A mile-long bar crawl dedicated to margaritas is taking place in Manchester over the next week.
Tequila fans will be able to hop their way between bars that are putting on limited-edition cocktails and tequila-based specials.
There are 24 venues signed up to the week-long margarita crawl in Manchester alone, with a similar event happening across in Leeds.
Those taking part include Mexican restaurant Madre, gigantic food hall New Century, and subterranean cocktail bar The Daisy.
The Margarita Mile has been created by El Tequileño tequila and is a celebration for National Margarita Day on 22 February.
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El Tequileño,which is produced in the town of Tequila in Mexico, and Maldon Salt have been working with some of the city’s best bars to create perfect margaritas.
Special cocktails will be available for one week only, between 19 and 25 February,
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These include a whole flight of margs at New Century, where if you’re overwhelmed with choice you can throw a dice and let that choose your drink.
Fierce, a bar that specialises in craft beer, has come up with its own take on a Lagerita, using Mexican cerveza to create a longer, citrus drink.
Fierce bar in Manchester has done its own take on a Lagerita for the Margarita MileStray bar in Mackie Mayor has FOUR margarita specials running
There are mini events taking place across Manchester too, like The Daisy hosting Tony Salles, master distiller of El Tequileño,who will explain all about his tequila brand.
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And by sharing a picture of your marg while you’re out on the Margarita Mile around Manchester, you could win a goodie bag of treats from El Tequileño and Ten Locks Drinks.
Steffin Oghene, Global Ambassador for El Tequileño, who will be accompanying Tony Salles to the UK, says: “El Tequileño encourages everyone, from cocktail fans to tequila lovers to those who want to learn more about quality craft spirits, to get out on the mile to try a Margarita.
“We are super proud to be visiting Manchester, the city that created the Margarita Mile – we know that Manchester is a hotbed for creativity, with a wealth of music, arts and culture originating there, and now El Tequileño’s Margarita Mile is part of that cultural narrative.
“We look forward to meeting all Mancunians out on the mile!”
Please drink responsibly.
The Manchester bars taking place in the Margarita Mile
You can now have dinner in the actual dressing rooms at Co-op Live
Daisy Jackson
Co-op Live has now launched exclusive backstage dining experiences – which means you could be having dinner inside the very dressing rooms that have hosted music megastars.
These new groundbreaking new Backstage Private Dining experiences feature menus curated by Simon Rimmer.
This will be the first time that the arena’s most exclusive artist areas have been open to guests.
There’ll be 10 selected dates from May 2026, where ticket-holders can eat dinner in dressing rooms that were previously occupied by the likes of Lady Gaga and Bruce Springsteen.
Guests will be able to choose from several packages, from intimate receptions and private three-course dinners inside the dressing rooms, to lavish extras like a Bentley chauffeur-driven arrival, live entertainment, and extended backstage access.
The most premium package will also offer access to Co-op Live’s adidas Originals recording studio.
Proceeds from the Backstage Private Dining will go towards supporting Co-op Live’s official charity partner, the Co-op Foundation, which tackles inequality and supports communities across the UK.
Chef Simon Rimmer commented: “Having worked with Co-op Live for some time, it’s incredibly exciting to now be involved with this unique series of Backstage Private Dining.
“It’s a rare opportunity to further combine the world-class music venue with exceptional food, and I can’t wait to showcase how these experiences can come to life together, creating truly unforgettable evenings for our guests.”
Becci Thomson, Chief Commercial Officer at Co-op Live, said: “From day one, our ambition has been to challenge expectations of what an arena can deliver, and we’re now delighted to introduce a new dimension of premium hospitality at Co-op Live.
“This collaboration unlocks new creative potential within the venue, offering experiences that have not previously been possible. It reflects our commitment to innovation and meaningful impact within the communities we support.”
Designed and delivered in partnership with Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC), Founder and CEO Liz Taylor said: “Opportunities like this are rare. Co-op Live is a venue built for scale, spectacle and ambition — and that’s exactly how we are approaching these events.
“Whether it’s an intimate milestone celebration or a brand hosting at the highest level, these will be immersive, one-night-only experiences designed to deliver real impact. We are proud to have been chosen to help shape this next chapter, bringing creativity, precision and bold thinking to a space that demands nothing less.”
Salford industrial estate bakery with incredible cinnamon rolls to open new site
Daisy Jackson
Mayya Bakery, a local ‘hidden gem’ with incredible cinnamon rolls, is set to open a brand-new bakery that will make it significantly less hidden.
Until now, Mayya has been quietly trading from an industrial estate in Salford, where it’s built a great reputation for its bakes despite an off-the-beaten-track-location and relatively little social media fanfare.
It opened its doors in 2024, operated by former primary school teacher Meli and her husband, dentist Oguz.
This is an artisan bakery with a real Turkish flare, with plenty of comfort food like freshly made gözleme (or gozzies for short) and bigger dishes if you fancy sitting in.
Their counters are stuffed with sweet bakes, like their perfect cinnamon rolls, plus loaves, babka, cookies, and homemade cheesecake.
For bigger dishes, you’ll find breakfast dishes like Turkish eggs, Simit (a traditional sesame bagel) breakfasts, and menemen.
The counters at Mayya Bakery’s current locationIncredible cheesecake at Mayya BakerySigns on Chapel Street Salford for the new Mayya Bakery
And now Mayya Bakery has revealed plans to open a new location in a much more prominent spot in town, with signs appearing in the windows of a unit on Chapel Street.
The sign reads: “Everything is homemade – including this picture.”
It also quips: “They called us hidden gem… not hidden anymore.”
Mayya will open on Chapel Street soon – keep an eye on our food and drink Instagram page The Manc Eats for the latest.
Daisy Jackson -
17th February 2024 
