The best things to do in Leeds this week | 22 – 28 August 2022
Who’s ready for the August Bank Holiday Weekend?
We all know this is one of the biggest weekends for Leeds of the year, and for good reason. We’ll be seeing the likes of Yorkshire’s own Arctic Monkeys and Bring Me The Horizon on stage with The 1975, Halsey and so many more international artists, it really is going to be a weekend to remember for locals and everyone travelling across the country to attend the three-day festival.
But by no means does that mean that there’s not endless things to do in and around the city centre, there’s new bottomless brunches, last chance to grab some of your favourite sarnies and the Leeds Jurassic Trail is keeping the whole family busy with the 13 dinos spread across the city centre.
Keep reading to find out more about everything to make plans for the bank holiday, and the days leading up to the long weekend too…
Grab one last sandwich from Cafe 164
Monday 22 August – Friday 26 August 2022 | Munro House, Leeds city centre
Cafe 164 is closing its Munro House cafe in Leeds city centre but there’s still chance to go and wish the owners a heartfelt goodbye and grab a signature sandwich combo and a coffee whilst you’re there.
Despite the sad news, this isn’t the end for the cult favourite sarnie stop, there’s plenty of exciting news ahead for their Headingley cafe…The last day of trading for Cafe 164 will be Friday 26 August, open at the usual times of 8am-3pm, but from then on, Munro House will be closed for good.
Luckily, this isn’t the end for the cult favourite sarnie stop, you’ll still be able to find Cafe 164 in Headingley on Otley Road with a new exciting menu and extended opening hours.
Find out more here.
Pub Quiz at Green Room
Monday 22 August 2022 | Wellington Street, Leeds city centre
There’s a chance of winning a £50 cash prize if you assemble your team for the Green Room pub quiz. Kicking off at 6.30pm every Monday, you can either walk in or book your place online, but either way, you’ve got to be in it to win it- and really, what better place is there to spend your Monday evenings?
Plus, you’ll be sat on the rooftop that has just been awarded a spot in the ‘Top 50 Rooftop Bars in Europe’ according to Big 7 Travel. It isn’t an easy spot to take, but Green Room’s spritz’s and intimate views across the city has made it only one of two UK rooftop bars to make it onto this list- and with good reason.
Find out more here.
Sean Paul Live
Wednesday 24 August 2022 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way
The international icon and Grammy-award-winner, Sean Paul, is coming to Leeds later this month on the second night of his Scorcha Tour. As one of only eight cities the pop-reggae artist is visiting, this is set to be an evening for fans to sing, dance and serenade with over 13,000 other like-minded individuals that have been waiting since April for the postponed tour stop to take place. Expect a blend of classic hits, chart-topping anthems and new tunes for a night of all-singing, all-dancing party like no other.
Standing tickets start at £44.25, and £49.75 for seats.
Get tickets for Sean Paul Live at the First Direct Arena on Wednesday 24 August 2022 here.
Leeds Festival
Friday 26 – Sunday 28 August 2022 | Bramham Park
Leeds Festival has returned for yet another year, and the team behind Leeds’ biggest festival is bringing global musical talent to the city like you’ve never seen before. Arctic Monkeys, Dave and Bring Me The Horizon are set to headline each day, with a further 70+ performers from around the world taking to the stage across the three-day festival.
Some of the most notable names include Bad Boy Chiller Crew, Willow (Smith), Beabadoobee, Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, All Time Low, The Lathums and The DMA’s.
Find out more here.
Bingo Lingo at Chow Down
Friday 26 August 2022 | Chow Down, Temple Arches
For those looking for the perfect way to celebrate the August Bank Holiday Weekend in Leeds city centre should look no further than Chow Down’s Summer Special Bingo Lingo event. We’re talking about bingo like you’ve never seen before. Think confetti-filled spaces with dance-offs, twerking aplenty and a hilarious combination of prizes available to those getting a full house (though with everything going on, it’ll be the last thing on your mind).
Tickets cost £14.00 per person, plus a booking fee.
Get tickets for Bingo Lingo at Chow Down on Friday 26 August 2022 here.
Kirkstalpalooza
Friday 26 August – Sunday 28 August 2022 | Kirkstall Brewery, Kirkstall
The Kirkstalpalooza is going to be just as exciting as the name suggests. Over the bank holiday weekend, head over to Kirkstall for performances from live bands and DJs on the Brewery Stage.
Plus, there will be some rather tempting street food to keep you busy all weekend long. Expect vegan Instagram-heaven burgers and loaded fries from Döner Summer, Kirkstall Bridge’s own BBQ menu and a pizza menu from Kirkstall Tap Room, plus ice cream, coffee, cocktails, guest breweries and brewery-fresh beer Tickets £5 each but include your first beer.
