Pardon Me Record Bar Opens Farsley Leeds 2026

Key Points

• New Venue: Pardon Me is a stylish record bar and cocktail venue that has opened in Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, Leeds
• Focus on Sound: The bar was built with “sound at the centre, and everything else supports it,” featuring an unbeatable sound system with Danley speakers
• Owner Background: Scott Rapson, who grew up in the Scottish Highlands and fell in love with hip hop music in the early 1980s, has opened the venue; he is new to Farsley
• Offerings: The bar serves coffee, cocktails, and houses a curated collection of vinyl records
• Inspiration: The concept was inspired by Japanese record bars where music is front and centre
• Location Significance: Sunny Bank Mills is a regenerated former mills site in Farsley that has become home to various venues including The Old Woollen pub
• Owner’s Vision: Rapson stated “There’s something special going on here” and aims to create a neighbourhood record bar experience
• Design Feature: The venue features a considered sound system built specifically around Danley speakers to prioritise audio quality
• Opening Intent: Launched to create a space where visitors can enjoy vinyl records, cocktails, and exceptional sound quality in one environment

Farsley Pardon (The Leeds Times) June 6, 2026 –As reported by Sarah Mitchell of The Hoot Leeds, Pardon Me has opened with the intention of creating a space where “sound sits at the centre, and everything else supports it”. The venue features a considered sound system that’s been built around Danley speakers, making audio quality the primary focus of the entire design. This approach distinguishes Pardon Me from typical bars where music might be secondary to conversation or other activities.

According to The Hoot Leeds’ reporting, Farsley is now home to an ultra-cool record bar with coffee, cocktails, and an unbeatable sound system.

The sound system’s technical specifications were carefully chosen to ensure music remains “front and centre” throughout the venue experience. This dedication to audio quality represents a significant investment in creating an authentic record bar atmosphere rather than a standard pub with background music.

Who Is Scott Rapson and What Inspired His Record Bar Concept?

As reported by the journalist at Yorkshire Evening Post, owner Scott Rapson, who is new to Farsley, said:

“There’s something special going on here”.

Rapson grew up in the Scottish Highlands and fell in love with music around the time of the arrival of hip hop in the early 1980s.

His personal connection to music spanned decades before he decided to create a venue dedicated to vinyl culture.

According to The Hoot Leeds, the record bar concept was inspired by Japanese record bars where music takes priority over other elements. Rapson’s exposure to this Japanese model influenced his decision to create a neighbourhood record bar in Leeds rather than following more conventional bar business models.

The venue represents his personal passion for music transformed into a public space where others can share similar experiences.

Where Exactly Has Pardon Me Opened Within Sunny Bank Mills?

Pardon Me has opened in the former mills at Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, which has become a regenerated entertainment destination.

Sunny Bank Mills is a former industrial site that has been transformed into a mixed-use venue complex housing various establishments including The Old Woollen pub. The location offers free parking throughout the Sunny Bank Mills site and is accessible via multiple bus routes including the 508 and 16.

The venue joins other establishments in this regenerated mills complex, contributing to Farsley’s growing reputation as an entertainment destination beyond central Leeds.

According to West Leeds Dispatch, Sunny Bank Mills has become home to venues that attract visitors from across West Leeds and surrounding areas. This location choice allows Pardon Me to reach both local Farsley residents and visitors seeking unique entertainment experiences.

What Products and Services Does Pardon Me Offer Visitors?

The bar serves coffee and cocktails alongside its vinyl record collection, creating a multi-faceted venue experience. Customers can enjoy handcrafted beverages while listening to music played from the venue’s curated vinyl collection.

The combination of quality drinks and exceptional sound quality creates an environment where visitors can spend extended periods enjoying both elements.

According to The Hoot Leeds, the venue houses an “unbeatable sound system” that plays music from the record collection.

The coffee and cocktail offerings complement the musical experience rather than competing with it, maintaining the venue’s focus on audio quality. This product mix distinguishes Pardon Me from standard bars where drinks might be the primary focus.

