How a 12-Hour Rave-a-Thon Led to This Success: Leeds Cocktail Hotspots Celebrate Raising Over £1,700 for Charity

A Bank Holiday weekend often means a bit of extra time off, a chance to catch up with friends, and maybe even enjoy a cocktail or two. But in Leeds, a couple of the city's best-known cocktail hotspots decided to use the recent Easter break for something more. They threw a massive, 12-hour party with a purpose, bringing people together to dance, have fun, and raise a fantastic amount of money for a really important cause. It was a brilliant example of the Leeds community showing up and making a difference.

A party with a purpose

This wasn't just any old get-together. This was a full-on, 12-hour ‘rave-a-thon’. Imagine that – non-stop dancing from the afternoon right through to the early hours of the morning. The marathon party kicked off on Easter Sunday at Be At One Leeds Boar Lane, where the vibes were buzzing from 2pm until 6pm. Just as things were warming up, the entire event shifted gears and moved over to its sister venue, Be At One Leeds Greek Street, to keep the party going from 6pm all the way until 2am. That’s some serious stamina from the partygoers and the fantastic DJs who kept the tunes flowing.

The goal was simple: create an incredible party atmosphere for the Bank Holiday weekend while doing some good. And they smashed it. With a popular 2-4-1 cocktail offer running throughout the fundraiser, both bars were busier than ever. The energy was electric, a perfect mix of holiday fun and collective spirit. This incredible event, a real rave-a-thon for the ages, demonstrated what makes the nightlife in Leeds so special. The commitment from everyone involved, from the staff to the DJs, ensured the party atmosphere never dropped for a single minute of the twelve-hour event.

More than just cocktails

While the dancing and cocktails were a big draw, the main event was the fundraiser itself. By the time the last track was played, the two bars had raised an amazing £1,712. This wasn't just from people buying drinks. A huge part of the day's success was a massive charity raffle, which saw incredible support from other local businesses. People had the chance to win some genuinely brilliant prizes, including sought-after Leeds Pride tickets, shopping vouchers, and even tickets for the North Leeds food festival. It’s this kind of generosity that shows the strength of the Leeds community.

The whole thing was organised by Calin Dormand, the assistant general manager at Be At One Leeds Greek Street, who was blown away by the support. He said,

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have raised more than £1,700 for CALM, a charity close to us all that does so much in preventing suicide. We know Leeds loves to party and our guests are always happy to support any charitable initiatives we have, so combining the two seemed the natural thing to do to support a fantastic cause.”

Supporting an essential cause

So, where is all that money going? It was all for a charity called CALM, which stands for Campaign Against Living Miserably. It's a leading suicide-prevention charity in the UK, doing vital work to support people who are struggling. Talking about mental health is incredibly important, and charities like CALM are on the front line, offering help to anyone who needs it. They are a lifeline for so many.

To put it into perspective, the £1,712 raised is enough to help fund 140 potentially life-saving calls to the charity’s suicide prevention helpline. That’s 140 conversations with someone who can offer support and hope in a dark moment. The money also helps CALM provide essential online resources that give people tools to manage their mental health. It’s a powerful reminder that a great party can have a seriously positive impact. This fundraiser wasn't just a number on a cheque; it was a direct contribution to a service that saves lives.

A community effort in Leeds

What’s really clear is that this incredible result wasn’t just down to one person or one bar. It was a proper team effort. The two cocktail hotspots, Be At One Leeds Boar Lane and Be At One Leeds Greek Street, worked together, and the response from the public was incredible. Hundreds of people turned up across the day, showing their support and digging deep for the `charity raffle` and donations.

The event highlighted the amazing spirit of the Leeds community. Ada McCafferty, the Be At One Leeds Regional Manager, summed it up perfectly.

“A huge thanks to the hundreds of guests, local businesses, and DJs that played our Easter Sunday 12-hour rave.”

“We simply could not have got near the £1,700 raised without the generosity of the Leeds community so thank you!”

It’s a powerful message that shows when people in Leeds come together, they can achieve amazing things.

What's next for One Leeds?

After the success of their Easter Sunday event, the teams at both Be At One venues are keeping the good times rolling. They've just launched a new special deal for summer, with £5 margaritas available from Monday to Thursday. So, if you're looking for a post-work treat or a mid-week catch-up with friends, it's a great excuse to pop in and visit one of the city's best cocktail hotspots. More than that, it’s an opportunity to support venues that are clearly invested in their community.