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The best things to do in and around Leeds this week | 19 – 25 February 2024

From new openings to mile-long Margarita crawls around the city...

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 19th February 2024

It's the last full week of February, and it's set to be a busy one.

Right Leeds, buckle up because the city is bursting at the seams with things to get up to (and eat) this week.

The tastiest week of the year is back in the form of Eat Leeds Restaurant Week, meaning you can eat out for less every single day of the week at some of the city's top restaurants.

And not only that, in honour of National Margarita Day there is a mile-long Margarita crawl taking place where you can enjoy a salty sweet tipple at 19 venues across the city.

Keep reading to find out more.

Knife Angel

From Thursday 1 February 2024 | Royal Armouries, Leeds City Centre

Image: Leeds City Council

The touring Knife Angel sculpture is coming to Leeds this February, to send a powerful message and spark conversations about knife crime in the city. 

The Knife Angel, standing tall at 27ft and made from over 100,000 seized blades, was created by the British Ironwork Centre to highlight the negative effects of violent behaviour and the need for change.

The poignant sculpture will be placed outside the Royal Armouries Museum as part of an intensification month on knife crime which launches on Thursday 1 February 2024. 

Eat Leeds Restaurant Week

Monday 19 - Sunday 25 February 2024 | Across the city

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Eat Leeds Restaurant Week is back for another round of exclusive menus from some of the best eateries in the city. 

Whether you’re after a cheeky £5 lunch or a slap-up three course meal for just £20 – Eat Leeds Restaurant Week is here to help you eat out for less. 

Taking place all week, this foodie-fuelled celebration of Leeds’ favourite spots allows you to taste-test plenty of good grub at a cost that won’t break the bank. There’s five different price points to look out for: starting at a fiver and working its way up to luxury meals for £25, the idea is that there’s something for everyone.

Read more: Eat Leeds Restaurant Week is back with delicious meals out for just £5

Margarita Mile

Monday 19 - Sunday 25 February 2024 | Across the city

Image: The Hoot Leeds

This week, a mile-long Margarita crawl aka the Margarita Mile is coming to the city. 

Why? Well it’s all down to El Tequileño. Produced in the Mexican town of Tequila, the award-winning Tequila brand together with everyone’s favourite posh salt, Maldon Salt, are helping venues across Leeds to create the very best tasting Margarita cocktails.

Cheers’ing big to National Margarita Day on 22 February, nineteen of the coolest venues across Leeds will be showcasing their very best El Tequileño Margaritas and other El Tequileño tequila cocktails for just one week only. 

Read more: A mile-long Margarita crawl is coming to Leeds next week in celebration of the iconic cocktail

Opening of Bavette

Wednesday 21 February 2024 | 4-6 Town St, Horsforth

Image: Bavette

Bavette is the new restaurant has got some of Leeds, and indeed the nation’s most notable names in the hospitality scene talking.

The owners, we are told, come from ‘very well respected London restaurants’, and the bar has been set extremely high for ex-Culpeper Group MD and Head Chef Sandy Jarvis and husband, Restaurant Manager and sommelier Clément Cousin. 

Expect a cosy, intimate and relaxing atmosphere and a menu inspired by traditional French bistros using seasonal and quality ingredients. 

Read more: The new neighbourhood bistro bringing a taste of France to Leeds next week

Rick Astley

Saturday 24 February 2024 | First Direct Arena

The legend that is Rick Astley will be gracing the stage at The First Direct Arena this Saturday. And not only that, he'll be rocking up with huge supports Belinda Carlisle and The Lottery Winners.

You don't want to miss out on this one. Grab your tickets here.

Featured images - The Hoot Leeds / Bavette

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Inside FaceGym – Leeds’ newest facial fitness studio loved by celebrities

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

We hope you're ready for your workout, because FaceGym has landed in Leeds.

You may be wondering...what on earth is Facegym? And to be fair, you've got a point.

FaceGym, as they themselves describe it, a 'non-invasive fitness studio concept for the face' using high-intensity facial massage, hand manipulation, and electrical muscle stimulation technology to tone, lift, and sculpt the face without surgery.

Sounds pretty fancy if you ask us, and it feels just as fancy from the moment you step through the door.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Unsurprisingly, it's loved by celebrities worldwide who are looking to get snatched and ditch their gua sha.

Currently occupying five standalone stores in London, one in Cambridge as well as a pop-up in Space NK in Selfridges Manchester, FaceGym will be opening this Friday 18 September inside the coveted Victoria Gate, taking over a 1,772 square foot studio.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

The space really does look like a gym, ditching the standard beauty salon aesthetic for an American-style gym interior complete with the iconic red FaceGym balls all over the place.

A signature sculpt costs £110 for a 45 minute treatment, so it's definitely a treat if you're looking to have skin that can reflect the sun and cheekbones for days.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Angelo Castello, chief executive at Facegym, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Facegym to Leeds and to open in the beautiful Victoria Gate. The city has a thriving beauty, wellness, and retail scene, making it the perfect location for our next studio.

“We’ve seen growing demand from customers across Yorkshire, and we can’t wait to introduce even more people to the benefits of facial fitness.”

You can find out more and book a treatment at FaceGym via their website here.

Read more: Five of the best new restaurants and cafes to open in Leeds recently

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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The Leeds Supper Club bringing people together over incredible food

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

What started as a simple idea around food has grown into something much bigger for Leeds Supper Club.

The idea was born from a love of food and the idea that eating together can be about much more than what’s on your plate.

Rather than simply going out to a restaurant, Leeds Supper Club puts connection at the heart of its events, bringing people together to share incredible food and enjoy an evening in good company.

We had the pleasure of attending their most recent event where we had the most wonderful evening with founders Lizzie, Phillip and the rest of the club.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

This instalment was a very special one, as it was in collaboration with Knotfield Vine over in Horsforth.

I mean, it really doesn't get more scenic than this - we really felt like we'd been whisked away to the South of France rather than a Leeds suburb. But we wouldn't want it either way.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

What makes it a cut above the rest is the details. Every little detail has been thought out, from the low-lit, sexy lighting, hand-made name plates, live music and four courses of wonderful seasonal goodness made fresh.

From enjoying a glass of wine within the vines alongside a couple of nibbles to tucking into a three course meal around a candle-lit table, there's really nowhere else like it.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

The tagliatelle pasta with beef and whipped feta was a real highlight, and knowing Lizzie and Philip receive help on the menu and the cooking from all their friends made it taste that much sweeter.

By the end of it we'd had some delicious food, fabulous wine and shared even better conversation. And it's safe to say we left feeling a part of the club.

Keep an eye on their Instagram page here for all upcoming events.

Read more: Five of the best new restaurants and cafes to open in Leeds recently

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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