Jon Howe

The cities of Leeds and Sheffield have rarely seen eye-to-eye over anything, whether it is arena funding, the siting of the Royal Armouries or more than a century of football rivalries. Even so, the early 1990s saw a cross-city collaboration that kick-started one of the country's most influential, respected and enduring independent record labels. Warp Records was founded in the back room of a Sheffield independent record shop called FON Records in 1989, by employees Rob Mitchell and Steve Beckett. The label – which has since re-located to London in 2000 – has developed from humble beginnings to become a pioneering cultural organisation incorporating some of the biggest names in British dance music and film.   A photo posted by Eric Schulz (@baristaeric) on Nov 9, 2013 at 5:22am PST   Back in 1986, FON Records also ran a record label and signed a band from Leeds called Age of Chance; a visually-arresting industrial rock/dance crossover act that used samples, wore cycling gear and had record sleeves and promo posters dripping in loaded slogans and imposing visuals. Age of Chance recorded a version of Prince’s hit ‘Kiss’ in 1986 on FON Records, and the single’s wide success funded FON’s direct advancement of the emerging house music scene in the UK, allowing them to release ‘Hustle’ by Funky Worm and ‘House Arrest’ by Krush. Meanwhile, 30 miles north in Leeds, a young hip-hop DJ called George Evelyn and his friend Kevin Harper were running the ‘Downbeat’ club night at Leeds

Following the recent cocktail and gin influx into Leeds comes the latest uprising – a new challenger set on derailing the status quo and unsettling the established order of things. This time we are talking about rum, famous pirate tipple, re-imagined as the spirit of choice for the party scene of Leeds. And Revolucion de Cuba is right at the heart of this insurgence. In the building formerly occupied by Baracoa (which will be reopening a few doors down later in November), on the corner of Call Lane and Lower Briggate, Revolucion de Cuba is the latest venture of the ‘Revolution’ group which has two vodka-centric sister bars already in Leeds. Based on Prohibition-era Cuba – where natural light was as much an enemy as the US liquor laws that threatened to shut down the Cuban rum industry – Revolucion is a two-storey palace to everything Cuban. Naturally Che Guevara is the poster boy of choice, and numerous framed pictures highlight the cultural freedom his actions produced. Jon Howe   Downstairs is quite light and airy and the onus is on food, but with smaller tables for tapas sharing which create a less intimidating atmosphere. Upstairs is dark, with high and deep leather alcoves and secretive recesses, plus an open dance floor with upturned barrels as tables. Jon Howe   Weekly salsa dancing classes are on the agenda, but food and drink is what Revolucion de Cuba does with a polished style and a fierce passion. Tapas dishes of chorizo, croquettes, meatballs and patatas brav

If golf is a good walk spoiled, then a pub crawl is a good drink frequently suspended by the trek from one venue to another. Most pub crawlers start their journey with a raging thirst, meaning you can quite easily forget about the walking part or taking in some scenery along the way. With this in mind, the pub crawl along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in West Leeds has a healthy concentration of pubs at the beginning (which serves the parched requirement), before a couple of lengthy stretches later on which make up the majority of your drinking expedition. The Leeds-Liverpool Canal is supposed to be walkable throughout its entire length, and certainly the stretch from the Railway pub at Rodley through to the Kirkstall Bridge offers little of any taxing nature, other than its inherent distance. Indeed, the whole length has recently been gravel-covered, meaning it should remain walkable and hazard-free in pretty much any weather.  Since we’re drinking pints, we should probably also measure distance in units that most of us understand, and therefore the 3.82 mile walk takes about one hour fifteen minutes of pure walking, broken up by any time spent in each of the six pubs en route. Bear in mind, though, these are some of the best pubs in Leeds. Did we forget to tell you that bit? <img id="168c0e4b-ac6e-2f32-22ec-966400939a8a" data-caption="" data-credit="Jon Howe" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="1571404" loaded="1571404" image_id="102920381" src="http://media.timeout

