As football fans pack out pubs across Salford to watch England and Mexico battle for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals, allegiances will be split inside a vibrant Chapel Street bar.
Set within a Victorian railway arch, neighbouring an Asda Express and a car park, Maracas has established itself as a go-to place for Latin American food, salsa and football.
That lively fusion of cuisine, dance and, for the past month, the world’s biggest sporting spectacle has offered an electric gathering place for the city’s Latin American community to let loose.
At the same time, since opening in February 2025, weekly Spanish-language exchange sessions have helped the venue to develop into a bustling community hub.
Vladamir, the smiling Salvadorian who runs the venue with his Mexican wife Flor, said Maracas has become a popular spot among Salford’s Latin American diaspora, as well as “European and English people who like to interact with Spanish speakers, or who are interested in Latin American culture.
“The idea here is to unite the Latin American community while embracing the whole European community,” he explained, sitting at the bar next to a framed photo of an alpaca at the summit of Machu Picchu.
“We have something for everyone, whether that’s salsa nights on Fridays and Saturdays, authentic food or, now, the World Cup.”
Unfortunately for Vladamir, it’s been 44 years since El Salvador qualified for the World Cup, and there’s no sign Los Cuscatlecos will end that wait anytime soon.
Thankfully, after more than three decades living in Salford and through his marriage, he has found two teams to get behind this summer: England and Mexico.
“In Latin America, we love football and always played in the street when we were young,” he reminisced. “I enjoy watching the teams with big icons like Brazil, and, as I have been living here for 31 years, I support England as well as Mexico because of my wife.
Mexican tricolour pennants, flags and sombreros decorate every corner of the bar, reflecting Flor’s efforts to transport supporters thousands of miles across the Atlantic on matchdays.
“She has been very passionate and has been doing lots of decoration related to Mexico,” he said. “We try to do as much as we can to make it feel like you are in a Mexican place for the games.”
Football may be drawing in crowds this summer, but the food has become just as much a part of Maracas’ identity. Chef Samuel serves a menu of Latin American dishes inspired by recipes from across the region.
The 24-year-old is from the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean nation better known for its sun-drenched beaches than its football team, which has never qualified for a World Cup.
While his country’s national team have not been shown on Maracas’ two big screens this summer, its food has been front and centre on the menu.
“My favourite dish to cook is from the Dominican Republic – it’s Pica Pollo, crispy chicken with plantain rice,” he said. “It’s so delicious.”
Samuel, who moved to England four years ago, described how he stumbled across Maracas when searching for a taste of home in Salford.
“I was wandering down Chapel Street and saw the name Maracas,” the young chef recalled, his face full of smiles. “I sat down at the table and asked for dishes from my country that I wanted to try.
“Immediately after tasting the food, I knew that I wanted to work here. I told Vladamir and Flor that this is a piece of paradise from my country, and I want to be a part of it.”
Maracas’ owners welcomed him on board and, since then, Samuel said he has been “blessed” to introduce people in Salford to a new cuisine bursting with flavour.
He explained he’s feeling divided over whether to root for Mexico or England in the big match: “I want Mexico, but I would also like England to win,” Samuel said, grinning at his dilemma.
Maracas, at 100 Chapel Street, Salford, M3 5DW, is normally open Wednesday to Thursday from 4pm to 10pm, Friday and Saturday from 4pm to 2am, and Sunday from 12pm to 8pm, but will remain open for England’s World Cup quarter-final against Mexico, kicking off at 1am on Monday.
More information is available here.
