We’ve been waiting all year for this to come around – well, two whole years actually: Euro 2024 is nearly upon us and we’ve been thinking about where in Leeds to watch it.
For many people, major tournaments are massive milestones; they become synonymous not only with years but definitive periods in their lives and they’re also one of those rare moments when a nation can all share in genuinely lasting and special memories. Even if it does usually end in heartache…
But not this year, we have faith. England’s squad is one of the best in the entire competition and we’ve come so close in recent years that we’re not just going to settle for expecting the worst.
That being said, you best get plotting out where you want to watch the Euros in Leeds now, and we can help.
4TheFans Fan Park at TESTBED
110 Hunslet Ln, LS10 1ES
Image: Supplied
Following on from the success of the 2021 Euro fan parks, which saw over 25,000 dedicated fans come together to watch England’s historic Euro campaign, 4TheFans is gearing up for another stellar summer of football.
With over 50,000 fans expected to attend across this year’s tournament, it’s fair to say it’s going to be a football-fuelled summer to remember and tickets are still on sale here.
For all the England games, TESTBED Leeds will welcome fans to experience some of the UK’s biggest anti-glare screens, world-class sound systems and exclusive bar and food traders as well as DJs, competitions and giveaways.
Millennium Square will play host to the Euro 2024 Fanzone with all England’s group stage matches against Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia, as well as the knock-out stages, broadcast live on the Leeds Big Screen.
Entry is strictly by advance ticket only and you can grab yours here.
The Brotherhood
54 New Briggate, Leeds City Centre
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can bet that the popular New Briggate bar will be back with packed out tables for the matches as one of the best known sports bars in the city. Having recently undergone a dazzling refurbishment, you can gurantee a fantastic experience at this top spot.
Infirmary Street, Leeds city centre and Otley Road, Headingley
Image: The Box
The Box have locations in the city centre and Headingley, so you’re never far from a cold pint of Budweiser or a bottle of wine. You can grab 2-for-1 cocktails, a 20% student discount and a pornstar martinis, served by the stein here too but if that’s not enough, there’s bottomless brunch and seemingly unlimited burger and pizza options to soak it all up.
Pinnacle Beer and Gin Hall
Bond Street, Leeds city centre
Image: Pinnacle Beer Hall
Pinnacle has plenty of keep you entertained throughout the Euros, even if you’re not the biggest football fan. There’s 20 draught pints, over 100 gins and an inspired cocktail menu, plus shuffleboard and pool tables.
The Tap Room is the Beck & Call’s dedicated sports room. Complete with pool table, darts and huge TV screens for all the live games, the popular watering hole have stated they will be showing all five round of the Six Nations. Plus every Friday and Saturday at Happy Hour, you can get £3 Fosters, £4 Virtuous and a £15 Bottle of Fizz.
You might recognise Skyrack from your Otley Run days, but the pub does far more than just fancy dress. Pull up a chair at the bar or find a seat around the pub in between the Leeds United memorabilia and watch the Euros surrounded by like-minded fans. Same goes for the rest of the Greene King pubs in Leeds, all games will be shown.
Another Otley Run favourite that’s taking on the additional crowds for the rugby. Expect loud speakers, the occasional fancy dress customer and loads to do besides watching the matches.
There’s pool tables, giant food challenges and a great beer garden- not to mention a full menu that includes student discounted pints. If you’re still at University, we bet we’ll find you here for the matches.
Rebound Social
Wellington Street, Leeds City Centre
Image: Rebound Social
Rebound Social is the home of all things football, need we say anymore? Pull up a seat and tuck into pizzas and pints aplenty with your chosen company, we imagine that the place will be packed with like-minded fans.
The Original Oak
Otley Road, Headingley
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Original Oak in Headingley is a favourite for all ages, but if you’re a student looking for some sports action, you’ll feel quite at home at this Otley Run stop. The pub will be showing all the Euros games and you can bet that there will be plenty of space for you to join the crowd.
You can bet your bottom dollar that Walkabout will be saying G’day to the Euros and serving up a feast whilst the matches play out. The Australian-themed sports bar boast space indoors and outdoors, as well as in their dedicated live sports areas, but booking is recommended to make sure you get a spot at the table before kickoff. Expect massive HD screens, a roaring atmosphere and loads of food and drink options.
The Greene King pub boast that they will be showing every Euros game live over the next few weeks. Located on 31 Boar Lane, The Griffin has all the pints you need to get yourself through the intense games, as well as some proper pub grub on offer too.
If you're got a sweet tooth, then you're going to want to keep reading.
Oh Leeds, if there's one thing we're good at - it's baking.
Just walking around the city you'll bump into delightful bakeries offering sweet treats galore, and you'll find even better gems when you venture into the suburbs.
We've rounded up a handy little guide for you to make your way through when you're looking to treat yourself to a cheeky baked good, which should be every day if we're being honest.
So, without further ado let's dive into the best bakeries in Leeds.
