Leeds

The best sports bars in Leeds to watch the Boxing Day matches

The bars in Leeds showing Liverpool vs Leeds in football, Leeds Rhinos vs Wakefield Trinity in the Rugby plus the Australian test matches and more.

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 21st December 2021

If you're watching the 12.30pm Leeds vs Liverpool match on Boxing Day and you want to escape the house, we've got the best sports bars to head over to.

With 90 players across the Premier League currently isolating with Covid-19 in the last week alone, the talk of Boxing Day matches have been proceeding with caution: at present, we know at least Leeds and Liverpool will be taking to the Anfield pitch on the 26th, as long as both teams have 13 fit-to-play players on the day.

Whether you're team Leeds or Liverpool or actually want to watch the Boxing Day Test Match taking place down under, there's plenty of places that will be opening their doors just 24 hours after Christmas for punters to enjoy a pre and post-match pint.

The Box

Image: The Box

The Box have locations in the city centre and Headingley, so you're never far from a cold pint of Budweiser or a bottle of wine. Across their three locations (they have a spot on Deansgate in Manchester too if you're heading that way this Christmas), you can grab 2-for-1 cocktails, a 20% student discount and a pornstar martinis, served by the stein.

Find out more here.

Walkabout

Image: Walkabout

You can bet your bottom dollar that Walkabout will be saying G'day this Boxing Day and serving up a feast whilst the Boxing Day matches play out. The Australian-themed sports bar boast space indoors and outdoors, as well as in their dedicated live sports areas, but booking is recommended to make sure you get a spot at the table before kickoff.

Find out more here.

Beck & Call

Image: Beck & Call

The Tap Room is the Beck & Call's dedicated sports room. Complete with pool table, darts and huge TV screens for all the live games, the popular watering hole have stated they will be showing the Leeds vs Liverpool game, as well Aston Villa vs Chelsea at 5.30pm an Brighton vs Brentford, but as the games continue to alter according to Covid-19 cases, it is likely this is subject to change.

Find out more here.

The Griffin

Image: Trip Advisor

The Greene King pub boast that they will be showing every premier league game live over the festive period, as well as games on Sky Sports and BT Sport. On Boxing Day, the pub will be open 11am - 11pm and serving food into the night until 9pm. Grab yourself a Boxing Day treat and kick back on Boar Lane.

Find out more here.

The Original Oak

The Original Oak in Headingley
Image: Originaloak

The Original Oak in Headingley is a favourite for all ages, but if you're a student looking for some Boxing Day action, you'll feel quite at home at this Otley Run stop. The pub will be showing all the football over Boxing Day, including (provisionally) the Scottish Premiership, Premier League and Sky Bet Championship games.

Find out more here.

Read More: Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow has launched his own gin to raise money for MND research

Live Stream for Leeds Rhinos

Image: Leeds Rhinos

Leeds Rhinos face Wakefield Trinity in the Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge, but this year, you can watch live from Headingley Stadium from kickoff at 11.30am. Leeds Rhinos have teamed up with Our League to offer Rugby League fans around the world the chance to watch the traditional Boxing Day clash for just £4.95 from anywhere in the world- a great solution if you're isolating this Christmas or don't want to head over to the pub.

Find out more here.

Sports Alternative: Boxing Day Quiz at The Canary

Image: The Canary

If you want to get out and about on Boxing Day but can't stand the thought of being packed into a sports bar and watching match after match, the Canary bar: a new bar and kitchen made entirely out of shipping containers, are offering an ideal alternative. Get your team maters ready for their Boxing Day pub quiz at 5pm, before singing your favourite tunes at their karaoke evening. Locally brewed beers, spirits, and signature cocktails are all part of the experience here- and the management is proud of their ability to support other local businesses, whilst providing excellent hospitality. So go on, support the new kid on the block and let out the last of that Christmas cheer in good company.

Find out more here.

Feature Image- The Box Bar

Leeds

Beloved Leeds coffee brand announce opening date for ANOTHER city centre site

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding yet again.

North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.

They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.

And there really is no stopping them as just one month after opening a lovely kiosk in the famed Victoria Quarter, North Star is opening another site on Great George Street. Hurrah!

Images: The Hoot Leeds

You can find the new North Star opposite the LGI, sporting its fabulous bright colours that will be sure to wake you up even if the coffee doesn't.

At this site there will be all the caffeinated beverages as well as house-made bakes and sandwiches available to grab-and-go.

And we don't have long to wait to check it out, as they'll be opening their doors this Monday 27 July.

Image: The Hoot Leeds

“While it’s easy to focus on the challenges facing hospitality, we still believe deeply in the role that cafés play in our city's community,” said Holly Kragiopoulos, CEO of North Star Coffee Roasters.

“They are places where people come together, to meet, to pause, to connect. Choosing to invest now is a reflection of our belief in Leeds, and in the long-term value of creating spaces people genuinely want to spend time in.”

“These new sites allow us to create meaningful opportunities for both new and existing team members,” Holly added.

“Hospitality is ultimately about people - both those we serve and those who make the experience possible. As a Leeds-born business, we’re incredibly proud to continue investing in our city. The support we’ve had from day one is what’s made this growth possible.”

Read more: Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Leeds

Bus operator partners with Leeds hospitals to help mums-to-be make vital appointments

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.

The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.

The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.

A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.

Image: Supplied

First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.

Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.

“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.” 

Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children. 

“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.

“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.” 

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Featured image - Supplied

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