Lavish Gay Village restaurant MAYA has announced its closure after just two years

MAYA, a restaurant that was delivering refined dining in the Gay Village in Manchester, has announced its closure after just two years in the city.

The luxury three-storey restaurant opened in 2024, transforming a former warehouse building on the corner of Chorlton Street and Canal Street.

MAYA made its way into the Michelin Guide just two weeks after opening – though subsequently dropped off the prestigious list.

But now it’s the end of the road for this ‘bold and ambitious project’, with owners confirming today that its final service will be this weekend.

They wrote that ‘this has not been an easy decision’ but the restaurant is faced with an ‘increasingly challenging backdrop’ that is making the outlook for an independent businesses like MAYA ‘increasingly difficult’.

Inside the ground-floor brasserie, diners had beautiful views down the iconic cobbled canalside street.

Then downstairs below ground level lay the main dining room, filled with luxury touches like blue velvet and brass, plus a huge central marble-topped bar.

There was even a ‘secret’ hidden lounge bar below the main dining room too, with a strict no-photos policy.

MAYA’s full statement reads: “After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close MAYA Manchester, with our final service taking place this weekend.

“This has not been an easy decision. Over the past year, and especially in recent months, we have made strong and encouraging progress, but against an increasingly challenging backdrop for hospitality and small, independent brands.

“It has become clear that, looking ahead, the outlook for businesses like ours is increasingly difficult and not sustainable in its current form.

“Our immediate focus is on our team, and they have been kept updated throughout this process so they can consider their options and make necessary plans. Our focus now is on supporting the team through the coming days and ensuring everyone is paid properly. We want to thank every member of our team, past and present, who helped shape MAYA and contributed to its story.

“We would also like to thank our guests, collaborators, performers, DJs, suppliers and wider Manchester community who supported MAYA over the last two years. Whether you joined us for coffee, cocktails, celebrations, late nights or something in between, thank you for being part of it.

“MAYA has always been a bold and ambitious project. We have been proud to see it evolve, particularly in recent months, and we are proud of the moments, friendships and memories created within our walls.

“As we approach our final few days, we remain focused on giving our guests and community the experience they know us for. We hope many of you will join us before our final service, as we celebrate this chapter together.”

Read more

• The very best Chinatown restaurants in Manchester
• GRUB On The Docks returns to MediaCity this summer with street food, World Cup screenings, and more
• The very best ice cream and frozen yoghurt places around Greater Manchester

Featured image: The Manc Group