The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest is nearly here and it’s genuinely one of our favourite events of the year, so we’ve already started shortlisting places to watch it right here in Manchester.
With the contest itself starting on Tuesday, 9 May and the Eurovision Grand Final taking place on 13 May, there’s still plenty of time to plan where you’re going to watch it.
The city might have just missed out on hosting it this year but since it’s just down the road in Liverpool, is going to be a big occasion not only for the UK in general but the North West, in particular. The competition is even set to be shown on big screens in Piccadilly Gardens.
That being said, there are only going to be so many seats in the Gardens and we don’t want you to miss a second of the fun, so if you’re still wondering where to watch Eurovision in Manchester this year, here are 10 great options.
We’re going to start with one of our favourites and a bit of throwback to our uni days with the University of Manchester‘s Student Union. The SU over at UoM usually holds an annual watch-along party for Eurovision and this year is no different. Tickets for the Club Academy go quick but they’re also holding a screening upstairs in the main bar, so best grab yours quick.
Second on our list is one of the best places to watch movies in town, so why wouldn’t it be just as good a spot to watch Eurovision? A ticket to Everyman‘s viewing party includes entry a drink on arrival, snacks and a scorecard so you can join in with the action and, of course, there’ll be plenty of cocktails, dancing and people singing their hearts out — they’re encouraging fancy dress too, don’t let us down.
The next viewing party on our list is at one of our old nightclub faves, The Venue, along Jackson’s Row. We’ve spent many a night dancing our cares away in Venue and we’re sure it’ll be just as good a time for the Grand Final. Opening their doors from 6, there’ll be DJ playing Eurovision tunes and two big screens for the main event. They’re even encouraging people to bring food along for the night before they switch back to their usual indie stompers and a Sam Fender Disco until 4am. Book your spot HERE.
Everyman isn’t the only cinema chain showing Eurovision this year either, as Vue Quayside and Vue in the Printworks will also be airing the Grand Final on 13 May. Those who go along won’t only be treated to the usual perks of a movie theatre, but they’ll even get to experience exclusive bonus content courtesy of the BBC. You can grab your tickets HERE.
5. BarPop
Canal Street is consistently one of the best places to watch Eurovision in Manchester and while there’ll be plenty of spots throughout Gay Village showing the contest, BarPop has to be on our list. Teaming up with The Church (formerly Churchills), both will be airing it across their big screens. Secure your spot to watch the Grand Final HERE.
The third lot of cinemas that will be showing the Eurovision 2023 Final is Odeon, with screenings available at both the Great Northern Warehouse and The Trafford Centre. It’s the first time ever that the competition has ever been shown in movie theatres, so plenty are looking to join in with the fun. If you fancy comfy seats, big screens and plenty of food and drink to see you through the night, book HERE.
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7. GRUB
Just outside the city centre in the Green Quarter, GRUB is doing a full Eurovision takeover across every room in their Cheetham Hill venue. With tickets costing just a tenner and including a welcome drink and a fresh lineup of food inspired by the contest. The best part is that the entire event will act as a fundraiser for would-be hosts, Ukraine, with charity tombolas, donations and karaoke all on the cards. You love to see it.
The Refuge is one the prettiest spaces in all of Manchester and that’s what makes it an ideal place to watch one of the biggest spectacles on the annual TV calendar. The epic screening event will be hosted by Family Gorgeous inside The Vault, where there’ll be lots of cheeky commentary, DJs, activities and surprise performances throughout. There’ll also be special cocktails, an exclusive pizza from Crazy Pedros and more, not to mention a Eurpop party until the early hours. Grab your ticket HERE.
9. Native Ducie Street Warehouse
Credit: Ducie Street Warehouse (via Instagram)
Ducie Street is also hosting a must-not-miss Eurovision viewing party for 2023 that starts at 4pm and runs all the way until the early hours. It’s absolutely free to attend with tables available for bookings in the lounge for the pre-party where DJ Niallist will MCing for the pre-screening set. As for the watch party itself, this place is sure to be packed from 8pm onwards, so we’d book a table now if we were you.
Last but not least, we have the beautiful New Century Hall. We absolutely love everything about this venue and with a whole host of food vendors to choose from, non-stop music; a fancy dress competition, chances to win a £100 bar tab, tickets to ABBA tribute legends, Bjorn Again, hotel stays and much more up for grabs, it’s going to be a belter.
There’s even a special £2 Eurovision cocktail with every penny going to charities supporting Ukraine. Now, that’s what we like to hear. Once again, this one’s totally free to enter, you just make sure you have a good time when you get there. Tickets are available now.
With Song Contest now just a few days away, that should give you a few possible places to watch Eurovision in Manchester.
It goes without saying that this is by no means an exhaustive list and there will of course be plenty of other options if you don’t manage to sort a ticket to one of these or they simply don’t tickle your fancy.
Either way, since it’s being hosted right here on home soil, Eurovision 2023 is set to be the biggest in years and we look forward to seeing the city get into the swing of the pageantry and festivity of it all.
We just hope the UK performs as well as they did last year!
Featured Image — Ducie Street Warehouse/Eurovision/BarPop (via Instagram)
What's On
Freight Island is hosting the UK’s biggest Six Nations fan zone
Danny Jones
Freight Island’s Six Nations fan zone returns for 2025 at the end of this month and we’re so ready for seven weeks of rugby action and a river of Guinness.
