New York inspired restaurant and bar announced for Leeds Arena Quarter

A New York inspired restaurant and bar will open in Leeds next month.

The Merrion Centre has been selected as the location of Union Square, the latest concept from the masterminds behind Simpatico Pizza in The Queens Arcade.

Business partners Nick Julian and Jordan Franz will launch the NYC-themed venue on Merrion Way in February.

Believed to be the first of its kind in the city, Union Square will offer a menu centred around the culinary mixing pot that is the Big Apple.

A casual restaurant and bar with space for 80 diners plus outside seating, it will be home to a substantial ‘grab and go’ offering during the day, transforming into a bustling bar to rival the best of Broadway in the evening.

Creating 12 jobs, it is set to further add to the growing mix of food and drink destinations in the Arena Quarter.

Nick Julian, managing director of Simpatico Restaurants, said: “The Merrion Centre has been heavily invested in across recent years, attracting a variety of successful daytime and evening venues including MyThai and Bengal Brasserie.

“We are confident Union Square will further complement the vibrant Arena Quarter as it continues to thrive with the abundant new student accommodation and office space in the pipeline.”

Nick continued: “This will give us direct access to a diverse mix of customers who we look forward to introducing to our new daily fresh food and drink concept, whilst also giving concert goers a quality evening offering a stone’s throw from the 13.5k capacity first direct arena.”

Union Square will be located opposite the Costa on Merrion Way.