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When it comes to things to do in Manchester at night you will feel overwhelmed with choice. Our beautiful northern city is jam-packed with amazing things to see and do and nighttime is no exception.
The city is known for its bar scene but the activities on offer include more than just a fun night out in Manchester.
⏱️ IN A RUSH? Here are the top 3 Evening Activities in Manchester
1️⃣ Watch a musical at the Palace Theatre
2️⃣ Enjoy live jazz music at Matt & Phred’s
3️⃣ Candlelight concert at Manchester Cathedral
I’ve lived in Manchester since 2018 and there are so many nighttime activities that I love doing and am about to share with you.
From comedy clubs to sports and cocktails, everything is here.
1. See a musical at the Palace Theatre or Opera House
📍 Address: Palace Theatre: 97 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6FT and Opera House: 3 Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3HP
If you are into theatre and musicals, then make sure to check out what’s on at the Palace Theatre and Opera House.
The Palace Theatre usually has the bigger productions such as The Lion King, Dirty, Dirty Dancing, Heathers The Musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to name a few.
The Opera House on the other hand acted as a cinema in WW2 but has gone on to host shows like the Phantom of the Opera, MAMMA MIA!, and The Rocky Horror Show. The productions are usually a bit smaller but amazing as well.
They are both ATG theatres which means that if that’s something you are interested in, you can consider taking the ATG membership for extra discounts.
Either way, tickets can be bought on the ATG website or from the box office.
2. Enjoy a Jazz night at Matt & Phreds
- Address: 64 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1LW
Whether you are a big jazz fan or new to the genre you will thoroughly enjoy a sophisticated and soothing night of live music at Matt & Phreds.
Set in the Northern Quarter along Tib Street, this jazz club is open every day except Sunday. You can sit down for a nice meal whilst filling your ears and soul with the sound of jazz.
As well as a food menu they serve some delightful cocktails including their signature Bourbon Bruiser, the Smooth Talker and the Prohibittered.
Each night they are open there is live music, so it really doesn’t matter what day you visit. Each night there will be three 45-minute sets of live music.
You can book a table, which is advisable on Friday and Saturday’s or just turn up if you don’t mind standing.
If you’re searching for a more relaxed and intimate gig, then head there on a Wednesday or Thursday.
3. Experience the magic of a candlelight concert at Manchester Cathedral
📍 Address: Victoria St, Manchester M3 1SX
Candlelight concerts have become extremely popular this past few years and Manchester is one of the best places in the UK to see one.
They take place in the stunning Manchester Cathedral and as the name suggests, are tribute concerts with candles.
It’s very moving to see Manchester cathedral decorated with hundreds of candles. The music is played with a beautiful piano and other instruments.
They can be covers of famous classical music songs and ballets but also some more modern bands such as Coldplay, ABBA or even Queen.
4. Enjoy a comedy night at the Frog and Bucket
- Address: 102 Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LJ
The Frog and Bucket is one of the best comedy clubs in Manchester.
This comedy club showcases some of the best newly emerging comics and was responsible for helping launch the careers of John Bishop, Johnny Vegas and Jason Manford.
The Frog and Bucket hosts national and international comics from Monday through Saturday.
The amateur night is one of the best evening activities in Manchester and you may well be delighted to discover your favourite new comic.
There are a variety of ticket options to choose from including show tickets and a meal and concession tickets too. Depending on the night you go and the comics you see prices can be anything from £15 to £30.
5. Enjoy live music at Band on the Wall
- Address: 25 Swan Street, Manchester M4 5JZ
From rock to reggae and everything in between there is a genre for everyone at Band on the Wall.
Close to the Northern Quarter, this music venue hosts gospel and soul evenings, jazz workshops, an array of DJ’s and so much more.
Band on the Wall was the centre of Manchester’s punk scene. An array of internationally acclaimed artists have performed there and continually return because of the electric audiences.
Band on the Wall has also just gone through a £3.5 million transformation, making it an unparalleled venue for its size in the UK.
Depending on the event you can find tickets as low as £5 and some events are even free.
6. Try minigolf at Junkyard Golf Club
- Address: 2 First Street, Manchester, M15 4RP
Junkyard Golf Club has a fun-filled restaurant and mini golf. There are three indoor golf courses too. You may notice that the entire course is made from scrap objects (hence the name junkyard).
