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
Grade-II listed city centre bar to open East Asian-inspired street food kitchen
Howard Assembly Room to launch new bar with permanent kitchen from Yuzu Street Food.
HAR bar, the intimate Grade II-listed space beneath Leeds City Centre's multi-disciplinary venue, the Howard Assembly Room,will now open five days a week with a brand new permanent food partner.
If you're not familiar York’s Yuzu Street Food, then allow us to fill you in.
First established in York following an enlightening culinary trip to Asia in 2019, Yuzu Street Food is now recognised as one of the north’s finest street food vendors.
Image: Supplied
Serving up contemporary takes on bao buns, fried chicken, ramen, katsu curry and much more; Yuzu are set to be the perfect addition to the Howard Assembly Room and its new bar HAR.
First launched in February, a programme of improvements saw the space previously occupied by the restaurant Kino transformed into the HAR bar.
An intimate venue in the cultural heart of the city, HAR bar guests can now enjoy fresh coffee, quality cocktails and a rotation of beers from breweries including Leeds institution Kirkstall Brewery throughout the week.
Image: Supplied Image: The Hoot Leeds
Yuzu Street Food will open at HAR on Friday 15 May.
Michael Wilkinson, Director of Strategy and Commercial, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Yuzu to HAR bar, with their Asian-inspired street food providing the perfect accompaniment to our range of drinks and firmly establishing HAR bar as one of Leeds’ leading spots to meet and eat.
"We want everyone in the city to feel that this is their space, where great music, a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service combine to create a truly special place that embodies the city’s creativity while also supporting Opera North’s outreach work across the north.
Chris Hargroves, Yuzu Founder & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be back in Leeds city centre! Leeds has always shown us incredible support and energy and returning really feels like coming home. We’re excited to reconnect with the community, welcome familiar faces and introduce our new menu items to the new ones. Working with such a prestigious venue as the Howard Assembly Room is something we’re absolutely buzzing about and we can’t wait to fire up the woks!”
Popular beer festival showcasing over 35 indie breweries is returning to Leeds this month
Clementine Hall
Hop City, the long-running beer festival from award-winning Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk, returns this month for its ninth year.
Beer lovers, this one's for you.
Bringing over 35 of the best independent breweries from the UK, Europe and North America together to The Old Flax Store, Hop City will have approximately 250 different world-class beers for guests to try across one weekend of festivities.
The best part? Every pour across the weekend is included in the price of the ticket alongside a Hop City branded glass to enjoy them in, so don't worry about having to continuously reach for your wallet.
Images: Supplied
Joining Northern Monk this year are UK breweries including Brighton’s Beak, Deya from Cheltenham, Manchester-based Track and Edinburgh’s Newbarns who will be pouring next to the likes of US breweries Trillium, Root + Branch, Finback and everywhere; Canadian’s Messorem and Third Moon, and a selection of Europe’s finest indie brewers.
Seriously, this is a beer lover's paradise.
And it's not just about the booze, as joining Hop City 2026 will be joined by Leeds’ own Bundobust who will be bringing their Indian street food alongside Bonehead Fried Chicken and Hermanos Caliente, courtesy of Niko’s Comfort Kitchen.
Images: Supplied
Not a beer fan? Don't fret as natural wine bar Rinse will be pouring all weekend whilst Below Stairs will be providing the cocktails.
Russell Bisset, Founder of Northern Monk, said: “What started out as an idea to host some of our favourite breweries in Leeds has grown into something bigger than we could have imagined. From the beginning, the ambition was clear - to champion the best hop-forward breweries in the world and to create the first beer festival in Europe dedicated to celebrating hoppy beers and IPAs.
"Today, it’s about bringing some of the greatest breweries from across the globe together under one roof, creating something genuinely special for people who love beer as much as we do. Heading into our ninth year with a line-up of this calibre is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s not just about the beer, but the community, collaboration, and spirit behind it.”
Hop City 2026 will take place from Friday 15 to Saturday 16 of May, and you can buy your tickets here.
Sophie Smith -
18th March 2022 
