What better way to mark the Six Nations than with some good pub grub?
If there's one thing that we've missed over the last few years, it's getting to the pub, enjoying a bite to eat and catching up on the latest news whilst watching the Six Nations games.
Whether you’re secretly rooting for Wales to keep hold of the title or ready to cheer on England this year, there's bars aplenty to keep you busy over the five rounds- you could really get away with choosing a new bar for every game this year.
The one factor that's currently swinging our decision is there's very few sports bars offering the Six Nations on the television and on the menu. The Box in Leeds city centre and Headingley are offering a full Six Nations inspired menu that'll have you forgetting all about the fixtures in no time.
Burger De Paris. / Image: The Box
On the menu is a double beef burger, garlic mushrooms, crispy onions, deep fried Brie and peppercorn sauce. Inspired by the Parisian streets and the beautiful game everyone has come together to watch, the Burger De Paris is guaranteed to be a bestseller this month.
Wales is celebrated with some deliciously loaded fries. Expect triple-cooked chips, spiced lamb, cheesy creamed leeks, crispy onions and with a signature spicy sauce drizzled over the top.
Obviously us Brits got fish and chips and we're not complaining about getting our hands on those crispy cod bites, triple-cooked chips with tartare and curry sauce. The perfect food for a sports bar is small, picky food that can be chomped down at half time or grazed on as the match goes on and this dish is the epitome of both these options.
Italy got the pizza dish, surprisingly. This isn't your regular margarita though, expect a basil pesto base with fior di latte, roast cherry tomatoes, mascarpone and rocket on top. You've got the colours of the Italian flag, all using traditional ingredients: not a bad choice for a mid-match snack.
Pizza Tricolore. / Image: The Box
Naturally, Ireland's menu item was an alcoholic beverage with whiskey in. The Irish mule is a concoction of Slane Irish Whiskey, ginger ale and orange that'll transport you to the backstreets of Dublin in no time.
The Scottish option is also booze-based, but this one comes in the form of a refreshing spritz. Think Johnnie Walker Black label, Cocchi Americano, honey, apple and topped with ice and soda.
Scotsman's Spritz. / Image: The Box
The Box have locations in the city centre and Headingley, so you’re never far from a cold pint of Budweiser or a bottle of wine, even out of match time. You can grab 2-for-1 cocktails, a 20% student discount and a pornstar martinis, served by the stein here too.
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding yet again.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
And there really is no stopping them as just one month after opening a lovely kiosk in the famed Victoria Quarter, North Star is opening another site on Great George Street. Hurrah!
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can find the new North Star opposite the LGI, sporting its fabulous bright colours that will be sure to wake you up even if the coffee doesn't.
At this site there will be all the caffeinated beverages as well as house-made bakes and sandwiches available to grab-and-go.
And we don't have long to wait to check it out, as they'll be opening their doors this Monday 27 July.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
“While it’s easy to focus on the challenges facing hospitality, we still believe deeply in the role that cafés play in our city's community,” said Holly Kragiopoulos, CEO of North Star Coffee Roasters.
“They are places where people come together, to meet, to pause, to connect. Choosing to invest now is a reflection of our belief in Leeds, and in the long-term value of creating spaces people genuinely want to spend time in.”
“These new sites allow us to create meaningful opportunities for both new and existing team members,” Holly added.
“Hospitality is ultimately about people - both those we serve and those who make the experience possible. As a Leeds-born business, we’re incredibly proud to continue investing in our city. The support we’ve had from day one is what’s made this growth possible.”
Bus operator partners with Leeds hospitals to help mums-to-be make vital appointments
Clementine Hall
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Sophie Smith -
2nd February 2022 