The course doesn’t have your traditional fairways and tee boxes, instead there is electric neon décor, tunnels, wooden slides.
But there are some water hazards, there’s a graffiti filled bathroom complete with a urinal (yes, a urinal!).
You can play a game of junkyard golf for around £10 and enjoy some refreshing beverages whilst you play.
7. Discover Manchester’s speakeasies
- Address: Washhouse: 19 Shudehill, Manchester, M4 2AF and Dusk till Pawn: Stevenson Square, Manchester M1 1DN
Who said speakeasies were just for 1920’s America?
If you are searching for things to do on a night out in Manchester, definitely check out these secret speakeasy spots.
One of the best is The Washhouse, a hidden in a faux laundrette.
You will really need to get into the prohibition groove to enter this establishment though. Guests are required to call up and make a booking using secret names from their website. Cool right?
Another one of Manchester’s hidden gem speakeasies is Dusk till Pawn. This awesome bar is hidden by the façade of a pawn shop.
Unbeknown to passers-by there’s a whole world of tasty cocktails and acoustic performances waiting inside.
8. Play ping pong at Twenty Twenty Two
- Address: The Basement, Little Lever Street, Manchester M1 1EZ
A good DJ set, great food, delicious drinks, and ping pong. That’s what’s on offer at Twenty Twenty Two. They proudly boast being Manchester No.1 Ping Pong Bar!
Grab a group of friends or go as a couple. Shouts of encouragement, endless laughter, and a good deal of flying balls and banter will ensue.
Set right in the heart of the Northern Quarter, this ping pong bar is ideal for visiting as part of a pub crawl or as a pre-drink establishment before making your way to Manchester’s clubs.
9. Go to Crystal Maze
📍Address: St Johns, Lower Byron Street, Manchester M3 4FP
If you’re not familiar with the popular 90s TV show, it’s time to get clued up. You and a team of friends need to solve mysteries and overcome mental and physical challenges in order to win crystals.
At Crystal Maze Manchester there are four adventure zones (Medieval, Industrial, Aztec, and Futuristic) where you must race against the clock.
The better your team does the more time you will get inside the iconic crystal dome to catch flying tokens.
Whether you’ve seen the TV show or not you will thoroughly enjoy this interactive evening activity. It is the perfect excuse to test your brain but ultimately laugh a lot.
Tickets to Crystal Maze are between £30 and £60. This is also an excellent idea for a stag or hen do and a birthday celebration.
10. Swing and Rat Pack River Cruise
There are a lot of canals and rivers in Manchester and one of the best way to discover them (besides walking) is to go on a cruise.
Well, Manchester River Cruises took this one even further by offering swing river cruises!
They take place in the evening (at 7:30PM) and start from the Millennium Footbridge near the Lowry Theatre.
You will get a welcome drink and some snacks and can enjoy discovering the beautiful lights of Manchester at night while dancing and listening to the most famous songs of Sinatra, Dean Martin or Bobby Darin.
11. Go to the Warehouse Project
- Address: Mayfield Train Station, The Depot, Manchester M1 2QF
If you know anything about the British party scene, then you will definitely have heard of Warehouse Project.
You’d be correct in assuming that this night club venue is in a huge warehouse. An incredible sound system, epic lighting and classy line ups make this an incredible party venue.
Please note that the Warehouse Project only operates in the last three months of the year. It’s like a winter festive treat to check out the shows they have on offer.
Artists like Kurupt FM, DJ Annie Mac and Four Tet have played at the venue. You can expect evenings of electronic music, chart topping music and dance classics.
It is best to sign up for Warehouse Project’s emailing list so you can be notified once tickets go on sale. A lot of these events sell out fast.
12. Play darts at Flight Club
- Address: Ship Canal House, 98 King Street, Manchester M2 4WU
Flight Club is the place to go for social darts. Here, there are not just dart boards for your regular game, but you will be playing fast-paced games, whilst drinking delicious cocktails.
You can choose to throw your darts from the “pro”, “regular” or “rookie” line, depending on your skills and confidence. Games like Demolition require you to destroy blocks on an interactive dart board.
