Sunday 26 April 2026

It’s a works night out with a difference for me …

I work quite a lot this year. I have a regular weekday job but also, left over from a roller coaster year of free-lancing, a few ‘side hustles too’. And at one of these, my absolute fave, my boss decides that for our annual staff outing we all need ‘something chill’ , which in her world means one thing; a Shisha -Bar

“What even is that?” I pipe up like an innocent abroad “And…is it legal”

Well readers, worry not, it is all very much above board! Though not necessarily the healthiest of pastimes, as shisha is a flavored tobacco mixture smoked through a waterpipe. But I decide, as a one off…it should be okay? And. although my kids think it is ‘absolutely hilarious’, I sign myself up!

And so it is, that one sunny Sunday afternoon, we set off to Manchester’s Curry Mile for some (savoury)  food and thence to a Shisha Bar were we order, tea, waffles and … one large Hookah with several mouthpieces. Everyone has a few puffs, but eventually, we mostly leave it to the more seasoned smokers and just lean into the social atmosphere of the venue. In the absence of alcohol, the vibe is more relaxed than many pubs and very convivial. The buzz is all about the chat, conversations over teas and coffees, leisurely debates between swirls of smoke or laughter and gossip as the cake is shared out.

We have a great time. It has always been a lovely team but, as we drive back to our corner of the Northwest, having had the time and space to talk properly to everyone, we are even more united … and committed to the cause.

‘But what of the shisha?’ I hear your cry.

Am I a convert? No! I wont say ‘never again‘ but it definitely wont be for at least a year or two, until the annual outing decides to head that way once more …