It's been another busy month for one of Leeds' biggest PR and events agency.
We're no stranger to new openings in Leeds, but this month as we enter the prelude to summer with a mini heatwave and not a pandemic-related restriction in sight, it seems that everyone is taking this opportunity to expand- and we can't keep up with the new projects going on in our city.
Taking on the mammoth task of organising PR and events coverage for some of Leeds' most exciting new openings, Pink Gorilla Hairy Lemon (PGHL) is responsible for keeping their finger on the pulse- so who better to ask about the go to spots this summer?
We caught up with Lydia Kirton and Jordan Odu from PGHL to find out where they think is going to be the places well worth a visit over the coming months and gave our own two pence on the matter too.
Green Room
Opening May 2022.
Image: PGHL
Serving up some of the biggest food and drink names in the city on a huge sun-trapped rooftop, Green Room is the brand-new city space with everything you need to celebrate the summer season.
Expect barbecues, live DJs and eclectic seating options where guests can unwind with a pint from a local independent brewery in one hand and a delectable choice of plant-based street food in the other.
Pink Gorilla Hairy Lemon says: “We just can’t wait for Leeds newest rooftop bar to open this May, bringing us delicious vegan-friendly brunch dishes and coffee through the day, and the best DJ’s, drinks and vibes through the night! Food will be provided by award-winning vegan cafe Grön..."
"Our favourite dishes have to be the the fully loaded avocado on toast and vegan pancakes with blueberry compote, coconut yogurt, fresh blueberries, mint, biscoff crumb and maple syrup. “
Over 100 gins, over 20 draught lines from around the world, 7 pool tables, shuffleboard and Sky and BT Sports: will you really need to go anywhere else this summer? Launching in the former Roxy venue in Leeds city centre, Concept Tavern is bringing a brand-new six-figure drinking and gaming hall just in time for summer.
Named, Pinnacle Beer & Gin Hall, the huge venue is currently undergoing a dramatic £250k transformation. Expect floor-to-ceiling views of the city centre, between sips of signature cocktails and games of shuffleboard: this really is going to be the go-to hangout spot for large crowds.
Pink Gorilla Hairy Lemon says: “Pinnacle Beer and Gin Hall is a fabulous new addition to Leeds city centre. Arriving with it’s extensive drinks menu featuring over 100 different gins and 20 different draught beers… see you at the bar! Delicious drinks will be debuted alongside a new menu of delectable comfort cuisine, featuring fresh hand-stretched pizzas, a variety of delectable small dishes such as beetroot falafel, nachos, and their famed charcuterie options.”
Over in Sheffield, Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza has announced it will bring authentic Neapolitan pizza to Sheffield in June 2022- and they're giving away 5,000 free pizzas to mark the occasion.
The eleventh Rudy's to join the familia since opening in Ancoats, Manchester in 2015, Rudy's is all about the pizza and following the authentic Neapolitan technique- so it'll be well worth a trip to Sheffield to get your hands on. The opening date hasn't been announced just yet, but to keep up to date and register for your free pizza, visit the Rudy's Sheffield website.
Pink Gorilla Hairy Lemon says: “After Rudy’s success in Leeds we are so excited to bring the people of Sheffield The best Neapolitan pizza. Rudy’s was voted one of the top 20 best pizzerias in the world by Big Seven.
"If you get the chance, you must try the Carni – the most delicious Pizza with San Marzano Tomato, Fior De Latte and Parmesan Salami!”
Yorkshire-born brand HACIEN Tequila is launching this month in Leeds and we can’t wait to see its name added to the long list of thriving Leeds’ businesses. Debuting its trio of premium crafted tequilas at Dakota in Leeds this May, HACIEN is designed for the more discerning modern drinker- with their Pineapple Blanco hotly tipped to be the drink of summer 2022.
The trio of tequilas will be stocked in some of the north’s best bars and high-end retail outlets from May onwards, including The Alchemist, Chaophraya, Tabula Rasa, and Selfridges.
