Rum Sampling, spirit masterclasses, bottle shop, street food, live music- and that’s just the beginning for Leeds Rum Festival 2023.
Yes, you read that correctly - Leeds Rum Festival is back and it's set to be even bigger and better than ever before.
For the eighth year running, an eclectic mix of rum brands from near and far will once again take over Leeds’ this month.
Taking over Leeds’ historic Royal Armouries on Saturday 23 September 2023, rum-lovers can gather to celebrate their favourite tipple in style.
Image: Supplied (Chapter 81)
Following on from the huge success of the sold-out 2022 edition, this year's festival will be accompanied by music, entertainment and food for the ultimate experience.
This year will feature the return of the Monin Daiquiri Bar, giving guests a chance to test their home bartender skills and those that whip up the fastest daiquiri will win prizes.
Leeds legends Latitude Wine & Liquor Merchants will be operating the festival bottle shop so guests can purchase their favourites from the festival to enjoy at home.
Tickets will provide entry to the festival, where there will be over a whopping 100 different rums to sample from all over the world. From unrepresented places such as Mexico and Papua New Guinea to closer-to-home brands like Yorkshire-founded Libations Rum.
Image: Suppled (Chapter 81)
Lee Jones, Head at Studio Events says: “Leeds Rum Festival has been our longest running event. Now in 2023, we have the opportunity to make it even bigger at the Royal Armouries. There is so much passion in Yorkshire for the category, and it’s a joy to bring all those enthusiasts together in one place.
"The amazing thing about Rum is that there are always new expressions to try that keeps it fresh for newcomers and returning enthusiasts alike.”
Tickets to Leeds Rum Festival are £35 each and tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite.
A new cocktail bar is coming to Leeds city centre.
If you know a thing or two about cocktails, or just drinks in general, then you're going to be very excited about this news.
The very talented team behind Roland's on Call Lane and The Domino Club, just to name a few, are setting their sites on a brand-new venture.
Introducing Paper Plane, an intimate new cocktail bar that will be taking over the old Casa site in the city's beautiful Grand Arcade.
Paper Plane will be inspired by the glamour of 1970s air travel and will be a vinyl-only listening bar, serving a world-inspired cocktail menu alongside a carefully curated whisky collection.
The space will be lovely and intimate, with around just 40 covers, designed to transport guests somewhere completely different from the minute they step foot through the door.
And what a location too, joining a whole host of fantastic independents in the arcade such as Alfonso's Deli, Stuzzi and Sonder.
For now, we don't know many more details about the project, but we already know it's going to be exceptional cas anything these guys do turns to gold.
Not only has Roland's been consistently one of the busiest bars on Call Lane since they opened back in 2014, but The Domino Club was recently crowned one of the best cocktail bars in the world. Now that is some accolade worth shouting about.
We'll keep you updated with Paper Plane's progress, but Roland's have stated that the site is hoping to open this coming autumn. So we really don't have long to wait.
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
Clementine Hall
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Clementine Hall -
5th September 2023 