Shanghai requires you to throw darts at an assigned number with the aim of getting as many as possible, the only issue is at some point the board numbers will change and you’ll be completely thrown off target.
READ MORE: 15 Best Activity Bars in Manchester
13. Sip cocktails in one of Manchester’s cocktail bars
- Address: Cottonopolis: 16 Newton Street, Manchester, M1 2AE
Manchester has some amazing cocktail bars that serve up everything from the classic favourites to sensational signature tipples. In terms of décor and atmosphere Manchester has everything from quirky to classy watering holes.
There’s the Karudamon which is a super fresh blend of vodka, black pepper and cardamom.
Other exciting Manchester cocktail bars include OSMA, Arcane, The Black Friar and the original branch of the Alchemist on New York Street and Spinningfields.
Sometimes Manchester’s nightlife scene can feel overwhelming as there are just so many amazing places to visit. But head to one of these cocktail bars and you can’t go wrong.
14. See a drag show in the Gay Village
- Address: Churchills: 5 Canal Street, Manchester, M1 3HN, New York New York: 98 Bloom Street, Manchester M1 3LY, Cruz 101: 101 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6DD
There are a ton of fabulously flamboyant places in Manchester’s Gay Village to catch a drag show.
Manchester’s gay bars are welcoming and aim to show you the best, most gaudy and epic time ever.
Churchills is super popular and has cabaret shows, karaoke and performances by Manchester’s best drag queens.
New York New York is another excellent spot and one of the village’s most famous bars.
Regulars, queens and tourists flock to New York New York to enjoy their two-for-one cocktails, karaoke, discos, cabaret and drag shows. Cruz 101 is another superb spot fit for a queen.
This is a gay nightclub set in an old warehouse. As well as playing classic songs, Cruz 101 also hosts numerous touring drag shows.
15. Have fun at the Printworks
- Address: 27 Withy Grove, Manchester M4 2BS
If you are not sure what fun things to do in Manchester at night, then just head to Printworks. It’s jam-packed with an array of eateries, a cinema, games, activities and hosts a number of events.
There’s an adventure golf course that will transport you to the Amazon rainforest, an escape room, tenpin bowling, a battle bar (which includes shuffleboard, pool, beer pong, reality darts and more) and a ball pit bar.
If you are feeling hungry then check out their many restaurants, including Frankie & Benny’s, the Hard Rock Café, Wagamama, O’Neill’s and more.
16. Go bowling at Tenpin Manchester
- Address: The Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, Manchester M4 2BS
Open from Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 1am and on Friday and Saturday until 2:30am you can be bowling down those pins at any time of the day.
You can compete with friends, practise your technique, and have a drink or two at the same time.
The fun doesn’t stop on the lanes. There’s also beer pong, karaoke, table tennis, pool, and arcade games ready to keep you entertained.
17. Play baseball at Base Bar
- Address: 5 Millow St, Manchester M4 4DR
Conveniently located just a four-minute walk from Manchester Victoria, this is an excellent activity to do in the evening in Manchester.
You can drink beer and head to the batting cages to perfect your baseball skills, in darkness with a hell of a lot of neon lights to keep things glowing.
They have 4 batting cages so it’s better to book in advance to ensure you can have a spot. You can book slots of 30 minutes or 1 hour. If you are more than 2 people, I’d recommend taking at least 1 hour.
18. Watch a movie at Everyman Manchester St. John’s
- Address: ABC Buildings, 23 Quay St, Manchester M3 4AS
The Everyman Manchester St. John’s is an excellent place to settle in for a great movie night. This isn’t your average ODEON cinema, no, no, no.
Guests can sit on plush velvety red couple lounge seats. Food and drink orders are not taken at a kiosk outside but rather by waiters.
Their extensive food and drink menu includes sharing plates, tapas, pizza, burgers, and some vegan options too.
For dessert, you can build your own sundae, choose from a selection of cakes and of course power through a tub of popcorn.
This is a also a great idea for a romantic date that puts a twist on the classic cinema trip.
19. Play cricket at Sixes Social Cricket
- Address: The Corn Exchange, New Cathedral St, Manchester M4 3TR
Sixes Social Cricket is a cricket bar located in the corn exchange. You can book a cage for 30 minutes, 1 hour or more and enjoy some games
Don’t worry if you have never played before, it’s very straightforward and you can choose the level of difficulty on the tablet outside.
