Roxys unveil Leeds first ice-free curling rink- and it's opening next month
We really can't contain our excitement for this one.
Anyone living in Leeds will know the exhilaration of rolling a strike at Roxy Lanes, killer cocktail in hand as screams of applause fill the room. Meanwhile, there's beer pong balls flying around everywhere. On the other side of the room, there's bartenders aplenty pouring our favourite drinks quickly enough that we can join the next round of shuffleboard without losing our place in the queue.
Simply, it's a place of social gathering that we all know and love for its never-ending list of activities and incredible drinks.
The Roxy bar is always the place to be in Leeds on a Friday night for a fun-filled night.
It's our go-to spot for first dates and work socials, safe in the knowledge there will be no awkward pauses and if in doubt, you can grab a bowling ball and create something to talk about.
Now, in its biggest move to date, Roxy Lanes will be opening a giant new venue, spread across multiple storeys, and giving us more room than ever before to kick back, relax and join the everlasting party inside their four walls.
The classic Long Island will be available at the new Roxy venue.
The new venue, set to open this February at The Light, will have Leeds' first ice-curling rink- and we're super excited to add this to our Roxy’s checklist upon our next visit.
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 for the next month will remain outside as Roxy are implementing an ice-free curling lane. This one-of-a-kind experience will be the first to permanently set up in our city centre and we can't wait to see how this innovative idea will come to life.
There will be not one, but two lanes of ice-free curling at the new Roxy Lanes.
As a result of opening this giant venue, Roxy’s latest venture will be bowling their balls for the last time at their Bond Street location and retiring the venue to make way for another exciting new venture.
The new 15,000 square foot venue at The Light is replacing former student-hangover-haven, Red Hot Buffet, which closed back in 2021. Given the huge space that Roxy now have on their hands, it really makes sense to bring the best of their new venue, a mere 0.3 miles from their old Bond Street location.
For an extra five minutes’ walk, guests will be impressed by a menu of 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 and then there's the new ice-free curling rink upstairs.
It's a place for the whole family until 5pm to kick back with some light entertainment and competitive action, or to watch live BT and Sky Sports match broadcasts in the upstairs bar area if that's their preferred past time.
Once it's dark out, expect the shot to go flying and that wild, fun-loving atmosphere that we all know and love from Roxys to return to all three storeys of the venue.
There's only a few more weeks to wait until the opening.
Roxy Lanes at The Light on Headrow will open to public on 11th February.
For more information, you can visit the Roxy Lanes Instagram page or keep an eye on our socials- we'll be bringing you plenty of updates on our experience once the new venue opens.
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.
Sophie Smith -
21st January 2022 
