We may be coming to the end of the year, but there's still plenty of new arriving in the city before 2025 is over.
It's safe to say we've have some fabulous new openings touch down in the city this year.
From new pubs by the canal to Scandinavian-inspired cafes, we really have been very lucky.
But we're not done just yet, as there's more to come before the year is out and we're here to tell you about five that we're most excited about.
So, let's see what's making its way to Leeds shall we...
Pop Mart
78 Briggate
Image: The Hoot Leeds
LeedsLabubu lovers (try saying that three times), your beloved Pop Mart is on its way.
Pop Mart has officially been granted permission for alterations and the fitting of a new sign for the building at 78 Briggate. So get ready, as the viral toy and collectables shop is just around the corner.
‘Vinyl Grounds’ will be serving up three of our favourite things rolled into one – coffee, wine and vinyl.
The brain child of Saroop and Jay, two Leeds locals with a passion for starting a business, the new spot is currently undergoing major renovation with an aim to open at the end of November.
So, what can we expect from Vinyl Grounds? During the day Vinyl Grounds will be a place to work or sit back and relax with friends whilst enjoying a fabulous coffee or matcha, all to the soundtrack of some smooth jazz played via vinyl of course.
Once Upon A Vine is a gorgeous independent wine shop and bar nestled in Horsforth, known for its fabulous tasting room and cheese boards to match.
And after applying for a license to open in Headingley that has just been approved, they’re about to open their second site on Otley Road.
The Victoria
Great George Street
Image: Supplied
You may remember back in January 2024, two of Leeds beer powerhouses announced they’d be collaborating and bringing an iconic pub back to life. Well after a few set backs, it is finally happening.
Kirkstall Brewery and the owners of Whitelock’s Ale House are set to breathe new life into The Victoria & Commercial Pub on Great George Street, located behind Leeds Town Hall.
It is set to open this Christmas, and we absolutely cannot wait.
The Savvy Baker is opening its first ever city centre cafe, and we couldn’t be prouder.
The cafe will be located on Bond Street next to Boots, a stone’s throw away from the train station and Trinity Shopping Centre.
Of course you’ll be able to grab all your favourite brownies, blondies, cookies and other bakes, but there’s some other exciting stuff in the works too.
For the first time ever the shop will feature a dedicated cookie bakery where customers will be able to watch (and smell) all the magic happening through the window. How class is that?
Howard Assembly Room to launch new bar with permanent kitchen from Yuzu Street Food.
HAR bar, the intimate Grade II-listed space beneath Leeds City Centre's multi-disciplinary venue, the Howard Assembly Room,will now open five days a week with a brand new permanent food partner.
If you're not familiar York’s Yuzu Street Food, then allow us to fill you in.
First established in York following an enlightening culinary trip to Asia in 2019, Yuzu Street Food is now recognised as one of the north’s finest street food vendors.
Image: Supplied
Serving up contemporary takes on bao buns, fried chicken, ramen, katsu curry and much more; Yuzu are set to be the perfect addition to the Howard Assembly Room and its new bar HAR.
First launched in February, a programme of improvements saw the space previously occupied by the restaurant Kino transformed into the HAR bar.
An intimate venue in the cultural heart of the city, HAR bar guests can now enjoy fresh coffee, quality cocktails and a rotation of beers from breweries including Leeds institution Kirkstall Brewery throughout the week.
Image: Supplied Image: The Hoot Leeds
Yuzu Street Food will open at HAR on Friday 15 May.
Michael Wilkinson, Director of Strategy and Commercial, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Yuzu to HAR bar, with their Asian-inspired street food providing the perfect accompaniment to our range of drinks and firmly establishing HAR bar as one of Leeds’ leading spots to meet and eat.
"We want everyone in the city to feel that this is their space, where great music, a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service combine to create a truly special place that embodies the city’s creativity while also supporting Opera North’s outreach work across the north.
Chris Hargroves, Yuzu Founder & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be back in Leeds city centre! Leeds has always shown us incredible support and energy and returning really feels like coming home. We’re excited to reconnect with the community, welcome familiar faces and introduce our new menu items to the new ones. Working with such a prestigious venue as the Howard Assembly Room is something we’re absolutely buzzing about and we can’t wait to fire up the woks!”
Popular beer festival showcasing over 35 indie breweries is returning to Leeds this month
Clementine Hall
Hop City, the long-running beer festival from award-winning Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk, returns this month for its ninth year.
Beer lovers, this one's for you.
Bringing over 35 of the best independent breweries from the UK, Europe and North America together to The Old Flax Store, Hop City will have approximately 250 different world-class beers for guests to try across one weekend of festivities.
The best part? Every pour across the weekend is included in the price of the ticket alongside a Hop City branded glass to enjoy them in, so don't worry about having to continuously reach for your wallet.
Images: Supplied
Joining Northern Monk this year are UK breweries including Brighton’s Beak, Deya from Cheltenham, Manchester-based Track and Edinburgh’s Newbarns who will be pouring next to the likes of US breweries Trillium, Root + Branch, Finback and everywhere; Canadian’s Messorem and Third Moon, and a selection of Europe’s finest indie brewers.
Seriously, this is a beer lover's paradise.
And it's not just about the booze, as joining Hop City 2026 will be joined by Leeds’ own Bundobust who will be bringing their Indian street food alongside Bonehead Fried Chicken and Hermanos Caliente, courtesy of Niko’s Comfort Kitchen.
Images: Supplied
Not a beer fan? Don't fret as natural wine bar Rinse will be pouring all weekend whilst Below Stairs will be providing the cocktails.
Russell Bisset, Founder of Northern Monk, said: “What started out as an idea to host some of our favourite breweries in Leeds has grown into something bigger than we could have imagined. From the beginning, the ambition was clear - to champion the best hop-forward breweries in the world and to create the first beer festival in Europe dedicated to celebrating hoppy beers and IPAs.
"Today, it’s about bringing some of the greatest breweries from across the globe together under one roof, creating something genuinely special for people who love beer as much as we do. Heading into our ninth year with a line-up of this calibre is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s not just about the beer, but the community, collaboration, and spirit behind it.”
Hop City 2026 will take place from Friday 15 to Saturday 16 of May, and you can buy your tickets here.
Clementine Hall -
18th November 2025 
