From new restaurant openings to highly anticipated comedy gigs, Leeds is jam-packed with things to do this week.
As we creep our way closer to summer, the city is buzzing with excitement and is overflowing with fun things for us to get up to and this week is no exception.
From rooftop BBQs, new Sunday roasts to try and two of the UK's most iconic comedians coming up north... we are in for an absolute treat.
Keep reading to find out about everything that's going on in and around Leeds this week...
Visit the animals at Temple Newsam Farm
Tuesday 16 May – Sunday 21 May 2023 | Home Farm, Temple Newsam
Image: Temple Newsam
It’s the perfect time of the year to head over to Temple Newsam and watch the newborn calves, lambs and piglets take their first steps and learn how to be independent animals. Add in a trip to visit the historic Temple Newsam house and a stroll around the estate and you’ve got yourself a full day trip.
Thursday 18 May and Saturday 20 May 2023 | St George’s Hall, Bradford
Image: Jimmy Carr
Comedian Jimmy Carr is back on the road with new material, and he’s making two stops across Yorkshire this month in Halifax and Bradford before returning to the likes of Scarborough and Leeds later on in the year.
Described by The Guardian as “a comedy hero for our time” for his 2021/2 Terribly Funny tour, this new show Terribly Funny 2.0 is set to take his comedy to new heights.
The comedian, best known for his hit TV series like Max and Paddy’s Road to Nowhere and huge worldwide tours sharing belly laughs with the public. The comedian was actually recorded in the Guinness World Records as ‘the most successful comedy tour ever’, selling over 1.2 million tickets in 2010-2011.
Tickets are long gone, but there’s waitlists on reputable ticket sites that might see some last minute cancellations and resales closer to the time.
Samra Mayanja: The Living and the Stale exhibition
Running throughout May | The Tetley, Hunslet Road
Image: The Tetley / Samra Mayanja
Arts space The Tetley is showcasing ‘Samra Mayanja presents The Living and the Stale’, throughout May to showcase the artist’s first solo institutional exhibition, which brings together poetry and images made whilst travelling around Uganda. The artist explored ‘the idea of lostness’, through different art forms and showcases her work through a novella, installations, drawings, a score and moving image work.
Samra will be visiting The Tetley on Thursday 11 May to talk about her work in depth in ‘The Tetley presents artist Samra Mayanja in conversation with Sepake Angiama, Artistic Director, iniva’. Tickets are free but do need to be booked in advance to avoid disappointment.
This Friday 5-9pm you can head over to Meanwood for a craft beer inside the cosy little bar and for a new pop-up foodie venture at Boot and Rally bar.
They’re giving the people what they want: the opportunity to eat authentic Italian treats like pasta and arancini from an award-winning restaurant, but without the faff of dressing up and lots more beer options, all in the comfort of the local.
Pick and choose from arancini, fries double loaded with crushed Stuzzi beef and mortadella meatballs topped with mozzarella or opt for Stuzzi’s signature pasta with combinations like cotechino Italian sausage and ‘nduja ragu flavoured with rosemary and white wine, cooked slowly in chicken stock and san marzano tomatoes – it’s so moreish you’ll be ordering seconds (and thirds).
Everyone's favourite rooftop bar has officially been serving the good people of Leeds for a whole year. And this weekend they're inviting you to celebrate with them, and they've got a real party in store for you...
On the Friday they are doing a buy one get one free offer on their delicious Kirkstall Brewery Pilsner, on Saturday they are giving away free shots of limoncello and on Sunday they are hosting a summer BBQ with the help of their pals at Braizin Squad.
It's set to be an incredible weekend that you definitely don't want to miss out on.
Fearns Opening
Friday 19 May 2023 | Department, 4 The Blvd
Image: Supplied / Fearns
Called Fearns, the new social dining concept got its name from the small parcel of land, known locally as Fearns Island, nearby to its home in Department. The land will house an allotment for the kitchen team to grow seasonal produce, herbs, and flora in the coming months.
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Fearns will be a new destination for every meal. The menu comes has been strewn together using Yorkshire ingredients, taking creative influence from kitchens across Europe.
Fearns opens on this Friday from 7pm, with a launch party with drinks and DJ set from Release Records. You can find out more, including how to join the launch party on the Fearns website here.
Fondue Sunday Lunch
Sunday 21 May 2023 | The Cheesy Living Co, Corn Exchange
You’ll be able to grab a seat inside the Corn Exchange eatery this Sunday at either 12pm or 2pm for a fondue Sunday lunch – and it’s unlikely to be anything you’ve seen, or tasted before.
Expect a huge pot of gooey Swiss cheese with all your fave roast dinner staples like rosemary potatoes dusted in paprika, half roasted garlic and of course, Yorkshire puds!
The idea is you can build then on your roast selection as you see fit to make up the ultimate roast dinner, adding a board of Lishman’s cold cut roast ham and beef; honey roasted carrots and parsnips; stuffing balls or even a DIY cauliflower cheese offering to dip into the Alpine-style fondue pot- and it’s delicious.
Farsley is one of Leeds' most beloved suburbs, and it's not hard to see why.
Drenched in history and industrial heritage, Farsley has a lot to say for itself and is overflowing with things to see and do.
It has a real community feel to it which you can feel almost instantly, and it's filled with loads of independent businesses which makes Farsley the perfect spot to explore at the weekend.
Here are our top picks of what to do in this this up-and-coming suburb of Leeds this weekend.
Westroyd Park is a beautiful green gem situated in the heart of Farsley. A sprawling expanse of greenery featuring free tennis courts and colourful gardens with the lovely West Royd House at its centre.
