This Leeds bar is hosting a pyjama party to celebrate its third birthday
Think pyjama parties are just for kids? Think again. The Watermark Bar is embracing its inner child - transforming into a huge pillow fort for one night only
Popular neighbourhood bar The Watermark will be transformed into the ultimate pillow fortfor one night only for a pyjama party and it's safe to say we're very excited.
Yes, that's right, the Watermark Bar is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to party in your dressing gown inside their Pillow Fort bar. You absolutely need to be there.
Taking place on Saturday 17 October in honour of its third birthday, the bar has invited guests to join to celebrate three years of making cocktails in Leeds.
Guests are encouraged to dress in their finest pyjamas or kimonos and join in with the festivities. Pillows and dressing gowns are optional.
Located on Cross Belgrave Street, the bar is known locally for its late night kitchen, cocktails, endless selection of spirits and all-around laid-back vibes.
Sharing photos of the last big night in, the bar reminded customers that although they may appear grown up on the outside there are plenty of moments where they embrace the lighter side of running a bar.
For example, one of their bartenders 'occasionally' refuses to serve drinks in glasses. The solution? We think the photos say it all.
A sneak peak of the atmosphere at the Watermark Bar's birthday event / Image: The Watermark Bar
In their notorious tongue-in-cheek manner, Watermark is promising to 'bring it harder than your grans Christmas jigsaw' after missing out on celebrating the second anniversary of their opening in 2020 because of coronavirus restrictions.
A mighty selection of food is served at the Watermark until the early hours and their birthday bash will be no exception.
Taking post-night-out food to a whole new level, their famed chicken and waffle dish just needs to be ordered before 3 am - a sure delight to anyone that usually craves salt after an evening on the town.
The critically acclaimed bar regularly receives five star reviews, described as 'consistently amazing' by their regular customers for its service, food and drinks.
Inspired by the owner's home bar in Beeston, the interior is cosily decorated throughout, complete with classic board games and quirky wall features.
Previous Watermark Bar Events have been a wild success with regulars and newcomers alike / Image: The Watermark Bar
The owners are so excited about their birthday, they will be giving out awards for the best set of pyjamas - and have even invested in new lighting to enhance the pillow fort come house party ambience. A perfect example of the preparation a grown up pyjama party needs.
There couldn't bar more perfectly suited to host a pyjama party in the city centre and we can't wait to see the event in action.
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.”
Sophie Smith -
8th October 2021 
