Expect daily live music, leopard print pool tables, slushies, boozy ice cream and all day dancing.
Introducing Rita's - the nation’s first ‘beerhall for cocktail lovers' that is set to take Leeds by storm.
Opening on Woodhouse Lane on Friday 6 December just in time for party season, this exciting new venue is ready to take you from day to night with ease.
Rita’s Beerhall and Ballroom will offer all day dancing, live music and big event screenings whilst funky leopard print pool tables will provide fun and friendly competition.
Image: Supplied
Guests will be seated (or dancing…) around large, sociable beer hall tables, whilst a vibrant beer garden will provide outdoor space all year round.
Guests can stay fuelled up on two signature menu items, the XXL, 24-inch pizza margherita (The Big Rita, obviously) and the margarita cocktail, available in classic, spicy, strawberry and slushie versions.
The margarita cocktails are of course the stars of the show, the 'ritas are crafted with Casamigos tequila and really pack a punch.
Image: Supplied
Better yet, Rita's will be offering tequila-based slushies priced at £6 all day, every day. Pick from a classic margarita slushie and a Paloma version with tangy grapefruit.
The drinks menu also includes more popular cocktails, a selection of homemade shandies and beers from around the world, including some quirky rotational bottles, wine and shots.
Image: Supplied
David McDowall, CEO at Stonegate Group, the company behind Rita’s Beerhall and Ballroom commented: “Rita’s is set to bring day-to-night experience to Leeds like no other. We can’t wait to welcome this first-of-its-kind venue to Leeds, a city where Rita’s will really shine. It’s a place where everyone is welcome, the pool tables are leopard print, dancing is always encouraged, and anything can happen!”
Rita's will open on Friday 6 December and will be open every day from 12 til 3am, find out more here.
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.
Clementine Hall -
8th November 2024 
