Of course, there's more going on than the American footy, and this week is going to be jam-packed with specials, live events and of course, late night TV.
From roast dinners to indie bands and pub quizzes to Taylor Swift-themed club nights, keep reading to find out all the best things to do in and around Leeds this week...
Friend (The One With Gunther) Live
Tuesday 6 February 2024 | Old Woolen, Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley
Image: Old Woolen
The untold story of the 90s hit TV show FRIENDS is coming to the Old Woolen this month. Told ‘through the eyes of Gunther, Central Perk’s very own ‘seventh Friend’, the audience is invited to ‘settle down in Gunther’s café’ and hear a different perspective from the man that kept the cast caffeinated throughout all ten seasons.
By the waterside, SALT Granary Wharf hosts a speedy pub quiz every week where all you need to do is bring your phone and a great team name to be in with the chance of winning.
British Rock band Enter Shikari will be playing at the First Direct Arena as part of their A Kiss For The Whole World tour on Friday night. Expect head bangs, guitar riffs and the whole crowd on their feet.
Friday 9 February 2024 | Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen
Image: Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen / Swiftogeddon
Gig-goers at Belgrave Music Hall will be treated to versions of hits like Shake It Off, Blank Space, … Ready For It?, and Lover, spanning all the way back to 2006.
Every song on the playlist will be either an original hit, a deep cut, or an extended mix of Taylor Swift’s massive back catalogue. With ten studio albums under her belt (as well as those re-released versions), there’ll be plenty of bangers to go at.
Saturday 10 February 2024 | Hyde Park Picture House
Image: HPPH
Saturday mornings are for the cinema and at Hyde Park Picture House, there's a family-friendly ‘pay what you can’ event running every weekend from 11am.
Cinema showings are every Saturday and Sunday at 11am, and cover classics like 101 Dalmatians and The Wizard of Oz right through to modern favourites like Frozen and The Spiderwick Chronicles.
Sunday 11 February 2024 | Brudenell Social Club, Burley
The Last Dinner Party will be returning to Leeds for an intimate album launch performance at the Brudenell Social Club just a week after their debut album, Prelude To Ecstasy, was released.
Sunday 11 February – Monday 12 February 2024 | Infirmary Street, Leeds City Centre
The best seats in the house for the Superbowl are going to be at BOX this year. The bar reckons whether you’re cheering offense, defense, or just the epic halftime show, BOX Leeds is THE place to be, and with tables available from 8pm, we can’t wait to watch some of the biggest touchdowns of the year through the night.
Sunday 11 February 2024 | North Street, Leeds City Centre
The Brunswick. / Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can choose from various meats such as beef, porchetta, chicken or a veggie/vegan roast. All roasts served with a Yorkshire pud, crispy roast potatoes, maple syrup glazed carrots, cabbage, lots of gravy and a mini Bloody Mary.
Sunday 11 February 2024 | First Direct Arena, Leeds
Image: Noah Kahan via Facebook
It might not quite be the Season Of The Sticks when Noah Kahan comes back to Leeds, but the breakthrough artist has gone from selling out the SU and heading for a pint at Dry Dock to booking an already sold-out show at the Arena just months on.
Tickets are either £39.81 and £48.25, join the waitlist via See Tickets here.
Knife Angel
Throughout February 2024 | Royal Armouries, Leeds City Centre
Image: Leeds City Council
The touring Knife Angel sculpture is coming to Leeds this February, to send a powerful message and spark conversations about knife crime in the city.
The Knife Angel, standing tall at 27ft and made from over 100,000 seized blades, was created by the British Ironwork Centre to highlight the negative effects of violent behaviour and the need for change.
The poignant sculpture will be placed outside the Royal Armouries Museum as part of an intensification month on knife crime which launches on Thursday 1 February 2024.
The Japanese green tea is having its moment, and we're absolutely here for it.
So, we've taken it upon ourselves to venture out and explore the city for the best matcha spots and trust us, we've found some good ones.
From your classic matcha latte to blue banana matcha, there's a tea-riffic matcha beverage to suit everyone (sorry).
