Kirkstall bartender returns with Leeds Rum Festival – and a special partnership

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Kirkstall's Samantha Fish. Photo: Anete Lusina Photography

Kirkstall bartender Sam Fish is back with Leeds Rum Festival – and this year she’s teaming up with Black Music Festival.

Back for its fourth year, the original Leeds Rum Festival returns to the Corn Exchange in September for one night only.

Festival founder Samantha Fish, a bartender for 16 years, said:

“We are really excited to be working with Black Music Festival this year.

“We’ve always wanted to grow the Rum Fest and continue to bring people from all over the world whilst keeping it ‘Leeds’ and we think this partnership is symbolic of our ethos. This year’s visitors can expect steel pans, incredible costumes, song, and dance on top of our much-loved masterclasses, and over 100 expressions of Rum – all included in the ticket price.”

Black Music Festival has been celebrating music of black origin every summer for over five years, superseding Leeds Reggae Concert.

It takes place at Leeds’ Potternewton Park in August and brings together a host of local, national and international bands, DJs, food and entertainment.

Leeds Rum Festival launched in 2016 and is now a staple in the What’s On calendar with people travelling far and wide to attend.

Co-ordinated by two respected names from the city’s hospitality scene – Samantha Fish, Operations Manager for famed bar Mojo, and Bruce Lerman of The Hedonist Project – Leeds Rum Festival is renowned for being knowledgeable, diverse and for bringing together esteemed, international names from the Rum world.

“Rum is the most diverse spirit category in the world,” says Samantha. “The way it’s made varies massively from country to country and that results in many expressions.

“Most people will know Bacardi and Havana, and most of us will have had a Mojito and a Pina Colada – you can expect to find them with us on the night – but there is so much more to Rum – colours, flavours, spices; we believe there is a Rum for everyone, and we want to help you find yours!”

This year’s festival features more than 30 rum brands – eight that are new for 2019 – over 100 Rum expressions, the return of the popular Masterclasses presented by industry professionals, DJ and live entertainment.

It also inlcudes The Rum Shack bar offering cocktails, highballs, beer and Prosecco, independent Leeds-based retailer Latitude Wine and Spirits’ Bottle Shop stocking all the brands for ticket holders to purchase and take home, street food, and the Desert Island Disco taking the Festival into the night.

Leeds Rum Festival is at The Corn Exchange, Leeds City Centre, on Saturday September 21st from 7pm ‘til late.

Advance booking is advisable. Tickets are on sale now priced at £20 plus booking fee.

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