You need to book in advance on their website and head there 15 minutes before your slot.
PRO TIP: They have off-peak slots that are half price.
They also serve food, cocktails and of course beer.
The experience is a lot of fun, especially if you are going with a group of friends or for a team building.
20. Play games at Roxy Ball Room
- Address: 76-78 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2FN
Roxy Ball Room is a playground for adults. Think of all the fun and games you could enjoy but under the same roof as an excellent bar.
There’s table tennis, baseball, curling, tenpin bowling, basketball, pool (and crazy pool), shuffleboard, lawn games, golf and more.
You can easily spend two or three hours playing games here.
21. Axe throwing
- Address: Great Northern Warehouse, Unit 20, Atrium level, 235 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN
Located in Deansgate, Whistle Punks offer the ultimate axe throwing experience in Manchester.
You need to book in advance here and arrive a bit before the time. The staff will direct you to a lane with other customers and can then start the game.
Professional instructors will teach you how to throw the axes and will then start the game. There are 3 rounds.
There is also a bar and they serve pizzas so you can spend the entire evening here if you want to.
22. Dancing at Revolución de Cuba
Looking to dance until dawn? Head to Revs!
Located on Peter Street, this is a hot spot for dancing. They have salsa nights on wednesday (with free salsa and bachata classes) but at the weekend they play more commercial music.
They also often have bands and performers.
In terms of cocktails, they have a pretty extensive menu that rum lovers will love. They also have a good 2-4-1 cocktail deal.
23. Go to the Deaf Institute
- Address: 135 Grosvenor St, Manchester M1 7HE
The Deaf Institute is one of the best independent venues in Manchester.
They always have shows on and often feature indie artists. They also organise super fun 80s and 90s party (yes it’s time to de-dust your spice girls outfit).
You can find on their website the list of all the gigs they have on.
When you get there, the concert room is located upstairs. You can simply walk up and show your ticket.
This is, without the shadow of a doubt, one of the most beautiful venues in town. It’s incredibly pretty and feature an old theatre style.
There is also a bar where you can get some drinks and prices are pretty affordable compared to the other venues in the city.
24. Watch a show at the Lowry
If you love a good show, one of the best things to do in Manchester in the evening is definitely going to the Lowry.
It’s located in Salford Quays and is an amazing theatre. They have all sorts of shows on in the evening including theatre, musicals, comedy and much more.
Unlike the other theatres in Manchester, The Lowry is actually a registered charity who aims at enriching people’s lives with visual and performing arts.
You can find the schedule on their website and book online or go to the box office if you are in the area.
You can be sure to have a good evening there and since it’s located on the Quays, you can also go for a drink or dinner in Salford and make the best of your night.
25. Go to the The Laughięnda Comedy Club
The Laughięnda Comedy Club offers free stand up comedy nights in Manchester.
It takes place every Thursday at the Lions Den Bar in Deansgate.
If you are interested, you can simply book your ticket online here and head there on the day you booked.
It starts at 7:30PM and is until 10:30PM.
It is a great way to discover fresh talents but also see some pro-headliners since they often come here to test their new jokes.
26. Beer Pong at Pong & Puck
Pong & Puck is a cool activity bar in Deansgate with all sorts of games including darts, beer pong, shuffleboard and corn hole.
The atmosphere is amazing. It’s very well decorated, there are a lot of neon lights, making it a great place to take Instagram photos as well!
Make sure to book your games in advance if you are visiting on a friday or saturday night.
27. Live Music at Albert’s Schloss
Albert’s Schloss is one of the best bars in Manchester city centre and the perfect place to start your night out.
This bohemian Bavarian-style bar offers a wide selection of beer and cocktails as well as food.
At the weekend, they always play music so people can dance and very often they also have live music.
It’s a great place to start your night since you can grab a few drinks, sing and dance. It’s also a pretty big bar so if you are going out with friends, you will have plenty of room.
Please note that since it’s such a popular spot, it can get quite busy so it’s better to get there early.
I hope you enjoyed this article and have a better idea of what to do in Manchester at night. Have fun!
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