Releasing never-seen-before footage of the ultimate blanket fort, the bar stated on Facebook that the concept will be returning this Christmas.
The third birthday pyjama party was a huge success for the Leeds-based bar. / Image: The Watermark
Putting a festive spin on the pyjama party, the Christmas closing 'do' will see the bar transformed into a winter wonderland before they close for the Christmas season.
No Christmas party would be complete without the big man in red, and instead of asking Santa to take a break from his shopping centre residencies, The Watermark are dedicated to finding their very own Father Christmas for the occasion.
Anyone is welcome to apply to play Santa Claus, though the bar do state that you'll need to have the 'height and belly' of a traditional santa.
The original founders of The Watermark, celebrating Christmas in 2019. / Image: The Watermark
Other requirements in their hilarious post include 'not minding a bunch of adults sitting on your lap'.
The Facebook post, subtly posted into their pyjama party video stated:
"Spoiler alert, we are bringing the blanket roof back for a Christmas grotto.
"We are on the hunt for the most Santa’y Santa we can find for our Christmas closing party. If you think you have the height and belly for it and don’t mind a bunch of adults sitting on your knee then apply within.
"Grottos are weird and kinda creepy, I’m sure the intention is sound. We will do better. Remember as a kid asking for presents and then getting a box of random plastic?
"Hey, where is my hoverboard Santa and why does your breath smell like cigarettes.
"Also shout out to the Pringles marketing team for putting Merry Pringles on their Christmas edition tubes when they literally had MERRY CRISPMAS or PRINGLE BELLS staring them in the face. A bunch of people got paid for that.
"What a joke. Weekends here, lets get it"
The blanket fort will return, but the giant champagne bottles are yet to be confirmed. / Image: The Watermark
More details are set to be released soon, giving you time to get the next day booked off work and out of any festive plans: trust us, you'll need that recovery day.
Because one Fern Modern Sushi wasn't enough, we've now got two.
And guess what? It's even better than the first.
Fern Modern Sushi located in the unassuming Central Arcade has become a firm foodie favourite after opening just a couple years ago.
Run by the wonderful Chef Fern, who you could say is somewhat of a local celebrity at this point, the restaurant is known for serving delicious sushi with the freshest fish possible and traditional Japanese dishes with modern flair.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Full with hungry punters no matter the time of day, it's no surprise that Chef Fern has just opened Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 on Park Row.
This beautiful new space is serving up all the classic Fern dishes, from stacked donburi bowls and perfectly rolled sushi to miso glazed cod and hearty bowls of ramen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Different for this location, though, is their exclusive cocktail menu - so you can wine and dine to your heart's content.
The interior has also levelled up, complete with a huge open kitchen so you can pull up a chair and eat whilst watching the magic happen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And this isn't all that Chef Fern is up to, after opening Tori Nori on Vicar Lane a few months ago this will be her third restaurant in the city centre, and that is no easy feat.
She's even got another restaurant imminently opening in the Central Arcade which will be focused on traditional katsu dishes, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if she had something else lined up in the pipeline.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 officially opens on 19 November, but is open now for soft launch with limited bookings.
A pub in Leeds has been crowned the third best in Britain by The Good Food Guide
Clementine Hall
A Leeds pub has been crowned one of the very best in the country by The Good Food Guide.
The trusted guide has just released its 100 Best Pubs in Britain list, and we're very chuffed with the results indeed.
Taking the coveted number three spot is our very own The Highland Laddie, a 100-year-old city centre institution that reopened in April 2025 in the hands of new owners Sam Pullan and Nicole Deighton.
These guys also run the Empire Cafe, so you just know it's going to be good.
Last year they soared straight to the top of the list and were crowned the best pub in the whole of Britain by the guide.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This time, the Queen's Arms over in Eccles came number one followed by The Cow in Notting Hill.
We still think bagging third place is quite the achievement, and if you've visited The Highland Laddie yourself you'll know just how much of a special place it is.
Don't just take our word for it, The Good Food Guide labelled the Laddie as 'a true pub with a genuine community vibe'.
They also said: "Reenergised by the team behind the Empire Cafe in 2025, this is everything that a proper English pub should be – 'oh, and they have a mustard menu!'
"Inside, the Laddie ticks all the boxes, preserving the essentials of a traditional old-school boozer and maintaining a genuine sense of community while letting the good times roll. As for the food, it’s ‘both high-end and accessible’, pulling in ideas from all over, whether you fancy a freshly shucked Lindisfarne oyster, a keema toastie or an elevated ham roll with bread cooked over the coals.
"Dig deeper and you might find a lobster madeleine with Yorkshire chorizo butter, a treacle onion tart or pork schnitzel with two fried eggs. Club steaks are served by the inch, there’s no creative let-up when it comes to sides, and the nostalgia is ramped up with the likes of strawberry and Champagne trifle with ‘sprinkles’.
"But never forget that this is a self-proclaimed ‘drinkers’ pub’ dispensing everything from ‘properly served’ British brews and ’the best Guinness in Leeds’ to a staggering line-up of whisky optics."
Sophie Smith -
24th November 2021 
