We're into the final week of June, and we just can't believe how quickly this month has flown by.
Well you know what they say, ‘time flies when you’re having fun’, and all that.
But despite how much of a cliché that saying is, it definitely sums up these last few weeks, as Leeds has been bursting at the seams with exciting things to get up to.
If you're struggling to decide what to get up to this week, then allow us to help with our weekly edition of our 'what's on' guide.
Miles & Co. Opening
Monday 24 June | Koncept Studio, 94 Kirkgate, LS2 7DJ
We’ve spent many a morning popping into the market for coffee at Miles & Co. so we’re feeling very spoilt having two to choose from.
Taking over the ground floor of Koncept Studio on Kirkgate, they’ve absolutely nailed the brief of an inviting, bright space to relax and grab a cup of Joe. With a gorgeous outside area and the smell of freshly brewing Darkwoods coffee wafting out the door, it would be a challenge not to pop your head in when walking past.
So pop in and see the new space we're sure you're going to love it.
Euro 2024 Fanzone
Tuesday 25 June 2024 | Millennium Square
Image: Millennium Square
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.
Thor’s Tipi Outdoor Bar
All week | City Square
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Thor’s Tipi, a popular name in Yorkshire already, has opened a huge pop-up bar in Leeds just in time for the summer. With a big screen, outdoor seating, and (of course) a tipi, the huge space is set to open in City Square in just a few weeks’ time.
Thor’s Tipi will be serving up a selection of cocktails and street food, and punters can get stuck in to giant outdoor games, easels, and loads of events including performances from local bands.
Fancy watching the boys bring it home at one of the city’s best rooftop bars? Silly question, of course you do.
Green Room are serving up great drinks, an unbeatable atmosphere as well as hosting a huge screen so wherever you’re sat you can guarantee you won’t miss out on any of the action.
Cocktail pop-up at Opposite Cafe
Saturday 29 June | Opposite, Chapel Allerton
Image: Supplied
From Saturday 1 June, each Friday and Saturday night throughout June and July, visitors can enjoy hand-crafted cocktails at Opposite in the heart of Chapel Allerton.
Blank Canvas Drinks, which are handmade right here in Leeds, is teaming up with Opposite to offer a monthly menu of fourteen hand-mixed cocktails this summer including crowd-favourite Espresso Martinis, made with Opposite’s very own coffee.
Featured images - The Hoot Leeds
Feature
Iconic Leeds venue The Reliance to be brought back to life under new name ‘The Smithfield’
The Reliance, a much missed North Street site, is being brought back to life as The Smithfield.
The Smithfield is set to be a new social eatery and pub focused on seasonal, produce-led dining.
Set to open its doors to the people of Leeds in early April, The Smithfield will pay homage to the local area through both its produce and people.
The venue will focus on proper plates of seasonal ingredients, pairing a relaxed dining style with a strong sense of community. Sounds pretty brilliant if you ask us.
Building on the legacy of North Street, The Smithfield is a collaborative project between Yorkshire brewery Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan.
Images: Supplied
Steve Dawson, co-founder of Crooked Brewing, has long admired The Reliance and want to build on its established legacy.
“What The Reliance was doing was cutting edge for its time,” says Donovan. “We want to bring that same vision and energy into Leeds in 2026. Our aim is to pick up the culinary torch that The Reliance left behind and continue its legacy of great food in Leeds,” adds Dawson.
The Smithfield takes its name from Church Street’s historic connection to the Smithfield cattle market of the early 1800s, once located on what is now Lovell Park.
“We really want the people around us to feel that The Smithfield is their space,” says Dawson. “We want to give them a place at our table.”
We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we know, but we're very excited indeed.
Leeds has been crowned the best city in the UK for foodies outside of London
Clementine Hall
It's fantastic news for our city as Leeds has been crowned one of the best cities in the UK for foodies.
It's news that we've been pretty certain of for some time, but it's still nice to be recognised isn't it?
It comes from a new study carried out by credit card brand Aqua who analysed 30 major UK cities across a range of dining and social media metrics, including cuisine variety, restaurant availability, meal affordability, Michelin recognition and TikTok hashtag volumes.
Coming in at number on was, of course, London.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
With 47 cuisines, 22.5 restaurants per 10,000 residents and 81 Michelin-starred establishments, the capital unsurprisingly continues to dominate the UK’s culinary scene.
But in at number two was our glorious city of Leeds, supported by the highest restaurant density in the study, with 38.5 establishments per 10,000 people, and strong affordability compared with cities in the south.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We will absolutely take that.
Other northern spots to feature on the list include Sheffield and Bradford in sixth and eighth place.
The top ten UK cities for foodies are:
London
Leeds
Nottingham
Edinburgh
Wolverhampton / Leicester
Sheffield
Birmingham / Glasgow
Bradford / Swansea
Preston
Milton Keynes
Here in Leeds we've got so many fabulous food spots, with new openings cropping up every month it's hard to keep track.
From the multi award-winning Bavette Bistro in Horsforth to the highly acclaimed indie Bundobust that started off in Leeds - you certainly won't find yourself hungry or at a loss for somewhere to eat here.
Clementine Hall -
24th June 2024 
