A daily changing menu showcasing the best produce of Leeds' Kirkgate Market, The Empire Cafe is going to be an exciting new opening from the chefs behind the transformation of The Bear at Carriages in Knaresborough.
Promising a blend of old school hospitality and new-wave gastronomy, No. 6 Fish Street, in Leeds old Shambles spot is going to truly bring a culinary feast to the city centre.
Just a stone's throw from Leeds Victoria Quarter and the markets, owner Sam Pullen and his partner Nicole Deighton plan to elevate local ingredients with barbecue flavours, right in the heart of Leeds.
The menu focuses on local produce brought to life by a 'wall of flame' rotisserie. Rotisserie chickens will be spinning around the clock, available to sit in, or takeaway, dredged in house made butters and aioli’s.
Market breakfasts will ease early birds, Council workers, and businesspeople into their weekday, whilst shoppers can enjoy a glass of natural wine to indulge a Saturday afternoon’s retail therapy.
And the venue itself comes with bags of history - some of which has only just come to light as the owners began their renovation journey.
Extensive renovations began in Spring 2023, un site’s unique heritage has been uncovered. "As we started taking off the old cladding covering the front of the building, we discovered this ‘ghost sign’ for the Empire Café,” Sam commented. “The former owner of Cafe Strega, who bought it in the 1970s, didn’t realise the sign was even there.”
During a successful decade directing The Bears Pantry, catering for high-profile clients from the world of fashion and media, the team behind the transformation clearly know how to bring venues to life. Having also helped transform The Bear at Carriages where the menu quickly became known for its rare breed steaks and sharing plates, chargrilled over their purpose-built solid fuel ‘bear-pit’, housed in gastropub’s panoramic beer garden - this is certainly a new opening to keep your eye on.
Sam added: “In developing and transforming this once very popular and characterful Leeds institution, we want to give a little bit of Leeds back to Leeds. This type of service is almost unheard of these days and there certainly aren’t many independent places that are like that in existence anymore.”
Action Bronson cancels Leeds gig for a second time, and it's safe to say fans aren't happy.
Ariyan Arslani, better known by his stage name Action Bronson, is an American rapper, chef and TV personality with a huge following.
The star was meant to perform at Project House last Tuesday 30 June but the show was cancelled the morning of, and subsequently the venue released an updated date of Tuesday 7 July.
It seems fans of Bronson may be experiencing some deja vu, as the gig has yet again been cancelled with short notice.
Except this time, no rescheduled date has been given.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The statement by Project House reads: "We have been informed by Action Bronson's team that regrettably, due to an ongoing illness he will be unable to perform at Project House this evening.
"We're incredibly sorry to be cancelling at such short notice. We had hoped last week's postponements would allow for sufficient recovery time but sadly, that has not been the case. Action is as disappointed as we are and we'd like to wish him all the best. Refunds will be issued from the point of purchase."
And it's fair to say the comments are...interesting, with fans far from happy about a second cancellation.
One comment reads: "Well enough to play two shows in London and one in the Netherlands, but just can’t seem to shake a cold to get to Leeds."
Whilst another disappointed fan commented: "He’s not ill guys! Obviously not a knock on the lovely folks at project house, but that’s a bullshit reason he and his team have come up with for insurance purposes!"
Leeds comedy club announce first ever family-friendly comedy show
Clementine Hall
The Glee Club is giving families a brand-new way to spend their weekends with the launch of a new comedy experience for the whole family.
If you're looking for a new way to spend time with the whole family, then look no further.
The Glee Club is bringing a monthly family-friendly comedy show to the city that will deliver laughs for children, parents, and grandparents alike.
Featuring some of the UK's best family comedians, each two-hour lunchtime show will showcase a mix of British and international acts who specialise in entertaining audiences of all ages.
Image: Supplied
Every performance will feature age-appropriate comedy, ensuring parents, children and grandparents can all enjoy the experience together.
The line-up on Sunday 18 October includes acclaimed performers Steffan Alun, Mat Ricardo and Kirsty Newton.
The Glee Club founder Mark Tughan said: “We’re so excited to bring family-friendly comedy to Leeds for the first time. These shows will bring the same quality entertainment Glee Club is known for but to a whole new younger audience.
“We’ve always believed comedy is best enjoyed live, and these shows are all about creating a fun, welcoming experience that the whole family can enjoy together, and where parents can finally enjoy live stand-up without needing to arrange a babysitter.”
For a limited time, guests can book the new family shows with a half price discount in The Glee Club summer sale. Find out more and book your tickets here.
So grab your tickets, rally the family together and get ready to laugh your socks off at The Glee Club.
Sophie Smith -
1st March 2023 
