Roxy Ball Room has announced plans to reopen its Manchester city centre venues over the next couple of weeks – and there’s some new gaming options and a brand new seated terrace on the way.
Now that ‘Step Two’ in the government’s roadmap to lifting England’s current national lockdown has commenced – which crucially allows hospitality businesses to reopen for outdoor service – Roxy Ball Room has announced it will be opening a brand new seated terrace at its Withy Grove site in Manchester this Thursday.
Both of its city centre venues will then open indoors as soon as restrictions lift on 17th May.
Roxy opened its second adults-only entertainment venue in the city centre last October at the Manchester Arndale amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, taking over the 17,000 sq ft former Birdcage site to create the ultimate over 18s playground.
The outdoor space will be a new addition to the venue, with Roxy’s pizza and drinks menu to be served on the purpose built terrace this spring.
The newest Roxy Ball Room venue at Manchester Arndale – which spans the vast open plan, ground floor unit and is kitted out in the brand’s signature style with UV graffiti wall paintings, all set to an indie rock soundtrack – boasts six full-size bowling lanes and twelve holes of Roxy’s newly-launched game, Crazy Pool.
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There’s also been a Bank Shot Shuffleboard game added to its range of entertainment options while the venue has been closed to the public.
Roxy Ball Room
Both Roxy venues will relaunch with a popular selection of games, including American Pool, Shuffleboard, Olympic standard Ping Pong tables, and Beer Pong battle stations, plus arcade games galore.
As well as the many gaming opportunities, Roxy also offers an American-style food menu with a huge choice of dishes, including loaded nachos, chicken wings and burgers, as well as stone-baked pizzas.
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There are vegetarian and vegan options available as well.
The bars boast an extensive draught beer and cider range, with up to sixteen draught lines – including local craft beers – on offer at any time, and there’s also a full new cocktail menu with a range of classic and signature cocktails at just £7.50 each.
Speaking on the Roxy reopening plans, Joel Mitchell – Brand Development Manager at Roxy Ball Room – said: “Our newest venue was only open for a few weeks last year before restrictions meant we needed to close again, and so this feels like a relaunch for us [and] we can’t wait to welcome our fans back.
“We pride ourselves on offering a fun environment for our customers and staff to enjoy.
“We want to reassure customers that the Roxy Ball Room experience will be safe, but uncompromised, [and] it goes without saying that our venues and staff have undertaken and implemented rigorous risk assessments and hygiene measures across each Roxy Ball Room”.
Roxy Ball Room is currently accepting bookings for up to six guests from 17th May.
All games can be pre-booked, and there will be enhanced cleaning between all games. Guests will be able to order food and drink via the QR code on every gaming table, drinking table, and beer pong table, with orders brought to customers by staff in PPE.
Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
Featured Images — Great Run Company/AJ Bell (supplied)
What's On
New Year’s Eve fireworks and special Albert Square party confirmed for Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
Manchester City Council have confirmed that a special firework and lights display will be held right in the centre of town this New Year’s Eve.
Better still, the festivities will be continuing over on Albert Square, as the recently restored ancestral home of the Manchester Christmas Markets will be hosting a celebration of its own.
Yes, for the first time ever, we’re being given the choice of two different NYE events at two of the most stunning central points in the city – the other being the Central Library.
Hosted by former presenter at The Manc, Joe McGrath, as well as DJ Jimmy the Gent, there’ll be tunes and plenty of family-friendly fun from St Peter’s Square right up until the big countdown, when the stunning light display will go off and ring in the New Year.
Credit: Manchester City Council (supplied)
The all-ages, alcohol-free event kicks off at 10pm with entry into the square through security-controlled entry points around the square and bag searches in operation.
Of course, hot drinks and food will be available as the MCR Christmas Markets proper wrap up for 2025, and the fireworks and light displays themselves will be launching right off the top of the library roof.
It’s going to be fantastic.
As for over on the other side of the Town Hall, the Markets will still be in full swing, with bratwurst, beers and cheer aplenty, and so will the truly massive Ferris Wheel – the biggest mobile wheel in the country, in case you hadn’t heard.
That’s right: in case you hadn’t put two and together quite yet, if you’re lucky enough and you don’t mind heights, you might just get to watch the NYE 2025 fireworks going off all over Greater Manchester from the top of the wheel. How magical would that be?
Honestly, it’s been so great seeing Albert Square looking back to its stunning and buzzing best.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas and New Year spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said of the plans: “We all know how much Mancunians of all ages love to get together and party, which is why we’re thrilled this year to give them not one but two celebrations to take their pick of this New Year’s Eve.
“Whether you’re a Ferris Wheel fanatic with a head for heights, or a music-loving feet-on-the-ground firework fan, it promises to be a brilliant night out. So get yourselves ready to have some fun and dance the night away – wrap up warm, grab your family and your friends and come down and join us!”
Promising to work closely with local councillors and therefore businesses and residents in turn, they’re promising to keep any inconveniences and nuisances to a minimum; they want everyone to be able to enjoy the night as much as possible.
You can find out more information, including timings, accessibility, road closures and parking suspensions in the full Council statement right HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
20th April 2021 
