There's so much excitement surrounding the postponed Euro 2020 tournament, which finally kicks off this weekend on Friday 11 June.
It's been a long time coming, with some people in Leeds waiting over a year to simply sit down, enjoy a pint and watch the footy in their local.
But, now the time has come, we've put together a list of some of the best places in Leeds to catch the action. After all, you haven't waited all this time just to be stuck with a subpar seat.
Here are some of our top picks for watching the Euro's in Leeds this summer.
The Myrtle Tavern
The landlord at this Meanwood pub is putting on a 'VIP festival of football' this summer, screening every Euro 2020 game in luxury. There's a mega 7 x 3 metre screen and 50 VIP benches here, with tickets costing £100. For that, there's 12 bottles of beer and six packets of crisps included and seats will be reserved after the game.
Dry Dock
With plenty of screens inside and plans to expand outside too, with more seating and screens set to appear ready for the Euros this summer, this characterful pub is a great choice if you want to watch the football. Make sure to book in to avoid disappointment, though.
The Beck and Call
Another Meanwood establishment - operated by the folk behind Belgave Music Hall. Family-run, this boozer has BT Sport and Sky Sports on a huge screen in the Tap Room and on other screens dotted around the venue.
Headingley Taps
This popular student pub has confirmed it will be showing all the Euros games this summer, with bookings being advertised online.
The Royal Armories
The Royal Armouries in Leeds Dock will transform into a football festival for theEuros, with each game preceded by a three-course meal, special guest speakers and live entertainment. The Magnificent 7 event will see all the action beamed onto huge indoor screens alongside match analysis.
Toast
With some tasty beers and grub on offer alongside the football this summer, Toast is a good choice if you're looking for somewhere to spend a few hours before watching the game.
Walkabout
A good stop-off for sports fans in general, this summer Walkabout is going all-out for the Euros with a host of big screens showing all the matches. There'll likely be some special offers closer to the time too.
BOX recently opened a new site in Chapel Allerton / Image: BOX
The Box
A great place to watch the footy, both venues in Chapel Allerton and Headingley will be screening all the Euro action this summer.
Skyrack
This Headingley pub is now taking bookings for those who want to watch the footy. Inside this student favourite you'll find a whopping 12 screens for catching the action, outside a delightful sun terrace.
O'Neills
O'Neills has confirmed it will be showing every Euro game this summer, so if you're stuck for somewhere to watch, you know where to go.
The Brotherhood
Another popular choice for sports fans, all the football matches will be screened here for Euro 2020.
Original Oak
This large pub in Headingley has a big screen in the beer garden and smaller ones dotted around inside too. Arguably the finest sports pub on Otley road, what sets it apart is its lovely beer garden complete with a huge screen.
Brooklyn
This lively Call Lane drinking den will be showing all the Euros matches throughout the summer. With big screens inside, fat burgers and tasty cocktails and you can’t really go wrong here.
Cuckoo
Known for its boozy bottomless brunches, crazy cocktails and free stonebaked pizzas (before 9pm), Cuckoo might not be the first place you’d think of to go watch the footie but we can confirm they’ll be showing all the matches here.
Call Lane Social
This family-run favourite is going to be screening all of the Euros matches. Even better, there’s no need to book - just walk straight in.
Verve
For cold beers and top tequila cocktails, Verve is always a shout. Football fans will want to pull up too, because management have now confirmed they will be showing all the matches for the Euros here.
Mean Eyed Cat Bar
This Merrion Street tiki bar pulls no punches on its cocktails, serving up a mix of signatures and twisted classics alongside tasty pizzas with a variety of toppings. Now taking bookings and walk-ins, you probably want to reserve a table here to make sure you get a good view of the footy action.
Leeds
Popular New York-style pizza pop-up confirms opening date for first takeaway in Leeds
New York-style pizza pop-up, Edges Pizza, is set to open in Leeds.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residences across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason it seems.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Edges will be opening their doors in Leeds city centre on Thursday 18 June in a vacant railway arch at Fourth Court on Bridge Road in Leeds' Holbeck area.
