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
Leeds restaurant crowned one of the best local restaurants in Britain just three months after opening
The Good Food Guide has just released its list of the 100 best local restaurants in Britain – and three Leeds spots have made the list.
The latest edition of the Best 100 Local Restaurants list celebrates the very best venues that are loved by their communities.
A team of reviewers and inspectors scour the country to find the best of the best, and this year three restaurants in Leeds have earned themselves a place on the numbered list.
One in particular has been included just three months after opening.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Smithfield opened in April taking over the old Reliance space on North Street, and it's safe to say they had very big shoes to fill.
But they have done with ease, celebrating Yorkshire produce to a crowd that are overjoyed to see the space being brought back to life.Â
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Here's what the Good Food Guide had to say after awarding The Smithfield with 80th place: "Opening in one of the city’s most hallowed restaurant sites was always going to invite comparison. In its day, the Reliance was a much-loved neighbourhood haunt that became the gateway drug for a generation of Leeds foodies, and a return to its burgundy paint job was a statement of intent from its new owners.
"Head chef James Donovan's CV includes Clerkenwell's Rochelle Canteen, and you don't have to do much dusting to see the Fergus and Margot Henderson's nose-to-tail fingerprints: pig's head, ox heart, hogget, and a meritocratic approach to the menu with produce leading the way – occasionally nudged along by a well-timed dollop of gribiche or a slick of bisque."
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Elsewhere on the list, it won't come as a surprise to see that the ever-so-brilliant Bavette has been crowned in 16th place. Described as a "convivial neighbourhood bistro in the northerly suburb of Horsforth" that perfectly exudes a "Franco-Yorkshire alliance".
And lastly for Leeds, the ultra-cool Empire Cafe takes spot 31 where "owners Sam Pullan and Nicole Deighton have done a grand job here, rekindling the nostalgia while making the place feel emphatically of the moment, 'high-class yet down-to-earth'."
It's a trio of great wins for Leeds' foodie scene, and you can read the full list here.
Popular Leeds cafe known for its fluffy Japanese sandos is moving to a bigger space
Clementine Hall
One of the city's best independents is expanding into a bigger premises.
Shokupan on Wellington Street is a proper little gem that food-lovers across Leeds will rave nonstop about if given the opportunity.
Husband and wife team Alan and Alison took inspiration from trips around the world to bring a taste of Japan to the city and over the past few years it's gained a loyal following.
They're famed for their delicious Japanese sandos made with pillow-like fluffy shokupan bread, stuffed with everything from crunchy chicken katsu and flavourful pork to fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
But it's not all just about sandwiches, they also serve rice bowls and katsu curries as well as small bites such as chicken karaage and octopus balls.
Their food is so bloody good, that they've had to find a better location and this time it's slap bang in the city centre on Central Road.
And they're joining brilliant company too, with the likes of House of Koko and Vinyl Grounds as neighbours.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Shokupan said: "You guessed right…we are moving to Central Road, LS1 6DE. We are nearly there…
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"All the building work is complete and now we are finishing off the decorating. You might also start to see some signage appearing over the next few days…It has been lovely seeing some of our customers dropping by to see us whilst we slowly lose our sanity.
"Powered on caffeine and determination! Not long to go before we can announce our opening date and welcome you through the doors."
We can't wait to check out the new space, keep an eye on their opening date here.
Clementine Hall -
26th November 2024 
