There's few spots in Leeds where a post-work drink before the train is possible, but we've found a place where you can grab some of the fastest pours in the city.
Picture the scene.
It's a Wednesday afternoon and you've got post-work drinks on your mind. The only thought that's going to get you through the next few hours at the office. We know your type- you've got a train to catch at 6pm so you need to be in and out within the hour. No time for queuing up at the bar.
Why waste your precious hour between work and the train travelling across town, only to have to wait twenty minutes to be served. And if you want a cocktail, well forget it- there's no way you can get one in time.
Hangry and frustrated, you reluctantly head to the train station for a lukewarm pint in an old bar that has an ungodly smell about it and reside yourself to the fact that post-work drinks were only made for those that can afford to spend all night in the city, not commuters like you.
We've all been this person at one point or another. And well, it sucks.
Image: PGHL
Finally, a bar has spotted this gap in the market and is changing the post-work drinks scene for the better. SALT, with a newly opened site at Granary Wharf, is serving up the fastest cocktails in the city- and we're genuinely ecstatic about the concept.
Bringing draught cocktails to the masses, their canalside bar is the perfect spot to unwind after a long day of grafting in the city centre.
Grab a seat and lazily unwind in a cosy nook of the circular-shaped seating area or grab a sun-drenched spot next to the windows where light just floods in.
Image: SALT Craft + Falafel
Located in the former Craft Asylum bar, with the steady stream of water from the Leeds-Liverpool canal at eye-level , SALT Craft + Falafel is all about providing those post-work drink essentials: speedy drinks in a picturesque location.
The bar area itself is comfy enough you could stay all evening long, especially once the nights draw in later and the sun shines through the clouds without stormy skies superseding.
Grab a glass of Espresso Martini or Strawberry Cosmopolitans within seconds thanks to the selection of seven 'on tap' cocktails- which take the same amount of time as a pint to pull, mind-blowing.
If that's not enough, all cocktails are 2 for £12 all day, every day.
Image: The Hoot LEeds
It's not just cocktails that SALT Craft + Falafel is making a name with. Those that have carefully listened to the name will have noticed that this bar is all about craft beers, and SALT have them in abundance.
Living by the slogan 'the purpose of beer is to create pleasure', it's clear that these guys are passionate about their drinks. Expect award-winning hop forward beers alongside Ossett Brewery cask, YON Lager, local guest breweries and more- all poured before your next train is due.
Locally famous street vendors Falafel Guys have set up in the kitchen here, so you won't even have to duck out for food if you decide to let post-work drinks turn into an evening in town.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Halal menu offers Middle Eastern cuisine at its finest. There's serving up chunky grilled halloumi, three types of hummus, as well as falafels, chicken wings, halloumi fries and chicken shawarma to choose from.
Even if you allow the evening to run away with you, the former Craft Asylum building is only a few short steps from the South Exit of Leeds Train Station.
We really can't recommend a better spot for long afternoons, cocktail or craft beer in hand- it's certainly the post-work treat that we look forward to, no matter where in Leeds (or further afield) we're heading home to.
You can find the newly-opened SALT Craft + Falafel at Granary Wharf and put their speedy drinks service and unbeatable location to the test for yourself.
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
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 -
3rd March 2022 
