3 NEW LEEDS OPENINGS THAT CAN'T BE MISSED!
🍷 Hoc Loco – this stunning new wine bar can be found tucked away in Horsforth. Perfect for catching up with friends over a glass of vino! 📍100 New Rd Side, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4QB
🍴Woodside – the team behind @brunswickleeds has opened a new neighbourhood bar with a meat-obsessed menu. 📍1 The Gateway North, Crown Point Road, Leeds, LS9 8BZ
🏠 Northhome ltd – your favourite homeware shop has a new home, and it's four floors high! There's even a gourmet food hall downstairs. 📍42-44 County Arcade, Victoria Quarter, 10 Queen Victoria Street, Leeds, LS1 6BE
Which will you visit first?
LEEDS NEWEST BAR IS BREAKING ALL THE RULES 🍸🎱
Rita's Bars has opened at the top of town, and it's a must-visit on your next night out! There's long beer hall-style tables, leopard print pool tables and live music every night of the week.
As for the drinks, it's all about the Margs! And they come every which way – classic, spicy, fruity, the lot. Pair them with gigantic XXL pizzas with epic toppings, and you've got the recipe for a fabulous night out. 🍕
Click the link in our comments for the full story...
AD // COME GIFT SHOPPING IN LEEDS WITH US 🛍️
Stuck for ideas this Christmas? Never fear, you can find everything you need at the Merrion Centre.
Here's some ideas of where to go...
👉 Jumbo Records – pick up a unique gift for the music lover in your life at this indie record store. You can even get branded merch!
👉 The Works – it wouldn't be Christmas without a trip to The Works. There's loads for kids and adults like in here. Don't forget a board game for those family arguments *ahem* fun.
👉 Blue Rinse – got a fashionista in your life? Vintage wares await at this cool clothing shop in the Merrion Centre. Treat them to a super cosy jumper or perhaps some costume jewellery.
👉 Cards Direct – they've got a gigantic range of cards starting from just 19p, alongside plenty of personalised gifts. Grab a Santa's sack to pop all your pressies in, ready for the big day!
👉 The Chilli Shop: Leeds – this place is a proper gem for spice lovers, selling some of the hottest sauces in the world. Their Christmas hampers can't be missed either.
How's your shopping coming along?
CHOO CHOO, ALL ABOARD THE BBQ TRAIN 🚂
Farsley Fire & Smoke has brought a taste of the Deep South to Leeds Christmas Markets, serving up slow-cooked meats from a travelling smokehouse! It's one of the most unique things you'll see.
What's on the menu? Only some of the finest ribs, brisket and pulled pork around. So ditch the boring meal deal and treat yourself!
📍City Square
🗓️ Now until Friday 22nd December 2024
⏰ Open every day from 12pm
AD // IMMERSE YOURSELF IN ALICE’S WONDERLAND THIS CHRISTMAS 🐇🎄🎀
Castle Howard has had a stunning Alice in Wonderland-themed makeover for the festive period, promising all sorts of curious delights!
Head down the rabbit hole and into wonderland, with rooms upon rooms of weird and wonderful creations for you to marvel at.
If you’re feeling fancy, get yourself book into the Chess Club – a secret adults only dining room! Share a teapot of Wonderland-themed cocktails before digging into incredible sharing platters.
We dived into the Checkmate Cheese Platter, which is piled high with festive delights – you even get a whole Camembert!
📍Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA
🗓️ The Chess Club is open every weekday 11:45am to 4pm until Friday 20th December 2024
🎟️ Must be booked in advance for the same day as your admission ticket
COME WITH US TO A FESTIVE COOKING CLASS 👩🍳⏲️
If you're a foodie looking for something fun to do in Leeds, we'd recommend a visit to Leeds Cookery School.
They run classes all year round, and we've wanted to try one for ages! We finally put our culinary skills to the test, cooking up five Christmas sides. But it wasn't without much needed help from Chef Daniel!
Here's what we made...