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Why Does the Record Bar Concept Matter for Farsley’s Entertainment Scene?

The opening of Pardon Me represents a significant addition to Farsley’s entertainment offerings, bringing a concept that prioritises music quality over conventional bar activities.

As reported by The Hoot Leeds, the venue creates a “neighbourhood record bar” experience that fills a gap in the local entertainment market. This type of venue offers something distinct from typical pubs and bars, providing residents with a new option for socialising.

According to Yorkshire Evening Post reporting, Rapson believes

“there’s something special going on here”

in Farsley, indicating confidence in the area’s developing entertainment reputation. The venue’s success could encourage further investment in unique entertainment concepts in Farsley, contributing to the area’s regeneration as a destination beyond central Leeds.

How Does Pardon Me’s Sound System Compare to Typical Bar Audio?

The venue features a considered sound system built specifically around Danley speakers, which represents a significant technical investment compared to standard bar audio systems. According to The Hoot Leeds, the sound system was designed to ensure “sound sits at the centre” of the venue experience.

This technical approach differs from typical bars where sound systems are often secondary to other considerations.

As reported by Yorkshire Evening Post, the Danley speaker system was chosen specifically to prioritise audio quality over cost or convenience.

This technical specification demonstrates Rapson’s commitment to creating an authentic record bar atmosphere where music quality matters. The investment in professional-grade audio equipment distinguishes Pardon Me from venues using standard commercial sound systems.

When Did Pardon Me Open and What Is Its Current Status?

Pardon Me has recently opened in Farsley’s Sunny Bank Mills, with coverage appearing in May 2026. According to The Hoot Leeds, the venue opened with the intention of creating a space where music takes priority. The bar is currently operating and welcoming visitors to experience its record collection and sound system.

The opening represents a new addition to the Leeds entertainment scene, with the venue now available for visitors seeking a music-focused experience. According to Yorkshire Evening Post, the bar is open for customers to enjoy coffee, cocktails, and vinyl records.

What Background Exists Behind Sunny Bank Mills’ Development as an Entertainment Destination?

Sunny Bank Mills is a regenerated former industrial mills site in Farsley that has been transformed into a mixed-use entertainment complex.

The site originally housed industrial manufacturing operations before undergoing redevelopment to create space for various venues and businesses. According to Wikipedia, Sunny Bank Mills has become home to restaurants, pubs, bars, and other entertainment venues.

The Old Woollen pub is one established venue in the complex, operating for several years before Pardon Me’s opening.

The site offers free parking throughout and is accessible via multiple bus routes including the 508 and 16, making it reachable for visitors from across West Leeds. According to West Leeds Dispatch, the regeneration of Sunny Bank Mills has contributed to Farsley’s development as an entertainment destination beyond central Leeds.

The transformation of Sunny Bank Mills from industrial site to entertainment complex represents part of broader regeneration efforts in West Leeds.

This development has attracted various venue operators to the area, creating a diverse entertainment offering that includes Pardon Me’s unique record bar concept. The site’s accessibility and parking facilities make it appealing for visitors seeking entertainment experiences outside central Leeds.

How Will Pardon Me’s Opening Affect Farsley Residents and Music Enthusiasts?

Pardon Me’s opening provides Farsley residents with a new entertainment option that prioritises music quality over conventional bar activities, offering something distinct from typical local pubs. Music enthusiasts will gain access to a venue where vinyl records are the primary focus rather than background entertainment, allowing for deeper engagement with music.

The exceptional sound system means visitors can experience music with higher audio quality than available in most local venues.

For the local community, Pardon Me adds to Farsley’s growing reputation as an entertainment destination, potentially attracting visitors from across West Leeds and contributing to the area’s economic development. Residents seeking unique social experiences will have access to a neighbourhood record bar concept that differs from standard bar offerings.

The venue’s location in Sunny Bank Mills means it benefits from the site’s established parking and transport links, making it accessible for local residents.