New sessions revealed for Chow Down: Leeds’ premier open air drink & dining space as new bookings go live

Chow Down has been Leeds’ COVID-safe drink, dining and entertainment option since reopening on 12th April. This week, the outdoor venue launches more bookings, announces impressive new line-ups, and offers extended sessions on Fridays and Saturdays (with additional 8:30pm and 8:45pm bookings) as well as announcing itself as the venue for British Street Food Awards.

Chow Down – morning to night

This summer sees Chow Down stretching into the evening, with two additional evening sessions increasing the capacity to 500 per session. These will also be complemented by a trial of a novel new Brunch sitting on 3rd July, allowing the food & fun to be enjoyed all day long. 

Chow Down will host Bastards Bistro, Get Wurst, Little Red Food Truck, MorMor, Pizza Loco, Shouk Street Food, Yorkshire Cheese Grill, Suburban Eats, The Spicy Biker and loads more. Chow Down will welcome new traders like Patty Freaks from Birmingham, Meksikan from Manchester and Pellizco from Sheffield.  

Lucy Rhodes from Torito Taco:

“Chow Down has been a lifesaver for us as a business. We absolutely love coming to Leeds and serving our taco menu. The staff are super friendly and the event has great vibes. 

Luigi from Luigi Street Food:

“The food scene is big in Leeds. Chow Down is our favourite event to come to; it is such a nice venue and I can’t wait to come back and serve more of my panzerotti and arancini!”

The in-house dessert option is sweet as can be, as Scoop, Chow Down’s, dessert van, serves up the perfect dessert for a summer’s day, with a rotating mix of the tastiest donuts and brownies – all served up with a scoop of ice cream and plentiful toppings. Of course, there are vegan options available too. 

British Street Food Awards: 19th – 22nd August

Chow Down has been picked to host the Northern heat of the British Street Food Awards over the weekend of 19th-22nd August. Having taken a break from the full awards last year due to the pandemic, this year it is back bigger than ever. Expect 15 of the North’s best traders to take over Chow Down as they push on to the final, this year taking place in Hull. 

Richard Johnson, Founder of the British Street Food Awards:

“Leeds has always been a special part of the British Street Food Awards story. We first held the finals here – in Millennium Square – back in 2015, and we’ve had more winners from this city than pretty much any other. Thankyou Manjit’s Kitchen, Ben Davy back when it was Fu-Schnickens, Ben is now working at Meatless Farm Company. Thankyou Doh’Hut and Jah Jyot, who went on to win big in the European Street Food Awards as well. 

This year we are launching the awards in the USA – but once again, the story will start in Leeds. And we couldn’t feel more excited to come to Chow Down, the sort of place we dreamed about when we started the Awards back in 2010.”

We’ve got the horn!

…And the beats, to get the party going. The Chow Down music programme is now in full swing. Coming up over June/July: 

The stellar Mr Scruff, disco shenanigans from Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy, Hacienda’s DJ Paulette (returning after her winning appearance at last year’s bank holiday Chow Down), multi-talented record producer, remixer and Hot Chip founder Joe Goddard (bringing some experimental beats), and Manchester’s Electric Chair party starter Luke Una. 

Having trialled live music with Back Chat Brass at the end of May, more bands are lined up for later in the year, including New York Brass, the return of Back Chat Brass Band, Loud Noises and Mr Wilsons Second Liners. 

Matt Long, Co-Found Chow Down: 

“It’s been an incredible opening couple of months, the people of Leeds and beyond have shown a huge appetite for getting out with friends and family and supporting hospitality. And now we head into the summer months, where Chow Down really comes into its own”

“The vibe has been amazing here since we re-opened in April and with the sun beaming down, we’re going bigger and increasing the capacity to 500 for the summer months in what will essentially be Leeds ‘biggest beer garden’. 

Bookings for June/July are open now: 

Visit Chow Down here: https://chowdownevents.co.uk/