Newly-opened micropub Against the Grain is the latest community-spirited pub to open in Leeds- and it's championing all things local.
Grey tiled walls with intimate lighting and fresh wooden tabletops and stools: Against the Grain may have only been open for two short weeks, but their home-away-from-home atmosphere is going to provide a regular watering hole to Leeds locals for quite some time.
With a name inspired by the former buildings life as a bakery and the main ingredient in their boozy options, Against the Grain appears to be all about providing the community with quality produce.
Naturally, micropubs are all about quality over quantity and this new opening is a prime example of this. Serving up pork pies, charcuterie and other staple British small dishes, customers can pair their delectable bar snacks with a range of lagers, ales and sprits.
Of course, there's local breweries like Northern Monk and Piglove Brewing Co. championed with a selection of their craft beers served, but the owners here have ensured that their micropub has a considered selection of all things alcoholic.
Wine has been selected by Latitude Wines, the cocktail menu from Farrand's and Against the Grain is even rumoured to create its own gin in a collaborative project with Liquor Studio in Leeds city centre.
Sharing a love of unique flavours, experimental beer drinkers will be delighted to see the likes of Play Brew Co's Rhubard & Custard Milkshake Pale coming in with reviews like "Based on old skool boiled sweets, treat us like a lil' tuck shop. Nom" and available by the can inside the Bramley bar.
Open Thursday - Sunday, Against the Grain is the latest micropub to pop up in our city, and given its only a short bus journey away from the city centre on Stanningley Road, it's going to be a popular option for all Loiners that love to test out the latest drinking hotspots.
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Sophie Smith -
18th April 2022 