Our first restaurant-served curry is something we all remember. Like the day we learnt to ride a bike, our first gig and the first time we woke up with the front door wide open after a night out. OK, maybe that was just us. But once you have a taste for an authentic and well-cooked curry there's no going back – particularly with it being one of the most affordable things to do with friends to soak up some booze after a night on the beers. Contemporary Indian restaurants, however, are far more than somewhere to start nodding off after a post-pub Madras. They are often visually striking and ambitious organisations; polished, well-organised affairs with feature designs and sophisticated fittings. This got us thinking about traditional curry houses in Leeds, and which was the oldest. Places like Nafees (renamed Balti King a few years ago) on Woodhouse Lane and Tariq's in Headingley have existed since the at least the early 1990s – but what about before then? While there were only an estimated 500 Indian restaurants in the whole of the UK in 1960 (compared to nearly 10,000 in 2015) no doubt some existed in Leeds city centre – even if they hadn't quite gained the attention of many Yorkshire diners. Flickr: Qasic   When we look back at the history of curry houses in Leeds, people talk wistfully about the Khyber Pass on Wellington Street, the Kohinoor on Boar Lane, the Ashoka 'opposite Romeo & Juliets' in the Merrion Centre and the Curry Centre on Merrion Street. Darbars, near Kirk

Sporting venues of prime significance in Leeds are few in number but of historic importance. Elland Road and Headingley Carnegie are the major players, with the long-awaited First Direct Arena becoming renowned for some supercharged nights of international title boxing, albeit with a distinctly local flavour. The international swimming pool – a botched relic of the 1960s that was too short for top class competition because it was built a few centimetres too short – was torn down in 2009, but in South Leeds there is the John Charles Centre for Sport, which hosts swimming, athletics, rugby league and many other sports. Between the two World Wars, however, Leeds was awash with decent-sized sporting venues. In addition to the cricket and rugby played at Headingley and a former racecourse on Pontefract Road, younger folk may be surprised to learn that the main concentration was in the Beeston and Holbeck area.   Prior to the building of the M621 between 1971 and 1975, Beeston and Holbeck were very different to the largely commercial transport hub they form now. In the 19th century they were expanded villages that had grown in population as the coal and clay mines in the area thrived, but there still remained acres of sprawling arable land, upon which farms were built and rhubarb plantations bloomed. Of course Elland Road football ground emerged in the early part of the 20th century, then known as the Old Peacock Ground after the pub it was built opposite. The first permanent occup

Rather similar to the football club it has stood over like a faithful Labrador for countless generations, the Old Peacock found life tough in the new Millennium; trading on past glories and fully reliant on the blind faith of the misguidedly loyal. Life is very different today, at least for the pub. In 2013, a lavish benefactor came along in the form of Ossett Brewery, which instantly injected purpose and energy, transforming the fortunes of a flagging institution. Aerial photo of the original Old Peacock (behind the south east corner of the ground) and its impressive beer garden, 1949Jon Howe/Ross Pullan   A pub called The Old Peacock has stood on the same site on Elland Road since 1826. Well, almost. Back then it was called The Peacock Inn, and it didn’t need to differentiate itself until 1842 when the New Peacock appeared further down Elland Road. At this time of course, there was no football ground across the road to bring weekly trade, just a barren patch of empty space, and the pub relied on the thriving local community and the widespread industry in the area. By 1878 Bentleys Brewery owned the pub and had flattened land over the road to produce a company sports ground, which they called the Old Peacock Ground. This was originally used privately by the company, but hosted rugby when Holbeck Rugby Club took on the lease and eventually football when Leeds City was formed in 1904. This was, of course, replaced by Leeds United in 1919. Life since then has never been the s

