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Leeds raises a glass for National Liquor Day

Leeds liquor store, Latitude Wine and Liquor Merchant celebrate the unique flavors of alcohol for National Liquor Day.
The image shows a well-organized display of alcoholic beverages and cocktail ingredients on shelves in a liquor store or specialty shop.
Source: Ria Wallbank | All Rights Reserved

Leeds celebrates National Liquor Day, a holiday to honour diverse and flavourful alcohol and appreciate the art of mixology.

As one of Leeds’ only independent wine and spirit retailers, Latitude Wine and Liquor Merchant are a must visit for any liquor lovers. Proprietor, Chris Hill, opened the store in 2008 on The Calls with a goal to expand Leeds’ liquor scene.

The image shows the interior of a wine and spirits shop named “Latitude.” At the center is a wall with a circular logo that reads “Latitude” in cursive script. Below the logo is a small sink area with white tiled walls, a stainless steel countertop, and some kitchen utensils and plates. On either side of the wall are shelves: the left side is filled with various bottles of wine, and the right side holds a large collection of vinyl records along with a turntable and other items like jars of olives and packaged goods. There is a wine rack below the countertop holding multiple wine bottles.Source: Ria Wallbank | All Rights Reserved

“Rather than just filing the shop with wine, I knew there was a market for more interesting and higher quality liquors. So, I wrote a business plan, part wholesale, part retail.”

The image shows a colorful, stylized poster mounted on a dark wall inside a shop or bar. The poster features a cartoon-style illustration of a relaxed character sitting on a chair, holding a wine bottle labeled “Latitude” in one hand and pouring wine into a glass with the other. The background is a large green circle, and the text on the poster reads: “WINE FOR NOW, WINE FOR LATER.”Source: Ria Wallbank | All Rights Reserved

Since COVID, Latitude’s wholesale half has struggled however their delivery service has been growing. Hill believes this is because “people are drinking better quality alcohol, but they are drinking less of it.” Instead of splurging on lower quality ‘pub drinks’ people are opting for premium bottles to enjoy at home.

Shelves filled with neatly arranged bottles and boxes of whisky and liquor. A person wearing a brown jacket stands to the right.Source: Ria Wallbank | All Rights Reserved

The over 2000-year-old industry is continually flourishing, with Hill believing “people have become a lot more inquisitive, they’re more interested in premium drinks.” Latitude provides their customers with the ultimate liquor selection, carrying an impressive display of over 2000 products, compared to a mere 400 when they first opened in 2008.

A cozy bar area inside a wine and liquor shop, with shelves lined with bottles. A wooden bar counter sits in the foreground, displaying a menu with an illustration of a person drinking wine and the text "The Bar in a Wine Shop."Source: Ria Wallbank | All Rights Reserved

Those at Latitude Wine and Liquor Merchant believe the future of the liquor industry will continue to live on throughout Leeds, with their store as a unique figurehead.

Picture of Ria Wallbank

Ria Wallbank

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