Wharf Chambers
Wharf Chambers, Wharf Street, Leeds, UK
Wharf Chambers is multi-use venue and bar run by a workers’ co-op in partnership with a members’ club. Membership is just £1 a year to access the space and it’s always brimming with life and creativity. Wharf is a haven for LGBTQIA+ people and plays host to exhibitions, gigs, workshops, spoken word, open mic nights to name a few. I’ve both ran and attended many, many events here over the years and I believe Leeds is a much better city for it. More like this please.
Meanwood Valley Trail
Meanwood Valley Trail, Leeds, UK
In any city finding green space is a delight, so the fact that you can walk all the way from just shy of Leeds city centre to Golden Acre Park almost entirely through fields, woods and parkland is amazing. This seven mile walk will show you a bit of Leeds history; the statue of Henry Roland Marsden, the Slabbering Baby, the Seven Arches Aqueduct, and heaps of trees to enjoy some time forest bathing (shinrin-yoku). Plus, if you don’t fancy walking the seven miles back to town again (I never do) then you can hop on a bus from outside the park’s entrance.
The Reliance
The Reliance, North Street, Leeds, UK
The Reliance is a restaurant with a relaxed feel and amazingly beautiful food, both in look and taste. They serve seasonal produce so you can go twice in quick succession and find different treats on the menu, and they also make my favourite Sunday dinner in Leeds. It’s not the cheapest food in town but it is well worth the money! They also have regular film screenings in their back room, an extra delight for a film lover like myself.
Hyde Park Picture House
Hyde Park Picture House, Brudenell Road, Leeds, UK
Leeds is full of great spots to catch a film, especially around film festival season, but my favourite is Hyde Park Picture House. Right in the middle of the cities student area, the Picture House is a charming, Grade II listed building, and it is the only gaslit cinema remaining in the UK. I’ve wiled away many an evening here watching Hollywood smash hits, documentaries and old classics. I recommend checking out their listings online, they often have events coming up like special screenings, panel discussions and tours of the projection room.
Wax Bar
Wax Bar and Juke Joint, New Briggate, Leeds, UK
Now, I’ll be honest my favourite bar is sadly no longer with us (rest in peace Milo you grimey wonder), but thankfully we still have the orange gem that is Wax. This bar has a small but perfectly formed drinks menu and will always be playing the best music whether you’re after a relaxed Sunday evening chatting with a close friend or a raucous Saturday night throwing your best moves.
Flavour Like Fancy
Flavour like fancy, Stainbeck Avenue, Leeds, UK
A new addition to Meanwood, Flavour Like Fancy is a super cute gift shop selling work from the best independent makers around. They have a range of gorgeous prints, jewellery, pots, pin badges, cushions and cards, to name a few. They also run workshops from time to time so it’s worth checking their Facebook events page.
I grew up in Dewsbury, not far away, and Leeds always seemed like the cooler older sister to my hometown. The pull of the city was so much that as a teenager I used to visit every Saturday, without my parents’ permission (sorry mum!) and with about five pounds to my name just to be here. Now I call Leeds my home and I’m very proud to be a part of a number of organisations working to strengthen the city’s cultural offer, including Girl Gang Leeds and Music:Leeds.
Wharf Chambers
Wharf Chambers is multi-use venue and bar run by a workers’ co-op in partnership with a members’ club. Membership is just £1 a year to access the space and it’s always brimming with life and creativity. Wharf is a haven for LGBTQIA+ people and plays host to exhibitions, gigs, workshops, spoken word, open mic nights to name a few. I’ve both ran and attended many, many events here over the years and I believe Leeds is a much better city for it. More like this please.
Meanwood Valley Trail
In any city finding green space is a delight, so the fact that you can walk all the way from just shy of Leeds city centre to Golden Acre Park almost entirely through fields, woods and parkland is amazing. This seven mile walk will show you a bit of Leeds history; the statue of Henry Roland Marsden, the Slabbering Baby, the Seven Arches Aqueduct, and heaps of trees to enjoy some time forest bathing (shinrin-yoku). Plus, if you don’t fancy walking the seven miles back to town again (I never do) then you can hop on a bus from outside the park’s entrance.
The Reliance
The Reliance is a restaurant with a relaxed feel and amazingly beautiful food, both in look and taste. They serve seasonal produce so you can go twice in quick succession and find different treats on the menu, and they also make my favourite Sunday dinner in Leeds. It’s not the cheapest food in town but it is well worth the money! They also have regular film screenings in their back room, an extra delight for a film lover like myself.
Hyde Park Picture House
Leeds is full of great spots to catch a film, especially around film festival season, but my favourite is Hyde Park Picture House. Right in the middle of the cities student area, the Picture House is a charming, Grade II listed building, and it is the only gaslit cinema remaining in the UK. I’ve wiled away many an evening here watching Hollywood smash hits, documentaries and old classics. I recommend checking out their listings online, they often have events coming up like special screenings, panel discussions and tours of the projection room.
Wax Bar
Now, I’ll be honest my favourite bar is sadly no longer with us (rest in peace Milo you grimey wonder), but thankfully we still have the orange gem that is Wax. This bar has a small but perfectly formed drinks menu and will always be playing the best music whether you’re after a relaxed Sunday evening chatting with a close friend or a raucous Saturday night throwing your best moves.
Flavour Like Fancy
A new addition to Meanwood, Flavour Like Fancy is a super cute gift shop selling work from the best independent makers around. They have a range of gorgeous prints, jewellery, pots, pin badges, cushions and cards, to name a few. They also run workshops from time to time so it’s worth checking their Facebook events page.