If you're using Valentine's Day as an excuse to celebrate your friendship, then there's plenty to get stuck into: bottomless brunches, themed event nights, and that's before you've sampled the Valentine's Day menus at Leeds' best restaurants.
Here's our favourite spots to hang out with the girls (or guys) this weekend...
There's a Galentine's Day cocktail masterclass that's not to be missed- and it;s happening this Friday night. Round up the girl gang and join The Gift Box Leeds and Harbour and Coupe for an evening of cocktail making and an exclusive shopping experience. Tickets cost £30 but includes a £5 voucher to shop with. To grab yourself a ticket, DM either host on Instagram
Available Friday 11 February from 7pm. Find out more here.
If you're looking for a long-overdue catchup with the girls over cocktails, there is no substitute to a bottomless brunch. Manahatta is hosting a Galentines bottomless experience this weekend where you can enjoy a Valentine's Day themed cocktail in addition to the usual options.
Available Saturday 12 February. Find out more here.
Neighbourhood Bottomless Brunch
Image: Neighbourhood Restaurants
Expect main courses that truly embody ‘a bottomless with the girls’: they’re very Instagrammable and sound as equally delicious. Think pink pancakes with mixed berry compote and other treats all served to the beat of a live DJ with bottomless Prosecco rose, gin, vodka or beer- a dreamy list of drinks that’s certain to have a tipple for everyone. If you needed any more excuses, tickets are just £40 per person and you can add a dessert for just £3.50.
Available on Sunday 13 February. Find out more here.
To make Valentine’s Day weekend a celebration you and your loved one won’t forget anytime soon, Grön Kafe in Oakwood is offering up a two hour session of bottomless booze and Instagrammable brunch options- and it’s beautifully designed. Drinkswise, the bottomless experience includes the likes of mimosas, beers, sparkling wine and Aperol Spritz, so no doubt there will be a beverage for any palate to taste.
Available Saturday 12 February and Sunday 13 February, 3.00 – 4.30pm. Find out more here.
Celebrating all things single this Valentine's Day is Neon Cactus. On their Instagram page, the bar stated "Let’s talk Valentines Day. 1. What a crock of absolute s***. 2. See point 1. Instead, come and celebrate being the queen/prince/bit of both that you are. F*** expensive set menus and pink balloons, our hearts belongs to TACOS & TEQUILA. So gather your girl squad/the lads/your bestie/your dog and let’s GET ON IT."
Available Monday 14 February, 5pm - 4am. Find out more here.
Harvey Nichols are giving you the chance to get the makeover of your dreams this Valentine's Day. You'll be joining Team Tilbury for one night only for their 'Galentines Masterclass' to discover how to create the perfect day to night makeup. Tickets cost £35 each and are fully redeemable against products as well as a glass of fizz and luxury goodie bag.
Available Monday 14 February, 6 - 8pm. Find out more here.
Feature Image- Manhatta
Leeds
Fences at Leeds Playhouse – walls, wounds and what we leave behind | Review
Leeds Playhouse delivers a powerful story about the walls we build.
August Wilson’s Fences is a powerful and deeply personal family drama, exploring race, fatherhood, ambition and the emotional scars that can be passed from one generation to the next.
At Leeds Playhouse, the strength of the production lies largely with its cast. Ray Fearon gives Troy Maxson a commanding presence, balancing humour and charm with a growing sense of anger and resentment. It is an uncomfortable performance at times, but one that keeps you invested in Troy even when his actions become increasingly difficult to accept.
Madeline Appiah brings real warmth and emotional depth to Rose, while Josh Tedeku captures Cory’s frustration as a young man determined to make his own way rather than inherit his father’s limitations.
Image: Supplied
For me, though, Act 2 is where the production really comes alive.
The first half feels comparatively restrained. That isn't necessarily a criticism of the performances or Wilson's writing, but having experienced previous Headlong productions, I went in expecting a little more theatrical imagination from the staging. There were moments where I felt the production could have pushed the material further visually.
Act 2 begins to deliver that.
The rotating set adds movement and energy, while the bright LED lighting works particularly well with the live music, creating a more heightened atmosphere as the family's tensions reach breaking point. The production suddenly feels more visually ambitious, and the design starts to work hand-in-hand with the emotional journey of the characters.
Images: Supplied
The fence itself is an effective recurring image, initially a practical task, but gradually becoming a representation of Troy's need for control, protection and separation. The more the story unfolds, the more the fence feels like a barrier between Troy and the people he loves.
There is a lot to admire here, particularly in the performances, and Wilson's writing remains as relevant and affecting as ever. However, I couldn't help feeling that some of the theatrical ambition found in Act 2 could have been introduced earlier.
Ultimately, Fences is a moving and thought-provoking evening, with a particularly strong second half. For me, it was Act 2 that turned a solid production into a genuinely memorable one.
Running until 23 September at Leeds Playhouse, get your tickets here.
A new açai cafe promising to be Leeds’ ‘neighbourhood social club’ is opening soon
Clementine Hall
An independent açai bowl pop-up is opening a permanent cafe in Leeds city centre.
It seems the açai bowl trend isn't over just yet, and we're absolutely not mad about it.
The aesthetically purple frozen treat isn't just delicious, but is also known to have numerous health benefits making it guilt-free and the perfect post-workout pick me up.
You may remember Açai Social Club that opened as a pop-up in the Victoria Quarter last year, and now they're moving into a permanent spot in the city centre.
Run by a lovely husband and wife duo who have spent the last 15 months exploring cafes around the world, it's safe to say they know exactly what they're talking about.
Their açai is made with the very best ingredients, topped with the freshest fruit and sprinkled with their homemade granola - it doesn't get much better then that does it?
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, they said: "Açai Social Club is getting a home. Our very first store is officially on the way! We’ve been working behind the scenes to create a space that’s more about than just açai.
"What started as an idea is finally becoming something you can walk into…There’s still a lot we’re keeping under wraps for now, but we’re so excited to finally share the beginning of what’s to come.
"We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you in. Your new neighbourhood social club, coming soon."
The exact location of the cafe and its opening date is still under wraps, but we'll of course keep you updated as and when we find out.
Sophie Smith -
11th February 2022 
