Let's be honest, if you haven't heard about North Brewing Co. - where have you been?
The Leeds institution is known far and wide for brewing some of the north's most-loved drinks.
Now, celebrating the brewery's renowned selections of IPAs, experimental beer releases and craft ales, North Brewing Co. is bringing back Springwell Sessions just in time for the bank holiday weekend: a three day festival full of street food, alcohol and tunes.
Taking place on Friday 28 - Sunday 30 April 2023, four sessions across three days will bring together the best local independents in the area, as well as around the world breweries just outside of the city centre at North Brewing Co.'s own brewery, Springwell.
Images: Springwell
Hosted at Springwell, the indoor-outdoor event is going to be transformed into a collaborative space for some of the UK's favourite brands. Local favourites Bundobust Brewery will sit alongside DEYA, Cloudwater, and Brulo, amongst other exciting names in the beer world from near and far - including exciting appearances from overseas breweries.
Expect to taste the likes of Basqueland in Spain, Denmark's own ToØI, and from Berlin, Fuerst Wiacek.
And that's just the beginning.
Natural wine bar and deli Bottle Chop, famed in Far Headingley for its reusable wine initiative and standout selection of drinks will also be in attendance to give wine drinkers a taste of something a little different (and delicious) whilst the dedicated festival bar will be bringing fruity cocktails to the masses all day long.
Foodwise, those attending are going to be truly spoilt for choice.
Sicilian foodie favourites Poco Sicilian Street Food will be on hand to pair pints with pizza al taglio and fresh snacks like arancini and cannoli whilst vegan specialists Döner Summer will be bringing a selection of plant-based 'doner' similar to the teller trays and loaded fries drenched in sauce and salads served in the Call Lane store.
Little Bao Boy. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Springwell Sessions returns in April. / Image: Springwell
Jay Rayner recently reviewed Mor Mor's Levantine cuisine over at Kino, and it's safe to say that the standout review has left the pop-up kitchen highly esteemed across the city and beyond. Bringing a new Mexican concept to Springwell Sessions named Salma la Fondita - expect everything you know and love from the chefs at MorMor, just with foodie options inspired by North and Central America rather than the Levant.
Resident kitchens Little Bao Boy and Kerbside Kids will be cooking up their much-loved menu of steamed baos and smash burgers at Springwell over the weekender too - and just because they're permanently placed at the brewery certainly doesn't mean they should be overlooked for the occasion.
Whilst there will be plenty of alcohol for the grown ups to while away the afternoon, this is still very much a family occasion (dogs included), but in particular the Sunday session offers free entry for kids and a silent warehouse disco for all.
Springwell Sessions takes places across four sessions. / Image: Springwell
Tickets and Times
There will be four sessions in total taking place across the long weekend, with tickets to each event costing £12.96 (including a booking fee).
This gives you entry to the festival, a commemorative refillable glass to use throughout the event and take home with you afterwards, as well as a beer programme and a £1 donation to charity partners St George's Crypt.
Alternatively, you can grab yourself a ticket for the full weekend over all four sessions for £40.
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
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.
Sophie Smith -
27th March 2023 
