On Saturday, 14th September, Fearns is poised to host this year’s Leeds Rum Festival, in collaboration with Studio Events, promising to be yet another premier event for rum aficionados, connoisseurs, and enthusiasts alike.
From 1pm to 9pm, Leeds Dock’s kitchen, bar, and event space at 4 The Boulevard will feature vibrant music and engaging masterclasses on a first-come, first-served basis, led by rum ambassadors. There will be ample chances to enjoy delicious food and sample the finest rums.
General Admission tickets, priced at £38.02, offer access to a selection of over 50 rums from around the globe for enthusiasts to taste, a Rum Fest etched tasting glass, and the opportunity to participate in expert-led masterclasses and captivating talks. Additionally, attendees can enjoy excellent cuisine and beverages. The tickets also include entry to the afterparty, complete with a free drink, where the festivities carry on into the night, accompanied by the rhythms of a steel pan band and the vibrant Carnival Troop dancers, who contribute to the event’s Caribbean ambiance.
For those interested in joining later, a limited number of ‘Evening Afterparty Only’ tickets are available for £16.63, which includes a complimentary drink upon arrival and access to the event starting at 5pm. Additionally, all guests will receive a special Fearns x Leeds Rum Festival goody bag brimming with merchandise.
At the festivities, Fearns’ Head Chef, Jade Crawley, will present an array of Caribbean-inspired soulful dishes. The menu includes Jamaican Brown Stew Lamb with Rice, Deep-Fried Vegan Chicken with Rice, Prawn, Pineapple, and Halloumi Skewers with Rum Glaze, a Chopped Mixed Salad, Vegetable Fried Rice, Mac and Cheese, and Caramelized Banana Bread.
The venue will also be running its own range of special edition cocktails including:
- Missionary downfall: A tiki classic made with fresh mint, dark rum, peach schnapps, honey, pineapple juice and lime juice shaken and poured over crushed ice with a mint garnish.
- Mai Tai: Dark rum, white rum, spiced rum, cointreau, velvet falernum, almond syrup, pineapple juice and lime juice; all shaken and finished with pineapple and lime garnish.
- Coconut & Mango Daiquiri: Coconut Rum, lime juice, mango puree and coconut puree with a desiccated coconut garnish.
A selection of Fearns beers, wines and soft drinks will also be available to purchase throughout the day.
Leeds-based Latitude Wine & Liquor Merchant will also be at the Rum Festival with a pop-up bottle shop so that all visitors, including Afterparty ticket holders, can purchase festival favourites to take home.
General Manager at Fearns, Ollie Ireland, commented: “This event is so well known here and a firm favourite in the calendar each year. Studio Events has incredible experience and are well known for their Leeds Tequila and Whisky Festivals too so to be the host of their 8th annual Rum festival is a dream. We’re excited to welcome visitors to enjoy vibrant Caribbean flavours, enjoy the sound of rhythmic beats and of course taste some of the best rum in the world. Leeds Rum Festival 2024 is not one to be missed.”
To find out more about Leeds Rum Festival and to book tickets visit, www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leeds-rum-festival-2024-tickets-868281793217.
(Image credit: @hedonistcreative)