City Centre

Manchester councillor Bev Craig has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig given OBE

The leader of Manchester City Council and representative for Burnage, Bev Craig, has officially been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours List for 2026.

Councillor Craig, who has held her leadership position since October 2021, received the OBE for her services to local government.

She joins several other regional councillors to be named by King Charles III.

First elected by Burnage residents back in 2011, she has spent more than a decade and a half devoting her professional life to the community, as well as nearly a whole five years of that time at the highest level within the Council.

The University of Manchester graduate has played several key roles throughout her career, including giving back to higher education, helping trade unions, as well as serving as an executive member for adult social care and health during the pandemic, before serving as Deputy and eventually Leader.

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Speaking in an official statement, Craig said: “To receive an OBE is a huge privilege, and to get awarded it for what I’ve been able to give back to our city is all the more special.  

“Manchester is an incredible city, made special by its people and a place I’m proud to call home.

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“Leading our city is a privilege I don’t take for granted, so to get awarded an OBE for what we’ve been doing to make Manchester an even better place to live and improve the lives of Manchester people, while creating a city that is fairer and more inclusive for generations to come, is the real honour.”

With the Council having also confirmed two special NYE events on either side of the Town Hall this year, it feels like a fitting celebration.

New Year’s Eve fireworks and special Albert Square party confirmed for Manchester city centre

Congratulations to Bev Craig on the well-deserved accolade and title; we have no doubt she’ll continue to excel in her post.

You can find the King’s 2026 New Year Honours List HERE.

As for the discussion around knighthoods, many Brits are currently calling for a change in the rules in hopes of making OBE, CBE and MBE, Kevin Sinfield a Sir.

Find out more down below.

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Featured Images — Publicity picture (via Manchester City Council)

City Centre

The biggest New Year’s Eve parties taking place in Manchester city centre for 2025

Danny Jones Danny Jones NYE parties Manchester 2025 tickets

Yes, New Year’s Eve 2025 is nearly upon us, and it still surprises us how many people haven’t sorted proper NYE plans right up until the last second, so we thought we’d round up some of the biggest parties happening in Manchester city centre on 31 December.

From simple pubs and bars pouring away, to those offering live music, entertainment and other packages, there’s something to suit everyone.

That’s it – we don’t need a big, long intro to explain what’s going on here; just dive in, see what might suit you, and party like it’s your last night on Earth.

The biggest and best NYE parties happening in Manchester | 2025

1. Mulligans – Deansgate

Where else to start than with the biggest, booziest Irish bar in town? Yes, just like any old night out, Mulligans of Manchester is going big and won’t be going home until well into the early hours, as their New Year’s Eve party is set to be one of the best in town.

There’s no booking ahead, it’s just a case of paying £20 on the door for admission, which also comes with a drink token that you can exchange at the bar. Simple as – slàinte!

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Credit: The Manc Group

2. Albert’s Schloss – Peter Street

Where do you go before and/or after Mully’s? Plenty of people will say Albert’s Schloss no matter what the occasion or even night of the week, and they’re going full Y2K-themed this time around.

Ringing in the New Year just like the world did back in 1999, expect 90s fashion, tunes, free-flowing food and drink throughout the day, as well as an unforgettable evening of live entertainment. Click HERE to grab the last few tickets.

Albert’s Schloss is hosting a massive Y2K-inspired New Year’s Eve party

3. Tangerine – Salford

One of Greater Manchester’s recent openings, Tangerine is located right under the Salford Central and just across from Spinningfields, and it also happens to be one of the coolest new canteens, martini and music hall.

Dubbing their very first NYE in the city, ‘The New Year’s Experiment’, the stylish orange-hued arthouse has live bands booked, as well as DJs and dancers until late. If you haven’t tried it out yet, now’s the perfect time to give it a go, so grab tickets while they last.

4. The Cut and Craft – Mosley Street

Now, for those of you wanting an equally classy affair with the promise of even more top-quality food, steak and seafood restaurant Cut and Craft in the city centre is bringing a party atmosphere along with stunning dishes in a stunning room, champagne and more.

With a performance by the legendary house vocalist, Julie McKnight of Diamond Life, plus support from Glitterbox DJ, Raven Mandella, not to mention showgirls, welcome glasses, bar tabs, and the option of a three-course menu to choose from, there are various tiers to enjoy. Book now whilst you still can.

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Credit: The Manc Eats

5. Ramona/The Firehouse – Ancoats

Heading over Ancoats way to Detroit-style pizza, tater tots and spicy margarita specialists, Ramona and their late-night counterparts of Firehouse are hosting what they’re calling ‘The Velvet Hour’.

Expect the usual chaos, featuring drinks table options with welcome drinks and the Firehouse NYE feast, as well as regular standing admission if you just want to be in the room for the countdown and beyond. Grab your tickets HERE.

