A dessert bar in the Trafford market town of Altrincham has just launched a new boozy bubble tea range in a first for the North West.
Smooch shakes, an independent café in central Altrincham specialising in sweet treats, has just launched a new boozy bubble tea menu – taking inspiration from classic cocktails like the strawberry daiquiri and mojito.
Whilst London and New York both have plenty of places to pick up a boozy bubble tea, Manchester has been sorely lacking – until now, that is.
Seeing a gap in the market, Smooch decided to pounce – making its popular bubble teas even more appealing for over-18s by giving them a new grown-up twist.
Bubble tea, also known as boba, is a Taiwanese import that has taken over British high streets. The drink typically consists of a tea base, milk, ice, and chewy tapioca pearls, served in a plastic cup.
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Altrincham has jumped on board the bubble tea boom, with the fruit and milk tea versions fast becoming Smooch’s most popular offerings.
Smooch in Altrincham / Credit: The Manc Group
Since bubble tea was introduced to the UK, its popularity has soared with an estimated 250 dedicated bubble tea stands springing up in response to demand across the country.
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Just a fraction of these locations offer alcoholic bubble tea and, as far as we’re aware, not one of them is located outside London – until now, that is.
A short tram ride from the city centre, Smooch can be found in the heart of Altrincham town centre.
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Newly opened in the Trafford market tow just six months ago, it’s now decided to expand its menu to include cocktail-inspired boozy bubble teas alongside non-alcoholic mocktail versions for younger customers.
Smooch in Altrincham / Credit: The Manc Group
Smooch owner, Peter Donoghue, is Altrincham born and bred and loves the community spirit from locals and businesses in the market town.
He says: “I’ve seen Altrincham go through many highs and lows over the years, but I love what the town has become.
“There are some excellent bars and restaurants here and we want to complement that with something fun that can be enjoyed by kids and adults. The bubble teas have been our most popular item so far, and we’re hoping the alcoholic versions will be just as popular.”
Peter has grand plans for Smooch, with a second Smooch shop in Greater Manchester this year.
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Smooch’s boozy bubble teas ware available exclusively on Deliveroo, priced from £4.70.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Irish Festival Village returns to Manchester with live music, fry-up pizzas and loads of Guinness
Daisy Jackson
A huge Irish Festival Village has returned to Manchester city centre today to kick off the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Over the coming 10 days, there’ll be live Irish music, street food, retail stalls and – of course – plenty of Guinness flowing.
The main event is now open at St Ann’s Square, where a gigantic marquee festooned in green, white and orange has been installed.
Inside here, the bar is being run by the O’Shea’s team, and the stage will host loads of live music and great craic.
Outside you’ll find Birchwood Pizza, who have got a menu of pizzas inspired by the Emerald Isle.
Pizzas include the What’s the Craic (a fry-up pizza with white pudding and Dubliner sausage) to The Black Stuff (black pudding, rosemary potato and streaky pudding).
The Irish Festival Village has opened as part of the wider Manchester Irish Festival celebrations across Greater Manchester.
The Irish Festival Village is back in ManchesterIrish pizzas at the Festival Village on St Ann’s SquareYou can shop Irish treats outside
There’ll also be a Saint Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday 16 March, which will weave its way from the Irish World Heritage Centre all the way onto Deansgate.
The parade will showcase and champion local groups and organisations such as GAA clubs, Irish dance classes, marching bands, and pipe bands, along with a strong representation of the 32 counties in Ireland.
And it handily winds up around King Street, just beside the Irish Festival Village.
The gathering spot will be open from Friday 7 March all the way through to St Patrick’s Day itself – find out more HERE.
There’s a bakery in Manchester where you can decorate your own adorable tiny bento cake
Daisy Jackson
We’ve found a wholesome activity that’ll suit even the most cack-handed of bakers – a workshop where you can decorate your own miniature bento cake.
This Manchester activity has shot to the top of our list of our favourite things to do locally, perfect for a hen do, a birthday, a mate date or a date date.
Bento cakes, or lunchbox cakes, have all the elaborate decorations of a full celebration cake but made miniature, for a treat that doesn’t have to be shared out to dozens of people.
From swirls of buttercream frosting to pretty piped love hearts to cursive writing atop your cake, there are loads of decorations you can add to your own creation.
At Vanilla Ice Cakes in Chorlton, you’ll sit under the expert eye of owner Fiza, a master baker who’s been in the game for more than a decade.
She’ll guide you (and sometimes step in to help you) as you fumble your way through decorating your own cake.
As you arrive for your workshop you’re presented with two adorable vanilla sponge cakes, a classic base for a proper Victoria sponge or a more elaborate celebration cake.
Other cakes at Vanilla Ice CakesYou can mix up your own buttercream icingMaster baker Fiza at work at the bento cake workshopThe bento cake workshop space in ManchesterOne of our creations at the bento cake workshop in Chorlton, Manchester
Each class includes hot drinks, plus a plate full of Vanilla Ice Cakes’ delicious brownie bites.
From here, you’re taught the basics of piping, building a buttercream ‘dam’ before spooning in a filling of choice – jam, Nutella or Lotus Biscoff.
After applying a crumb coat (Great British Bake Off fans will already be on the right page here), the real fun begins.
Fiza will help you to whip up a smooth buttercream in whichever colour you wish, before letting you run riot with a piping bag.
You’ll practice swirls, rosettes, hearts, and even writing in icing ahead of decorating your actual cake.
You can see how we got on below, then book your own spot HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
24th June 2022 
