Chow Down Leeds set to return with 'biggest ever lineup'

The open air drinking and dining space is reopening with a bang on Monday April 12, with an exciting line-up of artists as well as street art, a new al fresco seating area, and 65 new food traders catering over the spring/summer.

Traders will be from all over the UK and as well as street food, customers can expect to see chef collaborations later down the line as Chow Down hopes Temple Arches becomes the hot spot for discovering new food in 2021.

Headliners set to play the venue this summer include Mr Scruff, Joe Goddard, DJ Paulette, Erol Alkan, and New York Brass Band.

Glasgow’s Party Starters, Optimo, will also make an appearance as the music line-up steps up a beat.

Simon Fogal, one of the Chow Down founders, said: “The Leeds indie scene has been massively impacted by the pandemic so we’re determined to make 2021 better than ever and give these businesses a boost.

“We encourage all customers that book with us to visit the local area, as there are some great indies like The Cross Keys and Northern Monk Refectory.

“We have seen a record amount of ticket sales this time round which shows that people have an appetite for getting out and about, supporting the indies they know and love, as well as discovering new ones.

“We wanted to expand on what we offered last year which is why we’ve included traders from further afield than Leeds and Yorkshire, plus the music lineup is the best we’ve ever had.”

Stu Butterworth, member of the Chow Down founding team and New Citizens, said this will be a huge summer for both Chow Down and Temple Arches.

He said: “We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Chow Down, refreshing Leeds city centre as lockdown eases.

“We have made some major additions and improvements to the site, such as our new alfresco terraced seating area, perfect for a summer's afternoon.

"Our new visual arts addition rounds off our programme to compliment our food and drink offering.”

Chow Down have been curating food areas with Leeds Indie Food for four years now and boast this year is their “biggest and tastiest food line-up yet.”

Some local traders set to cater at Chow Down include Holy Mountain Kitchen, Little Red Food Truck, MorMor, and Homeboy Pizza Co, along with a brand new dessert van, Scoop, who supply a rotating mix of donuts and brownies.

North Brew Co are also launching their Chow Down Orange & mandarin Pale Ale on Chow Down’s opening week.

Other special brews are also in the pipeline with neighbour brewery, Northern Monk, as the beer menu looks to rotate each week.

Chow Down have also collaborated with Heart Research UK and local artist Nicolas Dixon to launch an exclusive piece that will be displayed to raise awareness of Heart Research UK’s anonymous heART project, which raises vital funds for medical research at universities and hospitals throughout Yorkshire and the UK.

Chow Down opened for bookings on March 26 and slots for the whole of April had sold out within 48 hours.

Customers with bookings are given a three hour time slot and choice of seating.

The venue will be taking the necessary precautions to ensure visitors safety with social distancing measures and cashless table service in place until further notice.

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