Leeds has come a long way. Even in the four (has it really been almost four?) years I’ve lived here, a lot has changed. New restaurants, bars, pubs, events, and shops have sprung up all over the city and so many of them are independent. Pop-ups come and go, some like Bundobust turn into permanent fixtures.
Last week saw yet another new venue open up in the form of The Hedonist Project’s Rum Shack. Nestled in between Belgrave Music Hall and Sandinista! – does anyone remember there even being a space between the two!? – Rum Shack is ramshackle, rough around the edges, and exactly what you’d hope to find in this corner of Leeds.
Inside the bar itself looks like it could have been uprooted and transplanted from a tropical beach, bringing its fruit, music and laid-back vibes along with it. By the time I arrived on the launch night, the festivities were spilling out onto the street around the mini terrace complete with deck chairs (don’t let the photo above from as I was leaving fool you!).
The drinks are equally tropical with reggae rum punch, rum and ginger, strawberry daiquiri and piña coladas cocktails on the menu and Red Stripe bringing in the vegan-friendly beer offering. They’re generously sized but at £6 for a paper cup of cocktail or £4 for a can of beer, you do pay a bit of a premium for the spot. The non-alcoholic options start at a very wallet-friendly £2.50 though!
Rum Shack will be sticking around for the next three months, before transforming into something new and completely different, so if you’re looking for a lively but relaxed spot to get in the summer spirit be sure to catch it while you can.
Have any new pop-ups, erm, popped up in your neighbourhood this summer?
