February was a wild month here in Leeds and it's all down to Leeds' best PR, Social & Experiential Events Agency.
It feels as if there's been a new venue launch every single week in 2022, each offering a never-seen-before experience to add to our long lists of places to visit in Leeds.
The faces behind the glamorous parties and all of the running around that's involved in a new launch is the team at Pink Gorilla Hairy Lemon. Jordan Odu and along with the rest of their talent work tirelessly to ensure the success of each and every one of their clients, and it's obvious that their dedicated work pays off.
Working with their team is seemingly a one-way ticket into an exclusive part of Leeds foodie and drinks scene. Whether you're a food blogger, new restaurant or a long-time bar, working with PGHL is a reputation that Leeds recognises and remembers.
Naturally, this makes them our go-to team to ask about what's going on in Leeds.
In February, the team were responsible for some of the biggest openings, refurb parties and more - so we asked them, where are some of the best newly opened or refurbished spots in Leeds to try out this month?
Playroom
Image: PGHL
Bringing us into 2022 with a brand new concept, the team behind Dollhouse, including internationally recognised DJ Tom Zanetti, opened Playroom, a brand-new drinking, dining and dancing concept club at Electric Press.
The £300,000 project is split over two levels: the venue’s ground floor has a stylish lounge with VIP tables on offer, as well as a heated indoor courtyard and outside terrace in Millennium Square.
Pink Gorilla recommends: It's the go-to place for a late night dinner or if you want to experience fine food with all the tunes you'd expect at an exclusive club hidden in Leeds.
“Playroom brings something totally different to the city with it’s dine, drink and dance concept. We just love the vibes here – you get the best of both worlds with unbelievable food in a club atmosphere. The entertainment also adds to the really unique dining experience” – Lydia Kirton
As the latest launch in the city, The Hoot team have been spending plenty of time down at Granary Wharf exploring every angle of SALT's latest venture: a craft beer and falafel bar.
This place is perfect for laid-back wining and dining, largely because there's cocktails on tap, but the contrast between sun-drenched seats and cosy nooks makes it an ideal day-to-night spot that matches the mood for any occasion.
Pink Gorilla recommends: If you're a fan of the bright red Falafel Guys truck on Briggate, you're going to spend all your post-working hours in here.
“I had so much fun working with the Salt team again for the launch of Salt Craft and Falafel. I can’t wait for summers down at Granary Wharf - nothing beats drinking cocktails on tap, award-winning beers and Falafel guys wraps are next-level tasty. If you haven’t visited already, I highly recommend you take a trip!” – Hannah Clarke
Relocating from its current location on Bond Street to The Light on The Headrow, Roxy Lanes opened a mammoth new venue just two weeks ago- and it seems to be packed out ever since.
The new ice curling lane is free of ice and full of surprises, making it the latest must-try activity in Leeds. Besides the incredible cocktails and pizza slices, Roxy Lanes is well worth visiting for its ten bowling lanes, two duck pin bowling lanes, shuffleboards, American pool tables, basketball machines and air hockey. Quite simply, they have all the activities you need to fill an entire weekend of fun and games.
Pink Gorilla recommends: If you want to test out Leeds first ice curling rink, or just grab a drink and shoot some hoops at the latest bar in the city, this is the only place to go.
“Roxy’s really have outdone themselves with the new venue within The Light, it has definitely taken the gaming scene in Leeds to the next level with bowling lanes, shuffleboards, pool tables, air hockey and curling. My favourite has to be the curling - It’s something totally new to Leeds and definitely something you need to try!” – Lydia Kirton
Leeds nightlife has seen many changes over the past 15 years, but whilst countless venues have come and gone, Revolution Electric Press has always stayed the same – until its huge £300,000 makeover.
The introduction of a new ‘vodka land’ theme that will take its inspiration from wild and wacky fairgrounds and funfairs – but with an adult twist. 22 new cocktails, a giant Dumbo elephant for photo shots and all the vodka you could dream of, this is the late-night bar you can spend all night long inside.
Pink Gorilla recommends: Revolution is now a real-life vodka playground, so it has to be the only place you visit for a flavoured vodka drink.
"This place will always be special to me as it was where I started my marketing career and gave me my first PR job. We had a fantastic turnout for the party and everyone was loving the recent refurbishment. The Vodka-land theme adds a real element of fun to the Leeds nightlife scene and you can’t go wrong with a flavoured vodka shot or five” - Jordan Odu
In March, the pace certainly isn't slowing down. We're expecting some huge new openings, and Jordan, Lydia and the rest of the PGHL team will be on hands to tell us all about them soon.
