Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is back with one of the most festive fine-dining experiences in the region this Christmas.
It’s no secret that East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is known and loved for its immersive events, giving rail enthusiasts and curious Mancs the chance to step back in time by hopping on board one of the historic Pullman-style carriages through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside, but it gets even more magical at Christmas.
Every time the festive season rolls around, it always tends to be ELR’s beloved Santa steam trains that grab headlines more, as the event has gone on to become an absolute Christmas classic for families in the North West over the years.
But especially for the grown-ups, how does getting the chance to tuck into a luxury Christmas dinner onboard the retro locomotive sound instead?
East Lancashire Railway’s festive ‘Dining with Distinction’ experiences are back this Christmas / Credit: ELR
ELR’s unique ‘Dining with Distinction’ package is known to be a fan-favourite all year round, but this December, the festive edition of this experience is back once again by popular demand for another year, and passengers can enjoy their Christmas dinner whilst taking in the seasonal sights of the stunning Irwell Valley.
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You’ll be onboard one of ELR’s restored Pullman-style steam train carriages, boasting the most luxurious furnishing and polished panels to provide the perfect atmosphere for a sumptuous festive feasting dining experience.
Upon boarding, you’ll be presented with sparkling welcome drink to kick-off the festivities, all before you’re served up four courses of festive delicacies.
Traditional roasted turkey served with kilted chipolata and stuffing, a festive wellington, tender sirloin of beef with horseradish, a homemade Christmas pudding with rum sauce, and a warm sticky toffee pudding with custard, are just some of the dishes being served by personal dedicated waters on selected dates throughout the month.
A wide range of dietary requirements can be catered for, including vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, halal, and diabetic.
The Christmas Dinner services are running on selected dates from Friday 29 November – Monday 23 December, with tickets now on sale and setting you back £69 per person.
Manchester’s newest Mexican restaurant is giving away 1,000 FREE margaritas to celebrate its launch
Emily Sergeant
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Deansgate’s FREE three-day spring street festival is back at Great Northern Warehouse next month
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.
Emily Sergeant -
1st October 2024 
