Award-winning Leeds restaurant The Empire Cafe has just unveiled exciting plans to open a new pub.
The beloved Fish Street restaurant, which has been feeding Leeds locals under various guises and different ownerships for more than a century, teased the plans on social media today.
They announced that the team are set to launch a brand-new city gastropub.
The Empire Cafe has shared a photo of the old pub, The Highland, which stands just west of Leeds city centre.
The Highland has gradually become surrounded by high-rise student accommodation in recent years and the pub closed for good back in April 2023.
It had been open for four decades but shut down after 'five price increases in six months' from various breweries.
They wrote at the time: "It is with a heavy heart that due to five price increases by the various brewery's in the last six months, together with utility bills et al it has now become unsustainable to keep operating.
"It's always sad when a venue like ours is forced to close."
But now The Empire Cafe has swooped in to save this historic little building just off Kirkstall Road.
They shared today: "This little bit of history is now saved. City gastropub incoming…"
You’ve spent over three years studying and now it’s time to say celebrate so we’ve rounded up some of the best places in Leeds for you to do so.
Those all-nighters in the library are now a distant memory.
It’s time to celebrate all the hard work you’ve put in over the years and what better way to spend it than eating delicious food and raising a toast to yourself.
Whether you’re celebrating with family, friends or a loved one. We’ve sorted you some of the best deals on offer, from free glasses of beer Prosecco, to 2 for 1 cocktails and discounted set menus.
Tattu
29 E Parade, LS1 5PS
Images: The Manc Group
The ‘Power of Wisdom’ set menus are available for £37.50 for lunch and £45.50 for dinner, with graduates receiving an ‘Elixir of Life cocktail’, or a complimentary glass of Prosecco.
Enjoy three courses with a glass of Prosecco on arrival for £55; you can even upgrade to the proper stuff and pay an extra tenner for Moët & Chandon Champagne for each person.
Fancy Italian? Freshly crowned graduates dining from the special set menu can enjoy a bonus Bellini to toast their success.
Flight Club
1-2 S Parade, LS1 5QL
Image: The Hoot Leeds
As a congratulations to the city’s graduating students, Flight Club has lined up a treat for the class of 2026. Any guest with a valid student ID or graduation certificate can raise a toast to the celebrations with a complimentary bottle of prosecco for the group when they book a game of Social Darts.
CrowdedHouse
Level 5 & 6, Trinity Centre, 70 Boar Ln, LS1 6HW
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Enjoy your celebrations whilst taking in jaw dropping panoramic views of the city at Leeds' newest rooftop hangout. Their set menu offering two courses for £26 or three courses for £30 is not one to be missed.
Book a table at one of Leeds' most celebrated restaurants and enjoy a free glass of prosecco as a cheers to you. Available until Sunday 16 July and you must mention graduation when booking.
Uyare
Victoria Gate 3rd Floor, Rooftop, George St, LS2 7AU
Image: The Hoot Leeds
As a graduate, you can enjoy 15% off your bill when you book with the code 'GRADUATESOF26'. Plus, you'll receive a complimentary glass of prosecco to toast the occasion.
Banksia
2 Lower Briggate, LS1 4AE
Images: The Hoot Leeds
At this Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, graduates will eat for free - now that is an offer. Enjoy the special graduate set menu priced at £39 for three courses, with graduates eating for free with two paying customers.
Enjoy Blackhouse Gastrobar's fabulous steaks and seasonal dishes with a free glass of prosecco for every graduate, plus if you're a table of six you'll get an entire bottle on the house. We'll cheers to that.
Sheffield sisters open second matcha cafe just months after launching their first
Clementine Hall
There's just no stopping these sisters, as The Matcha Spot announces second site.
Yes, it's another matcha story but we've got to say, we're very excited about this one.
Let's back track to last year when The Matcha Spot popped up in The Moor and made a name for themselves for selling the most wonderful green creations in the city.
Fast forward to February, they opened up their first permanent spot in the city centre on Campo Lane which was a resounding success.
Images: The Sheff
Their focus is serving good quality matcha in all shapes and sizes, our personal favourite being the blondie matcha that is the perfect afternoon pick me up.
It's become such a success, that The Matcha Spot sisters are now opening a second site in Sheffield just months after opening their first.
The Matcha Spot 2.0 will be located on Ecclesall Road and will be opening next month, so we really don't have long to wait.
Image: The Sheff
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, The Matcha Spot said: "Our second home is here! Thank you SO much for all your support!! We’re so excited to be opening our second location for you to get your matcha fix…..
"281 Ecclesall Road. Coming soon."
We couldn't be happier for the girls, and we couldn't think of anyone more deserving of the success. We'll see you on the opening date ready and raring to get our hands on a white chocolate and raspberry matcha.
Daisy Jackson -
22nd December 2024 
