Up until 2000, 71 Vicar Lane was home to an iconic Leeds pub that hosted such bands as Nirvana, Oasis, Blur and the Manic Street Preachers.
Known as The Duchess of York, it was famous not just in Leeds but across the north - serving as an integral piece of the city's music scene for many years.
After its closure in 2000, it was replaced by fashion giant Hugo Boss which still has a store on the site to this day.
For those who miss the good old days at the Duchess, though, we've got some good news. The pub has now been partially recreated in Leeds’ Kirkgate Market for the Compass Festival, as part of a project called "Public House: The Yorkshire Square."
The Duchess of York has been re-created inside Kirkgate Market as part of Compass Festival / Image: Compass Festival
At just 12ft x 12ft, it's not that big - but then it's true that all good things come in small packages.
Described on Compass Festival's website as "Bringing a ferment of connections, conversations and experiences to the heart of Leeds iconic Kirkgate market", it will be in situ here up until 24 July.
Although it's an interactive art project, you can still grab a pint here at the recreated Duchess and relive a taste of the good old days and reminisce on a time before the iconic pub was replaced with a clothes shop.
The Duchess is only at the market until 24 July, so don't miss out / image: Compass Festival
Designed by Katie Etheridge and Simon Persighettie, the remade pop-up pub features a mock-up of the sign, gig flyers, photos from gigs in a massive hit of nostalgia.
The duo behind the project hopes that local visitors will “come together, share memories of gigs they went to and discuss why pubs and pub venues are so important, and what we can do to stop them being lost” here.
Further big names to grace The Duchess's stage over the years include Radiohead, Coldplay and Green Day - but it's biggest claim to fame has to be welcoming in Nirvana as a support band back in the late 80s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cMEZtJ-9Mw&t=4s
It's said that the little-known band from Aberdeen, Washington came to support Tad - and that Kurt Cobain went and slept on the sofa upstairs afterward.
At the time, the band was in town to promote their album Bleach; but they also played some songs that would feature in their second album Nevermind, such as About a Girl, Love Buzz, Floyd the Barber and Polly.
For anyone who was there, it was surely a truly iconic gig to witness. We have to say, we're rather jealous.
You can get some of Yorkshire's finest ales on tap here alongside old school favourites like Tetley's / Image: Compass Festival
Modeled on the dimensions of the unique fermenting vessel made famous by Tetley’s Brewery, the recreated Duchess of York has plenty of cold beer as well as what they're calling the 'Time Bar.'
Here, you can watch and listen to specially recorded interviews on pub's past, present and future and add your own using the interactive Pub Quiz machine.
There is no need to book, you can just turn up. Find it inside Kirkgate Market until 24 July.
Opening times at The Duchess:
Friday 16 July: 11am – 10pm
Saturday 17 July: 11am – 5pm
Monday 19 July: 11am – 5pm
Tuesday 20 July: 11am – 5pm
Wednesday 21 July: 11am – 5pm
Thursday 22 July: 11am – 5pm
Friday 23 July: 11am – 10pm
Saturday 24 July: 11am – 5pm
Feature image - Leeds Civic Trust / Youtube.
Leeds
Pitbull at Roundhay Festival – For one glorious evening, Leeds became the happiest place on Earth
From the second Pitbull emerges onto the Roundhay Festival stage, suited, sunglasses firmly in place, there was only ever going to be one outcome - a field full of thousands of people completely surrendering to the party.
A few years ago, Pitbull's resurgence was treated by some as a bit of an internet joke. The memes were everywhere. The bald cap. The "Mr Worldwide" catchphrase. The nostalgia.
But those people who still think this is a novelty have clearly never been to a Pitbull concert.
While party anthems are often dismissed as throwaway pop, these hits are anything but - Pitbull writes songs that still get you dancing 20 years since their release, songs that reach into your brain and switch off the part that normally tells you to stand still with your drink.
Whether the tracks first exploded onto playlists in the late 2000s or the early 2010s, they still trigger the same involuntary reaction: arms in the air, hips moving, and strangers suddenly becoming your dance partners.
Pitbull is also a genuinely exceptional showman, dancing and jumping so freely we end up with a camera roll of photos where he appears to be levitating.
Backed by a phenomenal live band, every song feels bigger, louder and more celebratory than its studio version, while slick choreography and booming production transforms Roundhay's open fields into a full-blown fiesta.
Giant video screens whisk the audience from Miami to Cuba, Rio Carnival to Tijuana, with plenty of lively pyrotechnics making it all the more mental.
The Hoot in a sea of PitbullsPitbull on stage at Roundhay Festival
Even the inevitable costume changes (... jacket changes) became part of the experience.
Rather than letting the atmosphere dip, Pitbull hands the stage over to a DJ armed with wall-to-wall singalong classics. Instead of checking phones or heading for the bar, the crowd just… keeps dancing.
The whole spectacle thrives on glorious excess. There's the surreal contrast of Pitbull, impeccably dressed in a tuxedo jacket, standing centre stage while dancers perform around him in impossibly tiny leotards. It's flamboyant, unapologetic and entirely committed to the bit. There really isn't another live show quite like it, and that's probably for the best.
Amid all the catchphrases, the relentless positivity and what feels like several hundred uses of the word "party", Pitbull also finds time to remind the audience of the work his foundation has done, including helping build schools and providing education for thousands of young people. It's a brief but welcome reminder that beneath the larger-than-life persona is someone who has invested heavily in giving opportunities to others.
Of course, nobody is really here for a TED Talk. We're here to lose ourselves for 90 minutes in hit after hit, and that's exactly what we get.
Pitbull understands something many artists don't: joy is a skill. Creating an atmosphere where thousands of strangers forget about work, bills and bad news long enough to dance without embarrassment isn't easy. But somehow he makes it look effortless.
For one night, Roundhay Park wasn't just another festival site. It was the biggest party in Yorkshire.
Cult favourite burger chain Burgerism is officially coming to Leeds this August
Clementine Hall
An award-winning burger chain is coming to one of Leeds' suburbs.
If you don't know Burgerism, then get to know.
The Manchester-based burger chain is known by many for its incredible smash patties and quick, reliable service.
Their concept is simple: good burgers made with quality ingredients and cooked fresh to order. Delicious.
And it's not just burgers, they've also got some great wings and fries available too with a range of homemade sauces on offer for dunking, drizzling and devouring. We're a particular fan of the buffalo wings with their garlic ranch dip.
The chain used to have a dark kitchen on the outskirts of the city where people could order via Deliveroo, however this closed down and since then there's been a Burgerism-shaped hole left in our foodie scene.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Burgerism recently applied to move into a vacant shop unit in Meanwood at 605 Meanwood Road, seeking change-of-use planning permission for the former Papa Johns site which was previously only allowed to serve...well, pizzas.
And the plans have now been approved, which means Burgerism will officially be coming to Leeds. Hurray!
Burgerism's new takeaway will be walking distance from the The Meanwood Tavern, perfect for those looking for some post-pint burgers.
It will be strictly takeaway with no dine-in option available.
The brand-new Burgerism will employ 15 people from the local area with food being served between 11am and 11pm.
We'll keep you up to date as and when we find out more, but for now we're aware that Burgerism Leeds is set to open this August.
Georgina Pellant -
16th July 2021 
