Camp, glitz, shiny walls and dodgy disco lighting. These are the things that come to mind when we hear news of Leeds' new, minuscule gay bar.
Opening on Wharf street at the end of this month, One in One out gives visitors the experience of a queer nightclub - something that's been out of bounds for over a year now. The catch? It has to be experienced in isolation.
Squeezed into a space barely larger than a telephone box, in truth, it's more art installation than functional bar with room for just one viewer at a time.
Popping up for three days only, it's the creation of artist Lucy Hayhoe and has been commissioned as part of 2021's Complex Festival.
Photo: Lizzie Coombes
Offering a five minute night out, your coat is taken by a bouncer before you're ushered in and offered a drink. There's room to dance, but you can only dance alone - prompting the question, 'what makes a place gay if not its clientele?'
The show was made pre-Covid, but after a year of isolation feels more significant than ever following the closure of a number of gay bars in the city.
“The number of gay bars in Leeds that have closed due to Covid,” Hayhoe says, “is proportionately way above the numbers of the straight places that have closed. They seem to be much more quickly susceptible to the economic downturn.”
Returning access to queer space that the community has been missing out on for so long, even if it's only for a number of days, is such a hopeful and positive act.
All visitors are welcome, but Hayhoe is particularly interested in welcoming queer guests to the space. The One in, One out opens May 28th - 30th, 12pm - 7pm.
Feature image - Lizzie Coombes
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The Maccabees announce full line-up for huge Leeds show at Kirkstall Abbey
Indie heroes The Maccabees are set to headline Live at Kirkstall Abbey, and they'll be joined by a few others.
The renowned indie rock quintet The Maccabees have shared a stacked lineup for their only northern headline show this year as part of the Live at Kirkstall Abbey concert series.
Joining them are Newcastle Alt-Rock legends Maxïmo Park, eclectic art rock fourpiece Everything Everything, psychedelic indie rock stalwarts The Mystery Jets led by the inimitable Blaine Harrison and fast rising singer/songwriter/storyteller Fiona-Lee.
The Maccabees’ eagerly anticipated return in 2024 got indie music lovers across the country very excited indeed, headlining All Points East and Glastonbury’s Park Stage, the band’s return was met with enthusiastic crowds.
Building upon that reception, The Maccabees are now set to inspire similar scenes across the country as they head out on a major outdoor summer tour in July including their only northern date at Leeds’ Kirkstall Abbey.
Maccabees guitarist Felix White says, “The year we’ve just had was so special to all of us, and so unexpected, that it has put some momentum in everyone collectively …. and who wouldn’t want to do all that again”
Also announced for this year's Live at Kirkstall Abbey is The Streets, performing their critically acclaimed album A Grand Don’t Come for Free alongside reunited Leeds indie heroes The Sunshine Underground.
The debut ‘Above All Else’ event headlined by Loyle Carner will be taking place and the return of Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival featuring Dara Ó’Brien, Jason Manford, Lucy Beamount and more.
The Maccabees will be performing at Kirkstall Abbey on Friday 31 July 2026 and you can get your tickets here.
Topshop is officially back in Leeds and it’s just as iconic as we remember
Clementine Hall
Topshop and its Joni jeans have launched in 32 John Lewis stores across the UK, and we're absolutely buzzing about it.
Okay before we get your hopes up, the absolutely mega Topshop on Briggate is still gone for good, but the fashion brand has officially launched in our local John Lewis and its enough to get us feeling very nostalgic.
It's all part of a nationwide partnership with John Lewis that brings Topshop and Topman back into physical retail on the British high street.
From today, Topshop will launch in 32 John Lewis stores and online, featuring a curated edit of its most in-demand and premium pieces.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Topman will debut in just seven locations, including right here in Leeds - apart from Newcastle, it's the only northern site to do so.
So for those Leeds lads looking to level up their wardrobe, you can count yourself very lucky.
Michelle Wilson, Managing Director of Topshop, said: “Today is about making it easier for customers to access the Topshop and Topman pieces they love. From our cult denim to new‐season footwear, you can see it, feel it and take it home the same day. Partnering with John Lewis brings Topshop back to high streets across the UK with the level of service our customers expect.”
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Peter Ruis, Managing Director of John Lewis, added: “Topshop and Topman are brands with enormous cultural relevance, and their return to physical retail is something our customers are genuinely excited about. This partnership reflects our focus on bringing iconic names, strong style and compelling experiences into our stores.”
You can browse the Topman and Topshop collections online at John Lewis here.
Georgina Pellant -
6th May 2021 
