Leeds' first Tequila Festival is set to arrive in Leeds next month.
On the eve of Friday 22 July 2022, one of Leeds' favourite cultural arts spaces will be transformed into a tequila-infused haven, with an appearance from Tequila Ocho, the world’s first Single Estate tequila, amongst other exciting household names.
Fans of the Leeds Whisky Festival or Rum Fest from Rolling Social Events will be delighted to see another boozy day of takeovers across the city.
Leeds Tequila Festival will be launching its debut event in July. / Image: Supplied
Next month, The Tetley will play host to ambassadors, makers and creators from numerous renowned Tequila distilleries, including the likes of Monin Syrups, Tequila Ocho, Patron, Arette and Fortaleza.
The one-evening-only event will showcase over 50 agave products, including tequila, mezcal and other exciting Mexican spirits whilst The Tetley's fully-stocked bar will allow those looking to up their cocktail game with a splash of tequila to find their new favourite mix.
If that's not enough, Call Lane's favourite Mexican watering hole, Neon Cactus will be showing everything why they are known as the go-to spot for Margaritas, all by serving up their their perfect pair of tacos, including veggie and vegan alternatives.
Neon Cactus will be serving up tacos all night long. / Image: Supplied
Clare Morrow, Ocho Brand Manager says:“We are so excited to be sponsoring Leeds’ first Tequila festival. There has been huge growth in interest and consumer knowledge in agave products over the past couple of years, and there’s never been a more exciting time to share what makes Tequila and Ocho so special. Leeds Tequila Festival will be a great opportunity to share Ocho with people neat, but also showcase its versatility in cocktails, where the authentic agave flavour shines through.”
Lee Jones, Rolling Social Events says: “We’ve done rum, we’ve done whisky, we’ve done gin…tequila was the next logical step! Whether you have just discovered the world of agave or simply enjoy a delicious margarita, there will be something for all levels of interest at our first ever Leeds Tequila Festival at The Tetley this July.”
Food critic Camilla Long visited Leeds for her latest review for The Times with her sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.
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.
So it was only a matter of time until The Times popped in for a review, and this one is truly glowing.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The review labels Bavette as "warm, unmannered and unpretentious" as well as "authentically French".
Long describes the food as "gorgeous, confident, surprising" with a menu that "isn’t too long" and "filled with sturdy, noble dishes, whiffing mightily of the sea and the soil."
It continues: "All of it made with generosity and cheer, served fast by nimble waiters, with a long, if slightly eccentric, wine list. To bang out French dishes with this much fiddly detail and to do it to a full room is not easy. Yet all four courses came in under two hours, for about £75 a head, which in London terms is nothing.
"It’s not that this place was perfect, it’s that it was decidedly not perfect. A bit too much chat about the menus; the oeufs in the meurette not quite runny enough. But the point is: it didn’t matter. All of it came charmingly together. It felt relaxed, just right."
The review is then wrapped up with a pleasing five stars, the cherry on top of the cake.
It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.
Team behind Headrow House and Belgrave to take over and reopen Woodside just one year after opening
Clementine Hall
The foodie-favourite restaurant and bar is now under new management.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that Woodside has sadly been closed for a few months.
We certainly have, and ever since December we've had a Woodside Sunday roast-shaped hole in our hearts that's been gasping for one of their glorious Marmite glazed parsnips.
But luckily, it has now been confirmed that Woodside isn't going anywhere as Superfriendz, the team behind Headrow House, Belgrave and many other top Leeds spots will be taking over. Hallelujah.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Woodside opened at the end of 2024 from the owners of The Brunswick and The Melbourne.
Labelling itself as a 'neighbourhood eatery and bar', Woodside quickly became a favourite amongst Leeds foodies and was known for its smoked meats, great cocktails and stellar Sunday roasts (do I need to talk about the parsnips again).
The menu was fresh and innovative, with oysters topped with kiwi granita and an incredibly garish banana split standing out as highlights.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We hope that the new management continues to maintain Woodside's brilliance, but mainly we're just so glad that it's sticking around.
Superfriendz take care of a whole host of spots in the city, including proper Leeds favourites Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Waterlane Boathouse.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Woodside said: "After a longer-than-expected winter break, Woodside is back and will reopen on Thursday 19th March!
"Your favourite neighbourhood bar and eatery returns with the same warm welcome, but an all new management team.
"We can’t wait to see you so keep your eyes on our socials for news on great food and drinks, big screen sports, quizzes and more.
"We’d also like to thank Sam and the original team for all the hard work that went into setting-up the venue. We hope we can do it justice."
Sophie Smith -
24th June 2022 
