The latest on the Leeds club scene is bringing a taste of Havana to West Yorkshire.
After much anticipation, the new club-cafe Canal Club has opened its doors to visitors for the very first time.
Bringing a flavoursome menu of food and drink from around the world, the busy bar will be serving fresh fish, tasty tacos and more from their canalside location.
The menu is full of fresh-ingredient-dishes. / Image: Canal Club
The cafe-club has embraced the changes that the pandemic have brought to our lives, but the brand is keen to ensure that their pre-Covid globetrotting-inspired-decor can still take visitors on a trip to parties around the world whilst restrictions are still in place.
Iconic party hotspots such as Havana, LA and Miami will have nothing on Canal Club as new club-cafe effortlessly brings the best of all three to Leeds.
£1m has been invested in Canal Club to create a multisensory space. Living walls and ceilings, dripping with lush palm leaves and bougainvillaea are peppered throughout, whilst neon signage, twinkling lights and kitsch furnishings mean that no two tables are alike.
This exotic, tropical flair is designed to transport guests straight to a Havana-style club night that’s perfect to grab a few photos for the ‘gram, let your hair down and party like you’re under the tropical heat of the Caribbean.
Guests can also tuck into world tapas dishes and light bites like Beet Hummus Toast, sliders, salt and pepper squid and sweet potato crostini, day and night.
Cocktails are beautifully garnished and served in stunning glassware. Try a cherry Blossom ‘Tini, served Asian-style with sake and Cointreau, or turn up the heat by sipping on a spicy Strawberry and Coconut Margarita with jalapeño-infused tequila.
Image: Canal Club
The food and cocktails are playful and innovative, blending the familiar with the exotic to create menus filled with promise and temptation.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Operations Director Jade Renner said:
“It’s an eclectic space, with lots of picture-perfect fixtures and fittings. Our food and drinks are also exceptional and are presented in a way that adds to the whole experience for our guests.
“No stone has been left unturned. The pandemic gave us time to think about what it is that people are looking for when they socialise now.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming people when we open next month because we do have to be seen to be believed.”
The Canal Club may have opened its doors, but visitors will have to wait until early 2022 to check out the Canal Cafe.
Opening its doors in Spring 2022, guests will be able to choose from a selection of coffees as well as grab ‘n’ go breakfast options and sweet treats. Think edible granola gardens and charcuterie jars, as well as freshly baked pastries almost too pretty to eat.
Of course, a new cafe-bar-club concept couldn’t open in Leeds without a bottomless brunch option.
On weekends, step things up a gear in the highly anticipated venue and grab a bottomless brunch from a plentiful menu designed to delight.
This spot in the city is baking up some weird and wonderful creations.
But you'll have to act fast if you want to get your hands on them, as it's only open one day a week for all your doughy desires.
Introducing Fold, a focaccia-focused bakery by the talented team behind The Cheesy Living Co.
Rewind to this time last year and with three restaurants flourishing across Leeds, the team needed a space to bake all their bread and sweet treats in-house to supply to sites.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And this is where Fold came in, located underneath the arches of Brussels Street on the outskirts of the city centre - it may take a while to find this spot but once you have, it'll be worth it.
And they're making some of the most inventive bakes that we've seen.
Of course there'll always be a focaccia on offer, with flavours ranging from crispy chilli oil, sesame and spring onion to kimchi, cheese and pistachio.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And it's not just savoury focaccia, you'll even find gooey chocolate and banana focaccia as well as Biscoff waffle focaccia....yep, seriously.
Elsewhere they specialise in gigantic footlong cheese twists with more crispy bits than soft, as well as chorizo and cheese stuffed sausage rolls and a range of freshly baked bagels for you to go home and smear in your cream cheese of choice.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Some seriously spectacular specials have been the gochujang cookies and the 'pickle roll', basically like a sausage roll but with...pickles.
It seems there's really no boundaries for where these bakes will go, and you can guarantee that every visit will be different than the rest.
Only open on Saturdays from 10am - 1pm, Fold are changing the baking game. Pop in and say hello, you won't be disappointed.
Family-run Thai street food stall made famous in Leeds Kirkgate Market to open brand-new restaurant
Clementine Hall
One of Kirkgate Market's best hidden gems is growing.
If you're a fan of all things Thai then you'll most likely know about Khao Gaeng Thai.
This family-run street food stall is known for its quick-service Thai food at brilliant prices.
They serve everything from zingy papaya salad and crispy chicken with rice to your classic Pad Thai noodles with your choice of protein.
And if you're looking for a hearty meal to keep you full throughout the day then this is the spot, as the portions are absolutely huge.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Much to our excitement, Khao Gaeng Thai has now opened its second site over on Burley Road which has a bigger kitchen plus its own seating area for you to relax and enjoy the food.
Announcing the news to Instagram, they said: "We’re so excited to announce that Khao Gaeng Thai – Thai Kitchen, our SECOND location, is NOW OPEN! And don’t worry — our original Khao Gaeng Thai at Kirkgate Market is staying OPEN as usual!
"Thanks to all the incredible support we’ve received from our customers at Kirkgate Market over the years, we’ve been able to take this exciting next step and open a second Khao Gaeng Thai.
"At our new Thai Kitchen on Burley Road, you’ll find even more dishes, more choice, and a relaxed sit-down restaurant experience — all with the authentic Thai flavours you know and love.
"So now you can enjoy Khao Gaeng Thai at TWO locations in Leeds! Thank you for helping our little Khao Gaeng Thai family grow. We can’t wait to welcome you!"
We couldn't be happier for the team and can't wait to check out their new space.
Sophie Smith -
10th December 2021 
