Theatre shows, non-stop pancake stacks and indie food collaborations from some of the city's biggest names- that's exactly what to expect from the city this week.
This week there's plenty to get stuck into, with live music seemingly every night (with top picks from The Wardrobe and the O2 Academy) and foodwise, whether you're looking for a spot to celebrate pancake day or making the most of the exclusive menus for @eat.leeds Restaurant Week, there's plenty to tuck into this week in Leeds.
Keep reading to find our top picks of things to do in Leeds this week...
EAT Leeds Restaurant Week
Monday 20 February – Sunday 26 February 2023 | Around Leeds
Banyan is just one of the restaurants taking part this year. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Eat Leeds Restaurant Week is back for another round of incredible menus that cover everything from a £5 lunch to hearty three course dinners- each with an exciting spin on the classic menus offered at some of Leeds’ favourite restaurants.
Taking place from Monday 20 February 2023 over the course of one week until Sunday 26 February 2023, this foodie-fuelled celebration of Leeds’ favourite spots allows you to taste-test plenty of good grub.
The Irish post-punk band set up their own record label back in 2018. One of the best descriptions of the five-piece comes from The Guardian’s Damien Morris, who described The Murder Capoital as “reaching back to Joy Division’s drum tattoos, interlocking with surging, wave-break bass”. The Leeds show is likely to feature much of the band’s latest album, Gigi’s Recovery, which was released just a few weeks ago.
Tickets cost £16.50 and includes the booking fee via See Tickets.
Get your foodie fix on Pancake Day
Tuesday 21 February 2023 | Around Leeds
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The best foodie day in the calendar is here and if you're looking for the best way to celebrate it then we have got you covered. From thin crepes with lemon and sugar to pillowy, thick buttermilk stacks which are showered with a whole host of delicious toppings – there’s a pancake dish for everyone to devour this Shrove Tuesday.
Patty Smiths at Belgrave are serving stacks for one day only and Meat: Stack has £1 stackable pancakes, so there's going to be plenty to choose from.
If there’s a local collaborative menu to get excited about, this is it. Five courses and five cocktails will be served as part of this one-of-a-kind night between The Hedonist, Stuzzi and Cocchi vermouth.
Tickets cost £75 per person but come with a unique night of food, drink and ‘a whole lot of knowledge about the world of Cocchi vermouth alongside Stuzzi Gin’.
Launching to fame in the late 00s after Lenny Kravitz was tipped off about Lissie’s MySpace page (as you did in 2008) and invited her on tour, Lissie has continued to fuse rock, country folk and pop across five albums. Her most recent release, Carving Canyons, is likely to feature on tour in Leeds, having only just been released last year.
£27.50 for regular tickets, available via See Ticketsand there’s also Meet and Greet tickets are also available here viaSee Tickets.
£5 Safari Bar from Well Oiled
Thursday 23 February 2023 | Inside Meanwood Tavern, Meanwood
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Offering a carefully-selected menu of delicious Detroit-style pizzas, the popular pizza joint has everything you’d possibly want from a lunchtime snack or dinner time treat.
The popularity for the sellout pizzas speaks volumes for itself, but there’s never been a better time to head down to Meanwood Tavern and give these slices a taste-test with the return of the Slice Safari – which gives you access to any of the pizzas as a XXXL slice for a fiver.
Thursday 23 February 2023 | Leeds Grand Theatre, New Briggate
Image: Opera North
This bittersweet fairy tale will transport you to the depths of the forest and take you on an emotional yet life-affirming journey. Expect energising, folk-infused melodies sung by a flurry of mischievous creatures who join our protagonist, Vixen Sharp Ears, as she embarks on an adventure to take on the world.
First timers at the opera will absolutely love this option. This production is sung in English (with surtitles too!) so it allows just about everyone to follow the storyline through the heartfelt vocals, as well as the actual performance itself.
R' Theatre Company are brining their triumphant working class comedy to Leeds for one night only, and it's set to be a riot. 'Waitin for Robbo' tells the tale of Johno, Mikey and Sully, a group of misfits who live on a council estate in Manchester and lead nothing short of chaotic lifestyles complete with fractured relationships and drug addiction.
One of their ticket options is 'A PLAY, A PINT & A PIE'. which the company curated in the hopes of giving value for money, as well as an opportunity to a new independent start up baking company. Get your tickets here.
Paint Leeds!
Saturday 25 February 2023 | Brasserie Blanc, Leeds
Image: Skiddle
Paint your way through Thursday night and create your own version of Andrew Sales’s Van Gogh-inspired Starry Night over Leeds. Painting in blue and green, it’s an opportunity to unleash your creative side with a glass of wine in one hand and paint brush in the other.