6. Circolo Popolare – St Michael’s

Another very welcome newcomer to the city is the stunning Italian paradise that is Circolo Popolare inside Gary Neville’s new St Michael’s tower on Jackson’s Row. To celebrate their first New Year here, Chef Alfredo is creating a towering GOLDEN version of their famous lemon meringue pie.

Available alongside a three-course ‘Italo’ feast filled with next-level DJs, live music, and plenty of shots throughout the night, you can find where to book as well as the full festive menu online, and get ready to be blown away. For starters, just look at the normal room alone…

7. Diecast – Ducie Street

Diecast is delivering ‘NYE BANG’ to the Manc masses across all three big rooms, but there’s so much more on offer. We’re talking aerialists, circus stunts, vertical staging, lasers and light shows and even a 10-piece live band.

The debut of The Old Foundry dancefloor is the centre piece of the whole thing, though, and will serve as the perfect place to step into 2026. You can see all ticket options HERE.

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Credit: The Manc

8. House of Social – First Street

Yet another recent addition to the city, House of Social food hall is going for a house party feel, complete with beer pong, pool, red plastic party cups and nothing but good vibes all around.

Best of all, this one is completely FREE entry, you just need to reserve your ticket online, and enjoy great food and drink from their five independent kitchens between 7pm and 1am on 1 January, 2026.

9. Maya – Canal Street

BAR MAYA is also delivering the house party festivities, including plenty of drinks, feel-good tunes and a buzzing crowd. Meanwhile, down in the dining room, their new supper club are serving four sensational courses alongside 90 minutes of limitless beer and bubbles for £100 per person.

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Besides DJs and a big dancefloor, ‘The Pump Room’ will serve as the late-night club space with a few more surprises in store, too. Enquire about bookings HERE. 

maya manchester new year's eve
maya bar mcr
Credit: The Manc

10. Electric Shuffle – Deansgate

Fancy something with a little more activity and some friendly competition to see you through the night? Well, there are plenty of places that do shuffleboard, but few quite as high-tech and well-rounded for a part as Electric Shuffle.

It’s a pretty boilerplate affair – not that we’re complaining: prosecco in hand, a few games and bar snacks to tide you over and, obviously, some DJs. You can put your name down for a table HERE.

11. Bar Lina (Stores) – Quay Street

Bar Lina – the low-lit, sister bar to Lina Stores – is hosting their own NYE takeover in collaboration with Manchester’s longest-running club night. They’ll be supplying the funk, disco, soul, R’n’B, hip-hop and everything in between from 9pm until 2am.

Tickets are £25 per person and include a glass of Prosecco on arrival, a Bar Lina signature cocktail, as well as another glass of fizz at midnight. We’ll cheers to that!

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Credit: The Manc

12. Nell’s – Media City

Now, if you fancy chasing your NYE cocktails with some big ol’ slice of New York-style pizza, then Nell’s new site over in Salford Quays is the place to be. The drink in question will be plenty of margs, naturally.

We’ve been to plenty of seasonal parties at their Kampus venue before, so we can vouch for their hosting skills, and you can secure entry to this one for just a fiver, or get 90 minutes of non-stop 22″ pizzas plus a welcome drink and some midnight fizz for only £40. Find all the timings and tickets HERE. 

13. Thomas St NYE Takeover (4 venues) – Northern Quarter

This one is another we can personally vouch for after having done it one year, when other plans fell through, before making it a tradition for a few NYEs in a row. Taking place across four fantastic NQ favourites, you buy a wristband and get one drink in each of the venues.

Admittedly, a different lineup this time around – Bay Horse Tavern, Cane & Grain, The Social NQ and Crazy Pedro’s – you’re guaranteed to have a good time. Maybe see you there…

14. Bongo’s Bingo – Albert Hall

Now, THIS one is going to be carnage – but the good kind, of course. We don’t need to talk you through the Bongo’s Bingo format; it’s a British nightlife institution at this point, and if you’ve never given it a go before, their ‘Big Fat Bingo of the Year’ edition will be unforgettable.

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Find out more down below.

15. Trading Route – St John’s

Heading over to the ever-growing St John’s district next, The Trading Route on Good Yard’s Street are also getting involved with the New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Being hosted by promoters Love Dose, they’ve confirmed former Hacienda DJ, Tom Wainwright, as the resident for the night. Running from 9pm until 2am, you can grab your tickets HERE.

16. Founder’s Hall – Albert Square

Last but not least, if you just fancy more classic pub vibes, J.W.Lees’ new central hub, Founder’s Hall, is also throwing a big New Year’s Eve bash which kicks off from 7pm.

Bookings are live now, and there’ll be DJs all night long and plenty of local ale, including ‘The Cream of Manchester’, Boddington. Say no more – see you there.

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One more for good luck in 2026

Oh, and if none of these tickle your fancy and/or you don’t want to spend too much money, you could always pop just outside or round the other side of Town Hall…

Albert and St Peter’s Square

New Year’s Eve fireworks and special Albert Square party confirmed for Manchester city centre

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

Featured Images — The Manc Group

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