Leeds

The best vintage boutiques and thrift shops in Leeds

The best second-hand garms, thift-shop finds and vintage boutiques around.

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 24th May 2022

The best stores, as ranked by review.

According to a new study by Betway, Leeds is one of the UK's best destinations for second-hand shopping- and for good reason.

Leeds is home to thrift shops and vintage boutiques aplenty, each paving the way for new sustainable fashion trends and reducing the amount of waste created by the fast-fashion industry.

As part of Betway's study: Thrifting Capitals of The World campaign, the team have also found out where exactly we should be shopping for our sustainable garms. Making their judgement by analysing Google ratings and reviews to rank and reveal the top five thrift and vintage boutique stores across Leeds, here are the top picks.

1. Vintage Boutique

Headingley Lane, Headlingley, Leeds, LS6 2AS.

Vintage clothes on hangers with a disco ball above.
Image: Vintage Boutique

For those soley interested in shopping for second-hand treasures, Vintage Boutique is an unmissable stop. Located right in the heart of studentsville spaces between Hyde Park and Headingley, this vintage store has plenty of hidden diamonds in the rough, just waiting to be uncovered.

Expect a huge array of 70s and 80s bangers, as well as contemporary house mixes amongst old football scarves, retro Nikes and an impressive collection of classic novels.

The Thrifting Capitals of The World gave their two pence on why Vintage Boutique has claimed the hotspot. "Based in Hyde Park, Vintage Boutique takes the crown for being Leeds’ number one shopping destination for any vintage junkie.  Specialising in a range of sportswear, accessories, designer labels - and not to mention thrilling vinyl records - this store has lots to offer when it comes to retro pieces that evoke a warm sense of nostalgia. 

"This shop in particular is reminiscent of fashions of the 60s, 70s and 80s era. From denim dungarees to the most glittery sequin dresses, Vintage Boutique will take your wardrobe back in time."

2. Cow Vintage

County House, 82 Vicar Lane, Leeds, LS1 7JH.

storefront.
Image: Cow Vintage

Cow Vintage is a long-time vintage store that was offering gorgeous redesigned garms long before second-hand fashion was a part of everyday shopping. The brand has therefore has the experience to bring Leeds some of the most innovative designs in the city, all created from thrifted goods- railed alongside quirky homewear and gifts, there's plenty of modern pieces hidden between old 60s pieces that still have plenty of life left in them.

The campaign concluded that: "With stores also located in Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Nottingham, Cow Vintage is a booming second hand vintage store that is loved by many. 

" an independent establishment that offers a sustainable alternative to fast fashion, Cow prides itself on offering pieces that are ethically sourced from around the world. What’s more, you can find some truly unique gems here, spanning from the 60s up until the roaring 00s."

3. Blue Rinse

9-11 Call Lane, Leeds, LS1 7DH.

clothes hung up on a wall.
Image: Blue Rinse

A haven of old school Levi’s, tartan shirts, trinkets, and nearly-untouched pieces from the 70s, the three-floor Call Lane store has been a mainstay for vintage lovers in the city for decades.

Since moving to its new Leeds location, Blue Rinse now spans across a whopping five floors, each with their own unique style and plenty of one-off pieces waiting to be rediscovered.

What the study says: "Specialising in vintage, reworked and thrifted clothing, Call Lane’s Blue Rinse is another sustainable fashion outlet that is a cracker. From baggy flannel shirts to classic denim wear, this place will make your vintage clothing dreams come true. As a proud Northern vintage clothes company, Blue Rinse also has a shop located in Manchester."

Read More: Blue Rinse vintage forced to close Call Lane store after 25 years in the city

4. BEST

22-24 New Market Street, Leeds, LS1 6DG.

Man in Red Bull jacket.
Image: BEST

Bringing a combination of premium and vintage streetwear to Leeds? BEST, located on New Market Street is the one-stop-shop that's got everyone talking. Expect all the big names: Gucci, Palace, even rare Red Bull pieces between stacks of rare vintage trainers- plenty of which will appeal to Nike collectors.

The Thrifting Capitals of The World campaign says: "Selling a mixture of new, handpicked and pre-owned items from all over the world, this store prides itself on sustainability and offering customers an exciting shopping experience that strays away from the norms of fast fashion."

5. Ryan Vintage

Person in a jumper.
Image: Ryan Vintage

13 Duncan Street, Leeds, LS1 6DQ.

Located right in the heart of the city centre, Ryan's Vintage is a true gem hidden in plain sight.

There's a huge selection of graphic tees of offer here with everything from Hacienda designs to 80s and 90s basketball-style prints: all of which come at a thrift shop price (none of this upselling for second-hand goods seen elsewhere).

Betway's study commented: "Known as the longest-running, best value vintage clothes shop in Leeds, Ryan Vintage is a must-visit if you’re in search of some trendy vintage wear for the festival and warmer seasons ahead. Based on Duncan Street, this store is located in the heart of the city centre and is packed with great vibes - and even greater fashion."

To find out more about where in the world Leeds ranks for its second-hand garms, thift-shop finds and vintage boutiques, you can read the full Thrifting Capitals of The World campaign study on the Betway blog website.

Feature Image- Blue Rinse

Leeds

‘It wasn’t its time’ – Mediterranean Leeds cafe closes just two months after opening

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

A new street food spot has sadly closed its doors just two months after opening.

