Bethany Ashcroft

We all love a cocktail. Even more when they have been made with spirits distilled in-house and mixed by some of the most talented bar teams in the city. Jake's Bar and Still Room, built in the grain store for the original Corn Exchange, has been an intrinsic part of the Call Lane drinking scene since it first opened in 2004. Now, more than a decade later, it's showing no signs of slowing down, courtesy of a brand spanking new menu it calls the Eighth Wonder of the World Edition.  Jakes Bar   This new menu, so called as it is the eighth time the menu has changed, is a re-imagining of several cocktail classics and has something for everyone, whether you're a coffee lover, have a sweet tooth to satisfy or like your drinks nice and fruity. Jake's Bar is a venue proud to be in Leeds this shines through the menu. This includes the blighty mojito created by Jake himself; the rhubarb rumbullion, which contains rum infused rhubarb jam (yum); or the Leeds take on the 'French 75' – the pink 75, made using Broker's gin, chambord and lemon juice, topped with prosecco.  Tabitha   What makes Jake's Bar so exceptional is that it's just one of a handful of bars in the country that makes its own liqueurs and distillates, mixing up their creations in a copper pot called 'Tabitha', a reference to the Bronte family's beloved nanny.  Tabitha's technology might be more than 3,000 years old, but still good for making sweet vermouth, coffee liqueur, limoncello and blackberry liqueur.   <img cl

There's something about Greek food that we find simply delicious: the meat, the bread, the salad, oh and the cheese – you cannot forget the cheese! Arguably, cuisine from this part of the world doesn't get shouted about often enough, meaning those who appreciate its many wonders might be at a loss when looking for somewhere to enjoy good quality Greek food in Leeds. Never fear, we're here to help. Next time you're looking for something a little different we've got four suggestions for great Greek eateries that we think are well worth a visit... The Agora <img id="b885d7b4-1a1b-d4f2-b32a-b2a1f878c4b4" data-caption="" data-credit="The Agora" data-width-class="100" type="image/jpeg" total="92464" loaded="92464" image_id="102857725" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102857725/image.jpg" class="photo lazy inline"> The Agora   The Agora fuses Greek and Turkish cuisine perfectly and was even voted Headingley's favourite restaurant by a popular review site. In fact, so successful is its Headingley eatery, that it has now opened one in Horsforth too. The staff are friendly and the restaurant provides high quality food that melts in your mouth. The meze platters are delicious as is the homemade baklava and all the meat is beautifully cooked. Bargain hunters will also be pleased to hear that from Sunday to Thursday you can get two courses for £13.95 – an absolute steal! The Agora has a great atmosphere and is perfect for a special occasion or if you're just in the mood for som

Leeds can boast plenty of burgers joints and pubs selling locally-brewed beers, however one thing we're lacking is arts and crafts shops. Aside from the market stalls, there are very few places stocking the sort of haberdashery and supplies that eager craftsters and artists need to make their creations. Luckily for us, Manchester institution Fred Aldous has crossed the Pennines to help Leeds folk get their craft on, promising that it has 'Everything you need to make anything you want.' Fred Aldous has been going strong in Manchester for almost 130 years, with a reputation for selling excellent quality art and craft materials. They also collaborate with the local arts community and provide opportunities for creatives including artists, illustrators and designer. The opening of the new Leeds store will allow them to broaden their reach, create new partnerships and support local creatives. It will be an ideal spot for students, artists and other makers and shakers to buy their supplies.    A photo posted by Fred Aldous (@fredaldous) on Feb 25, 2015 at 2:09am PST   The new Fred Aldous shop will be located on the Kirkgate – the oldest street in Leeds – in a store that was once a warehouse that led to the creation of retail store Marks & Spencer's. A fitting spot for a company was such a vast history. Leeds has gone from strength to strength in terms of nurturing creativity and we're certain that the new store will be a great addition to the city centre, and an inspiring cultu

