September is well and truly underway, and even though the sun has disappeared behind the clouds Leeds is still buzzing with things to do.
As we step into the last full week of summer, it's time to get together with your mates and cheers goodbye to the last few months of fun before the leaves start to fall and the pumpkins pop up on doorsteps.
From dance music festivals to new foodie openings, you'll want to head out into town this week to see what our vibrant city has to offer.
As always we have cherry picked the best things to get up to during the week, so whack out your diaries and keep reading.
Farmhouse Opening
Monday 11 September | Lands Lane
Image: Farmhouse
Farmhouse, an independently owned restaurant specialising in breakfast, brunch and all-day dishes, is coming to Leeds this week, and to celebrate the new opening, Farmhouse will be giving you the chance to try brunch on the house.
Those heading over to the 100-cover restaurant will be able to get a free main meal to the first 300 customers to book on Monday 11 September and Tuesday 12 September. Bookings are now already from 8am and will be free on a first come first served basis by booking here.
Pizza Loco will be taking over the kitchen at Meanwood Tavern this month.
Expect soft, light and airy crusts, with interesting, generous toppings and an emphasis on sustainable British ingredients including Wildfarmed UK-grown and milled organic flour, Yorkshire-grown organic tomatoes, and British charcuterie.
Lunchtime will see the signature Pizza Loco Panuozzi pizza-dough butties showcased, whilst evenings will be reserved for those big Neapolitan slices.
Launching Wednesday 13 September | The Ivy Asia, Vicar Lane
Image: The Ivy Asia
‘Sake Sensations’ is a brand new, unique collaborative menu between Akashi-Tai and The Ivy Asia.If you’re a fan of the Japanese rice wine Sake, then this elegant and refined pairing menu is the one for you.
An exciting new collaboration between The Ivy Asia and Akashi Tai, the UK’s leading sake brand, the menu will showcase the best flavours from the continent paired perfectly with a range of sakes.
This menu is available from Wednesday 13 September to Sunday 5 November 2023. The experience costs £85 per persona and you can book your table here.
Hyde Park Picture House 'Hyde & Seek'
Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September | Brudenell Road
Image: Hyde Park Picture House
Including Hyde & Seek, a family-friendly ‘pay what you can’ event running every weekend from 11am. Cinema showings are every Saturday and Sunday at 11am, and cover classics like 101 Dalmatians and The Wizard of Oz right through to modern favourites like Frozen and The Spiderwick Chronicles.
All visits to Hyde & Seek, the family-friendly matinee performances are all ‘pay what you can’ so that everyone can join in, regardless of income.
Saturday 16 - Sunday 17 September | Newsam Green Farm
Image: Mint Festival
One of Yorkshire's biggest dance musical festivals is back in Leeds and it is set to be an absolute hoot. Embrace the last of the summer sun by whacking on your best festival fits and dancing to an incredible line-up of acts.
You can buy your tickets to Mint Festival here.
Busted
Sunday 17 September | First Direct Arena
Image: First Direct Arena
Celebrating their 20th anniversary with a huge arena tour, Busted are back with a bang and will be playing all their iconic hits at The First Direct Arena this weekend.
Get ready to be transported to the 'Year 3000' and get ready to meet the 'Air Hostess', because this gig is set to set the city alight.
Put your dancing shoes on and get your tickets here.
Featured images - Supplied / Mint Festival / The Hoot Leeds
Feature
The best bakeries in Leeds serving everything from crusty loaves to flakey croissants
If you're got a sweet tooth, then you're going to want to keep reading.
Oh Leeds, if there's one thing we're good at - it's baking.
Just walking around the city you'll bump into delightful bakeries offering sweet treats galore, and you'll find even better gems when you venture into the suburbs.
We've rounded up a handy little guide for you to make your way through when you're looking to treat yourself to a cheeky baked good, which should be every day if we're being honest.
So, without further ado let's dive into the best bakeries in Leeds.
