These cocktails are the summertime treat you've been waiting for.
With temperatures reaching a respectable fourteen degrees and only two downpours this week, Leeds is slowly transitioning into the spring/summer season.
It might not quite be t-shirt weather, but we're getting there.
Bringing that warm summer, cocktails in sunshine feeling into March is Pastel, a brand-new cocktail bar in Kirkgate.
Having only been open for just one week, this dreamy bar is the perfect escape from the everyday that'll have you feeling like you're basking somewhere far warmer than Leeds.
Image: Pastel Leeds
Rattan chairs, pineapple tables and decorative features in pink, mint, cream and a teal green: this pastel paradise is going to be an Insta-worthy bar that brings that summer feel-good feeling to the everyday.
Located in the beating heart of Leeds metropolis, Kirkgate, Pastel is combining the euphoric feeling of day drinking with the playful romanticism of evening tipple.
The cocktail menu is small, but considered- and it's full of unique combinations we're yet to see anywhere else in the UK.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Pastel Fizz, for instance, is a delectable concoction of Bacardi Raspberry, raspberry liqueur, fresh lime juice with cream, egg white, soda and topped with ‘Pastel Dust’ that gives it a rather frothy appearance.
Even those still recovering from the night before will struggle to turn this refreshing cocktail down- it's creamy, refreshing and goes down far too easily.
The Curd Your Enthusiasm cocktail was also a standout favourite for The Hoot Leeds. Portobello Road Gin, fresh lemon juice with lemon Curd and topped with pancetta and a single Haribo Egg. Yes, eggs and meat on a cocktail: not for the faint-hearted, or vegetarians for that matter.
This one combines sweet, sour and salty into a short, crushed-ice cocktail: clashing flavours that definitely shouldn't be mixed together, but provide a tangy taste that we couldn't stop talking about all night long. Plus, the pancetta and egg makes a great snack to curb any midnight food cravings.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
True to its 'Cocktails and Good Times' slogan, the self-proclaimed Good Times cocktail lives up to its namesake- you'll really struggle to keep the giggles in after being served this one.
The combination of Bandarra Al Fresco, Grapefruit Bitters, Artisan Yuzu Tonic and Prosecco is a cherry red tall drink that comes with a side of bubbles from the bartender. Hilarious, unexpected and just plain fun: the bartender quite literally will blow bubbles from a machine your way when you order this one- magical.
If you're looking for an intimate Friday night spot to grab some cocktails and manifest your next trip overseas: this beautiful blue building in Kirkgate is the ideal spot to get in holiday-mode.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
Leeds United’s Anton Stach has launched his very own burger at a local indie – and it’s all for a good cause
If it's good enough for Anton Stach, then it's good enough for us.
Well, it really is the signing that nobody saw coming...and it’s happening right opposite the station.
Meat:Stack, the Newcastle-born, award-winning burger joint on Bishopgate Street in Leeds, is giving the people what they want - a burger with Anton Stach’s name on it.
Introducing ‘The Moustachi Burger', officially launching Tuesday 18 August where Anton Stach himself will be down at Meat:Stack to meet United fans, sign autographs and, of course, tuck into his very own creation.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Even better, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Elhadj Diouf Foundation (EDF), a charity chosen by Stach that supports children through education.
Not only that, but it's a great opportunity to support Meat:Stack that has been suffering from the ongoing road works for months on end now.
So really, you've got no excuse to come down and tuck into the special which will be available through the opening weeks of the season.
Anton Stach, Leeds United and Germany midfielder, added: “Leeds has felt like home from very early on, and a lot of that is the people and the places around the ground, the businesses fans go to before and after a game. Meat:Stack is one of them, and they’ve had a hard time with the building work on their doorstep. The Moustachi Burger is a lovely nod to my YouTube channel too.
"This is a team on the rise in a city on the comeback, and support has to go both ways. I wanted to back a business Leeds fans care about and raising money for a foundation my family has given so much to at the same time means everything. I’ll be there on the 18th, bring your appetite.”
Independent Leeds coffee shop crowned one of the UK’s best for 2026
Clementine Hall
A list of the UK's best independent coffee shops for 2026 has been released, and one in Leeds has come up trumps.
The coffee shop in question may come as no surprise to some of you, as some would say that after 15 years in the city it's become somewhat of an institution.
Of course it's none other than Laynes.
Founded in 2011 by Dave Olejnik, Laynes began life on New Station Street and quickly became one of the first venues in Leeds to focus on carefully sourced and roasted coffee beans, helping lead the way for the city's now-thriving independent coffee scene.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's a proper Leeds staple at this point, sat proudly with its glowing yellow exterior and queues out the door full of punters looking for their morning caffeine fix.
But it's not just us who think it's flipping fantastic, as a new study has revealed the top 10 most popular independent coffee shops in the country and Laynes comes in at a very respectable number 8.
The list, made by Capital on Tap, analysed coffee across the UK looking at Google reviews, monthly searches and social media success.
Laynes was in some pretty good company including Idle Hands in Manchester and Kaf Coffee in Glasgow. But most importantly, none of the top 10 were in London - make of that what you will.
The top 10 most popular independent coffee shops for 2026:
Neighbourhood Café, Belfast
Colonna & Small’s, Bath
Established Coffee, Belfast
Hard Lines Coffee, Cardiff
Rough Handmade, Liverpool
Idle Hands Coffee, Manchester
Full Court Press, Bristol
Laynes Espresso, Leeds
Kaf Coffee, Glasgow
Dom’s Coffee, Cambridge
Bravo Laynes, a well earned accolade for one of our favourite spots in the city.
Sophie Smith -
18th March 2022 