Bake
Mustard Approach, Mustard Wharf
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the team behind Things in Bread and Doh'hut comes this absolutely beautiful bakery by the water.
Led by mastermind Tom, they're serving up great British bakes but with a refined twist. Think ultra cheesy cheese twists, sticky school cake and unbeatable sausage rolls.
Fat Pigeon Bakery
406 Broad Lane, Leeds LS13 3DF
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fat Pigeon is a micro-bakery in Bramley that opens every Saturday to queues of adoring fans. And it’s no surprise why, as here you’ll find some of the very best bakes - from croissants to cinnamon buns - that Leeds has to offer. Oh, and owner Ruth is about as lovely as they come too.
Fold
62 Brussels Street, LS9 8AB
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the absolute masterminds behind The Cheesy Living Co. comes Fold, a hidden bakery serving up from under the arches every Saturday morning.
You can get your chops around their famous focaccia, stuffed sausage rolls, cookies, sarnies, bagels and the creme de le creme for us: the foot-long three-cheese twist.
Underground Bakery
Call Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're after a really great almond croissant, then you've got to get yourself to Underground Bakery. They're serving a whole array of baked goods but doing them all really, really well.
Right in the centre of town, it's a great spot to swing by on your way to work because everyone deserves a midweek croissant every now and again.
Laynes
New Station Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one probably doesn't need any introduction, as Laynes bakery are known amongst the city for their exceptional bakes and it's not hard to see why.
They stock a number of coffee shops across Leeds but for the true experience, pop in and enjoy a bake alongside a cup of their fabulous coffee.
Nova
Leeds Dock
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Nova Bakehouse is a beautiful sun drenched spot that serve up irresistible morning buns, chewy cookies and speciality bread.
They focus on 'flavour forward baking' using seasonal ingredients to create monthly specials that'll have you going back time and time again.
Oh, and they've been named one of the best bakeries in the UK by The Good Food Guide two years running now - so you know it's good.
These guys have really made a mark for themselves since opening, and have cured all of LS6’s sweet tooth cravings and caffeine fixes.
You'll find everything from stacked brownies and blondies to incredible red velvet cookie pies, and how could we forget their savoury options too?
Chunk
174 Kirkstall Hill
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If cookies are your kryptonite, then Chunk is where you need to be.
From baking inside her student shared house to opening her very first bakery, the last few years have been a whirlwind for owner Amy Bennett- and there's really no stopping her now.
Her gooey NYX-style cookies are out of this world, served with great drinks to match.
The Savvy Baker
Albion Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Again, this one needs absolutely no introduction. A Leeds staple that has been curing sweet toothed brownie-lovers for years, it's The Savvy Baker.
Their new site in the city centre is truly one to behold, baking cookies on site and whipping up speciality matchas from a dedicated matcha bar - you don't want to miss it.
Karpaty Bakery
Leeds Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This traditional Polish bakery inside the market is selling some of the cheapest bakes you can get your hands on. Their authentic donuts are as big as your head and the perfect sweet treat that won't break the bank.
Street Lane Bakery
399 Street Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Hidden away just behind Street Lane, is Street Lane Bakery.
These guys have been baking up a storm in the kitchen for over a decade, from their ever-so-famous home-cooked bagels to the sweetest of treats.
Slow Rise Bakery
Sunnybank Avenue, Horsforth
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Can't get over to New York but craving a proper chewy, stacked bagel with all the trimmings? Slow Rise Bakery is the only answer.
Pick your flavour bagel from sesame to everything and then pick your fillings, we'd recommend going for lashings of cream cheese and layers of smoked salmon. Delicious.
The Leeds Chilli Shop selling sauces so hot they come with a warning
Clementine Hall
If you think you can handle your spice, then there’s one shop in Leeds that will put that to the test.
Tucked away on Merrion Street, Chilli Shop has been a staple of the Leeds high street for over a decade.
First opening back in 2014, Chilli Shop was founded by Frank Jay and has built a reputation as one of the city’s most wonderfully niche (and hottest) destinations.
It's basically a shrine to all things hot, a proper haven of everything spicy to get your tastebuds tingilng.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We're talking everything from chilli hot sauces and jams to chocolate, cheese, dried chillies and even novelty gifts perfect for the chilli lover in your life.
But what they're most famous for is a shelf fully dedicated to the Youtube hit Hot Ones, a show where celebrities are pushed to the limit and served hot wings coated in a variety of hot sauces from mild to blow-your-head-off hot.
So if you've ever watched that show and wanted to have a go yourself, this shop stocks all the sauces so you can be the star of your own Hot Ones episode.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Best of all, you can try before you buy. Free, heat-rated tasters are available, meaning you can work your way up from “that’s got a bit of a kick” to “I can no longer feel my face”.
We can't promise there's any milk or ice cream on hand though, so get tasting at your own risk.
So whether you’re looking for a new sauce, a spicy gift for your mate or simply want to discover exactly how much pain your tastebuds can withstand, the Chilli Shop is one Leeds independent that deserves a visit.
Clementine Hall -
7th June 2024 
