A huge rum festival is coming to Leeds next month and it sounds incredible.
Hosted by Leeds-based events company Rolling Social, this year marks Rum Fest's fifth anniversary - which means they are pulling out all the stops.
Expect hundreds of rum expressions, professional masterclasses, cocktail-making classes, a bottle shop, live music and entertainment – all centered around bringing the Carnival vibe to Leeds.
With appearances from fifteen of the very best rum brands, from Plantation to El Dorado, The Duppy Share and Diablesse, there's a whole host of exciting rum brands taking part - joined by mixer sponsor The London Essence.
Whether you’re a rum aficionado or simply partial to a quality cocktail, this sounds like a great day out with loads of different rum drinks to sample throughout.
Image: Leeds rum festival
For £30, your ticket will include entry to the festival and a range of different rum samples, plus workshops and entertainment.
Elsewhere, there'll be a top-quality cocktail bar in action to continue your rum education and a whole host of street food traders to help you line your stomach with some of Leeds' tastiest scrans.
Leeds-based events company, Rolling Social, has been bringing digital celebrations of food and drink to the city throughout lockdown – and now, as the world comes back to life, the fun is set to continue with the hotly anticipated Rum Fest on Saturday 9 October.
Image: Leeds Rum Festival
Whether you’re a rum aficionado or simply partial to a quality cocktail, this spirit spectacular – set in Leeds’ historic Corn Exchange – might just be the ideal day out for you.
Lee Jones, Creative Director Rolling Social Events, said:
“After the success of our digital rum festivals, we’re incredibly excited to be back at our home in the Corn Exchange for what will be our fifth birthday.
"This event will be the perfect chance to welcome back old friends and embrace some new ones. We’ve got a whole host of exciting brands lined up, and we’re excited to be announcing some of the headliners today.
"Our main sponsors are The Duppy Share, Diplomatico and The London Essence are main sponsors, and they’ll be joined by Hampden Estate, Nusa Cana and loads more to come!”
Leeds restaurant The Cut & Craft has announced further expansion plans for the spring.
Swanky all-day dining restaurant and bar, The Cut & Craft, is expanding its popular Leeds site, investing a whopping £1.2 million to create a new adjoining elegant bar, lounge and private spaces.
Located within the former historic Collinson’s Cafe, the renovation will transform the former neighbouring Paul Smith store, to extend the existing brand offering.
The extension will celebrate the original beauty of the space, whilst acknowledging the legacy of Wallace Hartley - a talented musician who played at Collinson’s Cafe in the early 1900s before his role as bandleader on Titanic during its maiden voyage.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Grade II-listed building’s features including its iconic glass dome, stained glass and circular central bar will remain, with the addition of two beautifully designed private dining rooms.
The extension is due for competition this spring and will transform the existing venue into a space with seating for an impressive 370 covers.
Oscar Akgul, CEO at The Cut & Craft said: “Planning for this new chapter began within the first year of opening. By year two, it was clear that we required additional space to serve the city’s appetite for The Cut & Craft’s signature hospitality.
Image: Supplied
“The brand’s deep affinity with the Victoria Quarter and the heritage of the building played an essential role in the decision to grow here.
“We want to thank our regular guests and everyone who has joined us at The Cut & Craft Leeds since opening and we look forward to entering this exciting new chapter with you all.”
This iconic Leeds pub is selling 25p pints for the weekend alongside a 70’s-inspired menu
Clementine Hall
Whitelock's Ale House in Leeds are turning back the clocks for four days only.
Ever fancied giving time travel a go? Well now's your chance, as a historic Leeds pub are looking back to time gone by for the weekend.
Whitelock's Ale House are collaborating with Double Diamond beer, an iconic British pale ale made popular in the 70's and now somewhat having a resurgence.
From this Thursday 26 February until Sunday 1 March 2026, pints of Double Diamond will be available for just 25p.
Yep, you can't even get a Freddo for 25p these days let alone a cold, refreshing pint.
Guests will be able to grab their first pint of Double Diamond for 25p along with a nostalgic specials menu from the Whitelock's kitchen.
And if you know anything about their food, it's always class so this specials menu will be absolutely no exception.
The specials menu includes a french onion quiche, a coronation chicken sandwich, gammon, pineapple, egg and chips and to top it all off, a raspberry Swiss roll with custard.
You can get three courses for just £30 and you can either pre-order or order individually when you're there.
This is set to be a real blast from the past, so rally your mates together and prepare for a trip down memory lane and for what could be the cheapest pint of your life.
You can find out more and book your table at Whitelock's Ale House here.
Georgina Pellant -
3rd September 2021 
