We’re very pleased and grateful to have been included in the Michelin Guide.

"To get this kind of recognition so early in our journey is a real honour, and one we certainly don’t take for granted.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

"Thank you to our wonderful guests for your continued support. Also, huge thanks to our brilliant team. The Smithfield is what it is because of your hard work, enthusiasm, energy and diligence. This recognition belongs to you.

"We’re just getting started, and our focus remains the same: creating a welcoming space for our community, serving food and drink we’re proud of, championing great British and local produce, and contributing our small part towards Leeds’ brilliant hospitality scene. The Smithfield."

Read more: Leeds pizza shop hailed ‘exceptional’ and ‘best in the UK’ by major reviewer

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds