Eats

Blinker – The award-winning cocktail bar in Manchester serving retro Breville toasties

Just when you thought it couldn't get better...

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 14th June 2024

When the top cocktail bars in the UK were named earlier this year, Manchester absolutely shone.

Not only did our city scoop up the very top spot thanks to Schofield’s, but we also had another top 10 entry with the brilliant Blinker.

Blinker is a very proper cocktail bar, with table service, branded paper placemats, and some of the most skilfully-made drinks in the entire country.

It features an entire menu of martinis, plus another of old fashioneds, while the rest of the cocktail offering changes seasonally to champion local ingredients.

But alongside all those excellent drinks you’ll find a genius, very retro snack – a menu of Breville toasties.

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Because what could possibly pair better with a martini than a gooey cheese toastie?

This is not one of those trendy grilled cheeses you find on street markets everywhere, and there’s not a scrap of sourdough to be found – it’s a proper nostalgic sarnie flattened in a Breville toastie maker so that your snack comes out all scored and lined with grill marks.

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Having said that, they are a little more elevated than the toasties you were whipping up in your student halls.

Blinker cacio e pepe toastie
Blinker cacio e pepe toastie
A braised beef and red onion toastie at Blinker in Manchester
A braised beef and red onion toastie at Blinker in Manchester

Tucked away in the very back of the menu you’ll find Blinker’s list of (very affordable) toasted sandwiches.

One such toastie on the menu at Blinker is inspired by Italian pasta classic cacio e pepe.

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This posh sandwich features a three-cheese blend and masses of black pepper, then is served piping hot with a shower of Cora Linn cheese on top.

There’s also a braised beef toastie with caramelised red onion, and another with goats cheese, apricot jam and dried rosemary.

Inside Blinker Manchester
Inside Blinker Manchester
Inside Blinker bar
Inside Blinker Manchester

The most impressive thing is that its menu is priced in line with that at Frankie’s Toasties, a notoriously cheap novelty spot on Portland Street that makes toasties with your more nostalgic (read: cheap and cheerful) fillings.

With this snack menu, Blinker has tapped in to what the people really want after a couple of drinks – loads of cheese slapped between white bread.

And when it comes to sandwiches, sometimes the old-school ones are the best.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

The best foodie freebies you can get in Manchester on your birthday

Danny Jones Danny Jones free birthday food and drink offers manchester city centre

Nothing says ‘Happy Birthday’ quite like free food and drink simply for being born, especially when you can get it right here on your doorstep in Manchester, don’t you think?

There’s no doubt tonnes of different places that do special complimentary offers on your big day throughout the 10 boroughs, but that inevitably gargantuan list is for another day.

For now, we thought we’d simply put together a quick and easy round-up of the best birthday freebies you can get in and around central Manchester.

You can thank us later when you’re all full up and your wallet isn’t even the tiniest bit lighter.

Places that offer free stuff on your birthday in Manchester

1. Money off at J.W. Lees

Start your birthday off right with a pint from one of Greater Manchester’s most famous beermasters: J.W. Lees Brewery, who’ll give you a tenner off when you visit the bar on your birthday.

All you have to do is quickly sign up for their mailer to get your £10 voucher; they’re also the legend behind the ongoing Boddingtons revival, so you already know how best to spend it.

2. Complimentary chicken at Yard and Coop

Next up is a Manc favourite that’s never shyed away from dishing out the odd freebie – spoilers, but it usually involves some kind of chicken…

In all seriousness, be it free wings for students with ‘Yard Card’ or kids eating at no cost when the adults book in a family meal, the kings and queens at the Coop are always looking out for us Mancs. It’s not different on you’re birthday either, when you get a free main meal by signing up to the newsletter.

offers at yard and coop nq
yard and coop chicken manchester
Credit: The Manc Eats

3. Bar tab on Simmons

Next up, you’re going to need something to wash down all that lovely salty fried chicken, so why not queue up some cocktails at Simmons over on Deansgate?

These still relatively recent London exports are so kind as to offer a £25 bar tab when you book a table with them for your birthday; you can sort yours HERE.

4. Nell’s Pizza freebies

Ok, so now you’ve whetted the whistle and can probably line up your next bit of scran – we’re assuming you’re going to do what we do and cram all these into one single day – so it’s time to grab some pizza at Nell’s if you ask us.

Better yet, not only are their slices reasonably priced, but you can also cop yourself a voucher free ‘Birthday Cake’ flavour (yes, the pretty one with the sprinkles) ice cream sandwich when booking online. You’ve also got a new venue you can enjoy this deal at, too.

Inside Nell’s MediaCity as local pizza legends open new site with karaoke and shuffleboard
We’ve had a free ice cream sandwich at Nell’s in Manchester on our birthday for at least the last three years.

5. Bonus baked goods at Gail’s

If a little ice cream sandwich hasn’t quite satiated your sweet tooth, then you’ll be glad to know that the growing presence of Gail’s Bakery in Greater Manchester not only involves some unreal tastes and smells, but some brilliant birthday freebies, too.

For those who are members of Gail’s Loyalty Programme, where customers can also collect stamps to earn back coffees, cakes and more completely gratis, you are also entitled to a free sweet from their baker’s table treat during your birthday month. Say no more.

gail's bakery altrincham
gail's bakery menu manchester
Question is, which treat will it be?… (Credit: The Manc Group)

6. Good old Greggs

Room for more dessert (they do say it’s a second stomach, after all)? Well, if there is, you can’t go wrong with a Northerner’s first love: Gregg’s, who also keep things nice and straightforward by simply congratulating you on being born by giving you a free sweet treat you can claim via the app.

Oh, and by the way, I was once genuinely given a Gregg’s gift card by a mate for my birthday and don’t sleep on it – that was genuinely one of the best things in the haul that year.

6. Free regular-size Barburrito

Ok, it’s all feeling a bit sugar-heavy at the minute, so let’s swap back onto the savoury and another brilliant chain that isn’t just beloved here but actually started the fast-food burrito culture here in 0161.

Many of you may have already copped this freebie in the past, but in case you still need to be initiated, Barburrito have been handing out free birthday burritos since like forever – the only catch nowadays is you need to download the app and make sure you’ve spent at least £6 before the date rolls around.

8. Chopstix for cheap

Last but not least, how about some late-night noodles to finish things off? We here at The Manc (Eats, specifically) are guilty of getting a last-minute takeaway to round off a long work day or spice up a weekend evening spent at home.

That being said, it’s a very easy plan to fall back on during your birthday week if you don’t have much booked in for an insignificant number in your 20s, let’s say; simply sign up for the newsletter and select the small box of your choosing. It isn’t just food they’re doing these days either…

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Eats

M&S launches its fancy festive ‘food to go’ range for 2025 with sandwiches, snacks, and more

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant M&S festive food to go 2025

Christmas is nearing closer, and M&S has now launched its fancy festive food to go range filled with sandwiches, snacks, and loads more.

We may still be in the middle of autumn, with Halloween and Bonfire Night yet to pass us by, but there’s really no escaping Christmas food in the supermarkets nowadays – and now, M&S has dropped its long-awaited festive food to go range, which is an absolute fan-favourite each year thanks to the wide selection on offer.

Basically M&S’s version of a lunchtime ‘meal deal’, except there’s technically no ‘deal’ involved, the food to go range is known and loved for its quality and variety of options.

The retailer has decided to launch its Christmas food earlier than ever before this year, with more than 35 festive favourites having now hit stores across the entire range, including eight brand-new additions joining the Christmas classics – including the first ever festive breakfast pot.

This year’s festive food to-go range includes must-have newbies like the Ho Ho Ho Honey Ham Hock & Cornish Cove Sandwich, the Boxing Day Curry Wrap, and the Fa La La La Fel Wrap, which is a festive take on the beloved vegetarian classic.

But of course, M&S’s iconic Turkey Feast sandwich is back, as is the Made Without version for those who are gluten-free.

M&S has launched its fancy festive ‘food to go’ range for 2025 / Credit: M&S (Supplied)

Not only that, but breakfast, sides, and drinks are aplenty this year, including all-new Festive Turkey Dipper, Chocolate Orange Milkshakes, and the high-protein Gingerbread Overnight Oats, which are already going down a treat on social media.

Other returning favourites include the Pigs in Blankets Sandwich, the Christmas Club Sandwich, and the Brie & Cranberry Sandwich, as well as the Turkey, Bacon & Cranberry Sausage Roll, and mini festive-themed Colin the Caterpillar cakes.

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For the 21st festive season in a row, M&S are ‘proud’ to be partnering with Shelter, the housing and homeless charity, again this year.

5%* of sales from each item sold in our festive food on the go range will be donated.

Featured Image – M&S (Supplied)

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