Riding into January but it's not a dry one for our Leeds man about town

Riding into January like Jordan Odu.

We’re already a month into 2019 and I’m loving it so far. It might be absolutely Baltic outside, but my New Year’s resolution to avoid the so-called ‘Jan detox’ and eat and drink my way around all the restaurant deals in Leeds is working out just perfectly. January was a lot of things, but dry it was not.

We managed to secure some awesome foodie offers on our PG Promo site with the city’s best eateries, and part of my job is to try every single one – it’s a hard life and I’m doing it for the gram.

There’s still a few days to enjoy some exclusive offers; I’d recommend the Smashed Avo on toast and Super Green Smoothie each morning at East Parade Social, The Alchemist Greek Street’s super-tasty Jerk Chicken for lunch and head to Harvey Nichols for a contemporary dinner choice and date night vibes.

I also swung by Issho. If you love Japanese food like I do, you need to experience their incredible Chiisai four course tasting menu. I can’t get enough of the Chicken Karaage with wasabi mayo, my fave Salmon Maki Roll and the Duck Leg Confit with spicy hoi sin sauce really is a dream, all for just £20.

Next on my list, and if like me you can’t function without coffee, then head down to The Vanguard which has just opened on Duncan Street. Brought to you by the team behind Domino Club and Roland’s, this new café bar is very civilised with breakfast and lunch until it switches into a bar for the evening. It’s a great new addition to the city and I’ll be heading back to make my way through the cocktail list and eclectic dinner menu soon.

In a bid to counteract all the rich food and boozy nights out, my lovely friend Mel visited to hook me up with one of her life-changing Invigorate IV vitamin drips. It really sorts you out after a heavy night and gives you that much needed energy boost. I’m not a massive fan of needles but it was worth it. When she arrived at my house, I was looking like something out of The Walking Dead, but when she left, it’s safe to say I was feeling myself!

Delighted to be working with Candlelighters this year.

For our next projects, we’re hosting Lost and Found, Leeds Club’s first birthday next month. The venue is beautiful and one of the best additions to the Leeds bar scene in 2018. It serves up an amazing list of cocktails and delicious food to whet your appetite, and I was bowled over by a bike that turns into a gin bar.

Another place to watch is Cameron Brewery’s, Head of Steam in Headingley. It’s already one of the best pubs in the student capital with local and international ales and it’s about to get better. They’re transforming the first floor into a gaming mecca with US pool table, shuffleboards, ping pong and retro arcade gaming. It opens next Friday and I can’t wait to get down for some ice-cold craft and a cheeky bash on Nintendo Mario Kart.

And just when you think Leeds has got everything, Enter LOOP. A brand new karaoke bar opening in February in the site formerly known as The Pit, Merrion Street. This raucous party bar will boast 6 karaoke rooms with classic and current hits, beer AND prosecco pong, arcade machines and a cracking cocktail list.

Finally, I’m super proud to inform you we’ve partnered up with the Candlelighters Trust, who thought we’d be the perfect team to help turn Leeds ‘pink’ later this year. Looking forward to working with them on numerous events this year – watch this space.