Hospitality heavy hitters behind Santiago and Mojo have opened a new, movie-themed bar in Upper Briggate.
Called Grindhouse Bar, inside table lamps light up original film cells, film soundtracks play on a loop, and there is - of course - a big screen showing house favorites on repeat.
Initially due to open in May 2020, it's been a long time coming - but now we're finally able to sit inside and enjoy a drink and some locally sourced grub in silver screen style.
The brainchild of Dave Holmes (founder of Santiago) and Paul Handley (previously Santiago and Mojo), the pair came up with the idea for a movie-inspired venue after a few beers.
Sitting between Wax Bar and North Bar in the Northern Quarter, close to Leeds Grand Theatre, the pair have some good relationships with local suppliers.
Glazed and Confused Donuts at Grindhouse, Leeds
They will be sourcing locally as possible, working with contacts at Leeds Markets, North Star Coffee, Northern Monk, and Leeds-based Glazed and Confused Donuts.
Dave said: "We didn’t settle on the film idea to be the first of its kind, it was just something we both wanted to do. We both love film – Paul’s a John Carpenter fan and I love the Zombie genre - it just made sense for us to do it!”
“We shortlisted a few film-themed names, but Grindhouse was an instant favourite; the history of Grindhouse films and theatres, and the general coffee connection – it feels right.”
The food offering at Grindhouse caters to all diets and is available to enjoy from 9am to 5pm daily, starting with breakfast burritos.
After 5, the only food available will be Frito Pie - a delicacy from Austin, Texas that impressed Paul on a visit there a few years back.
“It’s just a packet of crisps (‘Fritos’ in Texas), sliced open, add a big dollop of homemade chilli, chopped onions, cheese, and jalapeños – mix it all up and you’re good to go.”
Go on, then.
Grindhouse will be open Mon to Thurs (9am to midnight),Friday and Saturday (9am to 1am) and Sunday (11am to midnight). Dogs are welcome.
Eats
Salon Madre – a new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Leeds this month
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Georgina Pellant -
19th May 2021 
