Tobacco Dock combines a superbly renovated grade 1 listed building with state of the art event space offering floor to ceiling glass over looking wharf side views and ancient York stone.

I’ve been to a couple of events here, one back in 2022 when Sarah Burton put a see through dome on the top of the 7 story car park to present Alexander McQueen spring summer collection that year. In contrast I’ve also attended a few less glamourous trade show type events.

It really is like nothing else, the scale you get from the open timbered vaulted ceiling and the long walkway opens up to event spaces from the great gallery to smaller more intimate theatre and presentation spaces.

Well known for hosting London’s prestigious set for the BAFTAs Tobacco Dock was also home to Junipalooza, a celebration for producers, purveyors and guzzlers of gin.

Unfortunately we haven’t seen this festival return in 2025. Actually there doesn’t seem much scheduled for the summer except all the way from New York City, comes Josh Ozersky’s Meatopia, a two day food and drink festival returns, 28th August, 2025 to 31st August, 2925. Interestingly they are strict at Meatopia about where the meat comes from, “cruelty free” animals that live well and die humanely. Everything must be cooked using wood or charcoal, no gas or electricity.

I love the venue, it really is special. I was brought up eating meat but gave up eating it a few years ago now so I won’t see you at Meatopia.