It’s time to dust off your shamrocks, whack on your best green clobber and grab a Guinness because St Patrick’s Day is here.
St Patrick’s Day observes the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a joyous celebration of Irish Culture, taking place on the 17 March each year. Think Guinness, leprechauns and an abundance of green attire.
So whether you’re Irish or not, raid your wardrobe for all things green and head out in search of some good fortune.
With help from us at the Hoot, and the luck of the Irish, here are the best places in and around Leeds to celebrate St Patrick’s Day this year.
Bottomless Guinness Brunch
Saturday 16 March 2024 | Revolution Electric Press, Cookridge Street
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Have you got plans for St Patrick’s Day yet? Well if you haven’t, then you’ll want to head down to Revolution Electric Press for their ultimate St Paddy’s Day Bottomless Guiness Brunch.
This Saturday, Revs are really feeling the craic and will be transporting you to the streets of Dublin with live Irish bands, dancers and obviously loads of Guinness. For just £35 per person you can enjoy their Bottomless Brunch which gives you two full hours of unlimited drinks and a delicious brunch dish of your choice.
So what are you waiting for? Get your mates together and book your table here.
St Patrick's Day Parade
Sunday 17 March 2023 | City Centre
Image: Tom Blackwell, Flickr
It’s the 25th year of St Patrick’s Day Parade celebrations in Leeds City Centre.
And as a city we sure know. how to celebrate.
This year, the beloved St Patrick’s Day parade will take place on Sunday 17 March 2024, but throughout the day there will also be rides, refreshments and plenty of Irish dancing and music over at Millennium Square.
This Australian themed sports bar know how to host a proper party and this St Paddy’s day is no exception. Grab yourself a double Jameson, ginger and lime for just £6 or a Jameson’s barrel back shot for just £3.50 when you buy a pint of Guinness. There’ll be live music on all night so make sure to practice your Irish jig in anticipation!
Of course it only feels right to celebrate St Patrick’s Day at an Irish bar, right? And O’Neills on Boar Lane definitely know how to throw a good party. We’re talking a whole host of exclusive drink offers, Irish music and loads of live sport.
Myrtle Tavern
All week | Parkside Road, Meanwood
This cosy pub in Meanwood are really bringing the craic this St Patrick’s Day. On Thursday they are hosting an Irish Rock & Roll Bingo, on Friday a Westlife and Boyzone tribute night and over the weekend even more live music from Irish bands.
So whatever event takes you fancy, head to the Myrtle Tavern this weekend for a pint of Guinness or two. You can read their full event list here.
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
Leeds
Fences at Leeds Playhouse – walls, wounds and what we leave behind | Review
Leeds Playhouse delivers a powerful story about the walls we build.
August Wilson’s Fences is a powerful and deeply personal family drama, exploring race, fatherhood, ambition and the emotional scars that can be passed from one generation to the next.
At Leeds Playhouse, the strength of the production lies largely with its cast. Ray Fearon gives Troy Maxson a commanding presence, balancing humour and charm with a growing sense of anger and resentment. It is an uncomfortable performance at times, but one that keeps you invested in Troy even when his actions become increasingly difficult to accept.
Madeline Appiah brings real warmth and emotional depth to Rose, while Josh Tedeku captures Cory’s frustration as a young man determined to make his own way rather than inherit his father’s limitations.
Image: Supplied
For me, though, Act 2 is where the production really comes alive.
The first half feels comparatively restrained. That isn't necessarily a criticism of the performances or Wilson's writing, but having experienced previous Headlong productions, I went in expecting a little more theatrical imagination from the staging. There were moments where I felt the production could have pushed the material further visually.
Act 2 begins to deliver that.
The rotating set adds movement and energy, while the bright LED lighting works particularly well with the live music, creating a more heightened atmosphere as the family's tensions reach breaking point. The production suddenly feels more visually ambitious, and the design starts to work hand-in-hand with the emotional journey of the characters.
Images: Supplied
The fence itself is an effective recurring image, initially a practical task, but gradually becoming a representation of Troy's need for control, protection and separation. The more the story unfolds, the more the fence feels like a barrier between Troy and the people he loves.
There is a lot to admire here, particularly in the performances, and Wilson's writing remains as relevant and affecting as ever. However, I couldn't help feeling that some of the theatrical ambition found in Act 2 could have been introduced earlier.
Ultimately, Fences is a moving and thought-provoking evening, with a particularly strong second half. For me, it was Act 2 that turned a solid production into a genuinely memorable one.
Running until 23 September at Leeds Playhouse, get your tickets here.
A new açai cafe promising to be Leeds’ ‘neighbourhood social club’ is opening soon
Clementine Hall
An independent açai bowl pop-up is opening a permanent cafe in Leeds city centre.
It seems the açai bowl trend isn't over just yet, and we're absolutely not mad about it.
The aesthetically purple frozen treat isn't just delicious, but is also known to have numerous health benefits making it guilt-free and the perfect post-workout pick me up.
You may remember Açai Social Club that opened as a pop-up in the Victoria Quarter last year, and now they're moving into a permanent spot in the city centre.
Run by a lovely husband and wife duo who have spent the last 15 months exploring cafes around the world, it's safe to say they know exactly what they're talking about.
Their açai is made with the very best ingredients, topped with the freshest fruit and sprinkled with their homemade granola - it doesn't get much better then that does it?
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, they said: "Açai Social Club is getting a home. Our very first store is officially on the way! We’ve been working behind the scenes to create a space that’s more about than just açai.
"What started as an idea is finally becoming something you can walk into…There’s still a lot we’re keeping under wraps for now, but we’re so excited to finally share the beginning of what’s to come.
"We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you in. Your new neighbourhood social club, coming soon."
The exact location of the cafe and its opening date is still under wraps, but we'll of course keep you updated as and when we find out.
Clementine Hall -
12th March 2024 
