It feels as if Leeds is experiencing a wealth of growth at the moment, with innovative spaces popping up seemingly by the week.
Whilst many are bringing something new and exciting to the city centre, Delirium and Revelry is offering the rare opportunity to find your new favourite spot for a night out.
We're talking about a brand new bar space with inventive cocktails, eclectic music, and vintage-inspired interiors, all with a modern spin.
Located at the Grand Arcade next door to Brotherhood, the new independent comes with generous opening times (until 3 or 4am), and a bespoke collection of spirits for some one-a-kind-cocktail concoctions.
We're talking about blends of tequila and Midori liqueur, lime and Ting called Don't be a Pr*ck, served in a cactus-shaped glass, whilst the Ruby Revival, served in a lightbulb-esque glass and mixes rhubarb and grapefruit gin with Italicus, Campari and rhubarb bitters.
Image: PGHL
The selection here is vast and eclectic as the music offered inside, with a selection of crowdpleasing hip hop during the day, before upping the BPM for some disco house, garage, and techno as dusk falls.
Taking over the former space of Hardy's, think Edison bulbs, suede booths and upcycled furniture with animal light fittings and an overall jungle theme.
There's also a small private VIP room upstairs for those looking to book for on the first up to 10 guests, and featuring a secret sliding bookshelf- and this promises to be extremely popular with anyone looking for a unique way to start the party.
The bar also has comes with a large second floor, which hopes to follow the unique trends inside Delirium & Revelry, but as a speakeasy bar complete with retro arcade machines, which the owners hope to complete at a later date.
The new bar is the brainchild of Lydia Phillips and Andy Hedley, owners with over 15 years in the hospitality industry, spanning as far as Newcastle and Durham, as well as right here in Leeds.
Co-founder and manager Lydia Phillips said:
‘’I first fell in love with Leeds about 7 years ago when I came here for university and was blown away by the nightlife. There’s a decent bar on almost every corner of the city, with a warm Northern vibe and a host of familiar and friendly faces.’
‘’Having worked both behind the bar and later behind the scenes, I feel I’ve got a good eye for what works and what doesn’t. My business partner and friend Andy is a local lad who’s had similar experiences to myself, and we just decided the time had come to give it a shot ourselves.’’
Image: PGHL
‘’Delirium & Revelry has been a real passion project for both of us, and we’re confident we’ve created a space that’s truly unique, whilst at the same time complementing the existing bars in the Merrion Street area.’’
‘’As small independent ourselves, it’s important that we support each other, as well as other local breweries and businesses. Sustainability is also high on our agenda, and we’ve tried to integrate this into building the brand, by using upcycled furniture and recyclable bar accessories wherever we can. We’ve had a lot of late nights getting ready for launch and can’t wait to welcome our first guests to the bar’’
You can find Delirium & Revelry at 52 New Briggate in Leeds city centre, LS1 6NU.
Eats
A bakery serving giant NYC-style cookies and fluffy cinnamon buns has just opened in Leeds
If you've got a seriously sweet tooth, then you're going to love this new opening.
It seems like there's been a flurry of new bakeries popping up in and around Leeds recently, and we're certainly not complaining.
Introducing Crumbb, a beautiful new bakery that has just opened its doors on Hyde Park Road just moments outside of the city centre.
Owner Naila started the businesses as a wholesaler six years ago, stocking up local businesses from far and wide with sweet treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Since then, Crumbbs opened its first location in Bradford just a few months ago that has been nothing short of a resounding success. So much so, that Crumbbs 2.0 was born right here in Leeds a few days ago.
Right, let's talk you through what's on offer.
For the sweet toothed out there, there's a whole myriad of treats for you to enjoy. We're talking giant NYC-style cookies, fluffy cinnamon buns topped with gooey icing, brownies slices, cookie muffins, rocky road, flapjack, the list is truly endless.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can even get warm cookie trays and hot brownies to enjoy in house that can be topped with ice cream or thick custard.
And it doesn't stop there, Crumbbs also whip up freshly baked savoury focaccia slices as well as cheese twists, pizza slices and savoury rolls filled with creamy mozzarella and herbs.
They've also got a fabulous drink selection on offer including matcha, coffee and hot chocolates.
Located in Headingley, we've got a feeling this spot is going to be a huge hit with students and locals alike looking to get their sweet treat fix. But they'll have to beat us to it first.
The hidden Leeds bakery serving giant cheese twists, pickle sausage rolls and chocolate focaccia
Clementine Hall
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.
Sophie Smith -
31st August 2022 
