Food & Drink

Manchester’s first-ever tequila and mezcal festival is coming to the city centre later this year

Give us margaritas and give us them now.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 1st July 2024

If you’re a fan of tequila – or you’re much more cultured than us and have a penchant for its equally delicious cousin, mezcal – then you’ll be happy to hear that a festival celebrating both is coming to Manchester.

You had us at alcohol.

Following their sold-out event earlier this year, Copita Mezcal and Tequila Festival is coming to Manchester city centre in September, where locals will be welcomed to the city for a full day of tasting, street food to pair with it, masterclasses and much more.

It’ll be the first time a festival dedicated to these two particular spirits has come to 0161 and looking at the full overview, we’re already licking our lips.

The new Mexican-inspired food and drink festival only debuted in Glasgow back in Spring 2023 but it unsurprisingly went down an absolute storm – after all, what’s not to like a big festival full of booze?

Set to take over the gorgeous Manchester Cathedral and turn the room into one big tasting floor, there’s going to be over 100 varieties of premium tequilas and smoky mezcals from some of Mexico’s
most renowned producers on offer.

These will include prestigious brands like El Jimador, Del Maguey and Olmeca Altos; Vivir, Ojo De Dios, Bandero and El Tequileno with many more revealed in the run-up to the event.

As mentioned, there’ll also be guided tastings and masterclasses led by industry experts and festival-goers will gain exclusive insights into the craftsmanship behind these distinctive tipples, along with the opportunity to sample responsibly from dozens of stands from their very own limited edition ‘copita’, the traditional clay cups used to drink agave-based spirits.

Better yet, there’s no token system in place: this is all included in your ticket price, meaning you can truly make the most of everything on offer. We’ll cheers to that.

If that marg doesn’t get your mouth watering, nothing will. (Credit: Supplied/Copita Festival)

Colin Campbell, one of Copita’s co-founders said: “We’re really excited to be bringing Copita to Manchester. It’s gone down brilliantly in Glasgow the last two years so we felt now was the right time to take it on the road and we couldn’t think of a better place than Manchester to head to next!

“It’s a really easy-going event with a great atmosphere, lots of local street food, shopping and music, so whether you’re an aficionado or a casual sipper we’re confident you’ll have a great time.”

Once again, there’ll also be some fine Manc street food on offer – most notably Taco Or Don’t, the immensely popular pop-up shack which finished third in the British Streetfood Awards last year.

There’s plenty more on show that we could tell you about but it’s probably best to leave a little bit behind the curtain.

Read more:

The second-ever Coptita Mezcal and Tequila Festival rocks up to Manchester on Saturday, 14 September and tickets are only £35 per session.

However, you can still get your hands on early bird prices that are good for 15% off (£29.75 total), which are available until Sunday, 7 July when you use the code EARLYBIRD15.

Sessions last three and a half hours and will take place from 12:30-4pm and 5:15-8:45pm, so it can be a daytime thing or an evening affair depending on how early you want to start drinking.

You can grab your tickets HERE.

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

Featured Images — Supplied

Food & Drink

The very best ice cream places in Greater Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones where to get the best ice cream in greater manchester places

We know it’s not often sunny out in these parts to enjoy the proper summery joy of lapping up lots of ice cream, but there are still bloody wonderful places to get it here in Greater Manchester – and we know some of the best.

It doesn’t matter if you prefer it chock-full of chocolate chips and coffee, mouth-frothingly fruity sweet, you’re in your pistachio phase or cannot get past the raspberry ripple, there are plenty of places to get whatever you’re after.

Be it Manchester city centre or beyond, we do ice cream pretty darn good for a place that basically rains for two-thirds of the year.

In no particular order, by the way, because we already hate playing favourites and all those serve our infinitely sweet tooth are created equal.

The best ice cream shops and parlours in and around Manchester

1. Grandpa Greene’s – Oldham

First up, there are few other fitting enough places to start than the Diggle Lock’s legendary Grandpa Greene’s, which serves not just some of the best desserts we’ve EVER had but stunning, homemade ice-cream that we here at The Manc have even helped make in the past.

In fact, this place has been such a hit in the area that they’ve gone on to open their own bistro and, unsurprisingly, it’s proved just as impressive and popular.

2. Milk Maids – Bolton

From Oldham over to the borough of Bolton and native favourite, Milk Maids, whose award-winning dairy farming expertise has seen them garner an iconic status among locals, and it’s no wonder.

We’ve been on to this place in Over Hulton for ages, but now they’re approaching a decade of serving their oh-so-sweet scoops, we can’t pretend to take even the remotest bit of credit. Their reputation precedes them and is about as long-standing as their lines.

3. Ginger’s – Northern Quarter

Number three is a go-to ice cream place for anyone in Manchester city centre: Ginger’s over in Afflecks Palace. Well, Ginger’s Comfort Emporium, to give them their full title, and we can only concur that it does provide us with immense comfort whenever we call upon it.

Made in small batches using award-winning, home-churned dairy ice cream just like Milk Maids, these guys have actually been here even longer, serving the massive multi-floored shopping complex and indie paradise since 2010. There are new flavours and specials on all the time, each as delicious as the last.

Credit: The Manc Eats

4. Big Licks – Printworks

In at number four is arguably the ice cream and dessert parlour with the very best name in Manchester, and that’s Big Licks, which recently relocated from Liverpool Road over in Castlefield to Printworks.

