A golf ball moving into a hole on a mini-golf course A golf ball moving into a hole on a mini-golf course

Fun things to do in Manchester

Just because you're not a kid anymore, it shouldn't stop you from having fun. You can find lots of fun activities for adults in Manchester, with options in the city centre as well as further out. If you need some ideas for exciting activities that'll easily keep you occupied, we've put together this guide to give you some inspiration. This is our guide to fun things to do in Manchester.

Tamsin Spargo, Thatsup
Tamsin Spargo
  1. Fun stuff to do in Manchester
    1. 1
      Junkyard Golf Club Outrageous mini-golf
    2. 2
      Challenge Point Compete in a gameshow
    3. 3
      Frog and Bucket Comedy Club Award-winning comedy club
    4. 4
      Escape Hunt Immersive escape rooms
    5. 5
      Urban Playground Modern entertainment destination
    6. 6
      Lane7 Trendy spot for games
    7. 7
      iFly Float in the air
    8. 8
      The Comedy Store Live comedy every week
    9. 9
      The Crystal Maze Live Experience Take on the classic game
    10. 10
      Chaos Karts Go-karting with a twist
    11. 11
      NQ64 Neon-splattered gaming bars
    12. 12
      Immersive Gamebox A modern way to play
    13. 13
      Dog Bowl Big and colourful venue
    14. 14
      Silent Adventures A new way to explore the city
    15. 15
      Whistle Punks Try out axe throwing
    16. 16
      Box Lively sports bar in Deansgate
    17. 17
      Roxy Ball Room Buzzy place for a ball game
    18. 18
      K2 Karaoke Luxury karaoke
    19. 19
      Treetop Golf Themed mini-golf fun
    20. 20
      Boom Battle Bar Choice of activities
    21. 21
      Alcotraz A unique way to drink
    22. 22
      Bingo Balls Unleash your inner child
    23. 23
      Treasure Hunt Manchester Interesting self-guided walking tours
    24. 24
      Hyde Leisure Pool Aquatic fun for all
    25. 25
      Lucardo Themed challenges for teams
    26. 26
      1Up A celebration of gaming
    27. 27
      The Archertype Energetic archery games
    28. 28
      Twenty Twenty Two A venue for ping pong
    29. 29
      Chill Factore Explore the slope
    30. 30
      Manchester235 Bringing Las Vegas to Manchester
    31. 31
      Virtual Hideout Discover VR gaming

Jump to

Fun stuff to do in Manchester

Junkyard Golf Club

Outrageous mini-golf

You'll certainly have fun tackling some of the craziest mini-golf courses around at Junkyard Golf Club. This vibrant city centre venue has three 18-hole courses that are packed with tricks and surprises. Compete against your friends on these creative courses, and enjoy drinks, including cocktails, pizza, and nachos.

Challenge Point

Compete in a gameshow

A unique group activity in Manchester, Challenge Point is a great family day out or team-building activity. This is a live and interactive gameshow where teams take on games like mini-golf, supermarket sweep, and a lazer maze, all in the hope of making it to the final exciting round. This truly is a fun and original experience.

Frog and Bucket Comedy Club

Award-winning comedy club

Enjoy award-winning comedy shows at Frog and Bucket Comedy Club. This club runs a range of hilarious events, with the Beat the Frog nights where the audience can vote acts off being especially popular. New and established acts perform here, and there's a bar serving drinks and food during the shows.

Escape Hunt

Immersive escape rooms

With Escape Hunt you can have fun getting out of a themed escape room or going on a mysterious trail around the city. The immersive and purpose-built escape rooms come with intriguing themes like pirates, vikings, or the Wild West. Make the experience even more enjoyable by visiting the on-site bar as well.

Urban Playground – Fun activities
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Fun activities
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Fun activities
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Fun activities
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Fun activities
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Fun activities
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Fun activities
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Fun activities
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Fun activities
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Fun activities
Urban Playground

Urban Playground

Modern entertainment destination

Modern entertainment complex Urban Playground is a top destination for competitive socialising for adults in Manchester. This vibrant spot offers mini-golf as well as a thrilling live-action version of TV's The Cube. As well as competing with friends, the venue has bars where you can relax with a drink and its own gourmet burger restaurant.

Lane7 Manchester Deansgate Lane7 Manchester Altrincham
Lane7 Manchester Deansgate
lane7.co.uk/venues/manchester-deansgate
Lane7 Manchester Altrincham
lane7.co.uk/venues/altrincham
Lane7 Manchester Deansgate Lane7 Manchester Altrincham

Trendy spot for games

Lane7 offers games, drinks, and food in a trendy space covered in neon and graffiti. Just some of the fun activities you can try here include karaoke, bowling, arcade games, darts, and pool. Burgers are available and there's a varied range of drinks including cocktails, hard shakes, and draft beer.

