From beer festivals to foodie specials and a whole host of new openings, our vibrant city is overflowing with exciting things to get up to this week.
Hello autumn, it's nice to meet you.
Although it seems bitter sweet to wave goodbye to summer, we have to say that September in Leeds is leaving our diaries full to the brim.
And this week is no exception, we've got two major drink festivals taking place at the weekend which are not to be missed as well as some great new openings as we welcome new students in the city for Fresher's week.
Oh, and we're topping it all of with a seriously good Sunday roast launch at Green Room, be there or be jealous you're not eating it. So keep reading, and get excited for the week ahead...
Yes, it's that time again...Fresher's week. And if you're a new student to the city then first of all, lucky you, and secondly we understand it can feel daunting but we're here to help. We have rounded up a short guide of ten places which we think should be put to the top of your priority list when you touch down in Leeds (after studying of course), so take a look and enjoy exploring.
Bundobar! Everyone's favourite Indian street food spot are back with their limited-edition Oktoberfest specials, adding a spicy twist to German classics in celebration of the festival.
Expect pretzels, a Bundo take on currywurst and loads more - the specials are only available for one month so head down there this week to be one of the first people to taste them.
Monday 18 - Friday 22 September 2023 | Albion Street
Image: Bill's
It's your last chance to grab unlimited pancakes at Bill's for just a fiver...yes, you read that correctly. Between 3-5pm from Monday-Friday, you can tuck into as many pancakes as you like for 90 minutes.
With both sweet and savoury toppings, you can mix and match these buttermilk beauties as much as you like. But be quick, as this flash pancake sale isn't sticking around for long!
Game, set and match - it’s time to get competitive at the brand new Beyond Board bar which is opening this Monday. Student scrabble-lovers assemble because you can now play board games to your heart’s content in this new bar located at The Hive inside the Student’s Union. Beyond Board will be open to everyone: students and non-students alike, and the list of board games available will rival your local Toys ‘R’ Us.
Springwell Sessions
Friday 22 September – Sunday 24 September 2023 | Springwell Brewery and Taproom
Images: The Hoot Leeds
To say farewell to the summer season, North Brewing Co’s biggest beer festival Springwell Sessions will return for one last hurrah. Expect three days of craft beer from local favourites and international breweries, as well as cocktails, street food and live music.
Saturday 23 September 2023 | Royal Armouries Museum
Image: Chapter 81
Drawing a crowd of rum lovers across the city, Leeds Rum Festival is exactly what it says on the tin. Expect over 100 brands, pop-up shops, spirit masterclasses and of course, plenty of rum to sample.
Sunday 24 September 2023 | Green Room, Wellington Street
Image: Supplied
Following on from the success of a winter residency at Boot and Rally in Meanwood, Braizin’ Squad is bringing back it’s Sunday roast – but this time it’s slap bang in the city centre at Green Room.
Taking over the kitchen every Sunday from 24 September, Green Room will be hosting some of the best roasts around (yes, we mean it). Taking a very respectable 14th place, Braizin’ Squad at Boot and Rally was officially crowned as one of the UK’s best roast earlier this year.
Leeds Festival 2026 is officially underway and we've rounded up drinks prices at the bars on the festival site.
While many of us will be sipping on warm cans of cider and boxes of wine at the camp sites, you can't take any of your own alcohol into the arena (where all the stages are) itself.
So you'll need to budget for drinks over the course of the weekend if you want to watch the headliners with a pint in hand.
And with headline performances from the likes of Fontaines D.C., Raye, Florence and the Machine and Dave, there's masses of amazing live music on the horizon at Leeds Festival 2026.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
We're already on site at Leeds Festival ready to bring you all the action and updates from this massive weekend - staring with, importantly, drinks prices.
So, let's get into it...
This year you're looking at paying around £7 of beer and £7.50 £7.50 for a pint of cider.
Different for this year, is you'll get 10% off if paying with a Paypal debit card which you can get for free - which we think is pretty class and well worth your time.
You can take your own empty water bottles in to refill at water stations around the festival site.
You're also allowed to bring in sealed water/soft drinks which are 500ml or less.
And if you're taking your own booze into the campsites, remember that there's no glass allowed, so you'll need to decant anything into plastic bottles.
Here are all your drinks prices for Leeds Festival 2026
Beer and cider
Budweiser - £7 (£6.30 with Paypal discount)
Corona Extra - £7.50 (£6.75 with Paypal discount)
Kopparberg Crisp Apple - £7.50 (£6.75 with Paypal discount)
Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime - £7.70 (£6.93 with Paypal discount)
Rose - 175ml £10 / btl £35 (£9/£31.5 with Paypal discount)
Italian sparkling - 200ml £10 (£9 with Paypal discount)
No and Low
Budweiser Zero - £5.80 (£5.22 with Paypal discount)
Water - £2.50 (£2.25 with Paypal discount)
And that should just about do you in terms of booze - as always, please drink responsibly and look after each other.
For all the other important information, you can consult our complete 2026 Leeds Festival guide down below.
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
Leeds
Leeds Festival warning issued as police announce speed cameras and traffic restrictions
Clementine Hall
Leeds Fest is almost here, but festival-goers heading to Bramham Park by car have been warned to take extra care on the roads.
Driving to Leeds Festival has never been particularly easy, but West Yorkshire Police have issued a warning to those driving by car in an attempt to make it somewhat easier.
Ahead of Leeds Festival 2026, temporary traffic management measures will be in place from Wednesday 26 August until Monday 31 August.
The measures are designed to improve road safety, reduce congestion, and help ensure the safe movement of the tens of thousands of people expected to attend the event.
Speed camera enforcement vans will be operating throughout the festival period alongside clearways surrounding the festival site.
Police have warned that drivers caught breaking the temporary restrictions could face prosecution, so it's definitely worth keeping an eye out for the signage as you approach the festival.
Superintendent Dan Wood said: “Leeds Festival is one of the largest events in West Yorkshire and attracts a significant increase in traffic to the local road network.
"The temporary speed restrictions and clearways are being introduced to help keep everyone safe, including festival-goers, local residents and road users.
"We would ask all motorists to pay close attention to the temporary signage in place and allow extra time for their journeys. Speed enforcement will be carried out during the event, and we encourage drivers to comply with all restrictions for their own safety and that of others."
Festival attendees are also being urged to follow the event signage rather than relying solely on their sat nav. Dedicated routes will direct different categories of visitors to the correct locations, including:
Camping entrances
Day / Non-camping ticket parking areas
Drop-off and pick-up points
Staff and authorised vehicle access routes
Motorists who follow sat nav directions alone may be directed to unsuitable routes, causing unnecessary delays for themselves and other road users.
Clementine Hall -
15th September 2023 
