Hidden inside the Grand Arcade, Better Days is Leeds first and only mental health and wellness bar.
Since opening last summer, the popular cafe-bar continues to be the only bar that offers mental wellbeing support completely for free.
There's walk-and-talk outs, self-care and mindfulness sessions and a whole host of feel-good activities like Mamma Mia themed zumba to get involved in.
Taking care of one's self can also involve plenty of delicious food and drink, so when we heard that a bottomless brunch was on the menu, we couldn't help but have a look at what's on offer.
In short, there's a whole lot of pizza, Prosecco and pints- not that anyone is complaining. Choose from either sweet waffles drenched in Nutella, strawberries and a whole lot of sugar or a sizaeable pizza with all your favourite toppings like.
Let's face it, what's more feel-good than pizza and waffles, really?
Image: Better Days
With the aim of bringing joy to the neighbourhood, this Leeds bar really do know how to fill us with our favourite things.
On the drinks menu, there's unlimited Aperol Spritz, as well as the house lagers and Prosecco offerings- but that's just the beginning.
The amber jewels in this crown of bottomless brunches are the pornstar martinis on the menu. This is the only bottomless in Leeds that includes any and all cocktails on the menu and there's no shame in taking full advantage of that.
Espresso Martinis, Woo Woos and Passionfruit Daiquiris are just a few examples of the offerings here.
Image: Better Days
“Music, honestly brings people together so much, we have strangers meeting, making friends and singing together for the first time,” said the restaurant in an Instagram post.
We can certainly see how a bottomless would make the experience here all-the-more exciting, without losing any of the intimacy of the bar, nor losing its edge as a wellness-based cafe.
At £35 per person, this bottomless is great value given its cocktail options and if you're a sucker for an afternoon pornstar martini or need espresso-based booze to get through the night, this is well worth opting for.
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Sophie Smith -
17th February 2022 
