The Euros, unmissable gigs, new openings and so much more happening this week in our vibrant city.
We’re officially into the thick of June, and as per usual there’s so many great things to get up to.
If you’re not jetting off to somewhere exotic this week then absolutely no fear, as Leeds is bursting at the seams with exciting things to do that you absolutely do not want to miss.
Once again, we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide this week.
Victoria Leeds Fashion Week
Monday 10 – Sunday 16 June | Victoria Leeds
Image: Supplied
Following the huge success and popularity of last year’s Fashion Weekender, Victoria Leeds Fashion Week will begin on Thursday 6 June, starting in style with a spectacular fashion show staged in the iconic Victoria Quarter.
Kicking off at 7:30pm, the catwalk will showcase the spectacular runway trends of SS24, from the ongoing domination of 90s-inspired minimalist oversized tailoring, through to sports luxe and ‘Western Rebel’.
Victoria Leeds Fashion Week will run from Thursday 6 to Sunday 16 June, with Fashion Show Standard tickets starting at £20 and VIP tickets available for £35. Grab your tickets here.
Thor’s Tipi Outdoor Bar
Opening Friday 14 June | City Square
Image: Thor’s Tipi
Thor’s Tipi, a popular name in Yorkshire already, is set to open a huge pop-up bar in Leeds right in time for the summer. With a big screen, outdoor seating, and (of course) a tipi, the huge space is set to open in City Square in just a few weeks’ time.
Thor’s Tipi will be serving up a selection of cocktails and street food, and punters can get stuck in to giant outdoor games, easels, and loads of events including performances from local bands.
June is here and Manahatta has a spectacular bottomless drag brunch extravaganza to kick start Pride month. A whole host of incredible drag queens will be bringing a glamorous and fabulous explosion of fun to Leeds with two hours of non-stop excitement, live music, flips, tricks, twirls, lip syncs and exclusive bottomless Pride cocktails for you to enjoy.
Girls Aloud
Saturday 15 – Sunday 16 June | First Direct Arena
Image: Publicity Picture
The iconic pop group are about to take on a two-night residency at the First Direct Arena on a tour that will honour founding bandmate and Mancunian Sarah Harding who sadly passed away in 2021.
Cheryl, Kimberley, Nadine, Nicola and Sarah won over the nation on Popstars: The Rivals, and have legions of loyal fans excited to see hits like Sound of the Underground, Love Machine, and The Promise live.
4TheFans Fan Park Euro 2024
Sunday 16 June – Sunday 14 July | TESTBED, 110 Hunslet Ln
Image: Supplied
Following on from the success of the 2021 Euro fan parks, which saw over 25,000 dedicated fans come together to watch England’s historic Euro campaign, 4TheFans is gearing up for another stellar summer of football.
With over 50,000 fans expected to attend across this year’s tournament, it’s fair to say it’s going to be a football-fuelled summer to remember and tickets are still on sale here.
From Sunday 16 June to Sunday 14 July 2024, TESTBED Leeds will welcome fans to experience some of the UK’s biggest anti-glare screens, world-class sound systems and exclusive bar and food traders as well as DJs, competitions and giveaways.
Sunday 16 June – Tuesday 25 June 2024 | Millennium Square
Image: Millennium Square
Millennium Square will play host to the Euro 2024 Fanzone with all England’s group stage matches against Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia, as well as the knock-out stages, broadcast live on the Leeds Big Screen.
Entry is strictly by advance ticket only and you can grab yours here.
Feature
Five of the most exciting new openings coming to Leeds city centre this year
We're basically half way through the year, so let's see what else we've got to look forward to...spoiler alert, it's a lot.
So far we've had everything from ice bath cafes to listening bars open up in Leeds, and it seems like 2026 is the gift that keeps on giving.
Allow us to get you excited about what's coming to the city...
Dishoom
68–78 Vicar Lane, LS1 7JH
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one is a biggun' as the ever so popular Indian restaurant is set to open on Friday 14 August in a beautiful Grade-II listed building on Vicar Lane which was formerly Flannels.
First opening in London, Dishoom now has restaurants dotted all over the UK including a huge site in Manchester. The group is famed for its lavish and grand interiors, as well as its home-style curries, grills and breakfasts including its legendary bacon naans.
Acai and the Tribe
88 Vicar Lane
Image: The Manc Group
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
This Japanese restaurant serves a menu full of sushi as well as grilled meats on sticks, sharing sides and build-your-own hand rolls. All of this is wrapped up in the most gorgeous interior, which you can see from their jaw dropping new Manchester site.
Occupying the 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.
Introducing Moods - a new all-day cafe, bar and events venue that will open to the public at First White Cloth Hall on Kirkgate on Friday 31 July.
Created by husband-and-wife founders Will and Hayley Moody, the team behind Buzz Club Tattoo, Moods will occupy the ground floor of the Grade II* listed building.
Alfonso's
Horsforth
Image: The Hoot Leeds
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.
The UK’s oldest nightclub is in Halifax – and now they’re campaigning for a blue plaque
Thomas Melia
An all-new fundraiser has been set up which aims to crown the UK's oldest nightclub with its very own blue plaque.
Situated in Halifax, Acapulco Club, has been providing clubbers and night out lovers with live music and entertainment for 65 years.
Alongside offering 75p drinks to any guests before 11pm and a whole host of DJs playing out beats and bangers on their mezzanine-floor decks, Acapulco has created lots of happy memories too.
This West Yorkshire cultural hub attracted lots of media attention back in 2022 when the club auctioned off pieces of its spiral carpet for just £20.
Now, this Halifax nightlife institution is giving itself a massive pat on the back by setting up a fundraiser for its very own blue plaque.
Working alongside Halifax BID and Halifax Civic Trust, this living piece of Halifax history is recognising its contributions to this West Yorkshire town and clubbing culture.
Commonly referred to as "Acca", the club prides itself on "Welcoming dancers before man landed on the Moon, before the M62 motorway transformed our region, and before colour television arrived in British homes."
The cost of a blue plaque is £650 and any excess funds that are raised will be donated to Halifax Street Angels - a local charity which works alongside the night-time economy to keep partygoers safe.
Acapulco is encouraging anyone who has visited the nightclub over its 65 year period to donate and also provide any memories or photos they have shared within this venue.
Some of the famous faces that have graced this legendary clubbing hotspot include Katie Price and her son Harvey, Joey Essex, as well as an array of Love Island and Big Brother stars.
The Acapulco Club has even welcomed 80's pop royalty courtesy of a visit from George Michael... the tribute act of course.
Anyone wanting to find out more information or make a donation to the recent fundraiser set up to honour the UK's oldest nightclub Acapulco with a blue plaque can do so HERE.
Clementine Hall -
10th June 2024 
