SALT Craft + Cocktails is the perfect backdrop to your next special occasion.
Award-winning Yorkshire craft brewery SALT Beer Factory has been expanding across the city over the past year. Taking over the former Craft Asylum buildings, they have set up an incredible exposed brick bar and dining space in Granary Wharf and East Parade, each with their own concept.
In a joint effort with Middle Eastern food vendors, Falafel Guys, SALT Craft + Falafel opened earlier this year to serve up falafel, shawarma and halloumi to the masses on the Leeds Liverpool canal whilst their city centre location, East Parade, focus on drink offerings for the late night crowd.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Called SALT Craft + Cocktails, this is the place to grab a speciality drink or two right in the beating heart of the city centre.
Naturally the cocktails here are the go-to choice, not just because they're delicious (and we’re happy to vouch for that), but because you can grab anything from a Salted Caramel Espresso Martini to a Rum Punch in the same time it would take to pour a pint.
Elsewhere on the menu, you'll find summer offerings like Strawberry and Rhubarb Cosmopolitans, Aperol Spritz and Blood Orange Margarita.
These refreshing options come in addition to Ossett Brewery’s Yøn Helles Lager and SALTs much-loved selection of core range craft beers Jute, Citra, Huckaback, Alpaca and Ikat along with their specials and collaboration series brews such as The Hexagon Project #14 and Can I Borrow a Feeling?.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The interior is decked out with a “living wall” of plants and greenery, with bi-fold windows opening out onto a brand-new outdoor seating area, acting as the perfect spot to socialise over a drink in the sunshine as the beating sun heats the outdoor space. Decorated with neon signage and exposed brick, it’s also incredibly understated in its décor, making it an ideal location for those looking for a photo op or two.
The genius bartenders here have cocktails on ‘tap’, so there's no waiting about and they're even 2 for £12 all day every day, making them an ideal location for any occasion. Whether you're treating the team at the office or hosting a birthday celebration, SALT Craft + Cocktails is set up perfectly for private events, so guests can expect quality service and incredible flavours on tap, no matter how busy the bar is.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Located just moments from one of Leeds' busiest nightlife spots, the East Parade location is slap-bang in the middle of all of the action especially once the sunny skies turn from pastel hues of aqua and lilac into midnight black.
Best of all, you can hire rooms for free, so there's no extra expenses involved, and if that’s not enough, there's a live DJ from 7pm every Friday and Saturday. So, although there's every opportunity to venture out into Leeds after you've partied at SALT, there isn't any necessity to leave this much-loved venue.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
All that’s really left to do is grab your desired company be it family, friends or colleagues and even their four-legged companions (yes, you can bring your dogs along too) to your next big event:
For more information, including how to book Leeds Craft + Cocktails at East Parade, Leeds city centre for your next big event, email salteastparade@saltbeerfactory.co.uk.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
New Sheffield pizzeria named one of the world’s best
A Sheffield pizzeria has been named one of the world’s best in a prestigious global ranking.
Forbici, the restaurant where all pizzas are served with a pair of scissors, is the only northern pizzeria to be recognised at last week's Best Pizza Awards 2026.
The awards took place in Milan, and are said to be the Michelin equivalent of the pizza world.
Forbici was named as creating one of the world’s best pizzas, with its master chef recognised as one of the top pizza chefs in the world.
It’s one of just two UK pizzerias listed in the coveted top 100 this year.
Images: The Sheff
Forbici opened in Manchester back in 2024, and has since expanded across to lovely Sheffield on Millennium Square back in March.
It was also once named by Marco Pierre White as ‘the best pizza’ he’d ever had - quite an accolade.
Biga pizza dough at Forbici is slow-fermented to create a light, risen crust, before being topped with quality ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes and Italian produce.
It also has a lot of northern flavour, thanks to local specials like the Lancashire Hotpot – a pizza topped with crisps.
And all pizzas are served with scissors, inspired by the pizzerias of Naples, to be cut into quarters.
Master baker Davide Argentino is a fifth-generation baker from Napoli. While his family runs two bakeries on his behalf back home, Davide brings a true taste of authentic Neapolitan pizza to the UK.
Commenting on the recognition, Davide said: “It is a huge honour for Forbici to be recognised as one of the best pizzerias in the world.
“Baking has been in my family for five generations, so this is a really proud moment. In crafting Forbici’s signature dough we challenged convention pushing the fermentation process to the limit. Every bite reflects the patience, precision and expertise behind our approach.
“This recognition belongs to our entire team, whose passion, skill and commitment to the craft of pizza-making make Forbici what it is every day.”
An intimate Japanese katsu bar with only 15 seats is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Chef Fern is taking on another venture, and this time it's all about Katsu.
If you know anything about the Leeds food scene, then you'll know the absolute legend that is Chef Fern.
Her first restaurant, Fern Modern Sushi, is a firm favourite amongst locals and visitors alike. Known for their expertly crafted sushi made with only the freshest fish on offer.
Nestled in the Central Arcade, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant captured the hearts of many foodies since opening in 2024.
This year, Chef Fern set her sights on another restaurant on Vicar Lane.
Image: O Katsu
Tori Nori opened just a couple of months ago, a modern Japanese grill centred around the fiery robata where guests can watch the chefs cook everything from grilled fish to delicious yakitori skewers right in front of their very eyes.
Unsurprisingly, Tori Nori has also been a huge hit.
But there's just no stopping Fern as she goes on to open yet another restaurant in the city centre.
Introducing O Katsu, an intimate restaurant with only 15 covers serving premium katsu.
Katsu is basically a breaded, deep-fried piece of meat, seafood or vegetables. Served with steaming hot rice, shredded cabbage, miso soup and dipping sauces, it's nothing short of delicious and a popular meal enjoyed in Japan.
We don't know much abut the opening just yet, but what we do know is that it'll be located just opposite her first restaurant in the Central Arcade.
There will be no bookings, and the space will feature an open kitchen so guests can watch the magic happen.
One things for sure, if Chef Fern is involved you just know it's going to be brilliant. We'll keep you updated on the opening of O Katsu as and when we find out.
Sophie Smith -
24th April 2022 
