Leeds nightlife set for a boost; £2m nightlife destination to open in early 2024

The Leeds’ nightlife scene is set for an amazing new attraction thanks to a £2m investment in one of the city’s most storied entertainment venues. The site once occupied by Tiger Tiger in The Light on Albion Street, is currently undergoing a major refurbishment, and is tipped to become one of the most exciting spaces in Yorkshire, with two distinctive new venues opening in early 2024. 

Carousel will be located on the ground floor, shining boldly out onto Albion Street. A quality bar which will bring a uniquely chilled experience to the area during the day, combining quality food and drinks with a fun games arcade experience. In the early evening, live music and DJ sets take the tempo up, making it a great after-work choice; and later delivering the best party in town. Whatever time of day or night, there’s something for everyone. 

The site will also host Home Nightclub, a brand-new multi-room club offer, aiming to become Leeds’ new favourite late night party destination with great DJs, a focus on the highest levels of production and VIP experiences for those special occasions. The Home brand launched in Lincoln in 2011, making it one of the longest-running nightclubs in the UK, and over the years has hosted some of the city’s most memorable nights out, including headline sets from the likes of James Hype, Tom Zanetti, Wes Nelson, Basshunter, Nathan Dawe and Scott Mills to name but a few. Alongside this, the club is known for a diverse range of events, including themed student parties, live music festivals, rave bingo, corporate events & more. 

It is expected that the new venues will create 100 jobs in the process, with work having already begun to completely transform this part of The Light. 

Speaking ahead of the launch, Managing Director John O'Donoghue said:

We’re thrilled to be opening our newest venture in Leeds, it’s a great city and was my home for many years. The Light is such an iconic building and the perfect location for the combination of offers we are creating there. This will be the first time in over 20 years something completely new and original has been brought to this great space in The Light and we are looking forward to feedback from both former and new customers.

Leeds is vibrant and independent; and already has some outstanding leisure and hospitality businesses in the city centre; giving both locals and visitor a warm welcome and a great experience. We are excited to have the opportunity to complement all that hard work and quality with our own brand of fun and entertainment in such a flagship development. We can’t wait to get the doors open and invite guests in.

To keep up to date with all the latest updates & opening events, please follow @carouselleeds and @homenightclubleeds 

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Kebab!

Oh! You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout we’re telling you why! The Christmas Dinner Doner is coming to town. That’s right, a Christmas dinner, in a kebab!

Better kebab brand, I am Doner, are encouraging you to don your ugly Christmas jumpers and brave the cold for a visit to one of their stores as they bring back this legendary Christmas special.

Packed full of honey and sage roast turkey doner with roast potatoes, shredded sprout, crispy parsnips, red cabbage, root vegetable and cranberries, smothered in turkey gravy – all in a wrap or in a bowl. A vegan option is also on offer.

The special will run from Thursday 9th November to the end of December in all UK stores.

Founder, Paul Baron said: "After the incredible success of the Christmas Kebab in recent years we’ve brought back and expect it to be bigger than ever before as we introduce it to our new customers at our London, Liverpool and Datchet stores! With each kebab featuring at least ten items of veg we are providing 2 of the five a day, making it much more than a guilty pleasure, or you could even say ‘elfy!”

Leeds goes Greek: Olive Tree Brasserie to launch next month

The Olive Tree Brasserie arrives in Leeds this December, bringing their modern take on Greek cuisine to the city. The Leeds restaurant will be the fourth Olive Tree joining branches in Lytham, Chester, and Stockton Heath, with the brand planning further expansion across the North.

The new Leeds venue will mark a new iteration of Olive Trees vision, following a £700,000 investment on South Parade. The interiors are typically, modern, and highly Instagrammable, but the Leeds launch channels a slightly new direction and transporting you to the perfect Mediterranean destination.

Expect light-drenched interiors, as warm rays flood the neutral palette. Decorated sparingly with, downlighting, raw wood, plaster walls, and plentiful foliage continue to conjure the relaxed feel of the venue. It transforms this traditional South Parade assurance building (previously Stockdales) into something more – It’ll be stylish, bohemian, and the perfect backdrop to a glorious brunch, lunch, or dinner.

On weekends, Olive Tree will welcome their resident DJ’s playing melodic, soulful sounds whilst you enjoy dining and drinks from their extensive, creative cocktail menu. As well as both table and booth seating, The Olive Tree will also offer a private dining area for special occasions, meetings and corporate events, a perfect place for your Christmas Party.

Greek Gastronomy with modern Med inspo

The food has Greek inspiration at its core, with a focus on sustainability and a large range of veggie and vegan options with 40% of their menu being plant based. They also prioritise local sourcing and quality ingredients – alongside fantastic service.

Meze and Main Course items include Mediterranean favourites such as the famous Gyros, Lamb Kleftico, Moussaka, Kebabs and Dolmades, but also include lesser-known Greek dishes such as Honey Pastourma (a Greek cured beef sausage). A variety of menus will be available, from the A La Carte and a Prix Fixe to the bottomless brunch ensuring it’s the perfect choice at whatever time of day!

Brilliant Bar combining traditional and modern

The Olive Tree are proud providers of Greek beers, coffee, and rare spirit’s such as Mastiha. The highly skilled team have created must try cocktails including their mouthwatering Mastiha Mojito (a spirit created from the resin of an evergreen Greek tree), the Olive Tree Espressotini (featuring the warming nuttiness of hazelnut liqueur), and the Cranberry & Clementine Sangria (the Spanish classic, given a Greek twist - think red wine and Metaxa spiked with the flavours of cranberry, orange, rosemary, and blueberry).

Executive chef Aaron Thomas said:

We’re so excited to bring our modern Greek food experience to Leeds. Thirty new staff members will ensure we settle into our new Leeds home nicely, alongside our long-standing, passionate team.

Greece is a part of the Med renowned for its back-to-basics focus on the best tastes, served up with simplicity and warmth. Combining this with our focus on stylish decor and relaxed vibes, we think Olive Tree Brasserie is the place to be. Let us whisk you away from a rainy Autumn day and bring some summer to your soul!”

Bookings are now open https://olivetreebrasserie.co.uk/leeds-2/