A bottomless drag brunch in Leeds has been named as one of the very best in Britain, according to research commissioned by women's fast-fashion retailer Nasty Gal.
Yard and Coop are already up there in our esteem as one of the best spots in the city for a fried chicken fix, but now there's another reason to add it to your list of must-visits in the city.
Their Leeds Coop Queen Drag Brunch, which has recently returned featuring legendary queen Uma Daz alongside newbie Mystique, has just been ranked third behind two popular drag brunches in Manchester.
Whilst it didn't quite take the top spot it still ranked very highly above numerous events in London, Brighton, and elsewhere - with the north clearly coming out on top overall.
Featuring fun games like RuPaul Bingo alongside some proper disco dancing, the bottomless brunch menu includes 90 minutes of unlimited drinks and features a whole host of Yard and Coop's legendary chicken for just £30.
Think fried chicken-loaded pancakes, and a waffle burger loaded with their signature buttermilk chicken, plus bacon, egg, adobo mayo and loaded tatties on the side.
For veggies, meanwhile, there are some tasty veggie tacos piled high with smashed avocado, scrambled egg, chopped chives, cherry tomatoes and sriracha garlic hot sauce - plus more loaded tatties on the side.
With two sessions taking place from 2 - 4pm and 5 - 7 pm at their Merrion Street site, expect plenty of free-flowing fizz and
Nasty Gal says: "At £30 per person for 90 minutes of magical lip-syncs and guaranteed gags, the Coop Queen Drag Brunch is a shining example of what the north has to offer the drag scene and places Leeds firmly on the drag brunch map."
To find out more, head over to Yard and Coop's website here.
Leeds restaurant The Cut & Craft has announced further expansion plans for the spring.
Swanky all-day dining restaurant and bar, The Cut & Craft, is expanding its popular Leeds site, investing a whopping £1.2 million to create a new adjoining elegant bar, lounge and private spaces.
Located within the former historic Collinson’s Cafe, the renovation will transform the former neighbouring Paul Smith store, to extend the existing brand offering.
The extension will celebrate the original beauty of the space, whilst acknowledging the legacy of Wallace Hartley - a talented musician who played at Collinson’s Cafe in the early 1900s before his role as bandleader on Titanic during its maiden voyage.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Grade II-listed building’s features including its iconic glass dome, stained glass and circular central bar will remain, with the addition of two beautifully designed private dining rooms.
The extension is due for competition this spring and will transform the existing venue into a space with seating for an impressive 370 covers.
Oscar Akgul, CEO at The Cut & Craft said: “Planning for this new chapter began within the first year of opening. By year two, it was clear that we required additional space to serve the city’s appetite for The Cut & Craft’s signature hospitality.
Image: Supplied
“The brand’s deep affinity with the Victoria Quarter and the heritage of the building played an essential role in the decision to grow here.
“We want to thank our regular guests and everyone who has joined us at The Cut & Craft Leeds since opening and we look forward to entering this exciting new chapter with you all.”
New BBC TV drama starring Bel Powley and Harley Squires to be filmed in Leeds this spring
Clementine Hall
The BBC has announced a brand-new crime drama set to be filmed in Leeds and Hull.
We all love a BBC drama, and luckily for us one is about to be filmed right here in Leeds.
The new drama will be titled Shy & Lola, starring Harley Squires from The Night Manager and Bel Powley from The Diary of A Teenage Girl.
The six-part series has been described as a "dark comedy" about two women caught up in a murder in the criminal underworld.
The plot follows an unassuming pair in a small coastal town in northern England where the pair both realise they have a hidden talent for crime.
The series synopsis states: "As they build an operation that threatens to blow the local bad guys out of the water, opposing futures beckon – using their earnings to fund a fresh start, or becoming the new bosses in town."
The show is based on a popular French TV series and is written by Amanda Coe, an acclaimed English screenwriter and novelist.
Amanda Coe spoke about the announcement: "With such a rich and spiky central relationship at its core, Shy & Lolais a dream of a show to write, full of fun, action and emotion. I can't wait to see our hugely exciting cast and director bring it to life."
Rachelle Constant, executive Producer for Clerkenwell Films, said: "Amanda has written a brilliantly bold series centred on a dynamic female duo, which blends dark comedy with propulsive storytelling.We’re thrilled to have Hayley and Bel as our leads, alongside an exceptional cast and crew."
The new series will begin filming in Leeds and Hull this spring and will air on BBC One and iPlayer and we'll absolutely be tuning in.
Georgina Pellant -
17th September 2021 
