A bar in Leeds has come up with a 'sweet shop' cocktail menu and we're absolutely here for it.
Mad Frans on Wellington Place is a cute little cocktail bar and restaurant, dishing up a host of classic and signature cocktails plus a good range of spirit mixers and beers too.
But the thing that's really caught our eye is their sweet shop selection, inspired by all of our tuck shop favourites - with everything from giant strawbs and fruit salad chews, to parma violets getting a look in.
Photo credit: Mad Frans
Some of the quirkier drinks on the new menu include a meringue-topped 'fruit salad' cocktail made with raspberry, pineapple, white rum, citrus and sugar; and a 'lemon sherbert' drink comprised of sharp limoncello, lemon sorbet, prosecco, sugar, citrus and lashings of lemon sherbert.
They've also infused their own gin with parma voilets to create a purple-hued (and lethal-sounding) sour that combines the sweetie-flavoured spirit with vanilla vodka, apple, cirtus, sugar and egg white for a drink that will knock your socks off.
Mad Frans has a whole host of classics on its menu as well as the sweet shop cocktails / Image: Mad Frans bar
Elsewhere, other drinks include a candy floss-inspired creation with gin, apple liquer, apple juice, lemonade and grenadine, and a 'cola bottle' drink; made with orange marmalade, spiced rum, bitters, caramel and soda.
The drink that really catches our eye, though, is their 'sour cherry one', which pits vodka and cherry liqueur together with cherry jam, bitters, sugar, lemon and egg white for the ultimate sweet-meets-sour treat.
Photo credit: Mad Frans
As well as offering plenty of fun drinks, Mad Frans also has a good kitchen offering tasty scran throughout the week and bottomless brunches and roasts during the weekend.
Head down during happy hour to make the most of your money here, with all their cocktails priced at 2 for £12 between 12 and 6 pm Sunday and Friday, and 12 - 4 pm on Saturdays.
Find Mad Frans at Building 6 Wellington Place, Whitehall Rd, Leeds LS1 4EQ. For more information, head over to their Instagram page here.
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Independent Leeds bookshop raises money for trans healthcare by inviting customers to ‘deface’ Harry Potter books
A bookshop in Leeds is inviting its customers to vandalise Harry Potter books for charity.
Well, this is definitely one we haven't seen before.
The Bookish Type on Great George Street in Leeds is a fabulous independently-owned queer bookshop that prides itself on being a safe space for all.
They're raising money for trans healthcare by inviting customers to vandalise Harry Potter novels for just 25p per go.
A bargain if you ask us, and all for a good cause. And don't worry, all the books are second hand and have been donated.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're not understanding the immediate connection between the two, then allow us to fill you in.
J.K. Rowling, the author of the famous Harry Potter novels, has over recent years expressed transphobic comments and anti-trans political beliefs on social media.
Yesterday, Wednesday 25 March, the trailer for the new HBO Max Harry Potter series was released which has encouraged many people to speak out against Rowling and claim she should no longer be supported.
So, The Bookish Type are showing support for the trans community and asking those who feel frustrated to have a doodle and whilst they're at it, donate to a good cause.
If you're not able to make it into the shop, The Bookish Type have said "You will soon be able to donate online and we will personally deface a page with your message/doodle/scribble."
We're absolutely obsessed.
Find out more about The Bookish Type and if you can, pop in for a browse and a doodle whilst you're at it.
Featured image - The Bookish Type Leeds (Supplied)
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Leeds to be transformed into a giant board game as Trivial Pursuit takes over the city
Clementine Hall
Leeds is set to become a giant board game this summer as Trivial Pursiot arrives in the city centre to celebrate a landmark moment in its history.
To mark 400 years since Leeds was granted its royal charter, LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District) is transforming the city into a live interactive version of Hasbro’s iconic Trivial Pursuit board game, inviting residents and visitors to test their knowledge of all things Leeds.
It follows the huge success of the MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover back in summer 2024 and this year, LeedsBID is once again working with leading game, IP and toy company Hasbro to bring another of its iconic games to life.
This time, the focus is on the stories, achievements and surprising facts that have shaped Leeds over four centuries.
Running from 25 July to 30 August 2026, the free experience will see participants journey across the city centre answering questions and collecting wedges, just like the classic trivia game.
Key locations will represent the six traditional Trivial Pursuit categories: Entertainment, Geography, Sports & Leisure, Science and Nature, History, and Art & Literature.
Matt Proulx, Senior Vice President of Global Experiences, Partnerships and Music at Hasbro said: “After the incredible response to the MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover in 2024, we’re proud to collaborate with LeedsBID once again to reimagine another iconic brand in a bold new way.
"This is exactly how we think about Global Experiences at Hasbro - taking our brands beyond the table and creating experiences that are social, shareable and deeply connected to the communities they celebrate."
Andrew Cooper, Chief Executive of LeedsBID, said: “TRIVIAL PURSUIT Leeds is about celebrating everything about this great city, from those headline facts and figures people know to the lesser-known surprising details and discoveries.
“LeedsBID’s raison d’etre is to put Leeds on the map and tell the stories and successes of the city. Trivial Pursuit Leeds is doing just that, providing a free, fun and entertaining activity for all ages while sharing new and interesting achievements of this amazing place.”
Georgina Pellant -
26th August 2021 
