Libations Rum has opened its doors right here in Leeds and you can now see how one of the city's favourite indie rum suppliers creates its award-winning spirits.
Founded in 2019, by ex-industry professionals Chloe Potter and Rory Armstrong, the pair have been slowly bringing the city a whole new spirit experience, sharing their name with pop-up events aplenty over the past few years.
Now settled in their very own distillery, you can take a peek behind the closed doors once a week and find out exactly what goes into making the popular spirit.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Every Saturday you can grab your mates and head over to a rather unassuming trading park in Armley and head through the deep blue doors to find a true hidden gem.
Every rum tour that takes you through exactly how Libations creates its small batch rum, and naturally there's a little taste testing included too so you can find out which of its signature blends are your favourite.
There's three staples to choose from: the Spiced Rum, the original and often most popular choice amongst crowds with lovely notes of butterscotch, oak, vanilla, dried fruit; the Piña Edition - originally a limited edition flavour that sees diced pineapples soaked in rum for a whopping six weeks before being bottled; and the Golden Rum, a good old fashioned favourite that's got plenty of fans across Leeds and beyond.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Find out how these guys are paving the way for a truly revolutionary distillery. Everything is created in house, right down to the labelling and bottling, and all the products brought in are from just a few miles away.
Owners Chloe and Miles are passionate about being carbon avoidant rather than having to offset emissions afterwards - even taking care to use up all their fruits used in their rum and offer out the leftovers to local restaurants like Liz Cottam's The Owl to minimise waste wherever possible.
The owners will explain everything you could possibly want to know about rum - and you can even take a peek at the experimental warm room, where they're preparing some special limited edition barrels - currently ageing in old port and Kentucky bourbon barrels.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Once you've explored the makings, it's time for tastings - and you can even shop with a 15% discount on any rum you want to take home with you.
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This is the perfect Saturday trip for any spirit lovers - and an opportunity to support a lovely local independent at the same time.
You can find out more about Libations Rum, including how to book onto the next tour on the Libations Rum website here.
Feature Image - The Hoot Leeds
Eats
Popular Leeds cafe known for its fluffy Japanese sandos is moving to a bigger space
One of the city's best independents is expanding into a bigger premises.
Shokupan on Wellington Street is a proper little gem that food-lovers across Leeds will rave nonstop about if given the opportunity.
Husband and wife team Alan and Alison took inspiration from trips around the world to bring a taste of Japan to the city and over the past few years it's gained a loyal following.
They're famed for their delicious Japanese sandos made with pillow-like fluffy shokupan bread, stuffed with everything from crunchy chicken katsu and flavourful pork to fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
But it's not all just about sandwiches, they also serve rice bowls and katsu curries as well as small bites such as chicken karaage and octopus balls.
Their food is so bloody good, that they've had to find a better location and this time it's slap bang in the city centre on Central Road.
And they're joining brilliant company too, with the likes of House of Koko and Vinyl Grounds as neighbours.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Shokupan said: "You guessed right…we are moving to Central Road, LS1 6DE. We are nearly there…
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"All the building work is complete and now we are finishing off the decorating. You might also start to see some signage appearing over the next few days…It has been lovely seeing some of our customers dropping by to see us whilst we slowly lose our sanity.
"Powered on caffeine and determination! Not long to go before we can announce our opening date and welcome you through the doors."
We can't wait to check out the new space, keep an eye on their opening date here.
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.
Sophie Smith -
8th June 2023 
