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.
Giant inflatable monsters descend on Manchester again next month for their BIGGEST celebration to date
Emily Sergeant
Halloween in the City returns next month with its biggest celebration ever to mark a decade of monster mayhem.
Organised by Manchester BID and sponsored by British confectionery maker, Swizzels, Halloween in the City will be back in Manchester city centre next month once the spooky season arrives – bringing a free weekend of family-friendly fun and spectacular street entertainment.
To mark a decade of monster mayhem, the two-day celebration will bring the city to life with walkabout performers, party games, live DJs, spooky storytelling, and a spectacular roaming procession.
There’s also set to be brand-new birthday bake off this year to celebrate the big 10, and everyone is invited to join the party
But, of course, at the heart of the celebrations will be giant inflatable monsters.
The MCR Monsters are back next month / Credit: CityCo & Manchester BID
The MCR Monsters have been a staple in Manchester’s Halloween celebrations for a decade now, and this year, they’re going all out across the city’s iconic buildings and landmarks.
Created by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas, and brought to life by Designs in Air, the giant inflatable creatures will make their way into the city for their longest trail to date, celebrating eight days of monster mischief over October half term from Saturday 24 to Saturday 31 October.
Visitors can expect a city-wide monster invasion at locations – including Exchange Square, Manchester Arndale, Selfridges Exchange Square, Corn Exchange Manchester, Printworks, Science and Industry Museum, The Royal Exchange Manchester, Treehouse Hotel Manchester, AO Arena, KAMPUS, Mayfield Park, and Medlock Square.
It’s set to be the biggest celebrations to date to mark a decade of monster mayhem / Credit: Supplied
Then, the big Halloween in the City Weekender will take place on Saturday 24 October from 10am-6pm and Sunday 25 October from 10am-5pm.
Some of the activities on the Weekender lineup this year include a live storytelling performance by Z-Arts in Manchester Arndale, a big Monsters Disco over in Exchange Square, a Rave Yard with resident evil DJs in St Ann’s Square, the Swizzels Spooky Sweet Stop on New Cathedral Street – which is new for 2026 – and then the main event, The Monsters Party Procession.
Designed and created by Walk the Plank, The Monsters Party Procession will ‘bash, boogie, and stomp’ its way through Market Street and Manchester Arndale, so expect dancing monster puppets, towering stilt walkers, and a six-piece brass band suitably spooky soundtrack.
And, of course, no monster birthday would be complete without a Halloween dress-up, which everyone is encouraged to join in with.
Halloween in the City returns from Saturday 24 October, and you can find out everything happening over the eight-day period online here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
A FREE shopping event dedicated to saving students money is returning to Manchester Arndale
Thomas Melia
One of the city centre’s most popular shopping events helping students save money is returning to Manchester Arndale and the city centre.
MCR Student Socialis heading back to the city with its big discounts, freebies, giveaways and plenty of entertainment to keep you busy while you browse.
This interactive shopping event encourages new and current students to wander roundManchester Arndaleand the surrounding streets while snapping up some seriously good deals.
Expect discounts of up to 50% off at 120 stores including big high street retailers like Champion, Søstrene Grene, Selfridges, Sephora, and Berghaus.
This incredible 50% off deal continues into some of Manchester Arndale’s big-name food vendors like Wingstop, Archie’s, Barburrito, Sides, HOP Vietnamese and more.
If you’re after carrying thatZara Larssonenergy into your next academic year, the Arndale’s Rhinestone Rodeo celebration includes a Charm Bar in Exchange Court, where you can turn photos into personalised charms.
No shopping trip is complete without a matcha in-hand and you can bag yourself a free hot or iced drink in Exchange Court at the Cult Beauty Matcha Station.
Look out for our Audio North truck on Market StreetThe Manchester Arndale MCR Student Social is back
There’s even the Arndale’s Party Tuk Tuk which will be roaming around the city-centre shopping complex blasting out hip-hop tunes and some of your song requests.
Just outside Manchester Arndale on Market Street, there’s plenty of activities split across three dedicated zones, like Food & Drink by familiar foodie faces like Franco Manca and Great British Doner.
The Party Zone will be buzzing as Footasylum, Museum of Illusions and Urban Playground all unite, while there’s plenty of giveaways over at the Info Zone with brands like Science + Industry Museum and RSPB.
And, our very ownAudio North x The Manc DJ Truck is soundtracking Market Street with student DJs playing out everything from dance and funk to classic party anthems.
MCR Student Social is taking place on Thursday 24 September at Manchester Arndale from 12pm to 7pm and you can find more information via its official websiteHERE.
Emily Sergeant -
20th April 2021 
