New axe-throwing bar Whistle Punks is opening in Leeds today, Thursday, 11 November, and it looks like a perfect start to a night out if you ask us.
You can win a £50 voucher to spend on whatever you like at Whistle Punks, a Polaroid Instax camera to document your night and a box of WP cookies - click here to see how.
Whether you're looking to let out some rage or just have a bit of fun pretending you're a Canadian lumberjack tossing an axe in the woods, Whistle Punks Leeds has got you covered at its new home in Millenium Square.
Image: Whistlepunks
Housed inside the former All Bar One unit, inside you'll find four throwing lanes, a bar offering craft drinks and a decent sourdough pizza menu all under one roof.
The thrill-seeking company has cornered the urban axe-throwing market in recent years - with three successful sites already established in Manchester, London and Bristol.
Whistlepunks was the first company to bring axe-throwing entertainment to the UK and has helped players throw an estimated 10 million axes since first opening its doors here in 2016.
Designed to suit first time throwers, each lane has its very own instructor who guides players - taking you from novice to axe throwing whizz in 70 minutes.
As well as helping you stay safe whilst you're throwing, the instructor is also there to keep score, help you have fun and create a good atmosphere on the lanes.
Kind of like darts but with a lot more heft behind it, their gamified version of axe throwing is pretty simple really: with one point awarded when you hit the outer ring, three for getting it in the inner, and five for a bullseye.
At just £25 for a game, it's not just fun but a good bargain too - getting you 70 minutes of axe throwing fun as well as a fully instructed session on how to properly use the equipment before getting stuck in (those axes are sharp, after all).
Then at the end of the session, players also get the chance to learn some trick shots, like underarm throwing and how to handle two axes at once.
Chances to take profile pic-worthy snaps are also included at the end of the session - because let's be honest, you want to document this.
Whistle Punks Leeds has a variety of packages catering for couples, small groups and even full venue hire for those wanting a work social with an edge.
Christmas packages are available now and include lane hire, drinks for everyone on the lane, trophies for winners, sweet treats for all and more.
Speaking on the new Whistle Punks Leeds opening, brand spokesperson Jools Whitehorn said:
“I think a large part of the appeal is that it feels like something you shouldn’t be allowed to do. It’s a visceral experience, which is physical without being too demanding.
It all takes place in a very controlled environment under the close watch of our instructors, who create an exciting atmosphere and ensure everyone is staying safe.”
Bookings are being taken now. To get yourself a slot, head over to Whistle Punks website here.
The Wombats aren’t just still going strong - they’re getting better. And honestly? Long may they reign.
The Wombats absolutely tore the roof off the First Direct Arena in Leeds last night, Wednesday 26 March and what a night it was.
From the second they hit the stage it wasn’t just a gig, it was a full-blown indie-pop spectacle, packed with infectious energy, nostalgia, and a whole lot of dancing.
They kicked things off with “Moving to New York,” and honestly? The crowd was in from the first note.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Matthew Murphy’s unmistakable vocals rang through the arena and suddenly, thousands of people were screaming every lyric like it was 2007 all over again. It was one of those moments where you could just feel how much this band still means to people.
Despite the massive venue, The Wombats somehow made it feel intimate. The lights? Pure chaos in the best way - vibrant, colourful, and totally in sync with the band’s wild, bouncy sound.
Murphy’s cheeky banter between songs made it feel less like a polished arena show and more like a jam session with a few thousand of your closest mates.
Setlist-wise, they nailed it. “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” and “Greek Tragedy” had the whole place losing it, while the stripped-down version of “Techno Fan” gave everyone a minute to breathe (and maybe get a little emotional).
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Those quieter moments just made the high-energy choruses hit even harder. It was a rollercoaster - in the best way possible.
Then came the encore. If you thought the crowd was loud before, “Kill the Director” took things to another level. Pure, chaotic indie bliss. The kind of moment you don’t want to end.
Here’s the thing about The Wombats: some might say their older songs hit harder than their newer stuff, but is that just nostalgia talking? Or maybe it’s a generational thing?
Either way, they proved they’re still one of the most exciting live bands out there. They’ve still got the hooks, the humour, and the ability to turn a massive arena into a sweaty, euphoric singalong.
Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
Danny Jones
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.”
Georgina Pellant -
11th November 2021 