While many individuals were already public knowledge, we're made up to hear that SIR Kevin Sinfield has now finally received his long-overdue knighthood, and he's not the only familiar face to have been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list for 2026.
There are numerous worthy names on the list, but it goes without saying that the 'Sir Kev' campaign is one that many have been flying the flag for rather high over the past few years.
Sinfield, 45, is not only a rugby league and England legend, but he has warmed hearts across the country and beyond through his superhuman '7 in 7' ultramarathon efforts on behalf of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) in recent times, all in memory of his old teammate, local hero and best friend, Rob Burrow.
In fact, our mates at The Manc and we here at The Hoot are among countless others who've been calling for this for some time.
Following his 2014 MBE, OBE in 2021, and CBE in '23, we struggle to think of anyone more deserving of the accolade than Leeds Rhinos legend, to be honest.
Announcing his seventh and final '7 in 7 challenge' earlier this month, he's now managed to generate more than £11 million in vital funding for the cause.
Set to channel that same sentiment that Burrow and fellow late, great rugby legend, Doddie Weir, tried to reiterate so often once again - "MND isn't incurable, it's just underfunded" - the scenes are no doubt going to be more emotional than ever.
Hero, legend, inspiration - these words don't even begin to cut it.
The Greater Manchester native was one of the first confirmed new knighthoods made known to the public; here he is talking about the great privilege with the BBC:
There are also several Lionesses named, too, such as Euros winners and WSL stars Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo, Michelle Agyemang, Jess Carter, Hannah Hampton and Lauren James, who join the quintet of other national team players given MBEs as part of King Charles III's New Year's Honours List, with the prior official ceremony taking place last month.
Sinfield is not the only ex-sportsman to have been honoured this year, either.
As per The Manc, former Scotland international and Manchester United player Lou Macari (who still has a chippy in his name right near the ground) has also been made an MBE.
While Sinfield was recognised for services to sport and charity, 77-year-old Macari has been awarded the accolade for his work helping the homeless across not just the North but all over the country.
Another local sportsperson listed this year is our very own Head of GB Para Badminton, Richard Mark Morris, 36, who has been awarded an MBE for services to sport and disabled people.
He's been hailed not only for his coaching and improvements to accessibility, but also for helping create a world-class training environment over in Sheffield; he was clearly bowled over when he realised he was being recognised.
Besides the athletics community, others who received OBEs this week include Catherine Handcock, who founded the media brand and magazine Creative HEAD (a major outlet in the hairdressing industry), and fellow York native, Barrie Stephenson, who co-founded the crucial homeless charity, Restore.
Awarded for services to people experiencing homelessness in the city, Christian-backed non-profit Restore has helped accommodate, support and rehouse rough sleepers since 2010.
Speaking to fellow local outlet YorkMix, Stephenson said: "I may be the only person who has been with the charity from its inception, but I have worked with so many others who should share this honour, especially Ed Hambleton, our co-founder, who gave up a secure job to pioneer Restore with me.
Well in, Barrie.
You can find the full list of 1,182 people named on this year's list online, or simply look at which other Yorkshire/Northern legends made the 2026 honours right HERE.
Global pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo says she ‘really wants to go to Leeds’ in 2026
Clementine Hall
American pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo has outlined her ambitions for 2026 - and one of them involves a trip to Leeds.
It's safe to say the concept of Olivia Rodrigo taking a stroll down Briggate or waiting for a train at Platform 16 is one we're struggling to get our heads around, but we're absolutely not mad about it.
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter is known for her love of the UK, having been spotted spending chunks of time in both Manchester and London over recent years.
But in a recent interview with Hits Radio UK, Olivia Rodrigo stated she wanted to explore more of the UK. And the city at the top of her list? Leeds.
When asked if she has a favourite area of the UK, she said: "I spent some time in Manchester which was really nice. Very inspiring, so many great bands from there.
"I spent some time in Wales too, which was fun. I've been around but I need to go and see more things. I really want to go to Leeds this year. I think that'll be fun. Just like as a spectator, I think that'll be cool."
You know what Olivia, it absolutely will.
Interviewer Will Best then suggests she attends a Leeds match to which she responds "yes" enthusiastically.
So next time we're at Elland Road we'll definitely be keeping a firm eye out for Miss Rodrigo who we've no doubt will look exceptional in a Leeds United jersey.
Clementine Hall -
20th February 2023 