Find out more here.
Free Chippy Tea from Sarsons
Friday 26 August 2022 | Various Locations
Up until 2 September, Sarson’s will be dishing out 100 free chippy teas every Friday. The #SarsonsFryday campaign aims to help consumers amid the rising cost of living crisis, and chippies which are anticipating low customer numbers as a result of tightened household budgets.
To claim the freebie, all you’ll need to do is take a picture of your chippy order including a Sarson’s bottle or branded promotional signage in store, and then share it to Twitter or Instagram tagging @SarsonsUK and #SarsonsFryday. Don’t forget to make sure you’re following @SarsonsUK too, and keep hold of your proof of purchase, to make sure your entry is valid.
Find out more here.
Sukhothai Bottomless Brunch
Saturday 27 August 2022, 12 – 3.30pm, Leeds city centre / Chapel Allerton
Served on Saturday 27 August 2022, 12 – 3.30pm, Sukhothai is getting in on the bottomless trend and bringing unlimited cocktails, wine and juices to the table for a ninety minute brunch experience.
There’s two different options on the menu. Choose either a two course lunch with starter and main course or opt for a Thai tapas-style serving of three small plates per person.
These small plates come wiuth the likes of crispy duck bao buns with hoisin sauce and spring onions, or Sukhothai Dumplings with steamed taro and vegetable dumplings, served with sweet soy sauce and topped with crispy garlic.
Find out more here.
PASTEL X Homeboy Pizza Co. Bottomless Brunch
Saturday 27 August 2022, 12-6pm | Kirkgate, Leeds city centre
Located in the gorgeous pastel-coloured setting of PASTEL cocktail bar on Kirkgate, this is a ninety minute free-flowing experience supersizing the best of Leeds booze for one unforgettable afternoon.
Serving up a range of the cocktail’s signature bar, Pastel has joined forces with one of Leeds most-sought-after pizza makers, Homeboy Pizza Co. Also on the menu, the best of Pastel’s happy hour specials like the Garabaldi bitter and OJ make an appearance alongside the Guava-Colada with Barcardi Coconut, lime, coconut cream and guava juice.
After the success of the first bottomless, Pastel is offering two different brunch options over the bank holiday weekend: you’ll be able to try a whole new range of cocktails and grab yourself a pizza on two different sittings:
Early Bird Brunch is 12pm – 1pm and costs £25pp, including 1x pizza and unlimited drinks for 60 minutes or ‘Regular Brunch’, 2pm – 6pm, £35pp which also includes 1x pizza but with unlimited drinks for 90 minutes.
Find out more here.
Black Parade Club Night
Sunday 28 August 2022 | The Key Club, Merrion Street
A nostalgic night of 00s emo anthems and Chop Suey, Nu Metal anthems are pitching up at The Key Club over the bank holiday to bring back the best of old school emo music. Expect the likes of My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Taking Back Sunday, Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco, The Used, All American Rejects, Jimmy Eat World, Enter Shikari, You Me At Six, A Day To Remember, Pierce The Veil and plenty more until the early hours with like-minded punk-metal and alt music fans, the only person missing will be Gerard Way.
Tickets cost just £6.00 each plus a booking fee.
Get tickets for Black Parade at The Key Club on Sunday 28 August 2022 here.
Casa Loco 26th Birthday
Sunday 28 August 2022 | The Warehouse, Somers Street
Longtime bassline lovers might remember when Casa Loco first arrived on the scene, but regardless of whether you’ve been pulling all-nighters with Casa Loco since the 90s, or you’re just discovering the breadth of events with Casa Loco classics and bassline anthems, this birthday special is not to be missed. There’s a huge yet-to-be-revealed guest playing alongside all your favourite DJs for the biggest Casa Loco line-up yet.
Tickets cost £15.00 each plus a booking fee.
Get tickets for Casa Loco 26th Birthday at The Warehouse on Sunday 28 August 2022 here.
Leeds Jurassic Trail
Monday 1 August – Wednesday 31 August 2022 | Various locations
You might have already spotted a few of these as you walk about Leeds, but there’s a total of twelve speciality built, life-size beasts dotted around the city for children to seek out and explore.
Spanning across 4km (or 2,000 dino steps), there’s a trail to track each dinosaur from the dedicated programme across Leeds or use the digital map, which can be found here on the Leeds Jurassic Trail website.
Find out more here.
Feature Image- Kirkstall Brewery / Leeds Festival / The Hoot Leeds