There's no reason you can't still go to the pub as usual, even if you are going alcohol-free this January.
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, those abstaining from alcohol as part of a Dry January challenge has jumped from 3.9 million people in 2020 to over 6.5 million this year. This said, record numbers of people are choosing to go without booze all year round. In fact, the trend of non-alcoholic drinks is so popular that the first alcohol-free off license has opened (and is thriving) in London.
The main reason for abstaining from alcohol, according to a recent Evening Standard podcast, is to improve mental health and there are plenty of testimonials around to suggest that this lifestyle change is having a positive effect. is to improve mental health and there are plenty of testimonials around to suggest that this lifestyle change is having a positive effect.
Whether you're a longtimer or a newbie to the alcohol-free scene, Leeds has some of the best mocktails to try around. Here's some of our favourites...
Issho- Shiso Smash
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Non-alcoholic drinks are twice as refreshing than their boozy counterparts and but that doesn't mean that they can't taste alcoholic. The Shisho Smash from Issho is made from Seedlip Spice 94, an alcohol-free spirit distilled in the same way as an other spirit: just without the boozy bit. It's a sophisticated blend of Allspice berries and Cardamom, mixed in with lime juice, sugar syrup, elderflower cordial and topped with Shisho leaves.
The It's About To Happen mocktail from Neighbourhood is packed with wintry spices that'll keep you feeling warm and cosy whilst its still cold outside. Think gingerbread syrup, pineapple juice, lime juice, topped with lemonade and brought to life with Neighbourhood street art- it'll be the sweet combination of flavours to get you through Dry January if you're with others that are drinking.
Made up of coconut, pineapple and lime, this mocktail from Grand Pacific perfectly matches the rich palette of the high-tea spot. Having recently undergone renovations, the Grand Pacific inside the Queens Hotel is a fine-dining spot that fuses the best of British and Asian food and drink, and naturally their selection of cocktails and mocktails is no exception to this.
Raspberry, grendline, cranberry, orange and fruit jam- this is a sweet mocktail that is sure to get the booze-free party started. This eclectic combination of flavours is available from Banyan's city centre location, as well as their bars in Ilkley, Roundhay, Horsforth and Harrogate.
If you're looking for a cocktail that replicates a boozy original, The Botanist will have you covered. Made from rhubarb & sage syrups & lemon juice and topped with ginger ale, this sweet concoction will make any cravings for an alcoholic cocktail subside with its refreshing taste. Available in the heart of Leeds city centre adjacent to Trinity shopping centre, the bar is a great post-work drinks spot.
If you're looking for a healthy mocktail that's full of feel-good flavour, the Green Forest at Angelicas seems like an ideal alternative. Shaken up from Ever Leaf, lemonade, apple juice and honey syrup, the rich flavours are there to be savoured, but that doesn't mean it won't go down as smoothly as an alcoholic cocktail.
Blackberries, apple juice & lemon juice, lavender syrup and soda with plenty of ice and topped with a blackberry and mint leaf, this refreshing mocktail sounds like a refreshing alternative to a boozy cocktail that has more flavour than its boozy predecessor. Located alongside other non-alcoholic favourites like Seedlip Espresso Martinis and the low-alcohol Hayman's Small G&T with just 0.2 units of alcohol per serve.
The test of a perfect mocktail is that they can can stand on their own and create a unique combination of flavours without the need of alcohol- and that's exactly what we think of when we see the Kachumber Cooler at Bundobust. Made up of cucumber, mint and lime, topped with Pomegranate and soda, it sounds refreshing and full of flavour without trying to replicate a boozy cocktail.
If you're drinking mindfully this January rather than giving up on the booze altogether, the Kirkstall Bridge Inn in Kirkstall have bottles of low alcohol Portobello Road Gin and Fever Tree tonic to offer you the combination you need. Pair with their winning January food offers- a pizza and a side for a tenner, and you'll be beating the new year blues in no time.
One of the best days in the foodie calendar is hereand it's time to decide where you're going for the ultimate stack.
Whilst homemade pancakes hit the spot and attempting to flip them is definitely a laugh, it's always a treat to get out and about to celebrate the momentous occasion.
From thin crepes with lemon and sugar to pillowy, thick buttermilk stacks which are showered with a whole host of delicious toppings - there's a pancake dish for everyone to devour this Shrove Tuesday.
Keep reading for our top picks of cafes, restaurants and bars to visit this Pancake Day.
House of Koko
Chapel Allerton , Oakwood and Leeds city centre
Images: The Hoot Leeds
House of Koko are the absolute bees knees when it comes to brunch.
Their pancakes are fluffy, pillowy, light, perfectly formed and just down right delicious. The list of toppings is almost overwhelming and you can mix and match yours to your heart's content, we're talking bacon, biscoff, kinder bueno, toasted nuts, white choc chips, banana and even ice cream, the list really does go on but you'll be here all day.
Moose Coffee
Bond Court
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Given Canadian pancakes are a worldwide favourite, you'd expect the best pancakes to come from Moose Coffee. Made fresh to order, there's a stack of three dusted with icing sugar, dotted with blueberries and served with Canadian butter on offer as well as a Biscoff Stack made from three pancakes, biscoff sauce, vanilla ice cream, white choc shards, lotus biscuit.
