Merrion Street Festival is returning to Leeds city centre "bigger than ever" before this Bank Holiday weekend.
Merrion Street will be throwing the street party to end all street parties this Sunday 29 August, with eight operators on the street having joined forces with neighbours the Grand Arcade to host the first Bank Holiday celebration since lockdown restrictions were lifted in the city.
Expect eclectic music from local DJs, top class entertainment, and incredible food and drinks in one of the city’s largest outdoor drinking areas.
Visitors can tuck into food and incredible cocktails from Manahatta and Liv Bar, get their chicken fix from Yard&Coop, dance to incredible music at the award-winning MOJO, spice things up with authentic street food from Zaap Thai, sling some bourbon and beer at Mean Eyed Cat, slam tequilas at Verve, and also compete with mates in ball games at Roxy Ball Room.
The outdoor seating area on the street will be opened up to provide the biggest street party vibe in the city, and bring Leeds to life and its people together for the first time in two years to a soundtrack provided the best in local DJ talent.
Merrion Street will be throwing the street party to end all street parties / Credit: Yard & Coop | Flickr
As the party spills over into the Grand Arcade, visitors can hang out and listen to open mic at Santiago Rock Bar, sip on a wide selection of gins at the illustrious Tailors Speakeasy, watch traditional Latino dancing at Casa Columbiana, listen to live jazz at the hidden gem that is the Domino Club, and grab a bite to eat washed down with a tasty tipple at Leeds’ first wellbeing bar, Better Days.
"We’re all looking forward to this event and have each put our hearts and souls into making it truly special for our much-loved guests," said Martin Greenhow, Managing Director of MOJO.
"It’s about time everyone had a bit of summer fun and this will be the ideal way to celebrate the incredible social scene our great city has to offer [as] the pandemic has really taught us that we’re better together, so we want to show the people of Leeds the best time so they can forget about the last year and look to the future.
"It’s going to be incredible."
It's the first Bank Holiday celebration since lockdown restrictions were lifted in the city / Credit: Contakt Photography
Merrion Street Festival is back after staff and customers came together in summer 2020 for a weekend of live music, food and drink after a long hospitality hiatus, and it was such a success that the operators wanted to get more people involved and make this August Bank Holiday the biggest party the street has ever seen.
There will be something for everyone all throughout the day.
Merrion Street Festival will open to the public from midday on Sunday 29 August, and the festivities will run until late.
Featured Image - Contakt Photography
Leeds
A cafe dedicated entirely to matcha gelato has just opened in Leeds
Matcha is well and truly taking Leeds (and the country) by storm.
You're probably bored of hearing us talk about matcha, and to be honest we're getting a little bit bored writing about it.
But, this time it's different.
This is M Plus Matcha, a brand-new matcha store that's just opened near Leeds University who not only serve your classic matcha lattes but also bucket loads of freshly-churned gelato.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And to make things even better, they've got four on offer all at different percentages to suit your taste.
Soft and grassy, smooth and creamy, full and velvety…or deep and bold (they said it, not us) - this spot is truly a matcha lover’s summer paradise.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're not sure what flavour you fancy, the lovely staff are on hand to help and can offer tasters of each percentage before you commit to a cone or a tub so you're not left disappointed.
The space is gorgeously light and airy, complete with matcha-coloured walls and plenty of matcha-coloured seating for you to perch and enjoy your treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Right opposite the Parkinson Building, we can see M Plus Matcha becoming a fantastic hub for students to whack their laptops out for a couple of hours whilst getting their caffeine fix.
The drinks menu includes iced matcha lattes, hot matcha, matcha lemonades and loads more. Basically, if you're of the opinion that matcha tastes like grass then we do not recommend you going.
But if you love it like us, then you're in for a treat.
A daytime rave where you can be in bed by 8pm is returning to Leeds
Clementine Hall
The famous Day Fever is back and this time it’s set to be bigger and better than ever before.
If you haven’t heard of Day Fever before, then we are about to blow your mind.
Launched in early 2024 by actress Vicky McClure and frontman of Reverend & The Makers Jon McClure, Day Fever has become somewhat of a cultural sensation.
From its debut in Sheffield to a tour that sees thousands of ravers hitting the dance floor each month, the message is clear: people want to dance and let loose, but still be in bed before 9pm. And to be honest, we don’t blame them.
Running from 3pm to 8pm, Day Fever provides a proper night out that doesn’t completely write you off for the entire weekend.
Image: Supplied
“It started as a WhatsApp idea,” says Jon McClure. “Jonny just said, ‘A daytime disco, how good would that be?’ We’re all a bit nuts, so we just said, ‘Come on then!’
“It feels like a massive house party at your nan’s,” laughs Vicky. “No drama, no egos, just people acting daft, getting dressed up, and having the best time.”
From Leeds to Newcastle, Glasgow to Manchester, every Day Fever event has its own unique flavour.
There’ll be local DJs who know their crowds keep the energy high with a nostalgic mix of Northern Soul, disco, indie, and 90s classics. “Manchester goes mad for Oasis,” says Jon, “and if Vicky’s there, we have to play Whitney, it’s non-negotiable!”
Day Fever will be turning up the speakers at Project House on Saturday 12 September, and we will absolutely see you there.
Tickets are on sale now, and you can grab yours here.
Emily Sergeant -
19th August 2021 