We’re expecting some huge new openings over the coming months and we can’t wait to hear more from Jordan, Lydia and the rest of the PGHL team will be able to tell us all about them soon.
In case you missed it, a bakery in Bramley has received lots of attention recently after people have sampled some of its impressive bread and pastries before raving about it online.
Since then, Ruth, the mastermind behind it all, has generated queues from her summer house-turned bakehouse with people coming from far and wide to sample her flaky favourites and doughy delights.
Baking for more than 10 years and opening The Fat Pigeon just outside of Leeds city centre three years ago, there's no denying that the pastries and more produced here are some of the best.
This micro-bakery has a mighty menu and although Ruth's personal tastes might lean more savoury, the menu heavily favours sugary baked goods.
Anyone who loves a good sweet treat will be glad to know there's croissants, traybakes, cinnamon buns and the star-studded kouign-amann, a French-originating buttery pastry that covers all bases as it's sugary, sweet and slightly salty - heaven in baked form.
Ruth posing with a pigeon statue alongside some of her delicious golden creations / Image Credits: The Hoot Leeds / The Fat Pigeon
There's plenty more dough-based delights that cater to the savoury palate too. Think sourdough loaves, baguettes and focaccia that's oozing with perfectly paired herbs and generous amounts of oil.
What makes this place even more special is the fact that not only the products being created and consumed made by a Leeds local, most if not all of the offerings are made using Yorkshire produce.
Ruth has made sure to keep local produce at the heart of all her bakes with Met's in Farsley who providing cheese, Whiteley's contributing fresh vegetables like parsley and rhubarb, flour from East Yorkshire's own Stringers and The Organic Dales for any dairy items - it really doesn't get more Yorkshire than this.
Enough from us, social media user's are singing this bakery's praises too as one commented "Delicious. Delicious. Delicious" and another going as far to say, "Beats every pastry I had in Copenhagen".
The sourdough loaves and bloomers at The Fat Pigeon are homemade and look as good as they taste / Image Credits: The Hoot Leeds / The Fat Pigeon
Hopefully you're reading this on a Friday or early Saturday morning, otherwise all I can do is apologise for tempting you with all this bakery's homemade golden goodness so far in advance.
The Fat Pigeon is open from 9am to 12pm every Saturday meaning you can stock up on some of Leeds' best bread and pastries to tie you over until the next weekend, depending on your will power.
Here’s five of the best new openings coming to Leeds this year
Clementine Hall
We're almost half way through the year, so let's see what else we've got to look forward to...spoiler alert, it's a lot.
So far we've had everything from ice bath cafes to listening bars open up in Leeds, and it seems like 2026 is the gift that keeps on giving.
Allow us to get you excited about what's coming to the city...
Dishoom
68–78 Vicar Lane, LS1 7JH
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one is a biggun' as the ever so popular Indian restaurant is set to open this August in a beautiful Grade-II listed building on Vicar Lane which was formerly Flannels.
First opening in London, Dishoom now has restaurants dotted all over the UK including a huge site in Manchester. The group is famed for its lavish and grand interiors, as well as its home-style curries, grills and breakfasts including its legendary bacon naans.
Acai and the Tribe
88 Vicar Lane
Image: The Manc Group
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
This Japanese restaurant serves a menu full of sushi as well as grilled meats on sticks, sharing sides and build-your-own hand rolls. All of this is wrapped up in the most gorgeous interior, which you can see from their jaw dropping new Manchester site.
Occupying the Grade II-listed space on Vicar Lane, the three-storey building will include a 220-cover dining room, 30-cover terrace and an upstairs bar.
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. Edges will be opening their doors in Leeds city centre on Thursday 18 June.
Okay, this one might not be happening this year...but we still had to mention it so please forgive us.
Trinity Leeds is embarking on a major transformation with a £15 million expansion, introducing a second food court called ‘Freight Island’ The upgrade will add around 72,000 sq ft of new space, including a stunning rooftop terrace overlooking City Square the perfect spot to enjoy great food with skyline views.
Sophie Smith -
6th May 2022 
