Cosmopolitans, Margaritas, Mojitos, 'spicy' wine, Prosecco, beer- need we say more?
It's fair to say that Leeds comes with plenty of bottomless brunch options. In fact, we've written almost 100 articles to date about all the bottomless options around- and if that doesn't blow your mind, we're still finding a good few new options to add to our list every single week.
This week, we discovered Basco's MMXX, a hidden-in-plain-sight cafe and bistro, serving up all sorts of boozy options every weekend. This place first appeared to be offering up something special in the height of lockdown 2020, but it's only in the last twelve weeks that the space has really come to life.
In the week, expect coffee, cocktails and plenty of wholesome food options. Focusing on eggs for every meal, as well as healthy specials like açai bowls and quinoa stuffed peppers- this is the sort of place we imagine sitting back for hours as the world goes by, and we slowly get through a stack of food that's as tasty as it looks.
During the weekend, there's a different reason to be visiting Basco's, and it has a lot to do with their free-flowing fizz. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday guests can expect a full 90 minutes of drinking as many glasses of Prosecco and strawberries and Mythos beer as possible.
Just just £4 extra, add cocktails to the menu and take on the classics like a refreshing Cosmopolitan, Margarita, Mojitos, or even try the house specials, the Basco's 'Spitz', Frozen Daiquiri or 'spicy' wine.
On the food menu, there's plenty of options too. Think brekkie options, with all the eggs included: there's poaches eggs with bacon and hollandaise sauce, Eggs Royale or smashed avo with eggs to choose from.
If you're not an egg-eater, there's the Triple Bacon and Chips to take on- which is pretty self explanatory or have your pitta three ways: with pork, chicken or veggies.
These options in particular sound like a great hangover cure, within a bottomless brunch to us and will surely help to line the stomach for even more boozy flavours- which definitely isn't a bad thing.
Although Basco's MMXX is fairly new to Leeds, they're committed to finding out what their customers love the most about food and drink.
"We want to know your name, your favourite drink, food and your favourite coffee and cake. Join us for speciality coffees, house-made cakes, freshly cooked food with great choices of vegetarian and vegan dishes, smoothies and luxury milkshakes, great choice of fine wines, beers and cocktails."
For more information, including how to book a bottomless brunch at Basco's, you'll have to head over to their Instagram page or visit the cafe-bistro at Albion Place in Leeds city centre between 10am and 6pm everyday.
American pop singer Kesha has dropped out of the Pitbull-fronted Roundhay Festival line-up, with a major shake-up announced today.
The second instalment of artists for Pitbull's headline Roundhay Festival show has been announced and it's missing highly-anticipated and originally-announced artist Kesha.
Festival organisers have said that the star will no longer be able to perform due to 'unforeseen scheduling conflicts'.
The American singer's musical adventure has taken a 'Joyride' since becoming independent in September 2024 and releasing her sixth studio album "." or Period almost a year ago.
Now, Kesha's title as 'Special Guest' has now been handed over to three very impressive artists who also shared a role in soundtracking some of the 2010s biggest hits.
Kesha was originally listed as a 'Special Guest' for Pitbull's Roundhay Festival gig in Leeds this July / Credit: Brendan Walters / Press Shots
One of these new artists is Jason Derulo, who is ready to treat the crowd to his array of chart-topping melodies like: 'Whatcha Say', 'Talk Dirty to Me', 'Trumpets'.
Another act who knows a thing or two about travelling the globe like Mr. Worldwide is 'Miami 2 Ibiza' hitmaker Tinie Tempah - things are definitely about to get 'Frisky'.
The final artist joining this already impressive list of names is Lil Jon who's bringing his high energy tracks to Roundhay Park such as 'Turn Down For What', 'Shots' and 'Get Low'.
Jason Derulo is just one of the artists making up the all-new Pitbull Roundhay Festival line-up / Credit: Wikimedia Commons (via Supplied)
Kesha's departure from this Leeds gig comes as a complete shock as the star is still set to play a whole host of UK festival dates including a BST Hyde Park show in London on 10 July.