So keep reading and pick out your next spot which you're keen to try.
RAW Coffee
10 Mill Hill, LS1 5DQ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're a bit of a matcha snob then this is the place to go as owners Anya and James pride themselves on serving up only real, authentic matcha.
And they're constantly coming up with unique specials too including the beautiful banana blue matcha which is the perfect gateway matcha for those of you who find the green stuff a bit too 'grassy'.
It's such a lovely spot and the staff are super friendly and will be happy to help you decide which matcha you're going to go for, to drink-in or takeaway.
Federal
Boar Lane, LS1 5DA
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Not only does this Aussie-style brunch spot make fantastic food but their matcha is flipping fantastic too. Coming in a range of flavours and perfect for on the go as they come in these adorable cans that look almost too good to crack open.
MADE
165 Lower Briggate, LS1 6LY
Image: The Hoot Leeds
New to Lower Briggate, this lovely new opening is home to super fresh acai bowls, hand-whisked matcha, Erewhon smoothie dupes, split cups, tuna-cado sarnies and wonderful staff to help you decide on your order.
Tsujiri
Leeds Kirkgate Market, Ludgate Hill, LS2 7HZ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Now it wouldn't be a guide to matcha without Tsujiri, would it? These guys are committed to giving the people of Leeds some of the highest-grade Japanese green tea you can get your hands on.
It's the most authentic you'll find in the city, and you can even get it in the form of soft serve ice cream and decadent crepe cakes. Yum.
Cup + Lid
29 The Headrow, LS1 6PU
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Four words - White Chocolate Matcha Latte. Yep, that's what these hot chocolate specialists on The Headrow make and they're absolutely delicious.
You can also get your hands on loads of other matcha lattes, both hot and cold, including strawberry matcha, matcha milkshakes and vanilla matcha.
The Savvy Baker
27 Albion Street
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Famed for their epic bakes, The Savvy Baker on Albion Street also has a dedicated matcha bar inside it serving up some of the most creative flavours in the city. I mean they even do a cereal milk flavoured matcha, need we say more?
Pole Pole
60 North Street
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This calming little spot is serving up beautiful homemade cakes alongside fresh matcha; nestled just outside the city centre, it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle.
Sonder
27-28, Grand Arcade, 20 Merrion St, LS1 6PG
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For the most aesthetic matcha in Leeds, head to Sonder. The interior here will get you feeling like you've been transported to Ibiza as you relax on their beautiful boucle sofa and drink out of trendy glasses.
But it's not just all for show, the matcha is expertly made and you can even treat yourself to a matcha croisssant whilst you're at it.
Hii Grind
King Edward St, LS1 6BR
Matcha is known for its multiple health benefits, but if you want to multiply that then head to Hii. GRIND. This new spot inside Flannels specialise in bright, colourful and most of all healthy dishes that make you glow from within.
We're talking matcha lattes, vibrant acai bowls, juice and smoothies.
Beloved Leeds bistro ‘over the moon’ after being named one of the best restaurants in the UK
Clementine Hall
It's just another accolade for Bavette as the neighbourhood bistro is crowned one of the best in the UK.
And they're just as excited as we are.
Voted for by the industry's best, the National Restaurant Awards include a list of the country's top 100 restaurants every single year.
Although the official awards ceremony and numbered list will take place in June, last week the restaurants that will be included received an adorable box of confetti through the post.
And one of our very own, unsurprisingly, received just that.
Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
And now, they've earned themselves a coveted spot in the top 100 restaurants in the UK.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Here's what Bavette had to say after discovering the news: "Over the moon to get the news we’ve made it into @nationalrestaurantawards top 100 for this year.
"A list we’ve long since hugely admired and such a massive honour to make it this year. Voted for by industry grandees, the full list will be announced at their awards ceremony in June which we’ll be there for. Allez."
Congratulations Sandy, Clement and the wonderful team - this is absolutely so well deserved and we'll be cheering you on in June from the sidelines.
Sophie Smith -
5th February 2024 
