Looking for a unique way to spend a day or night out in Manchester? Think you’ve seen everything the city centre has to offer?
Think again.
From bowling, to axe throwing, and everything in-between, there’s so many fun and quirky activities to get involved right across the city, so whether it’s a first date, a work night out, or you’re just looking for something to do on a rainy day, Manchester never disappoints.
Here’s 10 of the best activities to do in Manchester.
Whether you have a birthday party, family day out, or social with colleagues or friends, Tenpin is the place to be, with an array of indoor activities, from bowling and an arcade room, to pool and table tennis – there’s something for everyone.
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If you’re looking for a night out with friends, the beer pong tables are a must to kick start your night (or day), and the karaoke is a massive hit too with thousands of songs to choose from and specially-designed music pods so you can sing your heart out, embarrassment free.
Experience one of the oldest games in the world while tucking into gastro pub BBQ-style food and delicious cocktails in a truly English style.
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Using cutting edge elite sports technology, at Sixes Social Cricket, you can hire a batting net and take part in the world’s first immersive social cricket experience where you will be able to test your batting skills and compete with friends on a global leader board.
Downstairs is a cosy champagne bar area where bottomless brunch is served on weekends, with beer, cocktails and of course champagne to choose from.
Base Bar
Millow Street
In its own words, this place is for the “fastballin’, batswingin’, ballsmashin’ junkies”.
Base Bar has three batting cages to swing in and each has their own ground baseball graffiti style, so you can practise your swing over a few beers, and it’s also the perfect place to go with family and friends if you want a fun and interactive day out.
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It offers a wide range of hotdogs and snacks, and also serves a fantastic array of cocktails as well as other drinks too, as well as a separate bar area if you have or haven’t got a batting cage booking.
Tenpin / Credit: PrintworksSixes Social Cricket / Credit: Sixes
This over 18’s bar is a strong favourite for gaming lovers.
NQ64 has all the retro games you can think of, as well as classic consoles, so whether you’re wanting a nostalgic experience being transported back to the 80s, or if you’re a video game addict looking for something quirky to try, NQ64 is the perfect place to go.
Dubbed as a geek’s paradise with an amazing atmosphere, there’s also great-value drinks with a strong craft beer and cocktail menu, making it a must-go for anyone.
Think classic darts but reinvented 21st century-style, as with a range of exciting multi-player games, Flight Club will keep you hooked and entertained for hours. Whether you’re an expert at darts, or a complete beginner, everyone has a chance of winning when they play thanks to the multiple throw lines to choose from.
Flight Club has a distinct vintage feel about it, and this unique bar offers a range of bespoke cocktails, tasty pizzas, and delicious sharing boards too.
Flight Club Manchester / Credit: Flight Club
Junkyard Golf Club
First Street
This is a firm-favourite with many people.
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This mini crazy golf club has three themed courses, and each course has a fun name and a different vibe to each of them.
As the name suggests, all the courses are made up from pre-loved and reclaimed junk.
Gary is a course full of tyres, written-off cars and scrapyard junk littered around the course. Pablo is a tropical madness filled with pirate speedboats and skulls. Finally, Bozo is full of creepy clowns and circus freaks with a ferris wheel and hall of mirrors.
Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? Treetop Adventure Golf is Manchester’s answer to the tropical rainforest with the Tropical Trail course. Or maybe crumbling temples and ancient ruins take your fancy? Visit the Ancient Explorer course instead.
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Each course has 18 holes, and is the perfect way to spend a day with friends and family.
After playing 18 holes, you can take a seat in The Market for well-deserved tropical cocktails, local beer and amazing jungle grub, and there’s also freshly handmade pizza available by Pizza Cabana too.
If you want a night filled with competitive games to soundtrack of rock and indie music, then Roxy Ball Room is the place to be.
Dubbed as an adult’s playground, choose from and array of classic ball games like bowling, pool table tennis, beer pong, or ping pong to name a few, it’s the perfect place for parties and groups and has an amazing cocktail menu and drinks packages to finish off a fun filled night of great games, food, drinks, and music.
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With fantastic service and great value for money, what’s not to like?
Junkyard Golf Club Manchester / Credit: Junkyard GolfPoint Blank Manchester / Credit: Point Blank
Point Blank is the UK’s first shooting speakeasy, and has over 200 simulated shooting scenarios to kickstart your night with a bang. The range has five real replica guns and the systems are used worldwide to train professional shooters, so the experience is fully-immersive and has exceptional realism.
There’s also a great range of bespoke cocktails, beers, wines and snacks to enjoy while shooting or if you’re just at the bar.
This is the UK’s first urban axe throwing venue, and with the vibrant venue, expertly-trained instructors, and a suitably-pumped-up soundtrack, you’ll be slinging axes like a pro by the end of the night.
Perfect for going with a group of friends, or if you want a quirky date idea.
Don’t worry if you’ve never thrown an axe before though, as you’ll have a blast and learn something new, and you can also get involved with mini competitions against your own group, or other groups to become the axe throwing king or queen.
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Featured Image – NQ64
Gigs & Nightlife
Lewis Capaldi announces huge outdoor Manchester gig at Wythenshawe Park next summer
Emily Sergeant
Lewis Capaldi has announced a run of huge outdoor shows next summer, and he’ll be stopping off here in Manchester.
After unprecedented demand saw one of the biggest-ever rushes for tickets across both pre-sale and general sale earlier this year, Lewis Capaldi is currently blazing through a triumphant 200,000-ticket sold out 17-date UK arena tour as we speak – and is set to take to the Co-op Live stage for two huge Manc gigs this weekend.
