Experience the perfect pairing at Below Stairs' Martinis and Oysters event.
If you've ever ventured down to Below Stairs, a speakeasy on South Parade, you'll know this is an event not to be missed this month.
Since opening their Grade II listed bar back in 2017, brothers Jamie and Manachain Monaghan have converted far more than a converted office-to-bar to Leeds. Their storytelling abilities rely entirely on a first-class cocktail menu and wealth of hospitality experience to transport guests around the world, through tales of past and present- and it's well worth experiencing.
The well-loved bar has already had a whirlwind month to bring in the new year. So much so, Below Stairs has been officially recognised as one of the top 50 bars in the UK, placing a respectable 39th. Basking in its newfound fame, the bar remains hospitable and intimate but with added events to give us more opportunities to check out the award-winning bar.
This week, the bar is collaborating with Fords Gin is hosting a one-night-only event in the heart of Leeds to share the secret to the perfect Martini pairing with a select few.
On offer is both a sensory and culinary delight: expect both dry and dirty Fords Gin Martinis as well as freshly-shucked oysters aplenty, with expert staff on-hand to explain why the unlikely combination is so irresistible to connoisseurs of the foodie scene. Guests can expect one oyster per martini served all night long- or until the oysters run out.
There's far more than Martinis on offer, Below Stairs and Fords Gin have created a specially selected menu of cocktails to choose from.
The Rockefeller is butter-washed Fords Gin with dry vermouth, parsley chartreuse and a baked breadcrumb aroma: an unusual but sensational combination you're unlikely to have every experienced before.
The Petiance is perfect for those looking for a light boozy drink to quench their thirst, expect Fords Gin with Riesling, peach wine and lightly carbonated mineral water- it sounds like the ideal combination for a midweek tipple.
The Surf and Turf is serious about its flavours and every ingredient boasts a magnificent explosion to savour. Made up of Fords Gin with sage and chamomile vermouth, black truffles and candied sage: we're expecting lip-smacking goodness from this one.
The one-night-only event will be held at Below Stairs on Tuesday 8 February, 5 - 8pm, or until the oysters run out.
As you'd imagine, this highly-anticipated event is going to be of interest for near enough anyone in our city looking for the perfect post-work tipple, so we highly recommend booking a table in advance.
For more information, including how to book your place at the Fords Gin and Below Stairs' Martinis and Oysters event, visit the Below Stairs website.
News
Plans have been revealed for ‘Sheffield’s smallest cinema’, plus record shop and gallery space
Sheffield based curator and archivist Alex Wilson is taking over a refurbished Victorian unit down the historic Chapel Walk.
The space will be transformed into a record shop, gallery space and micro cinema dubbed 'Sheffield's Smallest Cinema'.
The space will be rooted in, and be a champion of, Sheffield/Yorkshire/Northern cultural heritage; focusing specifically on sound, moving image, design and photography.
Titled 'Memory Dance', the opening exhibition, WE'LL MISS THEM WHEN THEY'RE GONE, will reboot a popular display held on The Moor, Sheffield back in 2012.
Images: Supplied
The exhibition will explore the history of record shops in the city, from Bradleys to Virgins, and includes original 78 RPM sleeves, old and new record shop bags, related ephemera from lost Sheffield vinyl retailers, alongside prints by designer Simon Robinson responding to the imagery of these old sleeves.
They're also asking the Sheffield community to come down with anything relating to the history of Sheffield record shops and if suitable, Memory Dance can scan the items on site and hand back a digital file. Or, they can hang them in the venue for the duration of the exhibition.
The ground floor will also open its racks for the first time to a curated selection of used vinyl for sale drawn from some of the best collections the city has to offer, with a real focus on Sheffield artists and labels past/present to carry the legacy forward.
At the end of June, the walls will be refreshed for the first ever exhibition telling the amazing story of 'SHEFFIELD CABLEVISION TV (1972-76)'.
With newly printed photography from surviving staff members and crew, plus archive artefacts and merchandise, the Memory Dance micro cinema space will also be launched with an exclusive, rarely seen collection of Cablevision TV Station archive video.
Memory Dance at Chapel Walk will soft launch on 05.06.26, and you can find out more here.
Leeds’ most famous pub has announced the return of its annual FREE Beer Festival this summer
Clementine Hall
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic pub from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Sophie Smith -
7th February 2022 