It won't be your average pizza shop though, you'll have to preorder for now but trust us - it's worth it.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Edges said: "WE FINALLY HAVE an opening date, Thursday 18th June! All pizzas are pre-ordered like we have always done, and are slightly limited for now (still looking for helping hands!!!). The pre-orders will open the day before at 12pm via our Storekit link.
"We’ll be then opening Wednesday to Friday, 4-9pm and Saturday & Sunday 3-9pm. If there are still remaining slots left on the day, you can order up to an hour before the collection time. We have limited seating, for those who travel and would like to eat in. There is plenty of car parking space, to pick up your pizza, too.
"We can’t wait to see you all soon & more importantly, we can’t wait to start making some good food for you again."
We can't wait to get our hands on a coveted Edges pizza slice again, so you best believe we'll be there at the opening with bells on.
The 80-year-old Wakefield butchers that won Jane McDonald’s heart
Declan Kelly
When Wakefield's queen of the cruise ships recommends a pork pie in Yorkshire, you listen.
TV presenter, singer and national treasure Jane McDonald has never hidden her love for her hometown. While her career has taken her around the world, from luxury ocean liners to sold-out theatre tours, Wakefield has always remained close to her heart. And among the many things she proudly champions from her hometown, one local institution receives more praise than most: Allums Butchers.
In fact, Jane has often joked that one of the reasons she still lives in Yorkshire is because of their famous pork pies. Most recently, Jane was once again singing their praises during her album launch at HMV when we interviewed her. She has also recently spoken fondly about the butcher's legendary pies on Alan Carr's podcast.
Hearing her enthusiasm sparked our curiosity, so we decided to make the trip to Wakefield and discover for ourselves what makes these pork pies so special.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Located on Brook Street, Allums Butchers is more than just a place to pick up your Sunday roast. It's a business woven into the fabric of Wakefield's history, with a story stretching back more than 80 years.
The journey began in 1945 when Albert Allum started trading from Wakefield Market.
At a time when local communities depended on independent traders, Albert Allum built a reputation for quality produce, expert craftsmanship and exceptional customer service. Those values helped establish a loyal customer base and laid the foundations for a business that would stand the test of time.
More than eight decades later, the same principles continue to guide the company.
Today, Allums remains proudly family-owned and is run by third-generation butcher Jonathan Allum. While much has changed since Albert's early days on the market stall, the commitment to quality remains exactly the same. The business has grown into one of Yorkshire's most respected independent butchers, yet it continues to place traditional butchery, carefully sourced produce and customer service at the heart of everything it does.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Speaking to us about his relationship with Jane McDonald, Jonathan shared memories that stretch back decades. The pair first met as teenagers when Jane would visit the market alongside her mother. Like many local families, they regularly stopped by the Allum stall and, more often than not, left with one of the butcher's famous pork pies.
Jonathan remembers chatting with Jane as she collected her order.
"I'd often say, 'See you next week,'" he recalled. "And every so often she'd reply, 'No, you won't - I’m off cruising.'"
Jane has gone on to become one of Britain's most recognisable entertainers, known by millions for her television programmes and her successful career at sea and most recently her iconic Mighty Hoopla performance . Yet despite the fame, she never forgot her Wakefield roots. To this day, she remains one of Allums' most loyal supporters and regularly speaks about the business with genuine affection.
Allums' pork pies have become something of a Yorkshire institution in their own right. Handmade using a traditional recipe that has been refined over generations, each pie is crafted using seasoned pork, rich savoury jelly and a perfectly baked hot-water crust pastry. There are no modern gimmicks, just a commitment to making a classic product exceptionally well.
Naturally, we couldn't leave without trying the pork pies ourselves.
Sometimes the best food stories aren't about reinvention or chasing the latest trend. They're about preserving traditions, maintaining standards and doing one thing exceptionally well for generations.
More than 80 years after Albert Allum first opened for business in Wakefield Market, Allums Butchers continues to embody exactly that philosophy. And after finally experiencing their famous pork pies for ourselves, we can confidently say that Jane McDonald might just be right.
Georgina Pellant -
7th June 2021 
