The AO Arena in Manchester has finally unveiled its new VIP bar and restaurant, The Mezz, as part of its £50m redevelopment.
The luxurious new space promises to elevate the gig-going experience with five-star hospitality before, during and after every show at the huge venue.
There’s the restaurant space, of course, where the menu of modern British cuisine has been worked on by Simon Rogan MBE (of three-Michelin star L’Enclume) and Tom Barnes (of soon-to-open Skof in Manchester).
The pair will be working on quarterley seasonal dishes, which currently includes a roast rump of Herdwick lamb with onions and split pea; and a lightly-set jasmine cream with white chocolate and rose for dessert.
And members of The Mezz will gain priority reservation access to restaurants across the UMBEL portfolio, which are among the best and most sought-after tables in the world.
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Then across the way from the restaurant is The Mezz bar, where there’s a menu packed with signature cocktails, fine wines and champagnes.
The bar area remains open throughout every gig – so no more scrambling to get served in the main arena bars.
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The Mezz has been built above one of the AO Arena’s new barsInside The Mezz Bar at the AO Arena in ManchesterInside The Mezz Bar at the AO Arena in Manchester
There’s no rush to leave either. The Mezz bar remains open for several hours after the curtain falls, with DJs providing post-show entertainment.
Once you’ve eaten and drank your fill and are ready for the show, you can head up a short flight of stairs and find yourself in prime position in the AO Arena.
With plush best-in-house seats and a clear view straight-on to the stage, The Mezz’s audience experience is sure to set a new gold standard for arenas everywhere.
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The Mezz restaurant at the AO ArenaThe Mezz restaurant at the AO Arena
The new hospitality area sits between the new concourse and the 23,000-capacity arena bowl.
VIPs who have already tested it out include Brian McFadden, Jorgie Porter, Rachel Lugo and Peter Hook, who all attended a glittering red carpet launch night and watched Niall Horan perform.
Member perks include guaranteed attendance for all shows at the AO Arena, direct access to the arena bowl, early access via a dedicated VIP entrance, dedicated parking, all-inclusive food and drink, a private cocktail bar, a private dedicated table in the restaurant and personalised service including a cloakroom boasting the latest in venue technology, members app and portal, and dedicated host service. Pretty fancy.
But of course, all this luxury comes at a price. Memberships for The Mezz start from £3,500 – that gets you access to 10 shows and The Mezz Bar (for 10 shows with The Mezz Dining it’s £4,000).
And if you want to really soak in all the action with a 50-show membership, that’s £8,500 for the bar or £12,500 for the restaurant.
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You can find out more about The Mezz in Manchester and memberships here and follow The Mezz on Instagram here.
The hillside farm in the Peak District making its own ice cream
Daisy Jackson
Did you know there’s a 300-year-old farm in the Peak District serving up some of the freshest ice cream you’ll ever taste? And yes, you can meet the cows that made it while you’re there.
Welcome to Hope Valley Ice Cream, a family-run gem where things are kept refreshingly simple: happy cows, proper farming, and seriously good ice cream.
Set in the heart of the Peak District countryside, this place is about as wholesome as it gets.
The ice cream is made on-site in the farmhouse, literally just metres from where the dairy herd are out grazing.
You can watch the animals, wander around the farm, and then tuck into a scoop or three perched on a milk pail stool, or a picnic bench (or even a decorative tractor).
Hope Valley Ice Cream has some amazing seasonal ice creams, like lemon curd, elderflower, and blackberry, alongside all the classics and a rather delicious tiramisu.
You can grab a cone, sit down with a coffee (again, made with milk from the nearby cows), or go all in with a freshly-made waffle if you’re feeling fancy.
Takeaway tubs from Hope Valley Ice CreamYou can get a mini pail of ice creamMeet the newborn calves at Hope Valley Ice CreamTuck into your ice cream on a milk pail stoolHope Valley Ice Cream
And if you’re the type who really loves ice cream? You can actually order a full pail of it, with four huge scoops plus whipped cream and sauce.
The farm itself is run by the Marsden family, who’ve been working this land for generations. It shows in everything – they’ve created a place that feels genuinely welcoming, not just another tourist stop.
Beyond the ice cream, you’ve got plenty of reasons to stick around. There are calves (including the newest tiny arrivals), plus donkeys and pigs to say hello to.
Whether you’re heading out on a hike or just fancy a drive into the Peaks, this is one pitstop that’s absolutely worth it – and honestly, it’s worth the trip on its own.
A ‘legacy walk’ in memory of the Joe Thompson is taking place across Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
The ‘Walk With Me for JT’, a.k.a Joe Thompson ‘Legacy Walk’, is back next month, and Greater Mancunians are being encouraged to take part.
Returning this year following his tragic passing last April, the now annual charity walk has already raised thousands for charity and is set for another big turnout.
Joe Thompson, an ex-Rochdale AFC and Bury FC player, sadly died at just 36 following a long battle with lymphoma, having been diagnosed three different times in 12 years.
While the young husband and father of two’s story is a heartbreaking one, it has also become a source of inspiration for so many across the North West and, indeed, across the UK, with people once again gearing up to complete a fundraising walk in his name.
Set to honour him by making the journey from his adopted home of Rochdale all the way to Old Trafford, with Thompson having come through Man United’s youth academy, the 15-mile trek will start at his former club’s Crown Oil Arena and stop at Bury’s Gigg Lane as well as Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium.
First held in 2024 under the ‘Walk With Me for JT’ banner, the initial legacy walk saw the Bath-born footballer and countless others complete 21 miles in an effort to raise money for treatment.
Gone but never forgotten, the charity walk survives not only in the hearts and souls of his family, friends and other people’s lives he touched, but in the community spirit that his struggle and immense bravery in the face of illness helped spur on throughout the region and beyond.
Writing on social media, the Thompson family and the Foundation in his memory said, “Last year, he walked beside us. This year, we walk for him. This isn’t just a walk… It’s a promise. A promise to carry his strength, his belief, his light forward.
For every family facing illness. For everyone experiencing loss or hardship. For anyone who needs hope right now. Every step matters. Every mile has meaning. Whether you’ve walked before or this is your first time. You won’t walk alone.”
Join the annual Joe Thompson legacy walk on Saturday 2nd May 💙
Departing from the Crown Oil Arena, the 15-mile walk will finish at Manchester United's Old Trafford 🏟️
They signed off by adding: “Be part of something bigger. Be part of Joe’s legacy. Be part of the movement. Get a team together, invite your friends, colleagues and family and let’s raise funds to support The Joe Thompson Foundation.”
With the event beginning at 11am on Saturday, 2 May, there have already been numerous sign-ups, and you can expect even more to lace up their shoes and pay tribute to a local hero.
If you want to join in the effort and help do your bit, you can register for the 2026 Joe Thompson Legacy Walk right HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
8th March 2024 
