From the creators of Dollhouse comes a new £300,000 city centre concept.
Leeds' nightlife is one of the best things about our city. Whether you prefer to have a few quiet pints at the pub or drink from the bottle at a club of your choosing, there truly is something for everyone here.
The latest venture to land in Leeds is a new drink-dine-dance space from the TV star and multi-platinum selling musician, Tom Zanetti and his business partner, Kane Towning.
The downstairs bar space.
The exclusive late-night dining concept will be the first of its kind in the city, taking inspiration from premium destination venues across London, Dubai and Ibiza. Guests can dine in the immersive restaurant, indulging in a selection of globally inspired small plates while enjoying live entertainment and sensory lighting.
As the evening progresses the lighting gets turned down a notch and the music gets turned up as diners drink and dance late into the evening, with DJ’s and performers providing the hottest soundtrack under the LED displays. So the idea is that it's an entire evening in one destination.
Over £300k has been invested in the project, the name of which is being kept under wraps until nearer the launch.
Speaking about the project, Tom Zanetti says: “We were ahead of the game with Dollhouse and spotted a gap in the market for that VIP vibe that no other venue offered - a glamorous, VIP-style club. That’s where this brand-new venue bridges the gap.
"Leeds has one of the best nightlife scenes in the country, however. it is crying out for that cool, late night dining concept that people currently have to travel to London, Manchester and overseas for. It’s time to level Leeds up again and hold our own against the other major cities.”
Split over two levels, the venue’s ground floor will have a stylish lounge with VIP tables on offer, as well as a heated indoor courtyard and outside terrace in Millennium Square. The first floor will host to the restaurant with luxury VIP booths that can booked for dining and late-night drinking.
The new bar space will open in 2022.
The restaurant will also boast a private dining area for up to 30 people, ideal for special occasions. There’s also a stage for live performers with a state-of-the-art VOID sound system and a one-of-a-kind bespoke LED light system.
Zanetti's business partner hinted that visitors should have high expectations:
"You can enjoy globally inspired dishes, creative cocktails, live performers, and the hottest DJ’s, all under one roof. This is like nothing the city has ever seen. The interior design and layout is completely unique and fresh. The sound, lighting and entertainment are all a first for Leeds and I’m excited to see how people react when they experience it.”
Tom Zanetti was the creator behind Dollhouse, a VIP bar in Leeds city centre.
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.
Viral brunch cafe Acai and the Tribe is coming to Leeds city centre this spring
Clementine Hall
Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.
Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.
Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Images: The Manc Group
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."
They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.
It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.
Sophie Smith -
23rd December 2021 