Bake
Mustard Approach, Mustard Wharf
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the team behind Things in Bread and Doh'hut comes this absolutely beautiful bakery by the water.
Led by mastermind Tom, they're serving up great British bakes but with a refined twist. Think ultra cheesy cheese twists, sticky school cake and unbeatable sausage rolls.
Underground Bakery
Call Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're after a really great almond croissant, then you've got to get yourself to Underground Bakery. They're serving a whole array of baked goods but doing them all really, really well.
Right in the centre of town, it's a great spot to swing by on your way to work because everyone deserves a midweek croissant every now and again.
Laynes
New Station Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one probably doesn't need any introduction, as Laynes bakery are known amongst the city for their exceptional bakes and it's not hard to see why.
They stock a number of coffee shops across Leeds but for the true experience, pop in and enjoy a bake alongside a cup of their fabulous coffee.
Nova
Leeds Dock
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Nova Bakehouse is a beautiful sun drenched spot that serve up irresistible morning buns, chewy cookies and speciality bread.
They focus on 'flavour forward baking' using seasonal ingredients to create monthly specials that'll have you going back time and time again.
Oh, and they've been named one of the best bakeries in the UK by The Good Food Guide two years running now - so you know it's good.
If cookies are your kryptonite, then Chunk is where you need to be.
From baking inside her student shared house to opening her very first bakery, the last few years have been a whirlwind for owner Amy Bennett- and there's really no stopping her now.
Her gooey NYX-style cookies are out of this world, served with great drinks to match.
The Savvy Baker
Albion Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Again, this one needs absolutely no introduction. A Leeds staple that has been curing sweet toothed brownie-lovers for years, it's The Savvy Baker.
Their new site in the city centre is truly one to behold, baking cookies on site and whipping up speciality matchas from a dedicated matcha bar - you don't want to miss it.
Karpaty Bakery
Leeds Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This traditional Polish bakery inside the market is selling some of the cheapest bakes you can get your hands on. Their authentic donuts are as big as your head and the perfect sweet treat that won't break the bank.
Street Lane Bakery
399 Street Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Hidden away just behind Street Lane, is Street Lane Bakery.
These guys have been baking up a storm in the kitchen for over a decade, from their ever-so-famous home-cooked bagels to the sweetest of treats.
Slow Rise Bakery
Sunnybank Avenue, Horsforth
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Can't get over to New York but craving a proper chewy, stacked bagel with all the trimmings? Slow Rise Bakery is the only answer.
Pick your flavour bagel from sesame to everything and then pick your fillings, we'd recommend going for lashings of cream cheese and layers of smoked salmon. Delicious.
Iconic Leeds venue The Reliance to be brought back to life under new name ‘The Smithfield’
Clementine Hall
The Reliance, a much missed North Street site, is being brought back to life as The Smithfield.
The Smithfield is set to be a new social eatery and pub focused on seasonal, produce-led dining.
Set to open its doors to the people of Leeds in early April, The Smithfield will pay homage to the local area through both its produce and people.
The venue will focus on proper plates of seasonal ingredients, pairing a relaxed dining style with a strong sense of community. Sounds pretty brilliant if you ask us.
Building on the legacy of North Street, The Smithfield is a collaborative project between Yorkshire brewery Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan.
Images: Supplied
Steve Dawson, co-founder of Crooked Brewing, has long admired The Reliance and want to build on its established legacy.
“What The Reliance was doing was cutting edge for its time,” says Donovan. “We want to bring that same vision and energy into Leeds in 2026. Our aim is to pick up the culinary torch that The Reliance left behind and continue its legacy of great food in Leeds,” adds Dawson.
The Smithfield takes its name from Church Street’s historic connection to the Smithfield cattle market of the early 1800s, once located on what is now Lovell Park.
“We really want the people around us to feel that The Smithfield is their space,” says Dawson. “We want to give them a place at our table.”
We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we know, but we're very excited indeed.
Clementine Hall -
8th September 2023 
