Since BOX opened on Deansgate last year, it’s become one of the most popular places in town, both for watching the sport and for dancing the night away.
With a proper festive season ahead (not a lockdown in sight, we hope) and a World Cup happening at the same time, it’s set to be a sillier season than ever.
BOX has got both parts covered, with a Christmas line-up of food and drink as well as offering you the chance to cheer on the England squad in Qatar.
Combining the footy with the festivities is clearly a strength of BOX, and the St. Nick’s Kicks is just one example of the imaginative cocktails on offer this year. Served in boot-shaped glasses, choose from a striking red drink that resembles either the England squad or Father Christmas’ boots, and there’s even a dedicated Golden Boot cocktail for those strictly celebrating the football.
The Brewdog kegs are another crowd pleaser that’ll have the whole team at the table this winter. Served in huge five litre kegs, you’ll get almost nine whole pints out of these whilst you while away the freezing nights without having to leave the table.
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Whilst there used to be no place like the beer garden for a football match, the wintry season has got us thinking less about huddling up outside and more about warming foods served whilst we watch the game- and BOX has got all the half time snacks sorted.
Festive food offerings at BOX Deansgate. Credit: BOX
There’s a festive special pizza option with all the tasty trimmings you’d expect this time of year with pigs in blankets, pulled turkey and, of course, sage and onion stuffing. Prefer your trimmings wrapped between two delicious burger buns? There’s an option for that too. The Christmas Burger is all about encapsulating that taste of a sit-down dinner from December 25th- and there’s even a vegan version with Beyond plant-based alternatives too.
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The Ho Ho Hotdog is also destined to be a favourite throughout the festive lead-up. Imagine a giant pig in a blanket: nine inches of hot dog goodness wrapped in pancetta with sage and onion stuffing inside one giant fluffy bun.
If you’re looking for something that brings the best of post-match treats and the World Cup together without stuffing yourself with turkey, the Santa Sub and Christmas kebab are ideal options if you want an easy-to-grab food option whilst watching a match.
Click here to book your next visit to BOX Deansgate.
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And the options aren’t just for watching the footy either, BOX is also offering a festive feast fit for any footballer this season.
Festive Feast. / Image: BOX
There’s a Christmas buffet option for sharing that offers the best of the festive menu on one giant tray. Think burgers with mountains of fries and the added option of bottomless drinks to make this a night of food and flavour to remember- the unmatched atmosphere that the football brings is just a bonus.
All this talk of Christmas is bound to have you singing along to Jingle Bells in no time, but for those wanting to step it up a notch, grab the mic at Bandeoke every Thursday night and sing the night away with the best Christmas hits. This is where karaoke meets a live band and offers you the unique chance to get up on stage and give the crowd your best Wham!, or Mariah impression.
There will also be plenty of live music every Friday and Saturday night for those that prefer to be singing and dancing in the crowds, and we really can’t think of a better place to get in the Christmas spirit.
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Whilst booking ahead of any football games or peak party hours is highly recommended, BOX knows that sometimes there’s nothing better than spontaneous plans, and has room for walk-ins every day of the week.
For more information on any of the BOX Christmas menus, or to get yourself a table booked, visit the BOX website.
Feature Image- BOX
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Thanks to Terminal 2’s major upgrade, now holidays really do start at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
It’s a phrase that’s almost as old as air travel itself, but luckily, Manchester Airport are well and truly getting your holidays started early, courtesy of the new and improved Terminal 2.
T2‘s massive upgrade technically finished in 2025, but with other bits debuting already this year and even more to come in 2026, Manchester’s biggest terminal is a more fully-fledged travel hub than ever.
Complete everything from the essentials and a healthy supply of food and drink, to lots of luxuries and plenty of ways to unwind and kill time between both before and after flights, you can feel extra smug about getting to the airport early.
As part of their latest ‘Terminal Explorer’ campaign, we recently paid a visit to see just how much fun we could get up to in and around T2. Spoilers: quite a lot.
With a little help from their wayfinding screens dotted around the various areas, from the World Duty Free section and ever-growing internal shopping district, to all the bars and restaurants that have opened since the big refurb, we took ourselves on a very fun day out.
And that was without even having an actual holiday booked to look forward to, so just imagine how good it must feel to top all this off with a real trip away.
In fact, you don’t even need to think that hard about it; roughly 80% of all passengers heading in and out of Manchester Airport now come through T2, and with the experience improving all the time, they’re seeing a serious uptick in visitors and their time spent enjoying some leisure before their getaway.
From additions like the LEGO store to keep the kids entertained, as well as numerous places to grab a brew, a bite, or even your first adult beverage of the holiday, it’s up to you how you choose to explore – they’ve just given you plenty of options.
There’s no bigger testament to the latest hospitality offerings in Terminal 2 than the recently opened Great Northern Market, which brings a rather big taste of the Mackie Mayor vibe to Manchester Airport.
A VERY comfortable place to wind down any wait times before you fly.
You’ll be blown away by the amount of choice on offer in here – we certainly were – and, of course, the multi-vendor culinary destination epicentre is just one of many fantastic food and drink offerings now boasted by the T2 ‘2.0.’
For instance, we could happily spend most of the time before our next hypothetical flight just chilling in the super stylish Fever-Tree Bar, which includes a wonderful range of breakfast and light bites, charcuterie boards, small plates, sandwiches and so on – plus a cocktail menu perfect for any occasion.
Put simply, you’ve now been given all the tools and means to turn downtime of almost any duration into an excuse to explore Manchester Airport at its best; in fact, scratch that: it’s an opportunity to go for a wander and make the most of it – and it’s one you don’t want to waste.
Whether it’s stocking up pre-flight or kicking back with your first drink of many, don’t just be another person sitting watching the departures board, be a terminal explorer.
Sensory-friendly Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Emily Sergeant
This week marks the start of Neurodiversity Celebration Week.
Approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference, according to the most recent statistics, and Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16-20 March 2026) highlighting the importance of championing, raising awareness of, and accommodating neurodiverse people.
And Printworks is marking the occasion in its own special way, with a series of new initiatives designed to create a more ‘inclusive’ and ‘sensory-friendly’ environment.
You may already know that the popular indoor entertainment complex in the heart of Manchester city centre is home to more than a dozen bars, restaurants, and leisure activities – including one of the largest IMAX screens on the continent – and Europe’s largest digital ceiling too, of course, but this week’s experience is unlike anything the venue has welcomed before.
Throughout the week, Printworks will be transforming its digital ceiling with calming Northern Lights and constellations which have been specifically designed to create a relaxed, sensory-friendly atmosphere for visitors with additional sensory needs.
Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week / Credit: Supplied
As part of a long-term commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, Printworks is also introducing a weekly sensory-friendly hour every Sunday too, where lighting throughout the venue will be dimmed, and music and SFX volumes reduced for a reduced-stimulus environment.
200 free sensory packs – which can be collected at Vue cinema – with a pair of ear defenders and sensory-friendly toys, designed to support visitors who may benefit from sensory tools while enjoying the venue, are also on offer throughout the course of the week.
On top of this, there’s also a range of autism-friendly cinema screenings taking place on the last Sunday of every month at 10:30am.
An additional autism-friendly screening will be taking place with a showing of Hoppers this Sunday 22 March at 10:30am, with tickets now available from Vue’s website.
“Neurodiversity Celebration Week is an important time for brands and venues to recognise and support the diverse ways visitors and audiences experience the world,” commented Dan Davis, who is the General Manager at Printworks.
Sophie Smith -
25th November 2022 
