Movie-themed Grindhouse bar and restaurant opens in Leeds city centre - showing films all day long

Work on Grindhouse Bar in Upper Briggate started in February 2020 and it was due to open in May of last year but was delayed because of lockdown.

Now, the bar is up and running and is adorned with movie posters on its walls, table lamps that light up original film cells and a large screen showing films on repeat with film soundtracks all day long.

Food is served from 9am to 5pm with takeaways available, and customers can find a selection of meat, vegetarian and vegan offers.

Drinkers can enjoy North Star coffees and a range of teas, beers, wines and cocktails.

During the evening, the only food served will be Frio Pie - to which co-owner Paul Handley said "blew his mind" when he had it in Austin Texas.

According to Mr Handley, Frio Pie is a packet of crisps sliced open with homemade chilli, chopped onions, cheese and jalapeños mixed together.

He said: “The hospitality industry has taken several hits over the last 14 months, and we were no exception.

“It’s been a really difficult, wonderful, challenging, exciting time full of setbacks which slowed us down considerably, even out of lockdown it has affected the build because materials were harder to come by – but we’ve done it and we can’t wait to get started properly.

"The Northern Quarter is a great area of the city, it’s packed with independents and has a great vibe. We’re delighted to take our spot in the Northern Quarter alongside other Leeds greats.”

Fellow owner Dave Holmes, founder of Santagio, added: “The plan for Grindhouse was born of a conversation over a few beers, I wanted to get another business going and Paul was looking for new opportunities so when the site on Briggate became available, we jumped in.

“We didn’t settle on the film idea to be the first of its kind, it was just something we both wanted to do,

“We both love film – Paul’s a John Carpenter fan and I love the Zombie genre - it just made sense for us to do it!

“We shortlisted a few film-themed names, but Grindhouse was an instant favourite; the history of Grindhouse films and theatres, and the general coffee connection – it feels right.”

The pair are using regional produce as much as possible - having formed relationships with Leeds Markets, North Star Coffee, Northern Monk, and Leeds-based Glazed and Confused Donuts.

The opening times are 9am to midnight Monday through to Thursday, 9am to 1am on Fridays and Saturdays and 11am to midnight on Sunday.