Don't be sad because it's over, smile because it happened...
Yep we know, we're just as sad as you are that the summer is slowly waving us goodbye.
But, here to give it the farewell it truly deserves is the brilliant Tower Works Street Fest that is returning this weekend for the final time of 2025.
The much-loved festival is returning to Leeds from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 September, bringing food, drink, music and live entertainment to Leeds’ bustling South Bank.
Image: Supplied
Held in Verona Square, just off Globe Road and seconds away from the station, Tower Works Street Fest has been a highlight of the summer's calendar since April, running every first weekend of the month.
And the September finale promises to be the biggest celebration yet.
Visitors can expect a wide variety of food and drink on offer, from Little Bubble Box’s signature bubble waffles and teas to the award-winning dim sum of Siu Mai Bar and Venezuelan dishes from 7 Star Flag.
Independent bars including Vintrobar, The Reserve Cocktail Bar and Reggae Rum Shack will be serving drinks throughout the weekend, alongside a makers’ market featuring sweet treats, crafts and flowers from local artisans.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
There will also be plenty of entertainment, with live music from Danny Charles on Friday evening and Jake Keating on Saturday.
Michael Johnston, Tower Works Street Fest Production Manager, said: “This final weekend is shaping up to be the biggest yet. Visitors can expect incredible food and drink, artisan markets, local musicians and plenty of space to relax. It’s the perfect way to round off the summer in Leeds.”
Louise Larking, director at Fox Lloyd Jones, said: “It’s fantastic to showcase the local traders of Leeds in one setting, as well as inviting people down to the Tower Works scheme to see the permanent businesses there such as Bake and Emba.
"The street fest has been a fantastic addition to the community at the scheme, and I urge people looking for their new business home to seriously consider joining this growing community.”
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Clementine Hall -
2nd September 2025 