Thanks to the brass band that play every weekend, the park really comes alive throughout the summer making it the perfect place to bring a picnic, relax and take in the stunning scenery.
Sunny Bank Mills
Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, Pudsey, LS28 5UJ
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Sunny Bank Mills is an inspirational commercial and cultural destination in the heart of the local community of Farsley. Founded in 1829, these beautifully restored mills are now home to a range of independent organisations both large and small.
Visit their 3,000 square foot art gallery and view the work of local artists, designers and makers. You can buy many of the pieces on display or have a go yourself at one of their many workshops and creative courses.
Grumpy's
2 Old Combing, Farsley, Pudsey LS28 5UJ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Tucked away inside Sunny Bank Mills, Grumpy’s has built a huge reputation for its incredible wood-fired pizzas, laid-back atmosphere, that more or less has a proper community feel at the forefront.
Created by sisters Alex and Cassie, the family-run restaurant was even named after their dad, 'Grumpy' himself, and that personal touch runs through everything they do.
'Community, friendship and good beer' are Amity's ethos. Opening in December 2020 they have quickly become a Farsley favourite. Located in the Sunny Bank Mills, the brewpub serves limited batch beer on-site to their local community, focusing on modernised takes on classic beer styles.
La Grassa
Inside Amity Brew Co.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
La Grassa is a new concept from Stuzzi Leeds co-founders Jimbob Phillips and Brett Lee, that just a few weeks ago opened up inside Amity Brew Co.
La Grassa is a new Italian-American ‘Paninoteca’ and diner concept, where you can get your hands on paninos filled with house-made meats, cheeses and glossy sauces. But be warned, your hands may get a bit messy whilst doing so.
Silver's Bakehouse
62 Town St, Farsley, Pudsey LS28 5LF
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Just when you thought Leeds’ favourite sandwich spot couldn't get any better, they go and open a bakery.
Silver's Bakehouse has opened its beautiful pastel green doors today over in Farsley to queues of excited fans eager to get their first taste. Expect focaccia sandwiches, gooey brownies, chewy cookies and loads more.
Pardon Me
Unit 12, The Twisting, Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, LS28 5UJ
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Tucked away in the beautiful Sunny Bank Mills, Pardon Me is a record bar built around 'music, atmosphere, and detail'.
It's been launched by Scott Rapson, who grew up in the Scottish Highlands and fell in love with music around the time of the arrival of hip hop in the early 80s. Bartenders here create a small but perfectly formed menu of cocktails and pour natural wines from Wayward Wines in front of a wall of vinyl, while a collection of Scott's records play as a soundtrack to your evening.
Cargo Wines
Sunny Bank Mills
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're after a proper nice wine bar then this is the spot for you. They've got a wine for everyone in a gorgeous, chilled out atmosphere. If you need us, we're probably here.
St Jude's
69 Town St, Farsley, Pudsey LS28 5HX
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're after some lovely brunch and a cup of coffee, then look no further than St Jude's. This fabulous all-day dining spot serve up a really varied menu so everything that can get something they fancy.
Feature Image- Grumpy's
Feature
The family-run neighbourhood Leeds restaurant that’s about more than just pizza – it’s about community
Declan Kelly
It doesn’t take long to see why this place has become such a firm favourite with the Farsley crowd.
We finally took a trip to Grumpy's Bar and Wood Fired Pizza and safe to say, you were absolutely right about this one.
Tucked away inside Sunny Bank Mills, Grumpy’s has built a huge reputation for its incredible wood-fired pizzas, laid-back atmosphere, that more or less has a proper community feel at the forefront.
Created by sisters Alex and Cassie, the family-run restaurant was even named after their dad, 'Grumpy' himself, and that personal touch runs through everything they do.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From supporting local community events to creating a genuinely welcoming space where you can rock up in trainers or stay for hours without realising, it feels like much more than just somewhere to grab food. It feels like part of the neighbourhood’s personality.
And then there’s the pizza.
Everything is made fresh in-house, and watching the team stretch out the dough before piling on all the toppings adds a bit of theatre to the whole experience.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The wood-fired pizzas are definitely the stars of the show, coming out with that perfect crispy base, soft airy crust, and smoky finish that makes you immediately think, “yeah, that’s the good stuff.”
They also offer a gluten-free base, so there’s something on the menu for everyone to dig into.
But the small plates deserve their flowers too. Dishes like their burrata are a proper crowd-pleaser, served with fresh seasonal tomatoes and bread perfect for scooping up every last bit of creamy goodness.
Add in dough balls and arancini, and suddenly the table starts looking less like a couple of starters and more like a full-on sharing feast.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
One thing we loved? The personality behind the menu. A lot of the pizzas are named after famously grumpy TV and film characters, which gives the whole place a bit of humour and fits the vibe perfectly.
And while we came for the pizza, one surprise standout was the banana split dessert. Fun, nostalgic, slightly over-the-top in the best way, and exactly the kind of thing you don’t think you’ll order… until it shows up and suddenly everyone’s fighting for the last spoonful.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What makes Grumpy’s special, though, is that it never feels like it’s trying too hard - it’s casual, friendly, and welcoming.
Add in the sunny terrace, a few drinks, and a table full of pizzas shared between mates, and it’s easy to see why people end up staying way longer than planned.
There’s no rush here, just good food, good company, and a place that quietly gets everything right without making a fuss about it.
We finally get why Grumpy's Bar + Wood Fired Pizza is such a Farsley favourite… and trust us, we’ll definitely be back.
Clementine Hall -
17th May 2023 
