This popular bar is giving away a year’s supply of FREE beer – here’s how to get your hands on it​

Bar & restaurant group The Botanist, famed for its botany-inspired cocktails, has launchedits first own-label draught lagerand fans of craft beerwill want to get excited about it – asession lager infused with botanical notes and fruity aromas,it doesn’t get much more refreshing. The 4%ABVbrewis available exclusively across all 24 of its bars in the UK now.

The award-winning brand has joined forces with independent brewery Tiny Rebel to produce the unique and aptly named ‘The Botanist Lager’, a creation which brings together The Botanist’s expertise in botanicals with Tiny Rebel’s renowned flair for pushing the boundaries of beer creation.

We all know there’s nothing better than an ice-cold pint you didn’t pay for, so to celebrate the launch of the lager, the bar is giving away an entire year’s supply to one lucky fan. The winner will receive a personal branded black card, granting them one pint of The Botanist Lager completely free of charge for 365 consecutive days, redeemable at any The Botanist bar in the UK, so a refreshing pint will never be far away.

How do you get your hands on the good stuff? To be in with a chance of winning, lager lovers should head to The Botanist’s Instagram page and share its recent The Botanist Lager post to their Instagram story, as well as tagging a friend in the comments section and following both The Botanist and Tiny Rebel on Instagram. The competition closes on Friday 24th November at 12pm and one lucky winner will be selected at random and contacted directly by The Botanist.

On a mission to craft a fresh taste, the two brands selected Columbus hops, a citrus aroma combined with an earthy background, together with Hallertau Blanc hops, with floral and fruity notes, combining the flavours to produce an elegant, light tasting lager representative of adventure, exploration and nature.

Kelly Harrison, Head of Bars at The Botanist said: “We came together with Tiny Rebel over a shared love of doing things differently. Our innovative cocktail list explores unique combinations of fruits, florals, herbs and plants and we wanted to combine this expertise with their innovative craftsmanship to produce a great quality 4% lager, unique to us. What we’ve created is a refreshing light liquid suited to anyone who enjoys a cold pint!”

Alex Smith, Head of Wholesale & Field Sales at Tiny Rebel said: “This lager is the result of things we both know and love – good beer, good food and great hospitality. A true collaboration, unique to The Botanist, which encapsulates style, flavour and good times. I for one cannot wait to grab a cold one at our local Botanist!”

Competition terms and conditions apply. For full details, visit: https://thebotanist.uk.com/tiny-terms?preview&id=710

To find your nearest Botanist venue visit: https://thebotanist.uk.com

Magical Night at The Queens: LeedsBID to Illuminate Leeds with Spectacular Christmas Projection

Landmark Leeds building brought to life, with British actress Celia Imrie to voice over stunning new city centre animation.

With the festive season fast approaching, LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District), in collaboration with the renowned Barcelona-based creative studio Onionlab, is set to captivate the city with a magical Christmas projection on the iconic Queens Hotel in Leeds. This awe-inspiring event will be the first of its kind in the UK for Onionlab, and will take place from December 15th-December 23rd, 2023.

The landmark installation, entitled Magical Night at The Queens, will showcase the arrival of Christmas at The Queens, taking spectators on a tour around the iconic hotel with the help of one very special guest - The Gingerbread Man. Unique and innovative, the extravaganza will showcase festive themes and stunning visuals using the elegant architecture of the hotel as a canvas, giving audiences a tantalising glimpse through the doors of The Queens at Christmas. Through state of the art technology combined with world class design, passers-by will witness the true magic of Christmas take over Leeds.

To further enhance the experience, Hollywood actress Celia Imrie CBE is set to narrate the story of the visual piece. The Olivier-award winning actress is best known for her roles in Bridget Jones, Nanny McPhee and Calendar Girls.

“Hats off to The Queens Hotel in Leeds – I have very happy memories of staying there during the filming of The Darling Buds of May,” Celia said. “I was always impressed by its welcoming recepion, and I am excited to be working alongside them this Christmas. I love how the ravishing art deco designs have been so lovingly preserved and can’t wait to see what LeedsBID do to enhance these further. I am delighted to be revisiting this entirely unique hotel and the wonderful city it’s in,” she said.

LeedsBID is delighted to be working with the digital art powerhouse Onionlab on this one of a kind project. Onionlab is celebrated for their expertise in designing installations, audiovisuals, and interactive experiences, tailored for institutions that aspire to bridge technology, design and art. Their groundbreaking work has garnered acclaim worldwide, and this collaboration with LeedsBID marks their UK debut in the field of projection mapping.

Andrew Cooper, Chief Executive, LeedsBID said: “We are thrilled to be working with Barcelona agency Onionlab in what will be a first for Leeds and the UK. They’ll take us on a journey through the magic of Christmas – leaning into the art deco characteristics of the iconic Queens Hotel – transforming it into a large-scale gingerbread house. Narrating the show will be a very special guest who is no stranger to icing! Christmas, as for all places, is a key trading period but also a time for community, so over these nine nights we hope to bring some festive cheer to all.”

