Leeds has been named one of the UK’s most hungover cities, according to a hilarious new study.
Let’s be honest, we’ve all had one of those mornings – or a lot more than one, for many of us.
The kind where you wake up regretting ordering that last pint, or your decision to mix your drinks, questioning every life choice while desperately Googling ‘hangover cures that actually work’… but it turns out that some UK cities are way more prone to struggling with hangovers than others, and Leeds is one of them.
Manchester has been named one of the UK’s most hungover cities / Credit: Kraken Images (via Unsplash)
In a bid to uncover where in the country people are searching for hangover cures the most, alcohol-free beer brand Mash Gang has crunched the numbers and analysed more than 5.5 million Google searches across every city.
We always knew Leeds would be close to the top, but in this instance, we’ve actually taken the fifth place as our city has come behind Birmingham and Manchester which take the top two spots.
While the North can often be underrepresented in top 10 lists, this doesn’t seem to be the case here, as other major cities such as Liverpool and Sheffield have all earned their place.
UK’s top 10 most hungover cities
Birmingham
Manchester
Liverpool
Bristol
Leeds
Newcastle
Sheffield
Plymouth
Coventry
Wolverhampton
On the other end of the scale, Ripon has emerged as the UK’s least hungover city, closely followed by Carlisle, which means that if you’re looking for a place to escape temptation, or to just find people who actually get up early on weekends, then you know where to head to.
As well as the top 10 list, Mash Gang’s analysis data also showed just how much people are looking for hangover solutions, as in just the past month alone, there have been 178,000 searches for “hair of the dog,” and the search term “hangover food” has been looked up 72,000 times in the same period.
On top of this, searches for ‘zebra striping’ – which is a method where people alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to lessen the impact of drinking – have also increased by 424% in the past quarter.
Featured image - Unsplash
Leeds
Audio North’s Artist of the Month : Holly Rolfe | May 2026
As you're well aware by now, the North has some of this country's best artists and musicians, so much so, we are showcasing a new one to you every single month.
Meet Holly Rolfe, a Lichfield-born, Leeds-based artist who's music is cathartic, emotive with her stage presence helping create a pure-pop package.
Her singles have captivated audiences online with one song in particular, 'I'll Come Back To You', amassing over 250,000 streams.
She's also focused on uplifting fellow female musicians, something which she has made into a real initiative titled 'Women in Music Presents'.
And if you're wondering why all her outfits have varied in shades of blue when she's featured in videos on Audio North's Instagram account - she explains later on.
An interview with Holly Rolfe | Audio North's Artist of the Month: May
Meet Hilly Rolfe, Audio North's artist of the month for May / Credit: The Manc Group
How did you get into music?
I started busking at 14 after some encouragement from my Mum who was also a busker. Then I started performing at weddings and taking part in gigs.
Every family holiday we used to listen to CDs whenever we'd drive around and play Adele, Robbie Williams, specifically the live albums, Mika too.
Who were some of your musical influences growing up?
Some of my favourite musicians who's music I am inspired by are Mimi Webb and Cian Ducrot. Obviously Harry Styles and Sabrina Carpenter too.
Especially Sabrina and Mimi, I love their fun pop girl energy, I just want to channel that.
Do you want to tell us a little bit more about your recent EP?
On 24 April I released my EP Lost in the Dark (Live in Session), which is a collection of songs that I believe aren't based around streams, but instead it's a passion project.
It means so much to me and it sums up who I am as an artist, the music I want to create and my experience of being a student in Leeds.
You're also part of a group called Women in MusicPresents, please can you tell us more about this?
It's a group created during my final year of university that I made with some friends.
We wanted something that focused around the positives and challenges that being a female artist brings, while uplifting each other with no real headliners at each event, instead we all share the spotlight.
Holly alongside Women in MusicPresents line-up at The Attic in Leeds / Credit: The Manc Group
We've noticed that you like to wear a lot of blue, how come?
I've always been obsessed with blue and when I was starting to brand myself as an artist I thought this colour really compliments me.
And honestly royal blue, navy, baby blue, whatever the shade is I love it.
What are some of your career highlights so far?
My first band gig was at the Piece Hall in Halifax where I got the opportunity to support Cian Ducrot and that's where everything really kicked off.
From there I performed at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, where as well as performing, I also got the chance to admire some of pop music's greatest memorabilia.
I was able to do my debut headline at Headrow House and did another headline show at Hyde Park Book Club too.
Rolfe backstage ahead of her Piece Hall supporting slot and the singer pictured underneath The Domino Club neon sign / Credit: Supplied
What does being an artist in the North feel like for you?
Anything is possible. There's something about the North that is so welcoming and it has helped me become my true self as an artist, performing for northern crowds.
I feel so inspired by artists from here and everyone northern as they all have this determination which is so nice to see, watching people chase their dreams.
And finally now we've learnt more about you, who are some Northern artists you love and want to show off?
Lois. She's incredible and has announced a listening party for her new album later this month.
Also The Wranglers, a country group who I got the opportunity to support at their recent gig at Oporto in Leeds. They just make you want to get up and dance.
Thank you Holly for letting us learn a little bit more about your artistry, we're sure that you're on track to claiming your pop princess crown in years to come.
Featured Images - Artist supplied / The Manc Group
Leeds
Leeds city centre set for hundreds of new flats after council agrees sale of ‘prime’ development site
Clementine Hall
It looks like even more new flats could be popping up in Leeds city centre.
The land in question is located near Leeds' Aire Park development, next to The Adelphi Pub in a prime location smack bang in the city centre.
It's looking like over 240 flats could be built on the site after the council has agreed to sell the coveted plot of land to a housing developer.
The current land that is surrounded by heritage assets has been sold by Leeds City Council to property developer Glenbrook.
A planning application from Glenbrook proposed mostly 246 one and two bedroom apartments in a whopping 24 storey development.
Around 20% of the homes would be classified as affordable housing, being rented out at 80% of the current private market rate.
The application will be discussed when the council's City Plans Panel meets next Thursday 14 May.
A council planning officer’s report said: “The emerging proposals present a significant opportunity to regenerate a prominent vacant brownfield site within the city centre.
“The development would deliver a substantial number of new homes, alongside the provision of some employment opportunities.”
A council decision report when selling the plot back in 2022 said: “It is surrounded by heritage assets in an area undergoing rapid regeneration and is widely considered to be a prime plot capable of supporting a high quality residential development.”
Well then Leeds, what do you make of these plans then?