A food, drink and music festival is taking over a Leeds carpark this summer, bringing rooftop parties feat. the city's most exciting DJs and food vendors to the Merrion Centre.
Called Multistories, it's pulling in chefs like Matt Healey (former Masterchef) and The Savvy Baker to serve up tasty treats, accompanied by eclectic beat selections from some of Leeds' finest local DJs.
From eight storeys up, guests will get the chance to sample Matt Healy's all-new 'Tapas Xperience'and tuck into Savannah Roqaa's sweet lockdown bakes whilst soaking up some sunshine and enjoying expansive views across the city.
More food vendors are due to be announced in the coming weeks.
Kicking off on 25th June, the space will have room for up to 350 guests at one time. The event takes a leaf out of Manchester and London's books, taking empty industrial or commercial spaces and repurposing them for creative events.
''Hospitality has taken some blows over the past 12 months, to say the least, and so Multistories was born to kickstart the industry in Leeds, encourage greener social space and celebrate some of the amazingly talented independents in the city," said Arron Fishwick, co-founder of Xperience Partners.
‘’Socialising in a car park may raise the odd eyebrow up north, but it’s a tried and tested concept in London that’s been growing exponentially for the best part of a decade. Level 8 will not only allow for some unrivalled views of the city, but some of the absolute best food and drink you’ll find in the UK.’’
‘’We’re honoured to be working with the likes of Matt Healy, the Savvy Baker, and can't wait to reveal more big names as they are confirmed. With everyone fed up with lockdown, we're hoping 2021 is going to be the much-needed summer of love we've all been craving. We can't wait to see the people of Leeds join us to make some lifelong memories.''
Multistories will operate from 4-10pm on Fridays, and between 12-10pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Guests can book tables for Multistories online to drink and dine in parties of up to six.
Tickets go on sale at 9am Friday 11th June and can be purchased via the website.
Find it at Level 8 CitiPark in the Merrion Centre.
Eats
Neighbourhood Leeds bistro hailed as ‘a bit horny’ and ‘brilliant’ by national critic Camilla Long
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."
Georgina Pellant -
11th June 2021 
