The student-favourite bakery is venturing into the world of fried chicken.
If you've walked past the old STA Travel building opposite the University of Leeds in Hyde Park, you might have noticed a few changes.
Does a giant chicken mural ring any bells?
Fried is the latest venture from much-loved Bakery 164, just a few doors down and its safe to say that this is almost guaranteed to be a huge success.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Even on an average Wednesday afternoon, Bakery 164 was over-pouring with visitors waiting for their orders, and that's not unusual for the deli.
Serving up sandwiches, focaccia and baked goods since 1994, a diet of comfort food from any 164 store is a must for any student frequenting in the Hyde Park area.
This will be the fourth opening from the brains and business behind the original 164 cafes and bakeries, but this is the first to have separate stand-alone branding and take on a completely new concept: fried chicken.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
"I must be crazy, but I'm doing it and sticking with it", said the Fried staff today as they were making the final preparations to the takeaway store.
Never-seen-before-in-Leeds sauces is one of the promises that Fried aims to fulfil. Their chicken wings will be personalised to each individuals taste and visitors will get to choose the type of chicken wing (on-the-bone or boneless) before selecting a marinade and a dipping sauce.
The flavours range from garlic and parmesan to buffalo, chipotle and Korean BBQ- and can't wait to try them out.
Elsewhere on the menu, you'll find fried chicken burgers, chicken tenders, loaded chilli cheese fries and a range of soft drinks.
The have said owners have decided to keep the menu 'limited' for the time being to gauge interest before expanding, but there's still a good thirty or so different combinations to choose from, so you're guaranteed to find something to fuel your evening.
Opting for a soft opening, Fried will be available for all walk-in orders today and aim to be up and running on the likes of Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat before the evening is up- so even if you're not within walking distance you can taste the sauce-drenched wings and loaded fries from Fried.
You can find Fried on Woodhouse Lane, almost directly opposite the University of Leeds buildings.
Howard Assembly Room to launch new bar with permanent kitchen from Yuzu Street Food.
HAR bar, the intimate Grade II-listed space beneath Leeds City Centre's multi-disciplinary venue, the Howard Assembly Room,will now open five days a week with a brand new permanent food partner.
If you're not familiar York’s Yuzu Street Food, then allow us to fill you in.
First established in York following an enlightening culinary trip to Asia in 2019, Yuzu Street Food is now recognised as one of the north’s finest street food vendors.
Image: Supplied
Serving up contemporary takes on bao buns, fried chicken, ramen, katsu curry and much more; Yuzu are set to be the perfect addition to the Howard Assembly Room and its new bar HAR.
First launched in February, a programme of improvements saw the space previously occupied by the restaurant Kino transformed into the HAR bar.
An intimate venue in the cultural heart of the city, HAR bar guests can now enjoy fresh coffee, quality cocktails and a rotation of beers from breweries including Leeds institution Kirkstall Brewery throughout the week.
Image: Supplied Image: The Hoot Leeds
Yuzu Street Food will open at HAR on Friday 15 May.
Michael Wilkinson, Director of Strategy and Commercial, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Yuzu to HAR bar, with their Asian-inspired street food providing the perfect accompaniment to our range of drinks and firmly establishing HAR bar as one of Leeds’ leading spots to meet and eat.
"We want everyone in the city to feel that this is their space, where great music, a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service combine to create a truly special place that embodies the city’s creativity while also supporting Opera North’s outreach work across the north.
Chris Hargroves, Yuzu Founder & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be back in Leeds city centre! Leeds has always shown us incredible support and energy and returning really feels like coming home. We’re excited to reconnect with the community, welcome familiar faces and introduce our new menu items to the new ones. Working with such a prestigious venue as the Howard Assembly Room is something we’re absolutely buzzing about and we can’t wait to fire up the woks!”
Popular beer festival showcasing over 35 indie breweries is returning to Leeds this month
Clementine Hall
Hop City, the long-running beer festival from award-winning Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk, returns this month for its ninth year.
Beer lovers, this one's for you.
Bringing over 35 of the best independent breweries from the UK, Europe and North America together to The Old Flax Store, Hop City will have approximately 250 different world-class beers for guests to try across one weekend of festivities.
The best part? Every pour across the weekend is included in the price of the ticket alongside a Hop City branded glass to enjoy them in, so don't worry about having to continuously reach for your wallet.
Images: Supplied
Joining Northern Monk this year are UK breweries including Brighton’s Beak, Deya from Cheltenham, Manchester-based Track and Edinburgh’s Newbarns who will be pouring next to the likes of US breweries Trillium, Root + Branch, Finback and everywhere; Canadian’s Messorem and Third Moon, and a selection of Europe’s finest indie brewers.
Seriously, this is a beer lover's paradise.
And it's not just about the booze, as joining Hop City 2026 will be joined by Leeds’ own Bundobust who will be bringing their Indian street food alongside Bonehead Fried Chicken and Hermanos Caliente, courtesy of Niko’s Comfort Kitchen.
Images: Supplied
Not a beer fan? Don't fret as natural wine bar Rinse will be pouring all weekend whilst Below Stairs will be providing the cocktails.
Russell Bisset, Founder of Northern Monk, said: “What started out as an idea to host some of our favourite breweries in Leeds has grown into something bigger than we could have imagined. From the beginning, the ambition was clear - to champion the best hop-forward breweries in the world and to create the first beer festival in Europe dedicated to celebrating hoppy beers and IPAs.
"Today, it’s about bringing some of the greatest breweries from across the globe together under one roof, creating something genuinely special for people who love beer as much as we do. Heading into our ninth year with a line-up of this calibre is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s not just about the beer, but the community, collaboration, and spirit behind it.”
Hop City 2026 will take place from Friday 15 to Saturday 16 of May, and you can buy your tickets here.
Sophie Smith -
2nd February 2022 
