Well, it seems like the summer heatwave is over - for now at least. Perfect timing, just as the summer holidays begin and all the kids are off school.
We thought we'd get ahead of the curb and start researching some rainy day activities ready for the inevitable midsummer down pour - and aren't you lucky we did.
Keep reading to discover some of our top picks for things to do in Leeds when it's raining, from the best places to soak up a bit of culture to gaming spots and more.
Leeds Art Gallery is packed out with some gorgeous and historically important art works / Image: Leeds Art Gallery
Leeds Art Gallery
This striking building on the Headrow is one of Leeds' most beautiful - containing above its doors the city's oldest civic sculpture: a marble statue of Queen Anne that dates back to 1712. Inside the Grade II-listed building, you'll find an impressive collection of 20th-century works deemed by the British government in 1997 to be of 'national importance.'
Team Sport Go Karting
Adrenaline junkies can't go wrong with a spot of go-karting at Team Sport. After watching a quick safety video and getting all your driving equipment, you'll be in your kart zooming around the court in no time living out your best race car driver life. The track here is state of the art with flyover and electronic timing, so you know you'll be taken good care of.
Jack Rabbits Pottery
Painting pottery is a great way to relax and while away an afternoon when it's pouring it down outside. The way it works at this paint-your-own pottery studio is you pick a piece from one of their creations - be that a jug, a plate, piggy banks, animals, plaques, baubles, coasters - to paint, then one of their team members will guide you through the process to ensure you leave with something you'll be proud to display at home.
Roxy Lanes
If bowling is your thing, you can't go wrong at Roxy Lanes. Here you'll find four full-size bowling lanes, priced at £8/10 per person per game depending on whether it's on or off peak. The perfect way to while away a few rainy hours in Leeds, we're sure you'll agree.
If bowling is your thing, you can't go wrong at Roxy Lanes / Image: Luke Toney 94
Roxy Ball Room
We're pretty spoilt for Roxy's here in Leeds, with four in total spread across the city. Down at Roxy Ball Room on Boar lane, you'll find a whole host of games including shuffleboard, beer pong and 'Roxy golf'. The ideal spot if you want to play games but can't make up your mind - they've got it all going on down here.
The Royal Armouries
The Royal Armouries has some seriously incredible artefacts, but the most impressive has to be the 16th century elephant armour on display. Brought to the UK in 1801 by the Governor of Madras' former wife, it's the biggest known piece of animal armour to exist in the world. Find it at The Royal Armouries alongside a host of other ihntriguing displays.
Shuffl at BOX
Shuffleboard fans are in for a treat at BOX, which boasts two of the biggest tables you can find in the city. The sports bar is also known for its cracking pizzas, so if you're heading down might as well make an afternoon of it and get one of their signature chicken katsu bad boys down you whilst you play a few games.
The Hyde Park Picture House
For movie lovers, there's nowhere better to go in Leeds than the Hyde Park Picture House. This gorgeous Garde II-listed building is a local landmark and can always be relied upon to show some solid indie gems. First opened in 1914, it lays claim to the title of the UK's last gas-lit cinena and is a truly iconic piece of history right here in the city.
News
A huge football fan zone with space for up to 1,000 fans has opened in Leeds
Trinity Leeds is transforming Trinity Kitchen into the ultimate space to watch all the World Cup 2026 action together.
Looking for somewhere to cheer on England in the 2026 World Cup? Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered.
Foodie hotspot Trinity Kitchen has been completely transformed into the ultimate fan zone with space for up to 1,000 cheering fans.
And they’ve made sure that nobody misses out on the action.
There are three super-sized 5x3m screens dotted around the space, so wherever you go you won’t miss out on a goal.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There’s also a brand-new bar courtesy of local favourites Northern Monk named the ‘Northern Monk Trinity Tap’.
The tap will feature two, seven-metre bars with a whopping 20 beer taps to keep you refreshed and hydrated during the tournament, because cheering the lads on really can be thirsty work.
If you don’t fancy a beer there’s also cocktails, wine and soft drinks on offer as well - so nobody has to miss out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Feeling peckish? Of course there’s 11 street food vendors serving match day meals and snacks to keep you fuelled through the games.
Choose from Caribbean jerk chicken from Jerk Junction, Indian street food from Rolawala and loads more.
Entry is completely free but if you’re after a reserved seat on a table, tickets cost just £10.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “Trinity Kitchen will operate as normal during the day, transforming into a football fan zone in the evening.
“It will be one of the biggest World Cup venues in Leeds with three huge screens showing the games live and more dotted around Trinity Kitchen. There will be live roaming brass bands and DJs turning every England fixture into a true celebration.
“Fans can turn up and grab a space for free and we will also be offering table bookings for England games for those who want to guarantee the best spots to watch the drama unfold.
“Our line-up of street food vendors will serve bold flavours from around the world, while the all-new Northern Monk Trinity Tap will pour award-winning craft beers across 20 taps, making Trinity Kitchen the ultimate place to eat, drink and experience every unforgettable World Cup moment."
It’s all kicking off on Wednesday 17 June for England v Croatia. So rally your mates together, get your England shirts on and grab your tickets here.
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
News
Dishoom announces official opening date for new Leeds restaurant
Clementine Hall
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
Georgina Pellant -
7th August 2021 
