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.
A renowned brewery have announced that they will be taking over the reigns of a popular craft beer bottle shop in Ilkley.
Fuggle & Golding opened in 2015 on Leeds road in Ilkley and quickly grew a loyal following with locals and visitors alike.
Sadly they announced last month that their last day of trading would be Saturday 28 February, news which was met with huge disappointment.
However this is no longer the case, as Horsforth Brewery is set to reopen the venue on Wednesday. Hooray!
Announcing the welcomed news to Instagram, Horsforth Brewery wrote: "When we saw they were going to close we were determined to not lose another great venue from the local beer scene.
"We owe a massive thank you to George and the landlord for getting a deal across the line in quick order.
"We’re going to take a few days to put our stamp on the place and then we will be open on Wednesday!"
"Obviously we will be stocking our beers here but as anyone who knows will know, we love the beer scene so we will continue to have a good amount of guest beer on as well. We’ll even been joining in with the biggest beer launches from around the country.
"Want to know the best news? We’re doing this solo. No outside interests, no investors, no debt. In the current climate being able to organically grow like this is so so hard and it’s thanks to all our team that we’ve been able to do this.
"We’ve always been determined to grow our business in a healthy and sustainable way; it may have (absolutely has) been tough over the years but we’ve got ourselves in a position to take us to the next level in a sustainable way."
Beloved late night Leeds cocktail bar The Maven announces permanent closure
Clementine Hall
"After years of late nights, strong cocktails, and incredible stories; The Maven will close its doors"
It's a sad day for the Leeds night life scene, as a beloved speakeasy bar has today announced that it will be closing its doors for good.
The Maven has been a firm favourite for many years with those looking to enjoy some experimental and expertly made cocktails.
Hidden behind an unassuming door at the top of Call Lane, it was a great spot to visit if you were looking for something that little bit special.
Announcing the news to their social media, The Maven said: "From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for being our guests over the years and promise that until then, we'll do our best to give you the best nights out on Call Lane."
Sophie Smith -
13th January 2022 