You might consider the humble burger to offer little scope for creativity; a slice of meat between bread with maybe a topping and some sauce. Almost Famous isn't the first to study the burger and open up the boundaries of what's possible. But, with the introduction of an outrageous new menu – to celebrate its first anniversary since arriving in Leeds – it has taken the concept to a whole new level.   Sure, what Almost Famous has done to palates and waistlines is also worth discussing, but the results of its new selection will leave you in equal parts contented and bemused. &lt;img id="a5d6d762-85bb-d39b-7364-272fcff14a55" data-caption="The Good Morning America. Yep, that's a Pop Tart" data-credit="Almost Famous" data-width-class="100" type="image/jpeg" total="70810" loaded="70810" image_id="102825387" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102825387/image.jpg" class="photo lazy inline"&gt; The Good Morning America. Yep, that's a Pop TartAlmost Famous   There’s a maverick spirit to Almost Famous which results in experimentation bordering on recklessness. Towering burgers with endless toppings dominate the menu: the ‘Good Morning America’ burger, for example, introduces the idea of mixing a cheese burger with Cheerios, streaky bacon and a strawberry Pop Tart. No, really. &amp;amp;lt;img id="37976cca-0a17-bdd0-7226-a48c1b8f1eb7" data-caption="Bacon topped fries" data-credit="Pink Gorilla" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="2629082" loaded="2629082" image_id=

Man to a flame; one of the earliest attractions in existence. The primeval practice of cooking meat with fire outdoors has seen men gather round discussing briquette colour to heat ratios, when to use artificial lighting agents and the safe edible levels of pink meat since prehistoric times. So why, now, has barbecuing been classified as a 'scene'?  Most of us are aware of fashion scenes, music scenes – even craft ale, cocktail and street food scenes. But the suggestion that barbecued food had generated sufficient activity and interest in a city to constitute a ‘scene’, is somehow amusing. A scene suggests people from the outside flock to it, and it carries a certain unique look or style. Can this really be applied to meat that has been smoked over a grill?   A photo posted by Kate Ovens (@kovens12) on Jul 12, 2015 at 11:52am PDT   Look deeper into it, though, and evidence exists that there is indeed a significant number of organisations loosely labelled as specialising in ‘barbecued foods’. They are operating up and down the country, and dedicated barbecue festivals like Grillstock now attract thousands of visitors drawn by the culinary appeal of charred animal. Can Leeds really boast a barbecue scene of its own? Holy hickory smoke, it sure can.  Various barbecue restaurants have opened in Leeds in the last two years, and while some of these are chains that also exist in other cities, it's hard to imagine such a concentration of like-minded operations having congregated

Keeping up with the ever-expanding pub and bar scene in Leeds is a genuine challenge, albeit a pleasurable one. Today, the city centre is awash with minimalist chic, faux rustic charm and theme bars, leaving the trusty, traditional pub somewhat faded into the background. Or so it seems. Until you put your mind to it, it’s easy to think that there is no room or desire for the traditional boozer in Leeds. Furthermore, since the start of the millennium, the impact of the recession, rising beer taxes and regulatory costs has seen many such establishments having to permanently call time.  But that’s not to say there aren’t still plenty of stubborn mules maintaining their values and audibly tutting at the lack of drip trays, bar towels, brass foot rests and indefinable ‘characters’ around Leeds’ buzzing new bar scene. Adam Bruderer/Flickr   These pubs were here long before ice bars, cocktail bars and retro-fitted craft ale bars started springing up in various pockets of the city centre, and they can be loosely placed into three different categories. First there are the pubs that maintain a ‘traditional’ feel but have been extensively renovated and are now geared towards a wider market. This includes pubs such as the Scarbrough Taps, West Riding, The George, Victoria Hotel, The Adelphi, The Grove Inn, The Griffin, Fox & Newt, Duck & Drake, Horse & Trumpet, The Palace and the Town Hall Tavern. These pubs demonstrate a clear concession to moving trends, but still a pleasing attentio