In a statement shared via social media, Roundhay Festival has stated the reason for this very big change to the line-up:
"Due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts, Kesha will no longer be joining us this July. We hope to welcome her to Roundhay Park in the future."
Although fans who have already bought tickets to the show might still be 'Praying' for Kesha's return to the Roundhay Festival bill, it's safe to say these artists are a great addition.
Pitbull is coming to Roundhay Park in Leeds on Friday 3 July 2026 and so far he's bringing along Jason Derulo, Tinie Tempah and Lil Jon with more acts to follow - Tickets HERE.
A Leeds icon has been reborn as The Smithfield opens in former The Reliance site
Daisy Jackson
The Smithfield is finally here - and we're pleased to report that it's every bit as special as you were hoping.
This newcomer to Leeds has taken over the site that was home to The Reliance for more than two decades.
The team's transformation of the site started with a paint job - probably the most-talked-about paint job in the city - taking the site's exterior back to its memorable dark red.
That move immediately won over fans of The Reliance, with one person writing: "Seems the team here held the Relly in high regard and rightly so! Hopefully they can recapture some of its magic."
But the efforts to recapture the essence of the iconic old venue go way beyond that.
The Smithfield, a collaboration between Crooked Brewing and Chef James Donovan, is setting out to mix up relaxed hospitality with simple dining.
It's all about connection - to seasonal food, to the heritage of the building, and to the community that will make connections here.
Co-founder Steve Dawson outside The SmithfieldThe Reliance has been reborn as The SmithfieldWayward WinesThe dining room
If you're wondering what sort of things will be on the table, allow us to enlighten you.
There are sharing plates like grilled leeks on romesco, pigs head croquettes (a must-order), and whipped cods roe with radishes, all served on charming mismatched plates.
The bigger dishes include a comically massive pie for sharing, packed with chicken, leek, and tarragon. It's a mighty thing, especially paired with their crispy-edged chips.
You can also order a whole wild Cornish seabass for a real feast, or a fantastic beef sirloin with wild garlic butter.
There's a fantastic selection of natural wines from Wayward Wines, as well as (unsurprisingly) great beers.
Steak, pie, and charred leeksA spread of the plates at The SmithfieldSticky toffee puddingThe Smithfield has taken over the old The ReliancePigs head croquettes with gribicheThe chicken and tarragon sharing pieA sharing pie and chips at The SmithfieldBeef sirloin with wild garlic butter, and purple sprouting broccoli with ricotta and mintWild Cornish seabass with kohlrabi, fennel, and chervil - plus an orange wine from Wayward WinesThe Smithfield is now open
Steve Dawson, co-founder of Crooked Brewing, and his business partner chef James Donovan, were drawn to the old The Reliance site and are seizing the opportunity to contribute to the area's dining legacy.
While Steve's focus is on creating a social meeting point, James will focus on the casual, social dining, taking inspiration from the building's reputation as a cutting-edge gastro pub.
They'll be sourcing seasonally and locally, with menus that will change with the seasons.
The space itself inside is still familiar - those huge windows are the stars of the show, with the bar still standing centrally, while the dining room at the back is stripped-back and simple overlooking the open kitchen.
It's very early days for The Smithfield - they're just out of their soft launch period and gearing up for their first 'proper' weekend.
On their soft launch period, they wrote: "We were so grateful to welcome friends, neighbours, and the Leeds hospitality community to The Smithfield. Seeing the bar and dining room full after weeks of cleaning, painting, and graft has truly made it all worth it.
"A huge thank you to everyone who came along, showed their support, and has made this journey possible. Not least the Kitchen and bar teams, whose incredible service has kept the plates coming and the drinks flowing."
We feel pretty confident in saying Leeds will be very proud to have The Smithfield in our city.
Sophie Smith -
20th January 2022 
