A new pub dedicated to non-alcoholic booze is set to open in Leeds this summer, bringing a huge variety of different low-ABV drinks with it.
Called Functional Drinks Club, the new watering hole and drinks shop in Otley will serve non-alcoholic craft beers, lagers, ales, ciders, and sparkling wine when it opens next month.
It will also pour Kombucha (a fermented low-ABV tea drink) and nootropic serotonin-boosting mood drinks made using natural ingredients such as caffeine, green tea extract, and guarana.
Founded by Kevin Gillespie, the new opening in Otley plans to run Leeds' first zero-waste kombucha service - offering a takeaway service where kombucha lovers can bring their own containers, fill up and take home as much of the good stuff as they like.
It will sell all of its drinks to take away, as well as provide a welcoming space for people to sit and drink inside.
Working alongside some of the UK's top kombucha brewers, the new non-alcoholic bar and shop will be rotating kegs of the fermented drink much like regular boozers do their craft beers.
Elsewhere, drinkers can enjoy a wide variety of non-alcoholic and nootropic craft beers, lagers and ales, as well as non-alcoholic wines, ciders and CBD drinks.
With an opening day set for 5 August, those wanting to head over and check out the concept for themselves can register for a ticket online to get a free kombucha on the day and 10% off everything in-store.
An Eventbrite listing for the launch reads: "Hi, We can't wait to open our new non-alcoholic drinks shop in Otley and see you there on launch day.
"This ticket will get you a free glass of Kombucha to try, and 10% off everything in-store that day.
"You'll be able to get your hands on the following at the shop:
Kombucha
Non-alcoholic Craft beers, lagers & ales
Nootropic Craft beers, lagers & ales
CBD Drinks
Non-alcoholic wines
"You'll also be able to find out about our Zero waste Kombucha service where you can refill your bottles on a weekly basis from our "Kombucha on Tap" station.
"If you fancy sitting in and having a few drinks, you can do that as well.
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.
Georgina Pellant -
26th July 2023 
