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.”
There's another new opening in Farsley - this time an incredibly cool listening bar and cocktail bar.
Tucked away in Sunny Bank Mills, Pardon Me is a bar built around 'music, atmosphere, and detail'.
Bartenders here create well-made cocktails and pour natural wines in front of a wall of vinyl records, while a playlist of hip hop, soul, jazz, funk, deep house, and disco soundtracks your evening.
The stylish space features a considered sound system that's been built around Danley speakers.
Pardon Me has opened with the intention of creating a space where 'sound sits at the centre, and everything else supports it'.
It's been launched by Scott Rapson, who grew up in the Scottish Highlands and fell in love with music around the time of the arrival of hip hop in the early 80s.
He then spent time travelling for raves, and visiting venues like Glasgow’s Sub Club and London’s Plastic People, giving Scott an appreciation for how 'music can shape a room, not just fill it'.
Scott and his partner Laurie have then spent the past three years travelling Europe, visiting listening bars across the continent to shape the foundations of Pardon Me.
Inside Pardon Me in FarsleyCocktails at Pardon Me
They say that sound, look, atmosphere, service and style are treated with equal importance.
Whether it's for coffee during the day, or drinks into the evening, they want Pardon Me to be a place to spend time, looking out across Sunny Bank Mills.
Scott says he's built the bar with the support of family and friends, plus Laurie helping to bring the idea to life, already finding a warm welcome within the Farsley community.
Pardon Me is open now at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley.
Posh bakery chain Gail’s is finally coming to Yorkshire
Daisy Jackson
Gail's has finally set its sights on Yorkshire for the first time, with a new bakery set to open this year.
It's one of the UK's most famous bakeries, launching in London in the early 1990s to supply restaurants, before opening its first retail site and cafe in Hampstead in 2005.
Gail's founders set out on a mission to bake bread as it used to be baked: by hand, using quality ingredients and time-worn artisanal methods.
While Gail's has expanded aggressively into the north, opening around a dozen bakeries in Greater Manchester and its surrounds, it hasn't made the journey across to Yorkshire just yet.
All that looks set to change, with job ads now listed for roles within a brand-new Yorkshire branch of Gail's.
Based on the job advert, Gail's is heading straight to the spa town of Harrogate - which is a fairly predictable move.
It looks like Gail's is heading for HarrogateGail's will make its Yorkshire debut
When it does open, you'll find loaf choices including classic white and brown sourdough, Gail’s ‘wasteless’ loaves (made using a specially-created recipe designed to incorporate unsold bread crumbs), alongside seeded varieties, baguettes and batons.
Must-tries include Gail’s famous cinnamon buns, still-warm cheese and ham croissants, chocolate chip cookies, and – given the weather we’re having this week – iced coffees, all day long preferably please.
Gail's has now confirmed the opening, with a spokesperson saying: "GAIL’s is excited to confirm it is opening a new bakery in Harrogate later this year. The opening will bring GAIL’s craft baking to the community, including creating a number of craft baking, barista, and management roles.
"We will also be donating surplus baked goods through our Neighbourly partnerships. This is part of our ongoing commitment to giving back to the communities we serve and improving access to quality food and drink on the high-street."
But given the number of fantastic local bakeries all over Yorkshire, the question is, does anyone want Gail's?
Sophie Smith -
24th June 2022 
