Eats

Beloved Leeds bar celebrates its tenth birthday with a brand new look

What a glow-up.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 11th April 2024

And they're giving away 150 free pints so you can celebrate with them.

Sister bar to the iconic Brudenell Social Club, The Social, is an understated hangout that's been serving punters and gig-goers for a decade.

Located on Merrion Street, it's the perfect spot for a couple pints before heading to the arena, Belgrave Music hall or the Leeds Grand Theatre for a big show.

Celebrating their tenth year in the city, The Social has undergone a complete refurbishment and we have to say, it's looking mighty fine.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

A brand new shopfront, booth-seating, Chesterfield sofas and beautiful wood-panelling gives The Social an inviting look that’ll pull you in effortlessly for a few drinks.

This low-key spot definitely feels like a ‘if you don’t know, get to know’ sort of place, and we really urge you to get to know this fabulous bar that’s been a local’s favourite for a decade.

Image: The Hoot Leeds

And the best part is, you can cheers to The Social's special birthday with them, as they’ll be giving away 150 free pints this Friday 12 April when they officially re-open the doors.

How chuffin’ generous is that.

Nathan Clark, The Social said: “We’re really pleased to still be standing here with The Social ten years on and with the community that has grown around it.  We’ve been wanting to get this update and refurb done for a long-time now, and imprint some of our own character on the space, so our tenth year seemed to us like the best time to get it all underway.

Chairs and tables in The Social.
The new bar inside The Social.
Images: The Hoot Leeds

"As with our other sites like the Brudenell or the Black Horse in Otley, our locals and regulars are the heart of the place, so maintaining its charm was really important to us, and I’m very pleased with what our team has created for the next phase of the venue. Here’s to the next ten years!”

So get yourselves down to The Social, and check it out for yourself.

Read more: Popular Thai restaurant set to open in former Royal Bank of Scotland on Park Row

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

Here’s 10 of the best student-friendly cheap eats in and around Leeds

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Just moved to lovely Leeds for uni? Here’s how to eat out for less than a tenner.

With Freshers’ Week fast approaching, you're probably trying to work out exactly how far your student loan is going to stretch.

But don't worry, we're here to help.

Whether you’re after a cheap lunch between lectures, somewhere to grab dinner with your new flatmates or a bite to eat before heading out for the night, Leeds city centre is packed with places where you can eat well without blowing your budget.

So, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favourite places where you can grab a bite for under £10.

Let’s get into it...

Bundobust

Mill Hill

Images: The Hoot Leeds

It wouldn't be a cheap eat round up without Bundobust. These Indian street food legends are the GOATS of dishes for under tenner, because every single thing is.

We recommend the Vada Pav - a deep-fried mashed potato ball stuffed in a springy bun. It'll fill you up good and proper and you can get two Vada Pav sliders for just £8. Class.

Mommy Thai

Duncan Street and Vicar Lane

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Okay you may have to forgive us on this one...but we couldn't not include it.

For just £10.95 (close enough) you can get two courses at one of Leeds' best Thai restaurants. And there's loads to choose from, from chicken satay and Pad Thai to corn cakes and Pad Grapow - you won't be going home hungry. The perfect fuel before a mad night out on Call Lane we think.

Brod

Great George Street

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Brod is a staple for those looking for a lunch in the city, famous for their stacked sandwiches for super low prices. Most sandwiches are around the £6 mark, using fresh and homemade ingredients prepped daily.

Karpaty Bakery

Kirkgate Market

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Now this one really is a bargain. In the market hall of Kirkgate Market you'll find Karpaty Bakery, a wonderful Polish bakery serving traditional baked goods for under £3. They're absolutely massive and such great value for money.

Bánh and Mee

Kirkgate Market

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Another classic from the market is Bánh and Mee, a brilliant lunchtime option for those wanting hot and fresh Vietnamese food all for under a tenner.

