The summer months are truly on the horizon, and Leeds is hotting up with exciting events, gigs, beer festivals and so much more.
Let’s kick off Summer the right way then, shall we?
Leeds not only looks bloomin’ beautiful in the sunshine, but it’s also buzzing with fantastic things to do.
This week we’ve got lots of exciting things to get involved in including new pop-up bars, fantastic gigs, beer festivals and lots of other bits and bobs.
Thor’s Tipi Outdoor Bar
All week | City Square
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Thor’s Tipi, a popular name in Yorkshire already, has opened a huge pop-up bar in Leeds just in time for the summer. With a big screen, outdoor seating, and (of course) a tipi, the huge space is set to open in City Square in just a few weeks’ time.
Thor’s Tipi will be serving up a selection of cocktails and street food, and punters can get stuck in to giant outdoor games, easels, and loads of events including performances from local bands.
Fancy watching the boys bring it home at one of the city's best rooftop bars? Silly question, of course you do.
Green Room are serving up great drinks, an unbeatable atmosphere as well as hosting a huge screen so wherever you're sat you can guarantee you won't miss out on any of the action.
Whitelock's Beer Festival
Thursday 20 - Sunday 23 June | Whitelock's, Turk's Head Yard
Image: Whitelock's
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock's know how to pour a good one. And luckily for us, they’ll be hosting their incredible beer festival later this month on Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 June from 11am each day. This year’s theme is ‘Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!’, meaning they’ll be shining a light on local breweries over the course of the weekend so we can all celebrate just how class our beer scene really is.
Cocktail pop-up at Opposite Cafe
Saturday 22 June | Opposite, Chapel Allerton
Image: Supplied
From Saturday 1 June, each Friday and Saturday night throughout June and July, visitors can enjoy hand-crafted cocktails at Opposite in the heart of Chapel Allerton.
Blank Canvas Drinks, which are handmade right here in Leeds, is teaming up with Opposite to offer a monthly menu of fourteen hand-mixed cocktails this summer including crowd-favourite Espresso Martinis, made with Opposite’s very own coffee.
Euro 2024 Fanzone
Thursday 20 June 2024 | Millennium Square
Image: Millennium Square
Millennium Square will play host to the Euro 2024 Fanzone with all England’s group stage matches against Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia, as well as the knock-out stages, broadcast live on the Leeds Big Screen.
Entry is strictly by advance ticket only and you can grab yours here.
Kings Of Leon
Thursday 20 June | First Direct Arena
Image: Publicity Picture
Following the announcement of their brand new album and a headline performance at BST Hyde Park this summer, Kings of Leon will be touching down in Leeds on their Can We Please Have Fun world tour.
Better yet, they’ll be joined by The Vaccines and you can grab your tickets here.
Leeds Tattoo Expo 2024
Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 June | First Direct Arena
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
The ninth edition of Leeds Tattoo Expo, showcasing over 220 tattooists alongside a market of traders and live music! Head to the First Direct Arena to get tattooed by some of the best artists from the UK and abroad, browse the markets for unique clothing, homeware, curios and more!
A new hacienda hangout has landed in our city and we're sure it's going to be the place to be this summer.
There's only one thing better then a bar, and that is a rooftop bar. And that's everything that Azotea is and more.
To put it bluntly, entering this venue which is on top of the Hyatt Hotel on Sovereign Street will get you instantly feeling like you're on Love Island.
We're talking fire pits, plush booth seating, lavish greenery and plenty of rattan - the interior really is stunning.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There's two massive rooftops which offer jaw dropping views of the city, as well as one long dining room and bar area for when it gets a bit chilly (which let's be honest, is the majority of the time).
Azotea is bringing a slice of Latin America to the city, with a menu inspired by 33 countries.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Expect Mexican street food, Brazilian sharing steaks, Caribbean small plates and so much more to dig your teeth into whilst enjoying the beautiful setting.
There's also a cracking cocktail list for those sun set drinks with friends, of course.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you are wanting to sit outside on one of the bigger tables, it won't come cheap as Azotea will be requesting deposits for group bookings over eight as well as minimum spends.
However, for a special occasion there really isn't anything like it in the city and the views themselves make it worth the money.
Azotea is now open, and you can find out more about the venue and book your table here.
Five new openings in and around Leeds that we can’t stop talking about
Clementine Hall
Leeds is bursting at the seams with new openings, and we're here to tell you all about them.
The start of 2025 has brought a whole lot of newness to the city, from a brilliant new bakery to a gorgeous independent book shop, it's giving us lots to brag about.
But if you've been living under a rock for the past two months (and to be honest we don't blame you for doing so), then allow us to show off for a minute about five of our favourites.
So, without further ado...
Next Chapter Books
Ground floor of The Corn Exchange
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Whether you fancy yourself as a bit of a book worm or reading more is one of your goals for 2025, then you’re going to want to pay a visit to Next Chapter Books.
Located inside the wonderful Corn Exchange, this cosy spot celebrates women-led books and businesses and it's truly something special.
Serving up coffee and soon wine, we can’t think of a better way to browse books and to interact with like minded people.
BAKE
Mustard Approach, Lockside, Holbeck, LS1 4EY
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the mastermind behind Things In Bread and Doh'hut comes BAKE, a nostalgic British bakery concept serving up all your classic bakes with a refined twist.
We're talking cheese twists, vanilla slices, chicken bakes and weekly specials which will get you forgetting Greggs ever even existing.
Get there early though, because it's so good that their bakes are selling out day in and day out.
Aesop
25-29 County Arcade Victoria Leeds, LS2 7AU
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Aesop has chosen Leeds for its first ever northern store, and we're very excited about it indeed.
This beautiful new store has everything you already know and love about Aesop including their iconic soaps, incense, shampoos, home fragrances, hand creams and skincare - the list goes on.
So if you're feeling a bit smelly, get yourself to Aesop and they'll sort you right out.
Sostrene Grene
4 Commercial St, LS1 6AL
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The iconic Danish homeware store has finally landed in Leeds, and yes we have already spent most of our pay check in there.
From crafts to crockery to cooking equipment, and with a gorgeous range of stationery and gifts too, here’s where you can buy yourself loads of well-deserved treats and still have money to spare at the end of it.
If you’re looking for somewhere new to visit this weekend, make sure you check it out.
Green Room
36 Wellington St, LS1 2DE
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everyone's favourite night time venue is back and literally bigger and better than ever before after a sparkling new refurb.
We're talking an extended bar area, a groovy basement cocktail bar as well as improvements to their already amazing rooftop terrace.
It's the place to be for a great night out in the city, go check it out for yourselves.
Clementine Hall -
17th June 2024 
