The pastel-coloured watering hole is hosting crazy golf, drag brunches and a whole village of food from around the world.
Now open to the public until September, Chow Down is now open for the 2022 season- and there’s going to be so much to enjoy this year at Temple Arches.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Hosting a summer themed haven with a new food village, three-tier sun terrace, DJ huts and crazy golf: Chow Down is the giant beer garden with far more to offer than just drinks.
A nine-hole alfresco crazy golf course will make an appearance for the very first time for those looking to make a tee whilst sipping on cocktails and pints in the sunshine.
Named Palm Swings, this is going to be a chilled-out golfing experience unrivalled in Leeds city centre- but if you need a 'social media moment' to convince you over to Chow Down's version of Miami, the pastel-coloured golf carts offer photo ops aplenty.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
After the opening weekend, one of Chow Down's bestselling events, Drag Brunch, is set to return after an overwhelming successful stint in 2021.
With a full host of queens ready to take to the hallowed turf stage and perform drag anthems all afternoon and continue into the night as the sunshine turns to violet skies, expect an array of talent to take to the stage here throughout the summer season.
Meanwhile newly-built area ‘The Bay’ area will host all the music and entertainment at Chow Down.
The latest addition to the set will host a musical programme each night with headliners like Greg Wilson, The Cuban Brothers, DJ Paulette, Norman Jay, Shades Collective and Mr Wilsons Second Liners all performing throughout the summer season.
The idea is that each night will host a different genre: Thursday night will be a live band, Fridays are for DJs, then on the weekend Saturdays will see local musical talent on The Bay whilst Sunday will see these swapped for some of the coolest brass bands around.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Matt Long, Co-Founder of Chow Down is excited for the return:
“Chow Down is back and we couldn’t be any more excited for summer. With our brand new Art Deco concept, we have a host of new additions to our venue and some killer entertainment. We’re kicking off our reopening with a huge weekend- ‘We Are Fierce’ takeover on Good Friday and Norman Jay MBE spinning on Easter Saturday.
Of course, Chow Down’s foodie line-up is equally as important to Leeds as its musical headliners, and this year, there’s plenty of new street food to tempt you over to Temple Arches.
The first seven weeks will welcome Middle Eastern, North African and Mediterranean food specialists, MorMor take over the food stalls, whilst Sarto, Leeds much-loved pasta and sharers restaurant will bring a one-off menu to Chow Down.
As spring turns to summer, the street food village will add Boro Slice’s Detroit-style pizza slices, Holy Mountain’s renowned BBQ food, Asada Kitchen’s steak and Manchester’s favourite parmo spot, Parmageddon will be joining the venue.
Dave Olejnik, Owner of Sarto has said: “Chow Down has been such a fixture on the Leeds hospitality calendar for so long that we jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it! We’ll be bringing a version of Sarto for the first seven weeks that features all the favourites people have come to know, as well as new ideas and menu items that will allow people to share and enjoy the spring weather”.
Image: Evie Elliot
Simon Fogal, Founder of Chow Down has said: “The Winter Village proved the team at New Citizens can pull off an incredible user experience at Chow Down within such space limitations. Spring and Summer will be elevated again, literally. With different levels across the Sunset Club, the Tanqueray Terrace.
“It has me thinking about the sunny days, a few drinks, some golf and incredible food. The Resident Kitchens are back and we can’t wait to see what the chefs come up with through the whole season from“.
Chow Down is officially open every Thursday - Sunday until September with opening 4.30pm – 11 pm on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the season, tickets cost from £8 per person (sold in tables of 2-12) plus booking fee and include a welcome drink.
On the weekends, the venue will open 12pm – 11pm on Saturdays and Sunday 12pm – 9pm. For more information, including how to book tickets, visit the Chow Down website.
The full details of the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift have been released - and the action will be kicking off right in the heart of Leeds.
Preparations have moved up a gear this week, with the full map of the first stage revealed, which will see the world's leading female cyclists setting off from none other than The Headrow.
Leeds will make sporting history on 30 July next year, when we host the start of the world's biggest women's professional cycle race.
When our city was added to the 2014 Tour de France route, around 230,000 people packed into the city centre, with another two million lining the rest of the Yorkshire route - so we're expecting even bigger scenes next year.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will move from the centre of Leeds to travel through communities including Headingley, Kirkstall, Bramley, Farnley and Drighlington.
Now, an interactive map has been published that gives people the chance to see for the first time exactly which streets will be in the thick of the action next summer.
Riders will set of from The Headrow before travelling down Briggate and Boar Lane - then they'll head via via Woodhouse Lane, Hyde Park Corner and Otley Road into Headingley before travelling west on North Lane and Kirkstall Lane.
Key roads on the rest of the route include:
Bridge Road at Kirkstall, which will take the riders across the River Aire;
Broad Lane, Waterloo Lane, Lower Town Street and Henconner Lane in Bramley;
Butt Lane between its junctions with Pudsey Road – near Farnley Reservoir – and Tong Road at Farnley;
Whitehall Road, from its junction with Back Lane at New Farnley, to Drighlington.
From Drighlington, the riders will cross into Kirklees and then head over the Pennines into Manchester.
Leeds City Council will be keeping people fully updated about the planning involved to host the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, including road closures and other traffic management measures.
Following its visit to Leeds, the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will run from Manchester to Sheffield on July 31 before finishing in London on August 1.
The event will make Leeds the first place outside mainland Europe to host the start of stage one of a Grand Départ for both the men’s Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "The Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift promises to be a great occasion for Leeds and one that will raise our profile on the international sporting stage while also delivering a boost to the local economy.
“Today’s announcement of further route details is a reminder that the countdown to July 30 is well and truly on, with a huge amount of planning and preparation work already taking place.
“As part of that work, we will be doing our utmost to ensure residents and businesses have all the information they need about the arrangements for the day.
“People in Leeds are famed for the passionate support they show when the city hosts major sporting events and I’m sure this one will be no different. Roll on next July!”
A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!
Sophie Smith -
15th April 2022 