Back in May, a beautiful taste of the Mediterranean was was brought to us by Shvaan, a very talented chef who previously worked alongside his family at Eastern Oven in Kirkgate Market.

An absolute gem of a spot, Eastern Oven is known for its fresh breads, aromatic meats and plates bursting with colour - and this is exactly what Shvaan set up with FenerBar.

This new venture opened up inside The Attic, a multidisciplinary arts and events space just on the outskirts of the city centre by The Tetley and the new Aire Park development.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Serving up Eastern Mediterranean dishes like mackerel, lamb and beef kebabs, as well as various colourful vegan plates, everything at Fenerbar was homemade and you could really tell the amount of love put into each and every dish.

Unfortunately, Fenerbar has now closed its doors with owner Shvaan stating 'it wasn't it's time'.

Announcing the sad news to Instagram, Fenerbar said: "fenerBar has been closed. It wasn’t its time, whether it’s from the past or in the future, we’ll have to find out.

"Many thanks to @theatticleeds for hosting me and giving me the space to give it a shot. Wish them all the best. And thanks to everyone who came."

Of course in true Leeds fashion, fellow independents flocked to the comments showing their support and wishing Fenerbar all the luck in the next chapter.

We're sure this isn't the end for Shvaan's talents, and we can't wait to see what he does next.

Read more:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Leeds

The Maccabees at Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds – stage times, lineup, setlist and tickets

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

It's finally time - indie heroes The Maccabees will be performing a huge headline gig at Kirkstall Abbey this week, with a lineup of fellow indie heavyweights.

The renowned quintet reunited for a comeback tour last year, and have spent this summer performing at some of the UK's finest open-air venues.

Now, it's Leeds' turn, as The Maccabees take to the Kirkstall Abbey stage on Friday 31 July, along with Maxïmo Park, Everything Everything, Mystery Jets, and Fiona Lee.

The Maccabees guitarist Felix White said at the time they announced their summer gigs: "The year we’ve just had was so special to all of us, and so unexpected, that it has put some momentum in everyone collectively …. and who wouldn’t want to do all that again?"

If you're going along to The Maccabees at Kirkstall Abbey, we've rounded up everything you need to know.

Are there still tickets for The Maccabees in Leeds?

At the time of writing, there are still tickets available to see The Maccabees at Kirkstall Abbey.

General admission tickets are priced at £64.45, with premium admission standing priced at £97.45.

You can see the latest availability and grab your tickets HERE.

Who else is on the lineup?

The Maccabees perform at Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds this week
The Maccabees perform at Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds this week. Credit: Supplied

The main support act for The Maccabees in Leeds will be the brilliant Maxïmo Park, a Newcastle group who absolutely dominated the indie-alternative scene in the 2000s with their breakthrough debut album, A Certain Trigger.

But there's a lot more to this stacked lineup than that - The Maccabees have pulled together an almighty night of legendary indie bands to support them at Kirkstall Abbey.

Also performing will be Salford's finest art rock export, Everything Everything, who'll be performing their earworm hits like No Reptiles, Distant Past, and Cough Cough.

Before that, it will be Mystery Jets on the Kirkstall Abbey stage, who return with new album A Hole To See The Sky Through next month.

And opening the stage for the night is East Yorkshire lass Fiona Lee, who release EP Every Woman earlier this year.

Stage times for The Maccabees

  • Gates - 4pm
  • Fiona Lee - 4.45pm - 5.15pm
  • Mystery Jets - 5.45pm - 6.15pm
  • Everything Everything - 6.45pm - 7.30pm
  • Maxïmo Park - 8pm - 8.45pm
  • The Maccabees - 9.15pm - 10.30pm

Last entry will be 8.30pm.

The Maccabees expected setlist

The Maccabees have had a busy summer on the festival circuit, but based on their headline gig at The Eden Project earlier this month, this is likely to be their setlist:

  • Love You Better
  • Latchmere
  • Lego
  • Feel to Follow
  • Kamakura
  • Wall of Arms
  • First Love
  • Precious Time
  • Can You Give It
  • Spit It Out
  • Toothpaste Kisses
  • X-Ray
  • Marks to Prove It
  • Ballad Of So Long
  • Something Like Happiness
  • Encore:
  • Something Like Happiness
  • No Kind Words
  • Pelican

What does a Premium ticket get you?

If you're thinking of making your night a little fancier, there's a Premium area in Kirkstall Abbey that includes all of this:

  • Premium Entrance (please note this opens at the same time as all gates)
  • Premium Hang Out Area located in the Historic Abbey’s Cloister with Private bar and toilets.

Live at Kirkstall Abbey map

Getting to Kirkstall Abbey

You can pre-book parking, which will open at 3.30pm for The Maccabees. g.

Entry to Kirkstall Abbey Car park is located next to Abbey House Museum on Abbey Walk in Kirkstall (LS5 3EJ).

But fans are urged to use public transport or travel on foot wherever possible.

Kirkstall Abbey has two local train stations nearby; Kirkstall Forge is located approximately 1.3 miles from Kirkstall Abbey and Headingley Station is approximately 0.7 miles.

There are several bus stops near Kirkstall Abbey too, for more information visit here.

Read more: DMA’S announce VERY intimate Leeds gig ahead of major tour

Featured image: Supplied

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