Our favourite place to play pool, roll a strike and kick back with killer cocktails are moving and their new location is set to be their biggest yet.
Roxy Lanes will be relocating from their Bond Street location to The Light on Headrow. Although the mammoth new venue will not be open to the public until early 2022, the wait will be more than worth it.
The new venue is a whopping three times the size of their Bond Street predecessor and will incorporate all elements of existing Roxy venues to date inside.
Roxy Lanes new location at The Light will open in early 2022. / Image- Roxy Ballroom
Retiring Roxy Bond Street, which has been open until 2014 seems like the appropriate move for an expansion. Brand Development Manager, Joel Mitchell believes that "whilst the Bond Street venue was a great starting point for us as a brand, it’s now time to up the ante and we’re delighted to be able to expand and offer our customers even more of that Roxy Lanes experience".
The new Roxy location will have all the nights out you could possibly wish for, whether you're looking for an intimate corner or an ice breaker for a first date or fancy a booze-fuelled night out.
Each customer's journey through Roxy's newest venture will start on the ground floor of The Light location, where a large bar area greets customers and offer a huge choice of beverages: from craft beers to cocktails and spirits, before heading on to play some games.
In the basement, the dedicated game station will be waiting for those who dare to win. Ten bowling alleys, two duckpin bowling lanes, shuffle boards, American pool tables, beer pong, need we say more?
Playing beer pong is a UK-wide phenomenon but we especially love a round here in Leeds. / Image: Roxy Ballroom
Grab a second, third or even fourth round of drinks at the dedicated basement bar before heading upstairs to see the new addition for Roxy Lanes, ice curling lanes.
Slide stones down the smooth surface and try to hit the bullseye and become the champion at one of the only rinks of its kind in the UK.
Luckily, any anticipated snow in early 2022 will remain outside as Roxys are implementing an ice-free curling lane. We can't wait to see how this innovative idea will come to life.
The 15,000 square foot venue will also be the perfect place to watch the latest sporting action, with live BT and Sky Sports showing in the upstairs bar area. Children can get a slice of the action up until 5pm when accompanied by an adult.
Feature Image- Roxy Lanes
What's On
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Mumford & Sons add new Leeds show at the First Direct Arena to sell out UK tour
Clementine Hall
Two new arena dates have been added to their forthcoming UK tour, after selling out the entire run within two hours.
Ahead of dropping their fifth studio LP Rushmere at the end of the month, the cult favourite folk-rock outfit announced a brand-new European tour in support of the record, including a limited UK leg.
The now sold-out arena run starts in Europe in November before now arriving in Leeds on Sunday 30 November.
The significance of the band’s return can be found in the title of the new album, as Rushmereis the spot where it all began for the boys: a pond located on Wimbledon Common in south-west London where Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane first hung out.
However, the multi-award-winning acoustic-driven British rockers and folk revivalists are now a trio following the departure of Winston Marshall, who quit the band back in 2021 following controversies surrounding his right-wing beliefs.
Image: Supplied
With that in mind, it’s rather fitting that they have insisted that beyond just a place and a title, Rushmere is alsothebeginning of a new phase.
Following an intense period of creativity, the project was produced by fellow nine-time Grammy winner Dave Cobb and recorded at the famous RCA Studio A in Nashville, as well as in Savannah, Georgia and back home at Marcus’ studio in Devon.
The album itself drops on this Friday 28 March and judging by the little that we’ve heard so far, they’ve been well worth the wait.
As for the arena show, tickets will go on sale this Thursday 27 March at 10am.
Best of all, they’re donating £1 from every ticket sold straight to War Child UK – this sort of stuff should be standard for any big act as far as we’re concerned.
Sophie Smith -
8th October 2021 