Now positioned in a much more central location, it’s no surprise that the spot has seen an increase in queues of late. You’ll find pretty much every combo you could ask for here; they also do some pretty banging burgers if you fancy eating both tea and afters here.

5. Macari’s – Stockport

As a native Stopfordian myself, my grandma only ever called dessert a ‘sweet’ or ‘pudding’, regardless of what it was, but regardless of what you call it around your way/in your family, we have a Stopfordian ice cream spot that you need to visit.

Macari’s Gelateria opened up over in Heaton Moor back in 2023, and it’s quickly grown a passionate cult following – ourselves included. From their punchy and/or fruity flavours, to the super soft texture that their perfectly flaky wafers just about hold up to, it’s pretty perfect. Remember the name.

Credit: The Manc Group

6. Lazy Sundae – Manchester Arndale

We’re past the halfway mark now, and if you’re not already feeling a bit sluggish after this sugary feast for your eyes, you almost certainly will after looking at the super indulgent Lazy Sundae, who do everything from bubble tea and creative Korean desserts, to standard ice cream cones.

But make no mistake, there’s nothing plain or basic about this place: it’s remained one of the best places for ice cream in Manchester, and while we may have said goodbye to their OG spot in NQ back in January 2025, the Arndale parlour now serves as the perfect flagship location.

@the.manc Lazy Sundae has arrived at the Arndale #manchester #lazysundae ♬ Synchronize – Milky Chance

7. Black Milk – NQ

Sticking with the city centre and whipping our way back to NQ (pun very much intended), we’ve got the brilliant Black Milk up next, who we confess most regularly visit for a proper good milkshake, but they do shine when it comes to pretty anything sugary, to be honest.

Ice cream-wise, you can’t go wrong with their cookies and cream sundae, and their special St. Patrick’s Guinness gelato is still one of the most unique desserts we’ve ever had. Speaking of gelato…

Credit: The Manc

8. Gelato Creamery® – Sale and Ardwick

Heading out to Trafford now and the ever-growing foodie scene in Sale, their increasingly well-known Gelato Creamery® store has been making waves for some time now, and by waves, we mean perfectly swirled scoops of ice cream’s somewhat healthier but still just as tasty Italian cousin.

They have a more central pod at Jacuna Kitchen over in Ardwick on the outskirts of the city centre, but really do recommend visiting their shop on School Road for a lesson on what proper good gelato should taste like.

9. Get Baked – NQ

The penultimate blood sugar pincher is the famous Get Baked, who barely even turned the key to unlock the doors before they had a crowd waiting outside the shop window of their first Manchester location.

Whether you’re three for big cookies, the famous Matilda-inspired ‘Bertha’ cake’ or their free-flowing soft-serve that is easier to drink than water – we know we have a problem, we’re working on it – you won’t be disappointed by no matter how long you wait.

Credit: The Manc

10. Baby Mayhem – Ancoats

Last but certainly not least of the latest newcomers to the Manc dessert scene and while it may not be strictly just an ice cream parlour, it is one of the best places for anyone who is powerless to resist their cravings for things fresh, cold, filled, fried and covered in sugar.

Baby Mayhem is where ice cream and doughnuts collide in one superior pudding. How does a ‘donut ice cream sandwich’ sound? Incredible? We thought so. It’s popped in the old Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria site and is already following in its footsteps of filling locals’ bellies to the max.

That should just about do you for now, and if this list wasn’t sickly enough, don’t you worry…

You best believe we’ll be going around all around Greater Manchester in search of more ice cream and the best places that do it whenever the sun is out.

So, just keep your eyes peeled for when we inevitably update this one, because there’s always room for one more scoop.

Read more:

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

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Food & Drink

Ancoats bar Sammy’s closes after ‘online smear campaign’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Ancoats bar Sammy's closes after 'online smear campaign'

A popular late-night bar in Ancoats has announced its official closure after several months of silence.

Sammy’s Bar, which was styled as a retro 70’s diner and stayed open into the early hours, has said the bar ‘is officially no longer’.

In a statement shared on the bar’s Instagram stories, founder Sammy Shonn said that there was been an ‘online smear campaign’ and has decided to sell the bar ‘for my own mental wellbeing’.

All posts on the Sammy’s Instagram feed have now been deleted.

The account, and the bar itself, will now be transferred to new owners.

Sammy’s opened in 2019 and was a popular, hidden-bar-style spot for late-night cocktails and DJs.

Their full statement reads: “It’s with regret that I inform you Sammy’s is officially no longer.

“Whilst I vehemently maintain my total innocence against all of the hurtful allegations made against me and my character in a recent online smear campaign, for my own mental wellbeing, I’ve made the difficult decision to sell the bar, along with all its associated assets, including this social media account.

“Thank you to everyone for your custom, your love and your support since 2019.

“Together we created something special. I am now transferring this account to the new owners, who I am sure will post something shortly regarding their plans.”

Read more

Featured image: Supplied

More Food & Drink

Eats

An indulgent trip to Northcote – Lancashire’s Michelin-starred gem doing fine dining the northern way | Review

Lupo Caffe Italiano in Prestwich has been named the best restaurant in the North West in the Good Food Guide

Eats

Industrial estate Italian restaurant named best in North West by Good Food Guide

Art & Culture

You can win tickets to sold-out Lewis Capaldi gigs at Greggs

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches