Gutted about the lack of Christmas Markets this year in Leeds? Us too. Luckily, Chow Down have got an even better proposal...
Locally renowned open air bar and eatery, Chow Down, will be turning their Temple Arches open air space into a Winter Village from 11 November until New Years Eve.
The outdoor venue has continued to surprise and delight Leeds throughout the year, hosting the best street vendors, drinks and DJs the city has to offer and this festive experience will be no different.
Chow Down is Temple Arches ultimate open air eating, dining and dancing experience and the Winter Village is expected to be their largest event to date. / Image: Chow Down
Expect the unveiling of a brand new, two-storey bar, rooftop curling club and cosy Christmas tipis to curl up in.
To keep warm, grab a seat by the fire pit, heaters and take a blanket or go meet Santa at the breakfast and family activities running throughout the day.
If that's not enough, there will also be apres ski nights; drag, club classics and disco brunches; new permanent kitchen residencies and plenty of rotating street food vendors that will keep you returning to Chow Down each week to find out what's cooking.
After checking out the best of the Winter Village, simply people watching by the flames with a boozy hot chocolate might just be the relaxing end to your evening that you need.
But if you are hyped up from the array of winter cocktails, mulled wine and cider, embrace your surroundings and enjoy a night of entertainment from headline DJs and live performances.
The inviting space, filled with cosy corners, atmospheric lighting is always busy, whatever weekend you visit. It quickly became the social hub of the city over the summer and now that we are bunkering down for the colder months, their Winter Village is expected to keep the same equilibrium between intimacy and chatter, but with endless seasonal surprises.
Chow Down showed off their illustrated plans on Instagram this morning, but the rest of the details are being carefully kept under wraps until further notice. / Image: Chow Down
Chow Down have previously hosted food traders like Hun Street Kitchen, Tikka Chance on Me, Goodtime Tacos and Takin' Care of Burgers, so we will all be excited to hear about which vendors will be present at the Winter Village in November.
For now, exclusive details can only be accessed via their email subscription where the popular open air bar promise to give subscribers the opportunity to be 'first to hear about our plans and for exclusive priority access to tickets'.
If you can't wait until November to see the best of what Chow Down have to offer, their Halloween event will give you a tease of the atmosphere. The four-day event promises plenty of spooky street food, live DJs and bands.
Previous events have been a big hit with Leeds. / Image: Chow Down
The whole family are invited to craft workshops, drag brunch and there will even be a Halloween production over the weekend.
The event have confirmed food from Chow Down's favourite pizza vendor: Homeboy Pizza, plus much more on the day.
To prepare for these upcoming events, Chow Down will be closed for the next three weeks but it is clear that the return of the open air experience will be bigger and better than ever before.
Trinity Leeds is transforming Trinity Kitchen into the ultimate space to watch all the World Cup 2026 action together.
Looking for somewhere to cheer on England in the 2026 World Cup? Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered.
Foodie hotspot Trinity Kitchen has been completely transformed into the ultimate fan zone with space for up to 1,000 cheering fans.
And they’ve made sure that nobody misses out on the action.
There are three super-sized 5x3m screens dotted around the space, so wherever you go you won’t miss out on a goal.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There’s also a brand-new bar courtesy of local favourites Northern Monk named the ‘Northern Monk Trinity Tap’.
The tap will feature two, seven-metre bars with a whopping 20 beer taps to keep you refreshed and hydrated during the tournament, because cheering the lads on really can be thirsty work.
If you don’t fancy a beer there’s also cocktails, wine and soft drinks on offer as well - so nobody has to miss out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Feeling peckish? Of course there’s 11 street food vendors serving match day meals and snacks to keep you fuelled through the games.
Choose from Caribbean jerk chicken from Jerk Junction, Indian street food from Rolawala and loads more.
Entry is completely free but if you’re after a reserved seat on a table, tickets cost just £10.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “Trinity Kitchen will operate as normal during the day, transforming into a football fan zone in the evening.
“It will be one of the biggest World Cup venues in Leeds with three huge screens showing the games live and more dotted around Trinity Kitchen. There will be live roaming brass bands and DJs turning every England fixture into a true celebration.
“Fans can turn up and grab a space for free and we will also be offering table bookings for England games for those who want to guarantee the best spots to watch the drama unfold.
“Our line-up of street food vendors will serve bold flavours from around the world, while the all-new Northern Monk Trinity Tap will pour award-winning craft beers across 20 taps, making Trinity Kitchen the ultimate place to eat, drink and experience every unforgettable World Cup moment."
It’s all kicking off on Wednesday 17 June for England v Croatia. So rally your mates together, get your England shirts on and grab your tickets here.
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
News
Dishoom announces official opening date for new Leeds restaurant
Clementine Hall
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
Sophie Smith -
7th October 2021 
