It's 6pm, but the dark skies and near freezing temperatures suggest it may as well be past nine.
You're ready for a mid-week tipple with your workmates and want somewhere with personality: somewhere that'll make you forget about the day gone by, and certainly somewhere you're not going to feel the cold weather blowing the rest of the city around.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Hidden plain in sight just off Boar Lane, underground bar Distrikt has become a proper institution for party-goers over the last fourteen years, but with an earlier opening time of 6pm on weekdays and 4-5pm on weekends, the underground bar has plenty to offer before the bartenders at your favourite late-night watering hole have even woken up.
Between 6pm and 10pm each night, take advantage of 2-for-£14 cocktail offers. The drinks list spans to pretty much everything on the menu, including classics like Espresso Martinis and Bloody Marys, as well as seasonal specials like Winter Woodfords Old Fashioned and JD Apple Sours. And if you’re a student, better still: the offer lasts all night long.
Plus, this Christmas there’s a Mexican Christmas cocktail menu with options like the Spicy Tommy’s Margaritas, Daïquiri De Mexicana and the Rum Refashioned to choose from.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
But the list doesn't stop there, oh no.
There's also £15 bottles of Prosecco, £10 bottles of wine and for those that just want a simple pint of beer, you'll pay £3 for selected house lagers. Plus, spirit and mixer options also come in at the £3 mark until 10pm every Sunday - Friday (and this might just be one of the cheapest spots in the city for an evening tipple).
Accompanying your four-hour Happy Hour, you'll find both local and international DJs on the decks playing house, minimal, disco, deep and all the classics, and certainly bring a different atmosphere to your usual pre-drink pub nights.
Distrikt has been known over the years for its late-night antics, but the underground bar is now keen to ensure everyone across the city knows 'it's better underground' from 6pm.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
'Combining the elegance and secrecy of a speakeasy with the cutting-edge freedom of a club', the bar is proud to offer free entry to all those that want to head down the cobbles at Duncan Street, every night of the week.
Now moving into its fifteenth year, there's a reason that Distrikt remains a huge part of the city's nightlife scene - and you can find all the upcoming events planned on the Distrikt website here.
Feature Image - The Hoot Leeds
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A slice of New York has arrived in Leeds – and the pizzas are 18 inches wide
Popular pizza pop-up Edges Pizza has opened a permanent home in Leeds city centre.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residencies across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason. Edges Pizza has just opened a permanent new takeaway under the arches in Holbeck, and it's absolutely class.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Owners Grace and Edge who are from Harrogate opened Edges two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
They've completely transformed the space into a proper love letter to the big apple. It will operate mainly as a takeaway, but there is a small seating area where you can perch and tuck into your pie.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu is perfectly curated, consisting of eight pizzas and three dips. And trust us, they are absolutely massive.
We opted for the American Hot with spicy pepperoni, banana peppers and parmesan as well as the mushroom pie topped with garlic creme fraiche and chestnut mushrooms.
Drizzled and dunked into moreish hot honey, it's rivalling some of the best pizza in the city.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For now, grabbing a pizza from Edges operates through a pre-order system. Pre-orders open at 12pm the day before via their website, you can pick your collection time and then you simply have to rock up and get your pizza.
There's loads of parking available nearby and if there are any remaining slots available you can pre-order up to an hour before collection.
We've got a feeling they're going to very busy indeed.
A cafe dedicated entirely to matcha gelato has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
Matcha is well and truly taking Leeds (and the country) by storm.
You're probably bored of hearing us talk about matcha, and to be honest we're getting a little bit bored writing about it.
But, this time it's different.
This is M Plus Matcha, a brand-new matcha store that's just opened near Leeds University who not only serve your classic matcha lattes but also bucket loads of freshly-churned gelato.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And to make things even better, they've got four on offer all at different percentages to suit your taste.
Soft and grassy, smooth and creamy, full and velvety…or deep and bold (they said it, not us) - this spot is truly a matcha lover’s summer paradise.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're not sure what flavour you fancy, the lovely staff are on hand to help and can offer tasters of each percentage before you commit to a cone or a tub so you're not left disappointed.
The space is gorgeously light and airy, complete with matcha-coloured walls and plenty of matcha-coloured seating for you to perch and enjoy your treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Right opposite the Parkinson Building, we can see M Plus Matcha becoming a fantastic hub for students to whack their laptops out for a couple of hours whilst getting their caffeine fix.
The drinks menu includes iced matcha lattes, hot matcha, matcha lemonades and loads more. Basically, if you're of the opinion that matcha tastes like grass then we do not recommend you going.
But if you love it like us, then you're in for a treat.
Sophie Smith -
12th December 2023 
