Attempting Dry January but you're tired of the lousy options of the alcohol free world? Look no further than Otley’s exclusive watering hole.
Introducing The Functional Drinks Club, a beverage distributor that made its mark mid-2023 as the new kid on the block. They have a largest range in North Yorkshire of luscious non-alcoholic products that are set to leave your mouth-watering such as: kombucha, non-alcoholic beers, ales, lagers, ciders, botanical spirits and more.
The shop's mission is to offer delicious alcoholic beverages that not only tantalise the taste buds but also have nutritional value. The Functional Drinks Club has open arms for all who wish to come in the doors, they welcome people who in its essence just wish to have a better lifestyle.
The 'bar' explains that it shares the struggle of finding supermarkets options, so they provide more choice for those wishing for an alcohol free experience.
Founder Kevin Gillespie, aims to create a safe space that people can come to and speak to an expert in the non-alcoholic business to make their crossover seamless to the non-alcoholic world.
“Too many people go through life on autopilot, and before you know it you're 70 years old wondering why you didn't do the things you wanted to do. I was in danger of being that person, and if you're looking at yourself thinking the same, then do something about it.”
The Functional Drinks Club provide Kombucha tasting classes to provide people with different ways to improve gut health and fully embody the ‘New Year, New Me’. During this class you taste eight different Kombuchas and you can take home two to get you started on your Kombucha journey.
The owners have also partnered up with Shadow Brewing to put together a Dry January event on the 27 January 6pm-10pm. It is a taste-testing extravaganza for their new range of non-alcoholic beers. You can even bring your own bottle and take it to go!
There is a wide range of drinks to buy on the night from the Mash Gang, Clean Break Brewing and Harrogate Brewing. The fan favourite is set to be Blue Blood, a tasty blend of pale ale and Earl Grey tea: a harmonious infusion for both tea and spirit lovers.
It's a must-try event for the news year that is welcome to all ages and people, even those who wish to purchase alcoholic drinks on the night as well.
“We're not "either or" type of people, we're more John Lennon, and imagine all the people living in harmony.”
So come down to The Functional Drinks Club located on Manor Square in Otley on Fridays from 10am - 5pm, Saturdays from 9.30am - 5pm and the last Sunday of the month between 10am-1pm.
For more information visit here.
Feature Image - The Functional Drinks Club via Facebook
News
Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
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.
The Hoot -
19th January 2024 
