If you’re planning a weekend in Leeds with the girls and want some inspiration, you’re in the right place! Often people prioritise travelling around London, however Leeds is a fantastic city with so much to offer. We’re here with 8 different fun activities to do, some for the daytime, some for the evening, some involving drinking and others not. These activities showcase some of the best of what Leeds has to offer, so get some of them booked in and enjoy your weekend! No matter your budget or the kind of weekend you’re looking for, we’ve got so many fun options to help you have the best weekend!
Brunch At Olive & Rye
Firstly, you’ve got to kick things off with a good brunch at Olive & Rye! They take both walk-ins and reservations, but we’d recommend booking to avoid disappointment. This is such a great spot with a really extensive menu, from great coffees, matcha, teas, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, through to wonderful all day breakfasts, brunch dishes, bagels, sandwiches and salads. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then you’ve got to go for their “Brunch Desserts”, where you pick a base of either buttermilk pancakes, brioche French toast or waffles, then pick your toppings from maple bacon, bacon and fried eggs, berry and banana, fried chicken and bacon and even pina colada! There’s such a great range here and you’ll definitely be spoilt for choice. So, we’d recommend getting a few bits to share. Our favourites are the reuben benedict, chorizo hash and maple bacon french toast!
Visit Blue Pavillion For Dinner
Whilst we’re on the topic of food, we’d definitely recommend visiting Blue Pavillion for dinner if you’re a fan of Chinese food! This absolutely stunning restaurant has timeless and traditional food, in a wonderful setting that can’t be missed. If you want a more affordable option then they do great lunch set menus for £24.99, including a small plate, main and side. If you go in the evening the menu is quite a bit more extensive, with dim sum, stunning small plates, fish, meat, vegetables, rice, noodles and a good vegetarian/vegan offering too. There is plenty of variety in terms of cost as well so if you do want to go in the evening, you can easily find something to suit your budget.
Cocktail Masterclass At Maven
If you’re looking for a cocktail in a cool and intimate bar, then Maven is the place to be. There are so many stunning cocktails in this classy Gatsby style bar, whether you want to choose your own cocktail or ask the bartender to make something for you as a surprise if you’re feeling adventurous! You can just go in for a cocktail if you want to, or they do really fun cocktail masterclasses. You definitely need to book these in advance and you can book between Thursday and Sunday for £34pp. You’re led by one of the cocktail masters, served with nibbles designed to enrich the flavours of your cocktail. They also change the theme throughout the year depending on the season, so everything is always nice and fresh.
Shopping At Victoria Leeds!
Is a weekend away with the girls complete without a shopping trip? One of the shopping highlights in the city is definitely Victoria Leeds, located in the heart of the city and filled with fantastic shops in a breathtaking environment, with stunning historic buildings and stained glass. The range of shops is fantastic at this shopping centre in Leeds, from the luxury designer shops through to the more affordable highstreet classics. Of course you’re going to be hungry with all the shopping, so make the most of the cafes, bars and restaurants on offer, from a quick stop off at Le Ble for coffee through to a luxury dining experience at Ivy Asia. There are also fun activities like Boom Battle Bar, as well as plenty of fun events for you to enjoy! You have so many options and could spend hours here, so set aside some time and top up your wardrobe! Don’t forget to pick up some UK souvenirs whilst you’re there.
Go To Stand Up Comedy!
If you’re in the mood for a laugh, head to some of the great stand up comedy that Leeds has to offer. There are plenty of options, from the Leeds Comedy Club in Revolution De Cuba through to the Comedy Cellar at Verve or Comedy Unleashed Leeds. Tickets usually are quite cheap so it’s a good way to start the night.
Go For Bottomless Brunch At Lost & Found
For those of you who are looking to have a drink, a bottomless brunch at Lost & Found. This is such a great and cost effective way to enjoy stunning restaurants and drinks for less. It costs £35pp and you get any brunch dish on their bottomless brunch menu, then choose from bottomless Aperol Spritz, Prosecco, Mimosas, Bloody Mary’s, Smoothies or other alcohol free options. So, if you’re heading out, why not go for bottomless brunch in the afternoon to set you up for the rest of the night!
Go Charity/Vintage Shopping
Another great activity is to go charity shopping and vintage shopping around Leeds! There are plenty dotted all around the city, so have a good wander around and enjoy. If you’re into vintage shops, then there are so many great ones too, with Blue Rinse being particularly good. It’s been running for over 20 years and there is one shop with four full floors of garments, shoes and accessories on Call Lane, then there is a second huge shop in the Merrion Centre. From all kinds of quirky items through to classic Levi’s, varsity jackets and cute tees, they’ve got everything. If you head to the Call Lane venue, make sure to stop off at If Up North, a really cute coffee shop just up the road with great drinks and cake.
Visit Kirkgate Market
Last but certainly not least, we have the Leeds Kirkgate Market, with everything from food to fashion. If you fancy a place to explore for shopping, eating and drinking, this is the place to be. From fabrics through to flowers, fresh produce to furniture, hair products to homeware and jewellery, there is literally everything here so make sure to set aside a couple of hours. One of the highlights is the street food, with so many delicious options. From Vietnamese food to Fat Annie’s vegan burgers, Fisherman’s wife fish and chips, Istanbul bakery, Jerk chicken, pizza and delicious Yorkshire Wraps. One of our favourite’s is Manjit’s kitchen, with delicious vegetarian Indian cuisine, make sure you don’t miss out on the Vada pav!