As you're well aware by now, the North has some of this country's best artists and musicians, so much so, we are showcasing a new one to you every single month.
Meet Holly Rolfe, a Lichfield-born, Leeds-based artist who's music is cathartic, emotive with her stage presence helping create a pure-pop package.
Her singles have captivated audiences online with one song in particular, 'I'll Come Back To You', amassing over 250,000 streams.
She's also focused on uplifting fellow female musicians, something which she has made into a real initiative titled 'Women in Music Presents'.
And if you're wondering why all her outfits have varied in shades of blue when she's featured in videos on Audio North's Instagram account - she explains later on.
An interview with Holly Rolfe | Audio North's Artist of the Month: May
Meet Hilly Rolfe, Audio North's artist of the month for May / Credit: The Manc Group
How did you get into music?
I started busking at 14 after some encouragement from my Mum who was also a busker. Then I started performing at weddings and taking part in gigs.
Every family holiday we used to listen to CDs whenever we'd drive around and play Adele, Robbie Williams, specifically the live albums, Mika too.
Who were some of your musical influences growing up?
Some of my favourite musicians who's music I am inspired by are Mimi Webb and Cian Ducrot. Obviously Harry Styles and Sabrina Carpenter too.
Especially Sabrina and Mimi, I love their fun pop girl energy, I just want to channel that.
Do you want to tell us a little bit more about your recent EP?
On 24 April I released my EP Lost in the Dark (Live in Session), which is a collection of songs that I believe aren't based around streams, but instead it's a passion project.
It means so much to me and it sums up who I am as an artist, the music I want to create and my experience of being a student in Leeds.
You're also part of a group called Women in MusicPresents, please can you tell us more about this?
It's a group created during my final year of university that I made with some friends.
We wanted something that focused around the positives and challenges that being a female artist brings, while uplifting each other with no real headliners at each event, instead we all share the spotlight.
Holly alongside Women in MusicPresents line-up at The Attic in Leeds / Credit: The Manc Group
We've noticed that you like to wear a lot of blue, how come?
I've always been obsessed with blue and when I was starting to brand myself as an artist I thought this colour really compliments me.
And honestly royal blue, navy, baby blue, whatever the shade is I love it.
What are some of your career highlights so far?
My first band gig was at the Piece Hall in Halifax where I got the opportunity to support Cian Ducrot and that's where everything really kicked off.
From there I performed at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, where as well as performing, I also got the chance to admire some of pop music's greatest memorabilia.
I was able to do my debut headline at Headrow House and did another headline show at Hyde Park Book Club too.
Rolfe backstage ahead of her Piece Hall supporting slot and the singer pictured underneath The Domino Club neon sign / Credit: Supplied
What does being an artist in the North feel like for you?
Anything is possible. There's something about the North that is so welcoming and it has helped me become my true self as an artist, performing for northern crowds.
I feel so inspired by artists from here and everyone northern as they all have this determination which is so nice to see, watching people chase their dreams.
And finally now we've learnt more about you, who are some Northern artists you love and want to show off?
Lois. She's incredible and has announced a listening party for her new album later this month.
Also The Wranglers, a country group who I got the opportunity to support at their recent gig at Oporto in Leeds. They just make you want to get up and dance.
Thank you Holly for letting us learn a little bit more about your artistry, we're sure that you're on track to claiming your pop princess crown in years to come.
Featured Images - Artist supplied / The Manc Group
News
Leeds city centre set for hundreds of new flats after council agrees sale of ‘prime’ development site
Clementine Hall
It looks like even more new flats could be popping up in Leeds city centre.
The land in question is located near Leeds' Aire Park development, next to The Adelphi Pub in a prime location smack bang in the city centre.
It's looking like over 240 flats could be built on the site after the council has agreed to sell the coveted plot of land to a housing developer.
The current land that is surrounded by heritage assets has been sold by Leeds City Council to property developer Glenbrook.
A planning application from Glenbrook proposed mostly 246 one and two bedroom apartments in a whopping 24 storey development.
Around 20% of the homes would be classified as affordable housing, being rented out at 80% of the current private market rate.
The application will be discussed when the council's City Plans Panel meets next Thursday 14 May.
A council planning officer’s report said: “The emerging proposals present a significant opportunity to regenerate a prominent vacant brownfield site within the city centre.
“The development would deliver a substantial number of new homes, alongside the provision of some employment opportunities.”
A council decision report when selling the plot back in 2022 said: “It is surrounded by heritage assets in an area undergoing rapid regeneration and is widely considered to be a prime plot capable of supporting a high quality residential development.”
Well then Leeds, what do you make of these plans then?