The iconic international tournament gets underway on 31 January and so too does Freight Island’s fantastic fan experience, providing an unparalleled level of excitement beyond being inside the stadium.
Set to be even bigger and better than last year, it’s the largest of its kind anywhere in the country because, well, as well as know, Manchester sports fans do it better than anyone.
Promising everything from free pints and prosecco for ticket holders, live music, top-notch scran from Freight’s in-house vendors and more, it’s going to be another year to remember.
The Freight Island Six Nations fan zone is back for 2025. (Credit: Supplied)
Fuel for the sporting action
Launching in time for the first game between France and Wales on the final Friday of the month, the Freight Island Six Nations fan zone will be open for the full duration of the competition, showing all 15 fixtures across a seven-week period.
With the final not until Saturday, 15 March, you’ve got plenty of time to sample all the massive Manchester venue has to offer this year. Speaking of..
As well as a steady supply of drinks including a self-service Guinness machine, punters will be eligible for a free pint of Freight Island pilsner or a glass of Prosecco with their ticket.
To make things even sweeter, as well as the usual foodie favourites such as Fuku, Mia’s Arepas, Burgerism, Voodoo Ray’s; Mega Gyros, Oh! My Cheesecake and Soft Boi, Scouse chicken connoisseurs Pattersons are launching their brand new ‘American Buffet’. We’re talking proper game-day food.
Every Sunday, they’ll be serving up half-chickens brined and deep fried in their special spice mix, or a vegetarian nut roast, plus an all-you-can-eat sides including sweet potato, corn salsa, tater tots, cheesy grits, home-made corn bread and their famous gravy, all for £18 per tray
You can ever pre-order a full bird ahead of time if you like – consider this the Six Nations answer to Super Bowl-level feasting.
But isn’t all food and drink, of course: Freight Island will also be making sure to keep the energy high no matter what’s going on in the matches with DJs, music from live bands, as well pre and post-match content for you to enjoy. Let us explain.
In addition to sets by the likes of singer-songwriter Neeva Zahra, Paul Eden and other special guests, but they’re also be performances by the Pent Up Pipes band and Dizzy Brasscals to really get the atmosphere going.
Crowd interaction is essential to making these fan zones work, so if bagpipes and a brass band doesn’t get you hyped as the six sporting-mad continental countries go head-to-head for European glory, we don’t what will.
Freight Island have also partnered with The EggChasers rugby union podcast, who will be delivering podcasts live from the building, as well as fan content before and after the whistle, meaning you can also get involved if you fancy yourself an armchair expert.
Dizzy Brasscals is the best band name we’ve heard in ages. (Credit: Supplied)
Once again, the tournament last for a good month and a half, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy all of the above, as well as all the live rugby on the multiple screens dotted around the venue – including one very big one.
Freight Island opening hours during the Six Nations and throughout February and March are Friday (4pm-12am), Saturday (12pm-12am), and Sunday (12-8pm).
You can book your free tickets HERE and we’ll no doubt see plenty of you there.
Meanwhile over in rugby league, local side Salford Red Devils have found themself in a less than ideal position ahead of the new season after being hit with a new sustainability cap.
Featured Images — Press Images (supplied via Freight Island)
What's On
World-renowned rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd announce HUGE Manchester anniversary gig
Thomas Melia
Legendary Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd are returning to Manchester for a limited UK tour at one city’s foremost venues.
Six years since their last visit, we’re sure they’ve missed ‘That Smell’ of a Manchester crowd and it’s safe to say safe we’ve missed them too.
Known for our love of live music and gigs, there’s no better place to stop off at other than Manchester when you’re playing a world tour, especially celebrating the 50th anniversary of the band’s formation.
Their name needs no introduction, however, if you need a reminder of this band’s remarkable career then ‘Don’t Ask Me No Questions’.
Just kidding, the well-seasoned country and blues veterans from Jacksonville, Flordia are one of the most acclaimed acts to ever come out of the US; in 2006 they received one of the biggest honours any artist could wish for, getting inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame.
With 14 official studio albums, several EPs and numerous live recordings, there are definitely more than enough songs to pack into one unforgettable night.
As one of just four dates here in England, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Manchester tour show is taking place at none other than the AO Arena, which has also reached a milestone in 2025 as they celebrate 30 years of unbelievable gigs. What better way to party than with a good ol’ fashioned rock show?
They won’t be travelling solo either, they’re also bringing Georgia-based rockers Blackberry Smoke as a support act, notable for their 2012 single ‘One Horse Town’ along with many others.
Rockin’ it out like they always do, bring on Manchester. That iconic Lynyrd logo will look immense in AO Arena this year.Credit: Supplied
They’ve chosen the right venue to belt the hits too and, ironically, they’ve chosen a Tuesday for their Manchester date, meaning you’ll be able to walk out of the concert singing ‘Tuesday’s Gone’ with more conviction than ever.
One thing is for sure, with a legacy as big as this, the rockers are guaranteed to have a great time. There might not be any founding members left following the passing of guitarist and songwriter Gary Rossington in 2023, but you can bet the current lineup will do the originals justice and then some.
Lynyrd Skynyrd visit the AO Arena in Manchester on Tuesday 15 July 2025 with tickets going on sale from Friday 24 January at 10am. You can grab yours HERE.
Danny Jones -
6th May 2023 
