Food & Drink

Manchester’s newest Mexican restaurant is giving away 1,000 FREE margaritas to celebrate its launch

Free frozen margs on a Friday? Stunning.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 14th April 2025

Manchester’s newest Mexican-inspired restaurant is getting ready to open its doors with an exciting giveaway.

In case you hadn’t heard, the former Sunset by Australasia bar and terrace in Spinningfields is being transformed into a colourful new Mexican spot called OCASA, and it’s set to open just in time for this upcoming Easter bank holiday weekend.

The 80-seat sun terrace on The Avenue – just behind Australasia itself, which recently reopened after a stunning refurbishment at the end of last week – will take inspiration from the shores of Tulum, to the street food scene of Mexico City.

You can expect to see it serving premium tequila, cocktails, and Mexican-inspired food.

Bold new Mexican restaurant and bar OCASA to open in Manchester
Manchester’s new Mexican-inspired restaurant OCASA is opening in Spinningfields this Friday / Credit: Supplied

Diners can look forward to plenty of music and entertainment, including mariachi bands, ice-cold frozen margaritas, and tableside guacamole, plus BBQ tacos fresh off the grill, Sunday feasts, and loads more.

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Not to mention, it will also become the city’s ‘ultimate tequila destination’ with one of the country’s most extensive collections of premium spirits.

Oh, and if you go the launch day, you can also look forward to free margaritas too.

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Running this Friday from 3pm through to 6pm, all with ‘no strings attached’, the first guests to arrive will be invited to enjoy an expertly-crafted frozen margarita, made with the signature Casamigos tequila, for completely free of charge.

You can kick off your bank holiday in style with an icy margarita on OCASA’s sun-drenched al fresco terrace, soaking up the city’s vibrant charm and spring sunshine… if it sticks around and shows its face, that is.

Alongside those free frozen margaritas, OCASA’s new menu will feature a mouth-watering selection of small plates all made for sharing while savouring and soaking up the atmosphere.

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OCASA officially opens to the Manchester public on Good Friday (18 April), so if you want to be among the first to experience the city’s boldest new restaurant and bar, and claim your free frozen margarita of course, then get on down there from 3pm.

Featured Image – Jakub Kapusnak (via Rawpixel)

Food & Drink

Wilmslow Street Fest returns for a trio of sunny dates later this year

Danny Jones Danny Jones Wilmslow Street Festival 2025

Down the road in Cheshire and just beyond the reaches of Greater Manchester, the Manc-adjacent market town of Wilmslow is once again hosting a big street festival this summer.

The stylish suburb might be a short trip out of 0161, but this popular and now annual celebration is well worth the journey.

Following a smash-hit inaugural event last year, Wilmslow Street Fest is back for 2025 and what we’re sure will be an even more successful second series of dates.

Consider our train tickets booked already.

wilmslow street fest 2025
wilmslow street festival dates
Credit: Wilmslow BID (supplied)

Set up by Market Co. in association with Wilmslow’s Way Better organisation, which is funded through the Wilmslow BID (Business Improvement Districts) and aims to develop the town centre with local business at the forefront, it’s part of a wider programme of events and activities each year.

Most importantly, the festival is completely free to attend and designed to capture that community spirit at its highest: when the sun is out and shining bright – touch wood.

Based around a main hub on Wilmslow‘s Bank Square, natives and visitors from around the North West have not just one, not just two, but three different chances to enjoy the festivities.

And since you’ll be there all evening, you’ll be glad to hear there’s plenty of scran to be enjoyed. Expect Jamaican delicacies from Hungry Little Critters, a delicious Cheeky Swine Hog Roast, delights from the Thai Food Van and tonnes more. *Deep inhale*…

Mouthwatering American-style smoked meats from Brisket Shack, tasty burgers from The Little Kitchen, Cornwall’s finest pasties from Taste of Cornwall; slices from Oh Pizza, dirty fries from Giz A Chip, and perfectly cooked Chinese-style D’vine Dumplings.

cheshire street food
Cheeky Swine
street food festivals north west
Can’t go wrong with a hot dog
Or a burger
Credit: Supplied

And it doesn’t stop there – not even close: there’ll be crepes from Flippen Good and top-tier ice cream from Gingers Comfort Emporium (big fans), as well as all the drinks under the sun from Vintro Bar. 

Besides eating and drinking your weight like we do in summer, there’ll also be plenty of free entertainment, including live music performances and DJs, stilt walkers and even a bubbleologist.

Yes, that is someone who blows giant bubbles.

Put simply, there’ll be something for everyone and having heard strong reviews from the debut event last year, we won’t be missing out on it this time.

Wilmslow Street Fest 2025 is taking place on Friday, 25 April, Fri 27 June and Fri 29 August 29th, all of which will kick off from 5pm and start wrapping up at 9pm.

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Speaking on the upcoming sophomore event, Verity LeChapois of Wilmslow BID said: “We’re so excited to collaborate with Market Co. again to bring Wilmslow Street Fest back for 2025. These events are all about showcasing Wilmslow at its best – live music, great food and an unbeatable community vibe.  

“Street Fest offers something for everyone, whether you’re a foodie looking to try something new, a music lover eager to hear live music from talented performers, or you’re simply looking for a great night out with friends and family.

“We’re hoping to build on the success of last year’s events and make them bigger and more successful than ever. Entry is free – bring your friends and family and join us in Bank Square for a fantastic celebration in the heart of Wilmslow.”

Guess we’ll see you there, folks!

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

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied via Wilmslow BID)

Food & Drink

Deansgate’s FREE three-day spring street festival is back at Great Northern Warehouse next month

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A three-day outdoor festival full of food, drink, and live music is returning to hidden city centre street in a couple of weeks time.

Back by popular demand for its fifth year in Manchester, after bursting onto the scene with huge success back in 2021, Great Northern Warehouse, has announced it’s hosting its three-day outdoor festival, Deansgate Mews Festival, once again in 2025 – with market traders, al fresco dining, and so much more on the lineup.

Just as the name suggests, the festival will take over Deansgate Mews – a hidden street nestled just above the city’s main thoroughfare, Deansgate – over the late May bank holiday weekend, and is completely free to attend.

Deansgate Mews Festival will celebrate all the eclectic independent food and drink businesses on the street.

Providing the sunshine shows its face, you’ll be able to pull up a pew and enjoy the finest wines, cocktails and sharing plates from The Mews, book a table with Another Hand, or dine out on impressive Thai dishes at Siam Smiles.

Sponsored by Manchester’s AO Arena, festival organisers say visitors should also expect to get stuck into a lively outdoor celebration of authentic grassroots music venues – with 40+ talented artists and creatives across four stages curated a number of renowned by live music venues, and recording and production studios in Manchester.

This year, there’s also a ‘Mini Mews Festival’ being added into the mix too.

Deansgate’s free three-day spring street festival is back at Great Northern Warehouse next month / Credit: Supplied

Taking place in Great Northern Warehouse‘s atrium space, and organised in partnership with Little Northerners, the Mini Mews Festival means families wanting to enjoy the all the festivities at the main event will also be able to entertain their children while they visit.

And in true Mancunian spirit, festival organisers will be collecting donations for Forever Manchester – the only charity that supports community groups and activity across Greater Manchester – over the three-day event.

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Deansgate Mews Festival is returning this late May bank holiday weekend, kicking off from Friday 23 and running through to Sunday 25 May.

Featured Image – Supplied

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