Alistair Campbell, General Manager, The Queens Hotel, said: “We are delighted and filled with joy at The Queens to announce our collaboration with LeedsBID during this festive season. It brings us immense happiness to join hands with the city’s business improvement district to showcase an enchanting festive projection onto our iconic hotel, creating a magical spectacle for the entire city of Leeds to enjoy. The projection, created by Barcelona design house Onionlab, brings to life key aspects of The Queens, including our iconic red lift and famous ballroom. It’ll without a doubt spread festive cheer and contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of our community. We look forward to sharing this joyous experience with everyone and making this festive season truly special for the city of Leeds."

As the festive season approaches, LeedsBID and Onionlab's Christmas projection promises to be a visual spectacle like no other, adding a touch of magic and wonder to the heart of Leeds. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to come and witness this enchanting display and share in the joy of the holiday season at The Queens Hotel from December 15th-December 23rd.

Also brought to the city this Christmas by LeedsBID are a number of festive lights sprinkled across the city centre including the return of the elegant drape lighting adorning the historic Trinity Church and festive lights tree at St Peter’s Square.

New Winter Decorations are to be hung over Briggate - a series of dynamic suspended light sculptures bringing warmth, colour and movement with a contemporary, innovative light show to help illuminate the winter months.

Its Welcome Hosts can also be found out and about in the city every day, in Leeds Station and in key retail locations, on hand to help visitors discover the delights of Christmas to be found in Leeds city centre.

Magical Night at The Queens

Dates: 15th December - 23rd December 2023

Times: 4:30 - 8:30pm - every 30 minutes (film lasts 10 minutes)

Harvey Nichols Leeds unveil new winter terrace, patisserie, and delicious festive menu.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Harvey Nichols, who are embracing the season in a typically fashion-forward style. The iconic Leeds store is famous for its wonderfully festive window displays, impressive in-store activations, and sparkling events - and 2023 is no exception.

Not only is the famous Fourth Floor Brasserie revealing an indulgent winter and Christmas Dining menu, but they’re also unveiling its all-new all-weather terrace in collaboration with drink of the season Patrón El Cielo Terrace and Edible Arts Patisserie.

Designed exclusively for Harvey Nichols by the premium tequila brand, the new heated terrace will channel a sophisticated look with muted silver, green and gold tones which take inspiration from their stylish bottle design. The terrace has undergone its biggest makeover to date, making it the perfect cosy winter retreat to sip cocktails or take a break from shopping.

Their new winter serves include the warming Blood Orange and Gingerbread Fizz, which mixes their smooth signature Patrón El Cielo with Harvey Nichols Champagne, blood orange and gingerbread syrup to capture Christmas in a glass. Tequila has fast become the spirit of choice over the past couple of years and Patrón El Cielo is one of the most sought-after brands to emerge in this sector.

Other highlights that are sure to entice any serious cocktail aficionado include the Cinnamon & Black Pepper Old Fashioned and the Honey & Chestnut Sour. Their tequila collection is also available in the Fourth Floor Wine Shop and expected to be a bestseller for Christmas 2023.

Another addition to the festive line up is Edible Arts Patisserie. From Saturday 18th November, the team will be on hand to treat your tastebuds to a selection of delicious macarons and delectable chocolates from their new home on the Fourth Floor. Created by top pastry chef Damien Wager, the Patisserie will feature a selection of creative, limited-edition flavours, exclusive to Harvey Nichols inspired by some of their very own Christmas ranges.

The Fourth Floor Brasserie is also pleased to announce its highly anticipated winter and Christmas Dining menu, which is filled with a myriad of inspired flavours. Starters include a rich Blue Cheese Mousse with pear and walnut, and a Tuna Eclair with oyster emulsion, cucumber, red wine vinegar jelly and crispy shallots.

Mains range from the classic Roasted Turkey Breast with braised turkey leg pie to a Roasted Beef Fillet with truffle-infused jus and Pan-fried Hake with saffron potatoes. Guests can choose to indulge in three courses of the Christmas Menu alongside 90 minutes of bottomless Harvey Nichols Champagne for just £98. A perfect way to celebrate with friends and family this festive season.

For a memorable evening of culture and opulent dining, look no further than Dine out on Opera, the annual event takes place on Wednesday 22nd November in the Fourth Floor Brasserie. Guests can enjoy a sumptuous three course meal and performance cocktails as they take in the musical excellence of Opera North – all set against the dramatic skyline views of Leeds.

Dishes include Pan Fried Yorkshire Chicken Breast with cavolo nero, wild mushroom and chicken thigh arancini, Pan Fried Halloumi and Cured Salmon with beetroot, apple, horseradish, and hazelnut. The event is expected to sell out and makes for a perfect start to the party season.

And finally, Harvey Nichols is bringing all the fun of the fair to kick off the festive gifting season with their Rewards Shopping Party. Shop until you drop in-store between Thursday 2nd November and Monday the 6th with live DJ sets and exclusive discounts throughout the store on the most complete collection of luxury gifts in town. The festivities ramp up at the weekend, as you’ll bear witness to fairground games, complimentary refreshments and a Winter Spirits Showcase on Saturday 4th November, where you can enjoy complimentary tastings form their showstopper spirit brands.