There's few cocktails that are able to bring back a nostalgic childhood memory without it raising a few eyebrows, and concerns- but if you want a drink that will transport you back to that spot where you'd have your brekkie before school, this Leeds bar have nailed it.
Sandinista's marketing draws many parallels to the Coco Pops original. / Image: Sandinista
The Sandinista has only been open a mere six months but their exciting menu of nostalgic cocktails is sure to make the bar a long-time watering hole on the corner of Belgrave Street.
Nestled between The Watermark Bar and Tepanyaki, past Belgrave, you'll find the brains behind Blind Tyger and Smokestack offering out no less than a Coco Pops inspired cocktail.
Known as the 'Smack, Craic & POP!', the very grown up drink was inspired by a White Russian and consists of Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey and Nixta Corn Liqueur and then oat milk is mixed with cacao to create that chocolate milk that we all know and love.
The 'Smack, Craic & POP!' cocktail. / Image: Sandinista
Elsewhere on the menu, you can find reminders of your schooldays when you'd drink enough Slush Puppies until you had brain freeze- but this time, there's far more than just juice in it.
Choose from either the Mango Margarita, a Olmeca Los Altos blanco tequila concoction with lime juice and mango purée or a frozen Raspberry Daiquiri made from Havana Club 3 year rum, lime juice and raspberry purée.
There's also zombies on the menu that came from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Kingston 62 White, Appleton Signature Rum, Doorlys 5-year, Wray & Nephew, Falernum, red wine grenadine, pineapple, orange juice and mixed citrus cordial in a sugar-topped glass.
If all those nostalgic drinks aren't filling enough, Sandinista has got some real good looking burgers from Punk Food Project available that add even more colour to the menu.
Think tasty meaty patties sandwiched between rainbow swirled bagel burger buns, some even topped with a little paper umbrellas.
Rainbow Sandinista burgers from Punk Food. / Image: Sandinista
The popular bar spot is serving all those who love a bit of Punk Food as well as “those of you who come alive with liquid spirit, craft beer and late night rock n roll, indie and hip-hop” and sounds ideal for a place to let off a bit of steam and taste some grown up versions of our childhood treats.
A new cocktail bar is coming to Leeds city centre.
If you know a thing or two about cocktails, or just drinks in general, then you're going to be very excited about this news.
The very talented team behind Roland's on Call Lane and The Domino Club, just to name a few, are setting their sites on a brand-new venture.
Introducing Paper Plane, an intimate new cocktail bar that will be taking over the old Casa site in the city's beautiful Grand Arcade.
Paper Plane will be inspired by the glamour of 1970s air travel and will be a vinyl-only listening bar, serving a world-inspired cocktail menu alongside a carefully curated whisky collection.
The space will be lovely and intimate, with around just 40 covers, designed to transport guests somewhere completely different from the minute they step foot through the door.
And what a location too, joining a whole host of fantastic independents in the arcade such as Alfonso's Deli, Stuzzi and Sonder.
For now, we don't know many more details about the project, but we already know it's going to be exceptional cas anything these guys do turns to gold.
Not only has Roland's been consistently one of the busiest bars on Call Lane since they opened back in 2014, but The Domino Club was recently crowned one of the best cocktail bars in the world. Now that is some accolade worth shouting about.
We'll keep you updated with Paper Plane's progress, but Roland's have stated that the site is hoping to open this coming autumn. So we really don't have long to wait.
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
Clementine Hall
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.
Sophie Smith -
24th January 2022 
