KIRKSTALL BREWERY & LITTLE BAO BOY TO OPEN ‘THE CITY TAPROOM’ IN LEEDS CITY CENTRE

LEEDS BASED BEER & FOOD MAINSTAYS TEAM UP ON REFURBISHED SOVEREIGN STREET SITE

THE CITY TAPROOM

Opening Thursday 23rd April

The City Taproom

3 Sovereign Square,

Sovereign Street,

Leeds LS1 4BA

https://kirkstallbrewerytap.co.uk/

https://www.littlebaoboy.com/

Independent Leeds brewery Kirkstall Brewery have announced the opening of The City Taproom on Thursday 23rd April in partnership with Leeds street food icons Little Bao Boy. Located on Sovereign Street, a short walk from Leeds station, the venue has been fully transformed with a fresh look that blends the traditional essence of a proper Kirkstall establishment with a modern bar style and the pub-like, cosy atmosphere that has become synonymous with the brewery’s other sites.

Behind the bar, which includes an impressive line-up of 16 tap lines, customers will find Kirkstall Brewery classics, including favourites Kirkstall Pilsner, Virtuous and Judicious alongside permanent lines of the renowned Veltins, newly-returned Double Diamond, and of course, Guinness.

The City Taproom will also feature two new cask lines: one serving Three Swords as a staple, and the other on rotation starting this month with Golden Hour. Guests can look forward to a rotating selection from some of the country’s best breweries including Five Points, Boundary, Vault City and Harveys, and fridges fully stocked with Kirkstall and guests’ cans, available to be enjoyed on site or taken away.

Food at The City Taproom will continue to be operated by Little Bao Boy, who have long made the Sovereign Street site one of Leeds’ go to food spots. At the new City Taproom, the Little Bao Boy team will have a bigger presence, featuring a larger kitchen twice its former size that promises increased capacity and the ability to deliver fast service, more collaborations, menu specials and much more.

Founded ten years ago as a small independent street food brand by James Ooi, specialising in home-made bao buns and traditional Asian street food with a contemporary western twist, Little Bao Boy has become one of the famed Leeds food scene’s great success stories.

Now boasting several locations across Leeds, as well as major spots in popular food destinations like London’s Box Hall City, Ooi joined by fellow director JB, have taken Little Bao Boy nationwide thanks to a run of delivery kitchens up and down the country. In amongst this growth, they remain committed to their northern roots and Leeds’ deeply collaborative hospitality community, with the new City Taproom location continuing to serve as their home base.

The City Taproom is Kirkstall Brewery’s latest site following their successful renovation of beloved local pub, The Victoria & Commercial in partnership with the team at Whitelocks, as well as their recently announced renewed stewardship of the historic Tetley brewery building, two iconic venues from Leeds’ rich beer history.

The City Taproom by Kirkstall Brewery and Little Bao Boy will open seven days a week, opening its doors to the people of Leeds on Thursday 23rd April at midday.

James Ooi – Founder, Little Bao Boy said:

“We have been part of this venue since day one, through COVID, outside seating, and new owners, and we are so excited for this refurb. On the food side, expect more collaborations, faster service, and a better overall customer experience. We are extremely grateful Kirkstall saw the value in this refurb and can’t wait to get back open.”

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Steve Holt – Founder, Kirkstall Brewery said:

“We’re delighted to unveil a new presentation for the Taproom on Sovereign Street. It has been named The City Taproom after a famous but long-gone Leeds pub known as ‘The City’, which was situated where the statue of the Dortmund Brewer now stands. Images of the original City pub are a feature in the new look City Taproom, which can best be described as a ‘re-imagination’ of a traditional city-centre pub.

“The City Taproom celebrates Leeds and its rich pub and brewing heritage. We hope that it will become a popular addition to the amazing and diverse venues that make Leeds such a vibrant City for hospitality and entertainment.”