Beloved city centre food and drink spot White Cloth Hall is celebrating its very first year with a big birthday bash for the bank holiday.
With no tickets required and completely free entry too, we guess that's your weekend plans sorted.
It's almost hard to believe that the food hall and vibrant venue for local independent traders is soon to mark 12 whole months of serving Leeds, but we will say we've had some pretty incredible dishes, cocktails and created great memories here already.
With that in mind, there's really only one place this August bank holiday weekend, as far as we're concerned.
Inviting natives and daytrippers from around Yorkshire to join them on the terrace this Sunday, specifically, they're dubbing it "an outdoor party not to be missed."
When it comes to feeding the 5,000, popular grill and oyster bar, Lupton’s Chop House, will be cooking up a special birthday BBQ and even slinging out birthday cake for the punters to enjoy.
As for entertainment, there'll be live sets from Leeds DJ and music collective, Bomb the Twist (consisting of Ratty the Sly, Fig by Four and Mia Eden), as well as plenty more tunes all day long.
White Cloth Hall General Manager, Jacob Monks - who recently took charge of the venue - said ahead of the exciting event: "As White Cloth Hall celebrates its first birthday, I’m delighted to have recently stepped into the role of General Manager.
"It’s an exciting milestone, and I look forward to building on the success of this first year and creating many more memorable moments in the year ahead."
Sharing a simple statement/rally call ahead of the festivities, White Cloth have just one message: "Expect great tunes, good times and party vibes all day long."
Now, of course, the ever-bustling Crown Street spot will be good value all weekend long, but the official 'White Cloth Hall Bank Holiday Birthday Party' is set for Sunday, 24 August only.
Getting underway from 1pm and wrapping up around 9pm, we'll see you there.
The Reliance, a much missed North Street site, is being brought back to life as The Smithfield.
The Smithfield is set to be a new social eatery and pub focused on seasonal, produce-led dining.
Set to open its doors to the people of Leeds in early April, The Smithfield will pay homage to the local area through both its produce and people.
The venue will focus on proper plates of seasonal ingredients, pairing a relaxed dining style with a strong sense of community. Sounds pretty brilliant if you ask us.
Building on the legacy of North Street, The Smithfield is a collaborative project between Yorkshire brewery Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan.
Images: Supplied
Steve Dawson, co-founder of Crooked Brewing, has long admired The Reliance and want to build on its established legacy.
“What The Reliance was doing was cutting edge for its time,” says Donovan. “We want to bring that same vision and energy into Leeds in 2026. Our aim is to pick up the culinary torch that The Reliance left behind and continue its legacy of great food in Leeds,” adds Dawson.
The Smithfield takes its name from Church Street’s historic connection to the Smithfield cattle market of the early 1800s, once located on what is now Lovell Park.
“We really want the people around us to feel that The Smithfield is their space,” says Dawson. “We want to give them a place at our table.”
We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we know, but we're very excited indeed.
Viral brunch cafe Acai and the Tribe is coming to Leeds city centre this spring
Clementine Hall
Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.
Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.
Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Images: The Manc Group
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."
They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.
It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.
Danny Jones -
20th August 2025 
