Famed for its killer espresso martinis, The Watermark has announced it will be closing its doors in just a few weeks.
Standing proud on Cross Belgrave Street at the top of town, The Watermark Bar has gained a loyal following for cocktail lovers in the city.
The bar is known locally for its late night kitchen, cocktails, endless selection of spirits and all-around laid-back vibes.
Inspired by the owner’s home bar in Beeston, the interior is cosily decorated throughout, complete with classic board games and quirky wall features.
Images: The Watermark
The critically acclaimed bar has constantly received raving reviews over the past 6 years, described as being ‘consistently amazing’ by their customers for its service, food and drinks.
So it's safe to say, this sad news comes as a shock to us all.
Announcing the news to Instagram, The Watermark Bar said: "Hi guys! Today is one of those days where we drop some really bummer news against our will.
"The 1st Jan 2025 will be our last day of open doors at 3 Cross Belgrave Street. For 6 years we have based our entire brand and philosophy on adding to and building up the community in Leeds...
"We have done everything we can to keep the flame of independency of bars in Leeds as bright as possible. The Watermark Bar, at its foundation, was never offered a sustainable lease to run a long term business on. Towards the end of that lease we were in limbo. Every 2 years we were spoon fed another 2 year lease by a sub landlord and because of this we were never truly able to invest in the bar that we 100% wanted...
"However, on the 6th year living the dream of running a bar that is so loved by this amazing city, against the struggle of rising costs on every single line of our budget sheets, pressing on whilst Leeds City Council turned our front door step into multisite industrial bin store & shipping container site for over 2 years....
Image: The Watermark
"The Watermark will close its doors at the end of its lease as the sub-landlord wants to turn it into a coffee shop...We will continue, to look for a better location to do this. But ultimately we would like to take this as an opportunity to spend the last month celebrating the vibe in these four walls over December with you all."
We hope to see The Watermark Bar take on a new space in the city very soon, and we'll keep you up to date with any updates. But for now, visit the legends over at The Watermark before the year ends and cheers to what they've achieved over the past six years.
Featured image - The Watermark
Eats
Iconic Leeds venue The Reliance to be brought back to life under new name ‘The Smithfield’
The Reliance, a much missed North Street site, is being brought back to life as The Smithfield.
The Smithfield is set to be a new social eatery and pub focused on seasonal, produce-led dining.
Set to open its doors to the people of Leeds in early April, The Smithfield will pay homage to the local area through both its produce and people.
The venue will focus on proper plates of seasonal ingredients, pairing a relaxed dining style with a strong sense of community. Sounds pretty brilliant if you ask us.
Building on the legacy of North Street, The Smithfield is a collaborative project between Yorkshire brewery Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan.
Images: Supplied
Steve Dawson, co-founder of Crooked Brewing, has long admired The Reliance and want to build on its established legacy.
“What The Reliance was doing was cutting edge for its time,” says Donovan. “We want to bring that same vision and energy into Leeds in 2026. Our aim is to pick up the culinary torch that The Reliance left behind and continue its legacy of great food in Leeds,” adds Dawson.
The Smithfield takes its name from Church Street’s historic connection to the Smithfield cattle market of the early 1800s, once located on what is now Lovell Park.
“We really want the people around us to feel that The Smithfield is their space,” says Dawson. “We want to give them a place at our table.”
We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we know, but we're very excited indeed.
Viral brunch cafe Acai and the Tribe is coming to Leeds city centre this spring
Clementine Hall
Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.
Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.
Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Images: The Manc Group
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."
They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.
It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.
Clementine Hall -
26th November 2024 
