Leeds brewery Piglove has relaunched its al fresco bar and taproom by the River Aire.
After a turbulent year for the business following the tragic loss of its founder Jesus Moreno, a much-loved member of Leeds' hospitality scene, the craft brewery's pop-up beer garden Piglove by the River is open once again in Hunslet.
The team has introduced some new features and expanded the site to include 'The Sty’, a new indoor drinking space that seats up to 50, and it is running a programme of music and events throughout the summer as well as showcasing local street food traders.
Image: Piglove Brewing Co
Niko's Comfort Kitchen is just one local trader to appear at Piglove by the river. / Image: Piglove Brewing Co
Braford's Gryz pizza has also made an appearance. / Image: Piglove Brewing Co
Known for creating 'eccentric beers for near and far', Piglove describes itself as a 'rebellious' brewery.
With a range of distinctive beers in its collections, its brewers combine the bold flavours of South America with bold ingredients to create what they have described as the 'bravest beer possible'.
Piglove's riverside beer garden has welcomed more than 24,000 customers to date, with a huge 8,000 visitors flocking in since April.
Piglove’s co-founder Marcos Ramirez said: “We are thrilled that Piglove by The River is here to stay at the Climate Innovation District. We are grateful for the support of CITU and the thousands of visitors who have made Piglove a cherished destination along the riverbank.
"Piglove translates in Venezuelan to ‘when you really love something’ and it’s great to see people loving our venue.
"We look forward to creating more memorable experiences for our patrons and continuing to contribute to the incredible community spirit of the Climate Innovation District especially as we have now improved our facilities to keep up with demand and greet customers in the summer and winter months – rain or shine.”
Phoebe Nicol, Development Manager at CITU’s Climate Innovation District, said: “Piglove is now the heart and soul of this community, and the company also aligns with our sustainable ethos and is working towards becoming a carbon-zero business.
"The pop-up bar is the first tenant here at the CID, and this is just the start of us opening more commercial spaces to help us realise our vision of creating a sustainable and connected neighbourhood which revitalises the riverside.”
Featured image - Piglove Brewing Co
Eats
Salon Madre – a new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Leeds this month
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Georgina Pellant -
21st July 2023 