Whatever your preference this Pancake Day, your combination of sweet and savoury is pretty much guaranteed to live up to the famous Canadian combination- maple syrup included.
Farmhouse
Lands Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Farmhouse are basically famous in the city for their epic stacks of pancakes, fluffy and loaded with all the toppings it's just what you want this Pancake Day.
If Up North
Call Lane or York Place
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're a regular on the If Up North Instagram page, you'll know that these guys are big fans of pancakes. Given their obsession with posting their beautifully decorated variations online, we're confident that these pancakes will be lip-smacking, mouth-drooling good and packed with flavour.
Expect flavours like berry and Biscoff, fruits and cream, bacon and maple syrup as well as a whole host of different variations at any of their Leeds-based cafes.
North Star Coffee Shop
Leeds Dock
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Locally renowned for its coffee roast, North Star Coffee Shop is also a great contender for the best-looking pancakes around. Open from 8am this Shrove Tuesday, grab some fluffy pancakes topped with all the seasonal favourites they have on offer.
Galleria
Armley Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Running from Monday 16 February until Friday 20 February, you can bag yourself £1 pancakes with a huge range toppings like classic lemon and sugar, maple smoked bacon, fried egg and sausage, or singular toppings such as blueberries, avocado, IPA caramel and more.
You'll need to pre-book to secure your offer and when you arrive, pick up an order form from your server so you can select how many £1 pancakes you want, alongside your chosen toppings. Yeah, it’s really that flipping easy.
Laynes Espresso
New Station Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything Laynes touch turns to gold, and their pancakes are of course no exception.
They of course go perfectly with a heavenly cup of coffee served inside their dazzling bright yellow, life-affirming coffee shop.
10 of the best new openings coming to Leeds in 2026
Clementine Hall
Allow us to get you excited about the next one with a list of new openings coming to the city.
If you're feeling a little bit down in the dumps about 2025 ending then do not fear, because we've got a feeling that the next year is about to be even bigger and better.
There's already a great selection of restaurants, bars and shops gearing up to open up in Leeds during, so let us fill you in.
Salon Madre and Madre
Wellington Street
Image: The Manc Eats
Are you ready for a fresh taste of Mexico Leeds? Well you better be – because Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, is setting up shop on Wellington Street in due course.
Not only that, but their lively sibling Salon Madre will be opening next door on Friday 20 February. Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens. Madre will open one month later.
Trinity Kitchen 2.0
Image: Supplied
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.
Burgerism
Meanwood
Image: The Manc Eats
You may remember when Burgerism had a delivery kitchen in Leeds, and ever since it closed we’ve had a Burgerism-shaped hole in our hearts. Well not any longer, because the Manchester-based burger chain has been given the go ahead to open a takeaway on Meanwood Road - hallelujah.
Dishoom
Taking over the old Flannels Site on Vicar Lane
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The legendary Indian restaurant group is coming to Leeds, and we’re absolutely buzzing about it. Dishoom is inspired by the Irani cafes of 1960s Bombay, which were meeting places for people from all walks of life.
Famed for their Indian twist on a classic breakfast (seriously, their breakfast naans are out of this world), Dishoom offers an all-day dining approach so you can get your Bombay fix from morning to noon and noon to night.
Planning permission is up for the restaurant to take over the former Flannels site on Vicar Lane, so fingers crossed it won’t be too long until we can all get stuck in.
Just when you thought the wine scene in Headingley couldn’t get any better, Once Upon A Vine is popping the cork on their third site - right in the heart of Headingley.
Expect hundreds of wines, plenty of bottles of fizz, and of course, a carefully curated local beer selection.
Uniqlo
Briggate
Image: Uniqlo
It’s happening…Uniqlo has confirmed it’s opening up right here in Leeds next year and we must say it’s looking very nice indeed. The Leeds store will be 1,100 square metres and will be located on Briggate in the old House of Fraser site. It’s part of a new expansion across the UK alongside new stores in Birmingham and Bristol.
A new Japanese grill and BBQ restaurant is opening up from Fern, the absolute mastermind behind Fern Modern Sushi. Opening up in the heart of the city on Vicar Lane, we can't wait for this one.
Dough Club
Burley Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Dough Club, a Manchester-based Detroit-style pizzeria, is planning to open up in Leeds.
Famed for their chewy, thick, cheesy crusts that are loaded with all the toppings imaginable, they’ll be opening up a spot on Burley Road for all your pizza needs.
MADE Matcha
Lower Briggate
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Introducing MADE Matcha, a matcha and açaí bar that has created waves in the foodie scene over in Sheffield since opening back in September last year. And it's pretty clear they're doing very well indeed, to be opening a second site in another city less than six months after launching is no mean feat.
Made Matcha will be opening on Lower Briggate in the Nice Things site and this pastel green paradise specialise in seasonal matchas that (almost) look too pretty to drink.
Lane 7
Albion Street
Image: The Hoot leeds
The independent bowling brand is set to open at Trinity Leeds in late spring, spanning a whopping 23,000 sq ft.
As well as 12 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, Lane7 will be home to other games including darts, pool tables, beer pong, golf simulators, and even an interactive 'Playground'.
Sophie Smith -
10th January 2022 
