Tabula Rasa is serving up unique colour-changing cocktails in a beautifully decorated bar, hidden the heart of Leeds.
Inspired by the roaring 20s, this sophisticated cocktail bar focuses on aperitivo and cocktails, as well as speciality coffee with a modern art-deco design and some of the most irresistible cocktails around.
Amongst the unique combinations on the menu is an incredible, colour-changing cocktail inspired by legendary artist, Pablo Picasso.
Starting off as a pale crystal-like blue colour, this magical cocktail transforms into shades of lilac, before becoming a violet-coloured drink using The Botanic Request spirits and pink sugars. Now how many cocktails can do that?
Other options include the 'Anna Kerina' cocktail, made using Finlandia vodka and a dash of absinthe. Tabula Rasa describe this one as "beautiful, fierce, and mysterious just as the woman who dared to challenge the Russian aristocracy in her path to self actuation. Is “Anna Karenina” a great love story or a warning against the myth and cult of love?! Some dashes of absinthe always reveal the truth…".
Like the other cocktails on the Tabula Rasa menu, they're all named after influential or historical figures- great for those awkward first dates if you have nothing to talk about.
The concept comes from owner Filippos Filippopoulos' years of hospitality experience and passion for fine tuning flavours. Long time Leeds residents may recognise Filippos from the Watermark Bar on Belgrave Street as the former co-owner.
Now located on 8 East Gate, Filippos focuses on an authentic aperitivo experience in the evening, whilst daytime is served for early drinkers and the perfect coffee.
Filippos Filippopoulos shaking a cocktail inside his former home of The Watermark Bar. / Image: The Watermark Bar
We love a local that champions other independents and that's exactly what we can expect from Tabula Rasas. In the mornings, grab a coffee with a slice or two brownie from the Savvy Baker or snack your way through the afternoon and evening with bruschettas from The Cheesy Living Co's selection of charcuterie and cheeses.
Open 6 days a week, Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00am, the bar also serves an exclusive coffee blend made just for Tabula Rasa.
Charcuterie sharers from The Cheesy Living Co. / Image: Tabula Rasa
For more information, including a sneak peak at the cocktail menu awaiting you, you can visit the bar's Instagram page or head over to 8 East Parade in Leeds city centre from 10am on weekdays until and as late as 2am between Thursday and Saturday.
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.
Jungle are back and have announced a huge Leeds gig for later this year
Daisy Jackson
Modern funk and soul band Jungle are officially heading back to Leeds.
The Mercury Prize-nominated group will be performing at the First Direct Bank Arena this November, following their blistering summer on the festival circuit last year.
They'll be heading to Leeds on Saturday 21 November 2026.
Jungle was formed back in 2013 by producers and friends Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland.
While they technically worked as a duo for years (until 2023, when touring member Lydia Kitto became an official member of the band), Jungle are known for their huge live performances.
They always fill stages with musicians and vocalists, for incredible funk n soul live shows.
The bands huge hits include Back on 74, Casio, and Busy Earnin’, from four top-10 albums including 2023’s groundbreaking Volcano.
The upcoming Leeds date forms part of the band’s upcoming world tour, which arrives in the UK in November 2026 following a string of international performances across Europe, North America, and beyond.
Fans can expect a setlist jam packed with standout tracks, including fan favourites such as ‘Volcano’ and ‘Back On 74’ and newer material from their upcoming album ‘Sunshine’, released on 14 August that continues to push the band’s signature sound forward.
With over 3.4 billion streams to their name, Jungle’s Leeds show is set to be one of the hottest tickets of 2026 so we wouldn't mess about if we were you.
Tickets for Jungle in Manchester will go on general sale from 10am on Friday 27 March, with pre-sale from 10am on Thursday 26 March.
Sophie Smith -
13th January 2022 
