Rum Sampling, spirit masterclasses, pop-up shop, street food, 100+ brands, a daiquiri competition- and that's just the beginning for Leeds Rum Festival 2022.
For the sixth year running, an eclectic mix of rum brands from near and far will once again take over Leeds’ this month.
Taking place on Saturday 17 September 2022, Leeds' Corn Exchange is set to host this exciting festival from Rolling Social Events, following the success of sister events, Leeds Whisky Festival and the upcoming Leeds Tequila Festival.
The one-day-festival will see 100 different rums on show, including popular names like Nusa Caña, who will be sponsoring the festival, Plantation, Takamaka, , El Dorado and Skipper, as well as new up-and-coming boozy brands too.
Image: Supplied (Chapter 81)
The sixth September edition of Leeds Rum Festival is set to be its biggest yet, according to producers.
Rolling Social Events is cementing itself as an events company that prides itself not only on showcasing the best in spirits but putting a spotlight on fun and education. Accompanied by music and entertainment, as well as food, Leeds Rum Festival is a premier all-round experience for rum lovers.
Amongst the exciting rum brands on offer, Nusa Caña, an Indonisian rum "packed full of tropical flavour charged with the attitude and energy of today's Bali" will be sponsoring the occasion whilst returning sponsor Three Cents will be creating mixers inspired by bartenders for bartenders with a fusion of premium sodas to act as the ideal accompaniment for your rum throughout the day-long festival.
Image: Supplied (Chapter 81)
The set-up will also feature a Monin Rum bar, where you'll be able to shake up your usual rum concoctions with a range of tropical classic cocktails- each with a twist. Think Piña Coladas, spiced mango rum punches and watermelon daiquiris.
And if that isn't enough, for the first time in Leeds Rum Fest history, a speed daiquiri competition will allow guests to make their own daiquiri at the Monin stand- with a Monin cocktail kit for the winner.
If rum isn't your usual tipple, there's ample opportunity to taste test a range of local craft beers on the day too.
Tickets to Leeds Rum Festival will cost £30 each and include access to all of the 100+ rum brands, as well as the opportunity to partake in several masterclasses, including talks from Satinago de Cuba, Nusa Caña and Speciality brands.
Lee Jones, Creative Director at Rolling Social Events is excited about the return of the festival: "It’s been great to see Leeds Rum Fest grow year on year and become part of the ‘don’t miss’ events for people in the city. It gets better every time that we do it and 2022 is no exception. With over 100 different samples, it’s our biggest selection yet. Rum is a great spirit - there’s an expression for everyone and always something new to explore.
"It was important to us that we bring rums from all kinds of producers and give a platform for the smaller/indie brands to showcase what they do - not just the big hitters
Image: Supplied (Chapter 81)
"We want to make this year’s festival bigger and better than ever, meaning more rum, more music, more masterclasses and more great street food traders. As ever, the festival is designed around drinking better quality alongside fun and education , and we’re very lucky to be working with another stellar line-up of incredible brands. We look forward to seeing you in September!”
For more information about the sixth annual Leeds Rum Festival at Leeds' Corn Exchange, including how to book your tickets for the event, visit the Eventbrite website.
Feature Image- Supplied (Chapter 81)
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Leeds’ most famous pub has announced the return of its annual FREE Beer Festival this summer
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Sophie Smith -
7th September 2022 
