Leeds Pride will return on Sunday 21 July, promising to be its biggest, boldest, and brightest celebration to date attracting over 70,000 visitors with street parties, performances and festivities.
This year, the celebrations have been extended to Call Lane for the first time in its history, in addition to the usual Lower Briggate and Millennium Square hubs. Now some of Call Lane’s most popular bars are going all out for the occasion.
Call Lane Social, Tiki Hideaway, Cuckoo and Brooklyn, along with sister bars Verve and Mean Eyed Cat Bar on Merrion Street, will be joining forces to offer an all-summer-long party for the LGBTQ+ community in Leeds and beyond.
To kick off the celebrations, each bar has partnered with Pernod Ricard to bring punters a limited-edition Pride menu throughout July and August. Try some of the city’s most colourful cocktails, including the pink sugar rimmed Pride & Diversity, inspired by the colours of the trans flag; the Flower Power, a floral and refreshing drink inspired by the queer flower code; or the Sweet Like Hunni, a tropical cooler of honey flavoured vodka mixed with banana and root ginger cordial.
For every limited-edition Leeds Pride cocktail sold, 50p will be donated to Angels of Freedom, a local LGBTQ+ charity. Escapism Bar Group has committed to raising funds for this charity throughout the summer.
The fun continues with fundraising events, Pride bottomless brunches, competitions, and giveaways running all through July. Cuckoo, Call Lane Social & Tiki Hideaway have also partnered with artists who will give each venue a colourful face lift for Pride. Look out for the best window art in the city, and enjoy a beach setup extravaganza outside Cuckoo, complete with beach bar, parasols, deck chairs, bean bags, and blankets.
Keep an eye on the bars’ social channels for updates and special Pride giveaways.