Cocktails made from Skittles, Pancetta and Haribo: this is the cocktail menu you never knew you needed in your life.
Pastel is a new cocktail bar with a lot of never-seen-before drinks on the menu- and we're obsessed with the concept.
Rattan chairs, pineapple tables and decorative features in pink, mint, cream and a teal green: this pastel paradise is going to be an Insta-worthy bar that brings that summer feel-good feeling to the everyday.
Opening on Saturday 12 March to the public, Pastel will be serving up beautifully decorated cocktails and handpicked spirits to Leeds in a rather decorative setting.
Located in the beating heart of Leeds metropolis, Kirkgate, Pastel is combining the euphoric feeling of day drinking with the playful romanticism of evening tipple.
Their cocktail menu is all that the company have chosen to reveal at this stage, but it's more than enough to get us down the moment the doors open.
Essentially, you're looking at classic cocktails with imaginative twists and carefully-decorated glasses. The Pastel Fizz, for instance, is a delectable concoction of Bacardi Raspberry, raspberry liqueur, fresh lime juice with cream, egg white, soda and topped with 'Pastel Dust' that gives it a rather frothy appearance.
Image: Pastel Leeds
The Wray of Sunshine is likely to be our drink of choice. El Jimador Tequila, Wray & Nephew with Sunshine Syrup, fresh lime, basil, pineapple juice and Skittles: this is going to be the perfect post-work drink once the sunshine returns and we're basking in the rays mid-heatwave.
Then there's some rather unusual combinations, just like the Curd Your Enthusiasm cocktail. Portobello Road Gin, fresh lemon juice with lemon Curd and topped with pancetta and a single Haribo Egg. Yes, eggs and meat on a cocktail: not for the faint-hearted, or vegetarians.
Image: Pastel Leeds
Speaking about their cocktail bar concept, Pastel said: "We are a venue inspired by a playful and fun drinking culture and aim to deliver a fun and unique drinking experience to push the boundaries of wet-led service standards."
"From daytime hustlers to nighttime goodtimers we have the perfect oasis of pastel hues and laid back atmosphere for both work and play. The core of what we do is to take all guests on a journey from early to late, serving cool signature cocktails alongside classic cocktails, handpicked spirits and Monmouth coffee."
More information will be released closer to the opening of the bar. To keep up to date with all the exciting revelations, you can nosey on the their Instagram page.
Britain's 20 biggest cities have been ranked, and Leeds has done pretty well.
Although, you wouldn't be able to tell judging by the overwhelmingly lacklustre description we've been given.
The listing comes from The Telegraph and ranks Britain's 20 biggest cities from worst to best, taking into account visitor appeal and where offers most to tourists.
Leeds comes in at a very respectable number 10, however judging from what they've said about our city you'd think we were much, much lower.
Kicking things off, the description reads: "There’s an untidy quality to Leeds, borne of a patchwork of periods in its built environment and the fact that a lot of regeneration is underway (cranes rise at every corner)."
Image: Unsplash
Yep, not off to a good start but it's only down hill from there as Leeds is then said to have a 'certain shapelessness'.
But perhaps the worst part is yet to come: "There are some ugly, run-down streets very close to the centre, and while the Headrow and other high streets have a fair number of shops, there’s no real boulevard or grand square.
"The most atmospheric spaces are Queens Arcade and perpendicular Cross Arcade, and Thornton’s Arcade; Grand Arcade is also Victorian but looks and feels less uplifting."
By the end it starts to get slightly more positive, emphases on 'slightly': "Leeds’ strongest points might be its small size and its north-central location; it’s easy to walk everywhere inside the city, and a short ride away are Ilkley, Skipton and the Dales."
Our visitor appeal gained a 6.5/10, beating Cardiff, Sheffield, Brighton and Nottingham.
Taking the top spot was Liverpool followed by Edinburgh, Belfast and Glasgow. Read the full ranking here.
An award-winning Sardinian restaurant made famous in Sheffield is now opening in Leeds
Clementine Hall
This family-run restaurant has chosen Leeds as their second location, and we're very glad they have.
Introducing Domo, a Sardinian independent born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities from homemade pasta dishes to show-stopping grills.
They've also got a banging cocktail menu full of signature serves and refreshing spritz, perfect for enjoying with friends over some delicious sharing plates.
Images: The Sheff
They've been teasing a second site for some time now but finally the cat is firmly out of the bag as they've announced they'll be bringing Domo to Leeds.
But where might you ask? Well, none other than the scenic location of the Lockside overlooking the canal.
Slotting right in next to BAKE, they're going to be in very good company indeed.
Image: The Sheff
Announcing the exciting news to Instagram, Domo said: "So most of you guessed it right...it’s been a long time coming but Domo 2.0 is finally cooking.
"Here’s a little sneak peek at our week which we’ve mostly spent admiring the views and getting to know the new neighbours …. If you can guess where it is there’s a glass of bubbly on us next time we see you. To be continued ………"
That's all the information we have so far, but we'll keep you in the loop as and when we find out more.
We can't wait to have you here in Leeds Domo, but for now we'll pop round to Sheffield to get our Domo fix and we highly suggest you do too.
Sophie Smith -
3rd March 2022 
