There's over 1000 varieties of gin to choose from.
If Christmas time reminds us of nothing else, it's the fond memory of pulling out the Guiness World Record books. Many of us would scour the pages for wacky talents and find the 'world's longest fingernails' or obscure hobbies like the 'largest collection of spoons'.
For cocktail bar and gin shop owner, Shelley Green, it was the gin record that she was interested in. After her son received a Guinness World Records book for his birthday, the mum attempted to beat the records and now houses 1,026 varieties of gin.
The Evil Eye Gin Shop and Cocktail Bar holds a Guinness World Record. / Image: Evil Eye Bar
This has made Evil Eye Lounge in York the location with the most varieties of gin commercially available in the world, and has set the record for others to beat since February 2018.
Behind the gin shop is the Evil Eye cocktail bar, a speakeasy frequented by A-list celebrities and is said to be Johnny Depp's favourite watering hole. It is this shop-bar combination that has won over a range of clientele for many years, but this quirky hangout space will be seeing some major changes in 2022.
The cocktail bar has a range of quirky drinks available. / Image: Evil Eye Bar
Due to closure of the gin shop in January for maintenance, the gin shop is clearing out its collection- and offering 30% all the gin that's left in store.
The owners have stated on Instagram:
"That’s right! Big changes are coming in January and with gin becoming old hat, we’re having a clear out and you lot get to benefit!
"All the gin left in our World Record holding gin shop (excluding our own Evil Gin range) is on sale as of Black Friday (26/11/21) and will be until we close for maintenance in January.
"30% off every gin we have left (excluding our own Evil Gin range) and just in time for Christmas shopping.
"No new stock will be coming in, so it’s literally what we have left on our shelves.
"See you over the coming weeks!"
Popular and rare gins are all available. / Image: Evil Eye Bar
They have since stated that the gin shop will be open everyday to make way for their giant clearance sale. The website shows mostly sold out stock, or states that stock needs checking to update the actual amount available.
To find out what gin is left from the world's largest collection, you'll have to head in store to Evil Eye in York. Whatever the future holds for this record holder's store, it's expected to continue to be home of the 'bizarre, weird and wonderful'.
A much-loved independent restaurant in Leeds has announced it will be closing its doors.
Kuala Lumpur Cafe opened its doors in Headingley in 2019 by Bart and Hirman, who wanted to bring authentic Malaysian cooking to the city of Leeds.
Throughout the years, they'd built up a reputation for their beautiful curries and vibrant street food dishes, all of which were made using Hirman's family recipes.
So much so, that in 2024 they opened a kitchen inside White Cloth Hall in the city centre when the Grade II listed food hall first opened.
Their kitchen sadly closed a year later, but their Headingley restaurant remained open serving the students and locals with their famous beef rendang, nasi lemak and more.
Sadly, Kuala Lumpur Cafe have taken to social media to announce that they will be closing their doors for good as of this Saturday 17 October.
Their statement reads: "Thank you to all our customers and team that made Kuala Lumpur Cafe possible across the last few years. After a long consideration, we have decided that our last trading day will be Saturday 17 October.
"If you have a booking after this date, we'll be calling you over the next few days to try to move it to an earlier date before we close.
"It's been our pleasure to serve Malaysian food to the community. Best regards, KL Cafe."
Of course, in true Leeds fashion, local businesses and customers flocked to the comments to express their sadness and show their support.
One comment reads: "Such a shame. This was genuinely the best Malay food I had outside of Malaysia. Will be missed greatly", whilst another thanks the cafe for "all the delicious food over the years".
If you want to visit Kuala Lumpur Cafe one last time, then you have until this Saturday to do so. Go and wish them a proper farewell.
A Miami-inspired deli serving Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and cigars has opened in a Leeds suburb
Clementine Hall
After making a name for itself over in Leeds city centre, Alfonso's Deli 2.0 has touched down in Horsforth.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonso's Deli in Leeds' beautiful Grand Arcade serve up some of the best sandwiches in the city.
They've built up such a good reputation in fact, that they have now opened a second deli in the up-and-coming suburb of Horsforth.
Located in a prime location on New Side Road, this deli has a slightly different look to their original space, complete with a beautiful red awning and stuffed to the brim with American memorabilia.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Here you can find fresh Cuban coffee which goes wonderfully with their authentic toasted Cubano sandwiches, perfectly crafted with their house-made bread which are then pressed made-to-order.
New for Horsforth, they're now serving New York deli sandwiches on brand-new house schiacciata bread.
And the bread is as fresh as it gets, made in their own bakery downstairs alongside a selection of New York deli bakes.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Stuffed with toppings such as smoked deli meats, cold cuts, fresh cheese and whatever else you fancy.
Oh and it doesn't stop there, you can also buy a cigar if you fancy it alongside a selection of merch, hot sauces and provisions like tinned fish.
So whether you're stopping by on your way to work for a morning coffee or treating yourself to a stellar sandwich for your lunch, Alfonso's Deli is here to whisk you away to Miami for the afternoon.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They're officially opening their doors to the public this Thursday 15 October, and we just know it's going to go down and absolute storm.
Make sure to pop down and give them a big warm welcome to the neighbourhood.
Sophie Smith -
21st December 2021 