👉 Christmas stuffing
👉 Hasselback potatoes
👉 Glazed carrots
👉 Sprouts
👉 Broccoli & cauliflower cheese
It was honestly so much fun – would you try it?
// INVITE
AD // STEP INTO CHRISTMAS AT LOTHERTON HALL 🎄✨
Festive stories, wish making and a visit to Santa – there's a whole load for families to love at Lotherton.
Kick things off with wish making with Twinkle Toes before heading to Santa's cosy cabin for a present and photo. Rudolph socks are not mandatory, but add an extra sprinkle of magic! 🎅
Then it's time to get crafty with bauble making – the kids will absolutely love this! Followed by a hot cup of cocoa & a cheeky festive treat. Mince pie, anyone?
And no trip is complete without a tour of the grounds. They look even more majestic this time of year, lit up by festive illuminations.
📍Lotherton Hall, Off Collier Lane, Lotherton Lane, Aberford, Leeds, LS25 3EB
YOUR FIRST LOOK AT NORTH HOME'S CONCEPT STORE 😍
It's the one we've all been waiting for, Northhome ltd has moved into a bigger and better space – in fact, there's four whole floors!
Owners Kamil and Simon have completely transformed the space, introducing even more beautiful Nordic lifestyle pieces. Here's what you can expect...
👉 Ground level – it wouldn't be North Home without colourful crockery, stunning glassware and exquisite lamps. Sitting alongside beautiful fragrances and a wall of candles.
👉 Floor 1 – head upstairs and you'll find the first showroom with regularly changing displays – each as beautiful as the last. We'd happily move in, if we could!
👉 Floor 2 - then it's up again and into the second showroom with even more products and a completely different vibe. We loved the fun and colourful furniture!
👉 Lower level – drum roll, please...a totally new venture for North Home – skincare and gourmet food! You'll want to buy everything down here, trust us.
📍 North Home, 42-44 County Arcade, Victoria Quarter, 10 Queen Victoria Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6BE
🗓️ Opening Wednesday 27th November 2024 at 10am
SAY HELLO TO YOUR NEW FAVOURITE DRINKING SPOT 🍺
Woodside is the new neighbourhood bar you need to know about, brought to you from the team behind The Brunswick.
It's a great place to watch the footy and play pool, but it's not like your typical sports bars. This space is warm, welcoming and oh-so inviting!
And did we mention, they've got a menu full of smoked meats? We're talking smoked pork belly, steaks and epic Sunday roasts – you just know these will be good!
Tag someone you want to go with...
LEEDS CHRISTMAS MARKETS ARE OFFICIALLY OPEN! 🍷✨
Mulled wine, stein of beers and a whole load of festive cheer, it can only be the Christmas Markets.
Like last year, most of the markets can be found in City Square and Millennium Square. In City Square, you'll notice the layout is a little different, but we much prefer it, it feels like a cosy Christmas village!
There's loads of stalls to check out, but here's 3 you absolutely can't miss...
👉 Christmas Crumble – cooked fruit, loaded with crumble and lashings of custard. We got ours with toasted marshmallows, so good! 📍City Square
👉 The Garlic Mushroom Co. – if you love mushrooms, you won't want to miss this one. Get them in a baguette or on their own! 📍Millennium Square
👉 Mulled wine at Papas Mineral Co – you can't go wrong with a mulled wine. These guys even do a ginger one, don't knock it 'til you try it. 📍City Square
When are you going?
AD // IS THIS THE MOST IMMERSIVE RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE IN LEEDS?
Teppanyaki Leeds is a real hidden gem. You’ll find this family-run Japanese restaurant tucked away around the corner from the Belgrave, where they’ve been delighting diners for over 30 years.
The twist? The chefs prepare the food right in front of your eyes, working their magic on the Teppan hot plate. It means that dining here is more than a meal, it’s a theatrical and unique experience like no other – perfect for group visits.
We watched in awe as the chefs chopped, flipped and sautéed deliciously fresh ingredients. The sirloin steak was definitely the highlight for us, the meat was cooked to perfection!
Why not pay them a visit this festive season?
