The news leaves several gaps in Leeds’ bar and restaurant scene
A major player in the Leeds bar and restaurant scene has gone into administration, putting the future of several establishments in doubt.
Leelex are the operators of Jake’s Bar, Oporto and Neon Cactus on Leeds’ popular nightlife hotspot Call Lane, as well as Cielo Blanco and Pintura in Trinity and The Distillery on London’s Portobello Road.
Cielo Blanco was suddenly closed last week as it was announced that the group had been experiencing cashflow issues, followed by Pintura.
At present, the three Call Lane bars are continuing to operate, but the loss of Cielo Blanco will come as a major blow to the Trinity Centre and to the group, who also closed their only London restaurant earlier this year.
The three remaining Leeds bars represent a blend of diversity and longevity in one of the city’s most sought-after locations for nightlife. Neon Cactus serves Mexican food and a range of tequila-heavy cocktails, while Oporto has been offering intimate gigs and late nights for over two decades.
Meanwhile, Jake’s Bar, nearer the top of Call Lane, has recently celebrated its tenth birthday. Alongside a reputation for some of the finest cocktails in the city, it has also had its own 30-litre copper still since 2012.
