Free entry. Free shots. What more do you need on New Years Eve?
Let's face it. When it comes to New Years Eve, it's difficult to make plans to go out-out.
Whether its a squabble over which bar you want to spend midnight in or the fact that half your party went missing in search of a better party than the one you're at: it's not always the smooth night we dream of.
To give one last hurrah to 2021 and close the year drinking and dancing, this bar crawl is the ultimate crowd pleaser.
Find your way through seven different bars around the city, with free entry and free shots along the way. There's quite possibly nothing to complain about.
Cuckoo is one of the free-shot-stops. / Image: Cuckoo
The bar crawl is also 100% free to sign up to, so this might just be your cheapest New Years Eve yet: all that's left to pay for is the taxi home.
The bar crawl begins at Cuckoo before heading over to Brooklyn, Call Lane Social and Tiki Hideaway.
If you can keep up, you'll then head to The Maven, Mean Eyed Cat Bar before finishing at Verve at 10pm.
The Maven is known for its party atmosphere and New Years Eve will be no different. / Image: The Maven Bar
If you're a Call Lane regular, you'll know these bars are moments apart, so there's no need to compromise on heels: this bar crawl is all about the social, the shots and the celebrations of New Years Eve.
The only requirement the bar crawl has is to book your free ticket online in advance. On the big night itself, you'll swap your Eventbrite ticket for a wristband that allows free shots and entry all night: it's that simple.
For more information or to grab your ticket, visit the Eventbrite website.
Feature Image- The Maven Bar
Eats
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Sophie Smith -
9th December 2021 