Our favourite is the lemongrass chicken rice box or the aromatic pho that'll warm you up in an instant.

Eastern Oven

Kirkgate Market

Images: The Hoot Leeds

If you hadn't gathered by now, Kirkgate Market is an absolute honeypot for cheap eats in the city centre where you'll find hundreds of dishes for under a tenner.

Another one of our favourites is Eastern Oven, a family-run stall selling fresh falafel wraps and pittas.

Meat:Stack

Bishopgate Street

Images: The Hoot Leeds

If you're looking to be a bit naughty and get stuck into a burger and chips, then Meat:Stack is the spot for you.

American smash burgers, loaded fries and thick milkshakes all for great prices. They do a lunch deal where you can get a burger for just a fiver, or you can add on chips, a dip and a drink for a total of just £10. Available Monday - Friday from 11 - 3pm, it doesn't get much better then that.

Bakery 164

164 Woodhouse Ln, Woodhouse

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Based in Headingley just opposite the Parkinson Steps, this spot is the OG of great student deals. Gourmet sandwiches, all made fresh in-house for great prices - we wouldn't be surprised if you found yourself here every day of the week.

Kefiyo

17 Ash Rd, Headingley

Image: The Hoot Leeds

If you're after a sweet treat, then look no further than Kefiyo in Headingley. Here you can get a large tub of frozen yoghurt with unlimited toppings (yes, unlimited) for just £6.49.

Dough Boys

Belgrave Music Hall

Images: The Hoot Leeds

As a student in Leeds you will no doubt find yourself in Belgrave Music Hall, but don't sleep on their food options. Dough Boys specialise in unusual flavours for their pizza, with one standout, the Queen Brie, featuring roasted grapes to complement its namesake French brie.

All the slices are under a fiver, and between 12-7pm Sunday to Thursday and 12-5pm Friday and Saturday they're all half price. Class.

Read more: 10 of the best beer gardens, rooftops and terraces in Leeds

Featured images - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

Fantastic Leeds bakery owner claps back at one-star review calling him ‘silly man’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

One of Leeds' most popular independent bakeries has addressed a recent one-star review, which slammed them for being sold out of sandwiches.

Silver's Bakehouse, which comes from the same team behind Silver's Deli, suggested that the reviewer should 'work on their manners'.

The review hit out at the Farsley bakery for being sold out of sandwiches by the time they travelled 'an 80 minute round trip', describing owner Chris Riley as a 'silly man'.

The reviewer said they have been 'loyal high-spending customers since the first one opened' but wrote that they won't be visiting Silver's again after being left empty-handed.

They wrote: "It's all very good being mr instagram but things can go south very quickly silly man, make more sandwiches if you are going to be sold out in the first hour, don't risk the disappointment!!!"

Silver's Bakehouse has now publicly shared and responded to the review, stressing that they won't tolerate 'rudeness' and detailing the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

He said: "Let me explain again for you, David…

Inside Silver's Bakehouse in Farsley
Inside Silver's Bakehouse in Farsley
Inside Silver's Bakehouse in Farsley. Credit: The Hoot Leeds

"We start baking at 5am and rarely finish before 6pm. Everything is made fresh, by hand, often taking days to prepare, in a very small bakery. You can literally see how small it is - and we utilise every inch.

"We make as much as we physically can. Sometimes we sell out earlier than we’d like, and we’re incredibly grateful that so many people want what we make. But there is, unfortunately, a limit to how much we can produce.

"For the record, I’m not overly enthused about being “Mr Instagram” - what a truly horrendous phrase to conjure up. I managed to avoid it for years, but needs must and all that.

"I am genuinely grateful for your custom, David. Rudeness, however, I’m considerably less enthusiastic about.

"So yeah, we’ll keep working hard. You keep working on those manners."

Read more: The independent Leeds cafe speaking up after massive coffee chain opens opposite

Featured image: The Hoot Leeds

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