Leeds is rightly proud of its city centre and what it provides for the financial, legal, retail and leisure industries. Reasons to visit are plentiful and few people are in any doubt that Leeds city centre is one of the most thriving and prosperous in the country. One long-standing failing it has, however, is an attraction for children. Sure, shopping is great if you are looking for something for the kids and there are plenty of places desperate to feed, water and sugar-load your little ones. But in terms of permanent, dedicated ventures for kids to be active or learn, Leeds has a conspicuous vacancy.   &lt;img id="1c8f6461-af89-fe7b-2b24-a77ba4b84523" data-caption="" data-credit="Tim Green/Flickr" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="1019033" loaded="1019033" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102780977/image.jpg" alt="Royal Armouries" class="photo lazy inline"&gt; Tim Green/Flickr   It is important to point out a distinction between attractions or organisations being ‘child-friendly’ and being aimed at children. These are two very different things, and Leeds definitely does lack a venture like ‘Eureka’ within its boundary, although the outer areas of the city do have places like the Thackray Medical Museum, Thwaites Mill and Armley Mills, where children can watch and learn. But again, these are not dedicated specifically to children. The knock-on effect of making a concerted effort to attract children into the city centre is very clear, and many people ha

Nearly 200 years of brewing tradition was lost after Tetley’s production harrowingly ended in Leeds in 2011. While some hardened devotees loyal to the huntsman may have vowed never to sup another Leeds beer, Tetley’s sad demise in the city opened up the market to a drayman’s cartload of smaller craft breweries determined to satiate a thirsty pub crowd with inquisitive tastes. Of course, some of these were around long before Tetley’s opened up the playing field, but the majority have thrived as the popularity of craft ales, quenchable beers and fruity innovation has exploded. The outlying areas around Leeds can boast the Ilkley Brewery, Ossett Brewery, Wharfebank Brewery and Collingham Ales, amongst others. Yet in the Leeds city boundary alone you can still choose a range of offerings from this hop-heavy and highly-quaffable selection: Leeds Brewery   A photo posted by Jasmin Davies (@jasmin_davies) on Aug 8, 2014 at 2:05am PDT   Established in 2007 by two uni friends, the Leeds Brewery has mass market appeal and solid branding for a reliable and consistent range of beers which use only UK-sourced malted barley and Yorkshire yeast. The permanent cask range of Leeds Pale, Leeds Best, Yorkshire Gold and Midnight Bell – plus their lager offering Leodis – can be found as guest beers all over the city, but most prominently in the brewery’s seven pubs (including the new Lamb and Flag on Church Row, which opens July 4). Midnight Bell, Brewery Tap, Crowd of Favours, Garden Gate

A hundred years ago Leeds was awash with independently-run suburban cinemas. Saturday morning matinees were a staple part – if not the only part – of a family’s extra-curricular activity. Cinemas in Armley, Harehills, Beeston, Kirkstall, Sheepscar, Stanningley and elsewhere were regularly packed with eager viewers waiting for the latest cartoons, news bulletins, war footage and morale-boosting dramas; indeed, any form of escapism. Today there are only two ‘local’ cinemas left in Leeds, and they still stubbornly refuse to compromise their original style and values. Remarkably, they stand just a mile or so away from each other in North West Leeds. Even more unusual is the fact that they owe much of their continuing success to the sad demise of a third cinema in the LS6 area, which fought long and hard against the multiscreen might of the big hitters. The Lounge Cinema on North Lane opened 99 years ago in October 1916, but closed in January 2005 after five years of declining attendances and mounting losses. Alas, the enduring charm of its period architecture, open plan foyer and plush velvet seating was not enough. The once sweeping auditorium had been reduced from 831 seats to just 483. Not the progress that suggested a prosperous future.   The Lounge CinemaUrban Outlaw/Flickr   At the time there was a public outcry as Headingley locals saw another piece of the area’s history swallowed up by the increasingly distasteful face of commercialism. However, this closure had appeare