Experience the perfect pairing at Below Stairs' Martinis and Oysters event.
If you've ever ventured down to Below Stairs, a speakeasy on South Parade, you'll know this is an event not to be missed this month.
Since opening their Grade II listed bar back in 2017, brothers Jamie and Manachain Monaghan have converted far more than a converted office-to-bar to Leeds. Their storytelling abilities rely entirely on a first-class cocktail menu and wealth of hospitality experience to transport guests around the world, through tales of past and present- and it's well worth experiencing.
The well-loved bar has already had a whirlwind month to bring in the new year. So much so, Below Stairs has been officially recognised as one of the top 50 bars in the UK, placing a respectable 39th. Basking in its newfound fame, the bar remains hospitable and intimate but with added events to give us more opportunities to check out the award-winning bar.
This week, the bar is collaborating with Fords Gin is hosting a one-night-only event in the heart of Leeds to share the secret to the perfect Martini pairing with a select few.
On offer is both a sensory and culinary delight: expect both dry and dirty Fords Gin Martinis as well as freshly-shucked oysters aplenty, with expert staff on-hand to explain why the unlikely combination is so irresistible to connoisseurs of the foodie scene. Guests can expect one oyster per martini served all night long- or until the oysters run out.
There's far more than Martinis on offer, Below Stairs and Fords Gin have created a specially selected menu of cocktails to choose from.
The Rockefeller is butter-washed Fords Gin with dry vermouth, parsley chartreuse and a baked breadcrumb aroma: an unusual but sensational combination you're unlikely to have every experienced before.
The Petiance is perfect for those looking for a light boozy drink to quench their thirst, expect Fords Gin with Riesling, peach wine and lightly carbonated mineral water- it sounds like the ideal combination for a midweek tipple.
The Surf and Turf is serious about its flavours and every ingredient boasts a magnificent explosion to savour. Made up of Fords Gin with sage and chamomile vermouth, black truffles and candied sage: we're expecting lip-smacking goodness from this one.
The one-night-only event will be held at Below Stairs on Tuesday 8 February, 5 - 8pm, or until the oysters run out.
As you'd imagine, this highly-anticipated event is going to be of interest for near enough anyone in our city looking for the perfect post-work tipple, so we highly recommend booking a table in advance.
For more information, including how to book your place at the Fords Gin and Below Stairs' Martinis and Oysters event, visit the Below Stairs website.
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 -
7th February 2022 
