Eats

Manchester’s tackiest Christmas bar is returning for the first time in three years

Christmas has come early!

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 12th October 2026

One of the most popular Christmas bars in Manchester is making a grand return after a three-year hiatus – and when we describe it as ‘tacky’, we mean that as the highest compliment.

Miracle on Cross Street is a pop-up festive bar that always used to use wrapping paper as wallpaper and cover every inch of the space in some sort of tinsel, bauble, or novelty celebrity portrait.

It was last seen in the city in 2023, but has announced a grand return for this winter, promising a more ‘refined experience’.

Guests can expect twinkling lights, festive spirit, and plenty of seasons greetings, tucked away beneath Salt Dog Slims on Cross Street.

The space will be packed with festive decor and seasonal drinks, plus plenty of nostalgic Christmas touches.

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Tickets will be priced at £20 per person, which will get you a festive drink on arrival and a Christmas goody bag to take home, as well as complimentary mince pies and Quality Street during your visit.

You’ll also be sent on your way with a scratch card, which will reveal surprises and rewards (like free shots and hot dogs, or a chance to win £500) to enjoy upstairs in Salt Dog Slims.

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Miracle on Cross Street will also offer a glimpse of what is to come from MDNT, the late-night bar usually found beneath Salt Dog Slims, ahead of its return in the new year.

Miracle on Cross Street, a Christmas bar in Manchester, is returning
Miracle on Cross Street, a Christmas bar in Manchester, is returning
Miracle on Cross Street, a Christmas bar in Manchester, is returning. Credit: The Manc Group

Michael Wood, Head of Bar Operations for Miracle on Cross Street said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Miracle on Cross Street back to Manchester.

“It has been three years since we last opened the doors and, while guests can expect the same sense of fun, escapism and Christmas spirit, we’ve refined the experience and added some special new touches for 2026.

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“Christmas in Manchester is always brilliant, and we want Miracle on Cross Street to be somewhere people can step away from the busy city, enjoy a festive drink and completely immerse themselves in the magic of the season.

“Whether it’s a Christmas catch-up, date night or festive celebration with friends, we can’t wait to welcome everyone back.”

The Miracle on Cross Street Christmas bar will return to Manchester on Thursday 19 November, and will be open seven days a week until 23 December. Bookings are now live HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Manchester’s beautiful winter Teepee is back, with free pints this weekend and live music every day

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The Oast House Winter Teepee is back in Manchester

Nothing heralds the arrival of the autumn/winter seasons quite like the appearance of The Oast House’s beautiful winter Teepee. 

The popular seasonal space is officially reopening its doors this weekend, and inside you’ll find roaring fires, a giant disco ball, live music, and plenty of pints to keep the colder months feeling a little less grim.

After giving its beer garden a major glow-up this spring and hosting a summer packed with live music, The Oast House is bringing back one of Manchester’s favourite winter hangouts – and it’s kicking things off with a proper belter of an opening weekend.

We’re talking twinkling fairy lights, faux fur throws, and a dedicated bar pouring Staropramen fresh from the tank, all inside its massive winter Teepee.

And there’s even better news for the first few through the door.

To celebrate the Teepee’s return, The Oast House team will be cracking open a full tank of fresh Staropramen on Saturday 10 October, with free pints up for grabs for the first 440 guests.

There'll be live music every night in the winter teepee
There’ll be live music every night in the winter Teepee
Manchester's cosiest venue is back
Manchester’s cosiest venue is back

The Teepee will be keeping things lively seven nights a week throughout autumn and winter, with The Oast House’s much-loved Open House programme moving indoors for the season.

Expect everything from Bandeoke and Musical Bingo to Retro Sounds and Oast Acoustic sessions, meaning there’ll be something different on the cards every night of the week.

The venue’s free monthly live music festival, Oast House Live, isn’t going anywhere either. It’ll continue inside the Teepee on the last Saturday of every month, bringing even more live music to the heart of Spinningfields.

Of course, it wouldn’t be The Oast House without a menu worth getting stuck into.

The kitchen will be serving up its 12-hour-brined rotisserie chicken, alongside a line-up of tempting sides like Ziggy Fries tossed in chicken salt and chicken butter, cheddar and onion slaw, and charred corn on the cob drenched in house-made Scotch bonnet butter.

Food in The Oast House Winter Teepee
Food in The Oast House Winter Teepee
There'll be 450 free pints given away on Saturday
There’ll be 450 free pints given away on Saturday
Rotisserie chicken
Rotisserie chicken

And if you’re after something a bit different, the house-special ‘addictive’ Chicken (T)oastie is one you won’t want to miss.

Sundays are all about the roast, too, with the kitchen dishing up its signature rotisserie chicken alongside chicken-butter roasties tossed in chicken salt, all the trimmings and bottomless house chicken gravy.

Basically, if you’re after somewhere to escape the cold without sacrificing a good night out, you know where to head.

The Oast House and its Winter Teepee are open daily from 11am until late throughout the season.

The Oast House Winter Teepee opens Saturday 10 October, with free Staropramen pints for the first 440 guests.

For more information and to book your table, head HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

The UK’s largest wine festival is returning to Manchester this autumn

Lydia Mastrolonardo Lydia Mastrolonardo The UK’s largest wine festival is returning to Manchester this autumn

The UK’s biggest festival of wine will be coming back to Manchester this year, with more than 300 wines on offer plus plenty more.

The Laithwaites’ Wine Festival is returning up north, following the major success of last year.

As well as having hundreds of wines to showcase, the festival will also offer a chance to discover a selection of luxury spirits, plus join expert-led tastings, and visit artisan food stands, all under one roof.

As the UK’s longest-running wine tasting event, with 40 producers from 17 different countries, and artisan food all accompanied with carefully paired wines at each stall, it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing.

Struggling to think of a birthday present or ideas for how to celebrate with loved ones? Look no further – each ticket includes a tasting guide to help plan your route around the room and a complimentary tasting glass to sample over 300 different wines – trust me, they will love it.

As part of the Friday evening entertainment, guests can also expect a special appearance from wine presenter and communicator Tom Gilbey. Here, fans will be able to talk with Tom and sample the Signature Six case, which is a collection of wines approved by the man himself.

What’s more, is that this year, guests are invited to get creative at their brand new ‘design a wine label’ competition. You never know, maybe a few top-quality glasses of wine is the sweet spot for your drawing abilities to show themselves.

It is also possible to upgrade each ticket to gain access to expert-led masterclasses, with tutored tastings of sparkling wine, sherry and food, or cheese with wine. Fine Wine ticket holders will also be granted access to the Fine Wine Room and its rarer bottles.

Whether you spend ages aimlessly deliberating in a supermarket aisle, pick the cheapest bottle and call it a day, or you can smell the bottle and tell me the exact province it is from – this event welcomes all wine-drinkers, no matter the level of expertise.

The festival will be hosted at Manchester Central, starting with an evening session (6pm to 9pm) on Friday 20 November, as well as a lunchtime (12pm-3pm) and evening session (5pm to 8pm), on Saturday 21 November 2026.

Tickets are on sale now, starting at £40 per session. Click HERE to grab yours now.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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