So we made it through the great 2015 heatwave but rumour is that there's another one on the way! Luckily for us there's no need to get hot and bothered about where to go when the sun has got his hat on – there's loads of great places to visit in Leeds when the sun is shining. Here are just five:   Roundhay Park and Ornamental Gardens  Flickr: David Incoll   Leeds boasts one of the biggest city parks in Europe and there's no better time to take advantage of it than when the sun is out. Sunbathe on Hill 60, stroll by the lake, or grab an ice cream or a refreshing drink from the Lakeside Cafe to cool off. Roundhay also has a fantastic playground to keep kids entertained where they often have face painting. Plus, just down the road from the park off Mansion Lane there's the stunning ornamental gardens including the Alhambra Gardens-  an authentic homage to the Palacio de Generalife in Andalusia, Spain.     Kirkstall Abbey Flickr: Bill Richards   Located in the parkland along the banks of the River Aire, Kirkstall Abbey is one of England's most complete examples of a medieval Cistercian abbey. It's also great spot for a picnic or just a nice leisurely stroll. You'll also find that Kirkstall Abbey is the venue for loads of events, including open air screenings of cinematic classics such as 'Alice in Wonderland', family picnic mornings and the Kirkstall Deli Market . It also hosts the Kirkstall Festival – one of the largest community festivals going with something to entertain p

We're a small island and yet if you're born and bred in Leeds, you may as well be from a completely different country. Here are 14 things that only proper Loiners will be familiar with…  1) You know at least some of the lyrics to On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at and love explaining what it means to your uninformed mates from down south. 2) The Barrel Man is a standard meeting place  The Barrel Man Facebook page 3) You were gutted when The Cockpit shut down earlier in the year   A photo posted by Tom (@tomkarnage) on Oct 15, 2014 at 1:37pm PDT 4) You still despair whenever someone asks you about Leeds Castle when it’s actually 240 miles away. In Kent.  Flickr: Nicholas Schooley 5) The Tour de France? What's that? It's all about the Tour de Yorkshire round these parts. Flickr: PauliCarmody 6) You’re proud that Leeds now has its own TV station. Big up, Made In Leeds. The City Talking 7) You only drink Yorkshire Tea – anything else is dishwater to you. Flickr: free photos 8) You know all the words to Marching on Together.  9) A boat on land is a regular watering hole for you, all thanks to the Dry Dock.  Flickr: Paul Holloway 10) You refer to people as 'love' because you're just that bloody friendly…  11) … But you resent the fact that you have to share an airport with Bradford.   A photo posted by sam jennings (@samjennings1988) on Dec 1, 2014 at 10:42am PST 12) You go to the West Indian Carnival every August Bank Holiday – the oldest Caribbean carnival in Europe

Sunday is International Women's Day, a day for us to celebrate inspiring women from across the globe. But we need look no further than our own fair city for women who've had a significant impact, from Sky Larkin shredder and member of Sleater-Kinney's touring band Katie Harkin to suffragette Isabella Ford. Here's a selection of some of the greatest women from Leeds... Helen Fielding, writerHelen Fielding, creator of the much-loved Bridget Jones series, was born in Morley, Leeds, where her father was managing director of a textile factory. She went to school in Wakefield then later went on to study English at Oxford University. Her character Bridget Jones has helped many women navigate the rocky path of adult life and the film adaptations of her books have achieved worldwide success. In a survey by the Guardian, Bridget Jones was listed as one of the ten novels that best defined the 20th century. Helena Fielding's books have become emblematic of modern female life. Nicola Adams, sportswomanBrought up on a council estate in Burmantofts, Leeds, Nicola Adams was the first woman to win an Olympic boxing title when she won gold at London 2012. Two years later she made history once again when she became the first female boxing champion at the Commonwealth Games. Nicola has worked with various charities to raise the profile of young people and women in sport. She's also appeared as an extra in Coronation Street and Emmerdale. Corinne Bailey Rae, musicianCorrine Bailey-Rae is a singe

Jon Ronson is a man with many strings to his bow. Journalist, author, documentary film-maker and radio presenter. What doesn't this Welshman do? His works include the best-selling book, The Men Who Stare at Goats, which was turned into a war parody starring George Clooney and Ewan McGregor in 2009. Luckily for us Leeds folk, Ronson – who used to pen a column for Time Out London back in the day – isn't too busy to visit Leeds. He's heading to our neck of the woods next week to promote his new book, So You've Been Publicly Shamed. At 6.30pm on Thursday March 12 he’ll be doing a signing at Waterstones on Albion Street before being whisked off to the wonderful Hyde Park Picture House for a special screening of the Michael Fassbender- and Domhnall Gleeson-starring Frank, which Ronson won a Best Screenplay award for at last year's British Independent Film Awards. Flickr @ thebeingfrankmovie For those who haven’t seen it yet, Frank is a funny but profound tale inspired by Ronson’s real-life experience as the keyboard player in Frank Sidebottom's band. Tickets are just £2.50 for those who attend the Waterstones signing. More things to do on Time Out Leeds.