But he shows no signs of slowing down soon, as he has today announced his biggest ever UK and Ireland headline gigs for next summer.
Wythenshawe Park is fast becoming one of Manchester‘s go-to outdoor gig venues, and Lewis’s visit next summer is only helping the reputation, as the Scottish 28-year-old will be headlining the park for one night only next August.
The announcement of the run of summer outdoor shows comes amid Lewis’s first return to touring in two years following his triumphant Glastonbury 2025 return after an extended break to take care of his mental health break, and following the release of his comeback track ‘Survive’, which shot to the top of the UK charts and became the fastest-selling single of 2025.
The response to Lewis’s current tour has been ‘electric’, according to critics, who have been unanimous in their praise for him.
Prior to his comeback, Lewis played a run of Scottish warm up shows in May that saw him return to the stage as a guest of mental health charity CALM, in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week.
Lewis Capaldi – Summer Outdoor Gigs 2026
Wednesday 24 June – Marlay Park, Dublin
Friday 26 June – Thomond Park, Limerick
Sunday 28 June – TX Maxx presents Live at Powderham, Exeter
Tuesday 30 June – Blackweir Fields, Cardiff
Saturday 4 July – American Express presents Roundhay Festival, Leeds
Saturday 11 July – American Express presents BST Hyde Park, London
Thursday 20 August – Vital, Belfast
Saturday 22 August – Wythenshawe Park, Manchester
With no pressure and no level of expectation, the shows allowed Lewis the space to gauge his comfort and emotional response before returning to the spotlight – a move which ended up proving nothing short of a triumph.
Lewis Capaldi will be coming to Wythenshawe Park in Manchester on Saturday 22 August 2026, and tickets go on pre-sale this Thursday 18 September at 9am, before general sale commences the following day (Friday 19 September), again at 9am.
Manchester will host the 2026 MOBO Awards, with city-wide takeover planned
Daisy Jackson
Manchester will be the host of the 2026 MOBO Awards for the very first time, as the influential awards heads north for its 30th anniversary celebrations.
The MOBO Awards are the biggest celebration of Black music and culture in Europe, and has travelled the length and breadth of the UK since 2009.
But this is the first time Manchester will have the honour of hosting the MOBO Awards, for an unforgettable night at Co-op Live of live entertainment, tributes, recognition and celebration.
It’s yet another major cultural event choosing our city and putting Manchester on a global stage, following the MTV EMAs last year, the upcoming Brit Awards, and the Chanel Metiers D’art show.
Set to take place on Thursday 26 March, the MOBO Organisation’s 30th anniversary celebrations will also include a city-wide takeover of the city.
MOBO is working with Manchester City Council to deliver the MOBO Fringe Festival, a week-long celebration of music, culture and creativity.
That’ll include industry panels, talent showcases, live performances, workshops, and loads more, all designed to engage the local community and the next generation of talent.
When a similar event was hosted in Newcastle last year, it attracted thousands of attendees and delivered an estimated £1m plus in combined economic and social impact for the city and wider North East region.
Scorcher at MOBO 2024. Credit: Nick Redman
MOBO will be welcoming back both Prostate Cancer UK and got2b as returning partners, with the former sponsoring the Best Male Act category, raising lifesaving awareness of Black men’s higher risk of prostate cancer and campaigning to fight health inequalities across the UK.
Kanya King CBE, founder and CEO of MOBO Group said: “For 30 years, MOBO has been more than an awards show – it has been a movement, shaping culture, championing creativity, and opening doors for generations of talent.
“This milestone is a reminder that when you celebrate culture, you don’t just preserve history – you shape the future.
“Three decades on, the MOBO Awards remain a powerful reminder of how music can inspire, unite, and transform lives. Manchester has always been a city of music and movement, and now, together with MOBO, we will write the next chapter of cultural history.”
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We’re honoured to have been chosen by MOBO to host their awards in what is such a special year for them as they mark an incredible 30 years of celebrating Black music and culture.
The MOBO Awards are coming to Manchester
“As a proudly diverse city that is known the world over as a city of music, creativity and talent, the MOBOs and Manchester are made for each other.
“We have a lot of expertise as a city in delivering world class events with a global reach, and together with our partners at Co-op Live and across the city we’re determined to do everything we can to support MOBO in making sure next year’s event hits all the right notes and is the very best one yet.
“Recognising and supporting emerging talent and our grassroots music scene in Manchester is also really important to us and we’re looking forward to collaborating with MOBO on the MOBO Fringe Festival which is set to provide some amazing and unmissable opportunities for young musicians and others to gain experience, learn from, get involved in and enjoy.”
MOBO has been proudly celebrating and elevating Black music and culture for 30 years, across genres including rap, hip-hop, R&B, soul, grime, drill, gospel, jazz, reggae, African music, electronic, alternative, and beyond.
Notable winners over the years have included Stormzy, Little Simz, Rihanna, Central Cee, Beyonce, Jay Z, RAYE, and Janet Jackson, along with countless rising stars.
It’s expanded beyond music and celebrated excellence across the arts too, honouring talent including Idris Elba, Steve McQueen, and Damson Idris.
The MOBO Awards will take place in Manchester on Thursday 26 March 2026 at Co-op Live.
Fans can register now at mobo.com/awards to be the first in line for updates and priority access when tickets go on sale in December.
Alice Gerrard -
15th October 2021 
