The bar could potentially close its doors due to a ‘challenging backdrop’ facing the hospitality industry
17:28, 07 May 2026Updated 19:36, 07 May 2026
The bar could potentially close its doors (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
A bar in Manchester’s Gay Village faces uncertainty two years after opening. The owners of MAYA say they are ‘assessing the future of the business’.
The venue, on the corner of Canal Street and Chorlton Street, is battling an ‘increasingly challenging backdrop’ facing the hospitality industry. The three-floor bar, restaurant and club opened in March 2024.
The canal-side brasserie and bar boasts a hidden Studio 54-esque basement – where photos are banned; a restaurant; and a ground-level bar.
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The concept comes from the team behind Isabel Mayfair and was billed as offering a ‘dynamic’ all-day dining experience, spanning lunch, dinner, cocktails and late-night entertainment.
But just two years after opening its doors, the venue is now in a consultation period, with the future of the business ‘uncertain’. The outcome could mean the bar closes doors later this year.
The bar also has a downstairs club area(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Manager Rowan Barr said that since he was appointed last year, he has ‘changed the direction of the business’, including hosting multiple sell-out LGTBQ+ events, including Dirtee Fridays, My Oh Maya, brunch events, and other musical entertainment nights with Drag Race UK stars.
“We have done everything we can in our power to change the direction of the business,” he told the Manchester Evening News. “We’ve been working non-stop and we have achieved it.
“The venue didn’t seem appropriate for the locality, so that was my main focus. We’ve made sure the drinks are fun, and that the food and events suit the area and the clientele.
“Our events are now focused around the community and what they want, and we’ve been so successful. They sell-out every weekend. We have been working closely with queer artists, who have been a dream, and worked hard to push the venue into a more positive position than it was before.
“It’s really flipped things for us and got us the attention and rave reviews. But we are at a point now where we have half the staff and our kitchen is closed four days a week.”
The 20th century warehouse had a starring role in Manchester’s vibrant nightlife past.
The ground-level bar at MAYA(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
It was previously home to Mash & Air, the former textile warehouse-turned storied bar, restaurant and micro-brewery of the late-90s saw many famous faces pass through its doors – from the Spice Girls, George Michael, and Coronation Street icons, to the entire Manchester United squad who would head there for their Christmas parties.
Now as MAYA, venue bosses said they are ‘supporting the team’ through the process and that they are ‘carefully reviewing the business’. It will continue to trade as normal, with multiple upcoming events still listed on the venue’s website.
A statement read: “MAYA is currently going through a review process to assess the future of the business, and our team has been informed. We understand this may raise questions, and our focus right now is on supporting our team through this process.
“Over the past year — and especially in the last six months — we have worked hard to evolve the concept, strengthen the team, and improve the experience we offer. We are incredibly proud of our team at MAYA, who have shown real commitment, creativity and energy throughout.
“We have made strong and encouraging progress recently, but this comes against an increasingly challenging backdrop for the hospitality industry. As a result, we are taking the time to carefully review the business. MAYA continues to trade as normal, with our full programme in place. We will keep our team informed as the process develops.
“MAYA has always been a bold and ambitious project, and we are proud of how it has evolved — particularly in recent months. In that same spirit, we remain focused on our guests and our community, and we thank everyone for their continued support and understanding.”