If there's one deal that should be on any menu, it's a Wings Wednesday one.
They're the best sports bar snack and when over 100 million pounds of chicken wings were eaten over the Super Bowl weekend, even back in 2012, you know that they're just too finger-lickin' good. These days, you'll find chicken wings on the menu just about anywhere- and for good reason.
The best offers always come around on a Wednesday- well, because Wings Wednesday has a nice ring to it and because we all need a midweek pick-me-up.
So where can you go for said wings? Glad you asked, here's our top picks...
Yard & Coop
Image: Yard & Coop
The kings of fried chicken know how to get us through the door. On offer, there's 10p chicken wings in the bar every single day. Conveniently as they're shut on a Monday and Tuesday, that means your Yard & Coop week starts with 10p Wings Wednesday if you're snacking at the bar. Plus, if you order a main meal, you get a side of chicken wings free of charge every Wednesday night.
Two vegan and a carnivore all walked into a bar. One of the vegans wanted chicken wings that taste like meat, the other wanted a plant-based alternative. The meat-eater wanted real chicken wings. Brewdog Headingley had three different wing options that suited all their needed. Here, there's Wings Wednesdays with 90 mins of Cauliflower, Seitan or chicken wings amongst laidback customers, board games and a huge range of draught pints.
Dry Dock
Image: The Dry Dock Leeds
Most will recognise the Dry Dock as the finishing point for the Otley Run, thus marking the fourteen plus pints you've consumed during this marathon of a pub crawl. As a result, few really know what it's like inside, it's all just a blur. Try going in sober or tipsy (just not Otley Run drunk) on a Wednesday night for 25p chicken wings and a whole load of sauces.
Kirkstall Bridge
Image: Kirkstall Bridge
Wing Wednesday also coincides with quiz night at Kirkstall Bridge, not that anyone's complaining. Grab a full box of chicken wings for a fiver with unique sauces like the Dissolution Hot Sauce, Black Band BBQ or Dexter and Blue Cheese dip. We did say they're the ultimate sports bar snack and frankly, what's more competitive than a pub quiz? Just be sure not to ruin your answer sheet with sauce and grease.
All you can eat food is always a good idea, especially if you're going with a large crowd- you just never know how hungry you'll be. Every Wings Wednesday is an all-you-can-eat wings and fries special at Absurd Bird. The wings are allegedly 'absurdly huge' so make sure to book in advance and grab a seat at the table for this sellout offer. Oh, and did we mention unlimited wings come to just £13.95?
The Library
Image: The Library
For just 30p per wing, The Library have both chicken and cauliflower wings by the bucket on offer. The sauces are all barbecue-based, but each with a tangy twist: think bulleit bourbon flavoured, Korean BBQ and honey buffalo. If you need something else besides wings to fill you up on a cold Wednesday evening, the staff encourage you to add a side and make it a bargain meal- ideal.
Red's True Barbecue
Image: Red's True BBQ
Grab XXL wings every day of the week (not just on a Wednesday) for just 30p each, with a minimum order of 10 per serving. They're sauces are plenty and we're drooling over names like Unholy BBQ, Buffalo and Blue, Honey Sriracha and Vegan Devil Wings already. Reckon you can handle the hottest sauce of them all? There's a hot wing challenge that requires signing a legal waiver.
Neon Cactus
Image: Neon Cactus
At Neon Cactus, all good things come with tequila so naturally you can get either a classic or Tommy's margaritas for a fiver when you get yourself a portion of finger-lickin' chicken wings- and we're not complaining. These guys have a mantra of "Stuff your face, feed your liver, lose your mind" and it seems too intriguing not to try at least once on a Wednesday.
Hoist House
Image: Hoist House
A midweek chicken wing special is also available over at Hoist House on Wellington Place. For one night only, the bar offers half price wings from midday 'til late. Pair it with a draught pint of just about anything and bring the dog for a few drinks and an afternoon snack. If you're bringing a large crowd, book ahead of time for the best seats in the house.
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just two months' time and some major plans and changes have been announced.
Although Pop Princess Zara Larsson might want us to believe "Summer isn't over yet", it's safe to say that the recent downpours we've had across West Yorkshire disagree.
Leeds Christmas Markets are also ringing in the new season with a jam-packed video posted to social media announcing all the current plans and changes for its 2026 schedule.
This year, outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi are stepping up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular and are organising a celebration where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.
In a video uploaded to its social accounts, foodie expert and Little Bao Boy Founder James 'Jimmy Chews' Ooi was given the honour of revealing all these exciting plans.
Informing everyone that "You best come hungry", Ooi noted that some of the phenomenal vendors taking part include La Grassa and The Savvy Baker.
Real Markets Yorkshire and Stump Cross Caverns are also getting into the Christmas spirit and setting up their own stalls at Leeds City Square this November.
La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Rated restaurants and bars are contributing to the festive frenzy too, like Cabaret Thursdays at Italian restaurant Bibi's and beer garden destination Green Room are hosting singalongs at Leeds Christmas Markets.
There will be plenty of activities for families happening all around the unofficial capital of West Yorkshire like elf-themed scavenger hunts, various elves on various shelves and lots of live music.
If it wasn't apparent already, in the words of Jimmy Chews himself, there's about to be "So much Christmas that Mariah Carey is going to look like the Grinch".
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November and there will be plenty of exciting announcements to the upcoming celebrations ahead of the big day.
Inside the new Italian bottega bringing a taste of Italy to Ilkley
Daisy Jackson
A new family-run Italian deli and coffee house has opened in Ben Rhydding, bringing a little taste of Italy to the outskirts of Ilkley.
Rizia's Bottega, on Bolling Road, officially opened at the end of August following a soft launch, serving authentic schiacciata sandwiches, colourful salads, and light Sicilian breakfasts.
The new neighbourhood spot comes from the team behind Ilkley favourite Emporio Italia and has been created as somewhere locals can pop in for their morning coffee, sit down for a bite to eat, or pick up some high-quality Italian treats to enjoy at home.
The idea for the bottega was inspired by founder Fabrizia Wagstaff-Pignanelli's own childhood memories of Italy and the role her local bottega played in everyday life.
She said: "The idea for Rizia's Bottega was brought to life whilst me and my family were watching our family videos and sharing memories of how we would spend our days in our local bottega in San Giovanni.
Inside Rizia's BottegaThe menu at Rizia’s BottegaRizia’s Bottega is now open in Ben RhyddingCredit: The Hoot Leeds
"The Bottega was the heart of our little town, where you would pop in for a quick coffee but unknowingly spend hours catching up with old friends and leave with freshly baked bread, pasta and all the weekly essentials."
That sense of community is central to Rizia's Bottega, which aims to recreate the friendliness and relaxed pace of a traditional Italian neighbourhood shop.
Rather than simply being a deli or coffee shop, the idea is to create a space where people can meet friends, enjoy good food and coffee, and take their time.
Schiacciata sandwichesBreakfast and coffeeCredit: The Hoot Leeds
Fabrizia said: "Rizia's Bottega is a reflection of the values that have shaped me growing up in the world of hospitality and what I have been taught in the many years I have worked in my family's restaurant.
"Furthermore the ideals ingrained in me through my Italian upbringing, such as the art of experiencing life at a slower pace, the importance of community and making sure everyone is well fed."
Inside, visitors can expect a deli-style offering packed with Italian products and ingredients, alongside freshly prepared food and bakes.
There are sandwiches and other bites to eat, including a spicy La Calabrese sandwich with both spicy and fennel sausage, plus sweet Romano peppers and nduja lemon butter.
Italian provisions at Rizia's Bottega. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Other fillings you'll find on the menu include burratta and black pepper porchetta, avocado and olive tapenade, and mortadella with pistachio cream.
The shelves are also stocked with Italian provisions and goodies to take home, from olives and oils to pasta and cookbooks.
The family hopes the bottega will become a familiar part of life in the local community, reflecting the welcoming atmosphere they remember from Italy.
"You can think of the Bottega as your neighbourhood space to meet up with friends, enjoy a great coffee, share a bite to eat or pop in to pick up some high-quality Italian provisions," Fabrizia said.
Rizia's Bottega is now open on Bolling Road in Ben Rhydding, offering a relaxed slice of Italian life just outside Ilkley.
It's open Tuesday to Friday, 7.45am–4pm; Saturday, 8.30am–4pm; and Sunday, 10am–2pm.
Sophie Smith -
2nd February 2022 