  • 235 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre 6 Stamford New Rd
    Lane7 Manchester Deansgate
    235 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre
    Lane7 Manchester Altrincham
    6 Stamford New Rd
  • Lane7 Manchester Deansgate
    lane7.co.uk/venues/manchester-deansgate
    Lane7 Manchester Altrincham
    lane7.co.uk/venues/altrincham
    Lane7 Manchester Deansgate
    016-151 000 34
    Lane7 Manchester Altrincham
    016-166 924 30
  • Lane7 Manchester Deansgate Lane7 Manchester Altrincham

iFly

Float in the air

Experience the thrill of indoor skydiving at iFly. Flyers of every age and ability are welcome here, where you'll soar in the air thanks to a unique wind tunnel. The centre offers a range of different flight packages to suit everybody, plus there's a spectator area. The attraction is fully wheelchair-accessible.

The Comedy Store

Live comedy every week

Opened in Manchester in 2000, The Comedy Store is well-established as a place to have fun. There are weekly comedy shows at a couple of different venues, showcasing varied line-ups of acts. Each show lasts for two hours, with food and drinks on offer. Gift vouchers for The Comedy Store are also available.

The Crystal Maze Live Experience

Take on the classic game

The Crystal Maze Live Experience is fantastic fun for adults in Manchester, including for team-building events. Bringing the classic gameshow to life, you'll move through a series of zones and take on puzzles and challenges along the way. It all leads up to the final showdown in the famous Crystal Dome.

Chaos Karts

Go-karting with a twist

Chaos Karts takes go-karting to the next level. Power along the track surrounded by digital projections that place you in locations like London, Florida, and outer space. Weapons and power-ups like speed boosts and bombs enhance the race and makes it feel like you've stepped inside a video game.

NQ64 Peter Street NQ64 Northern Quarter
NQ64 Peter Street
nq64.co.uk/manchester-peter-st
NQ64 Northern Quarter
nq64.co.uk/manchester-northern-quarter
NQ64 Peter Street NQ64 Northern Quarter

Neon-splattered gaming bars

Manchester is home to a couple of branches of NQ64, where you can enjoy retro games and consoles in a trendy black-lit space that's covered in neon. It's not just gaming that's available here – a range of drinks, including themed cocktails, are served, plus there's pinball at the Peter Street location. The Northern Quarter branch serves pizza.

  • 23 Peter St, Manchester City Centre 12 Tib St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
    NQ64 Peter Street
    23 Peter St, Manchester City Centre
    NQ64 Northern Quarter
    12 Tib St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
  • NQ64 Peter Street
    nq64.co.uk/manchester-peter-st
    NQ64 Northern Quarter
    nq64.co.uk/manchester-northern-quarter
    NQ64 Peter Street
    016-171 019 58
    NQ64 Northern Quarter
    016-171 019 57
  • NQ64 Peter Street NQ64 Northern Quarter

Immersive Gamebox

A modern way to play

Lose yourself in a game at Immersive Gamebox. This modern gaming centre uses motion tracking, projection mapping, and surround sound to bring its immersive games to life. A variety of games suited to all ages and abilities are offered. This is a fun activity for groups of two to six people.

Dog Bowl

Big and colourful venue

Dog Bowl offers plenty of ways to have fun in a colourful and cavernous venue. You can book one of the five bowling lanes here or check out the arcade of retro consoles. There's a bar serving a varied range of drinks, including colourful cocktails. Indulgent food like burgers, pizza, and loaded fries is also available.

Silent Adventures

A new way to explore the city

You can experience the city in a new way with Silent Adventures. This experience is a city tour meets a flash mob meets a silent disco. Your enthusiastic host will guide you through the city whilst you enjoy great music on your headphones and show off your best dance moves to everyone.

Whistle Punks

Try out axe throwing

Try out a new activity at Whistle Punks. This unique venue is a place to try axe throwing with guidance from a knowledgeable instructor. Various ticket types are available, all including a 70 minute throwing session. You can also kick back in the rustic bar area with drinks and pizza.

Box

Lively sports bar in Deansgate

Visit Box in Deansgate, where there's always something fun happening. This lively and spacious bar has 25 HD screens for showing live sport fixtures, plus karaoke backed up by the house band, shuffleboard, and live music. This buzzy spot serves food as well as broad selection of drinks including craft beer and cocktails.

Roxy Ball Room Deansgate Roxy Ball Room Manchester Arndale
Roxy Ball Room Deansgate
roxyleisure.co.uk/location/manchester-deansgate
Roxy Ball Room Manchester Arndale
roxyleisure.co.uk/location/manchester-arndale
Roxy Ball Room Deansgate Roxy Ball Room Manchester Arndale

Buzzy place for a ball game

At Roxy Ball Room you can participate in a range of ball games in buzzy surroundings. Exactly what's on offer varies by location but expect the likes of bowling, basketball, shuffleboard, and pool amongst the options. A varied range of drinks and food are also available at the venue.

  • 76-78 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre Withy Grove, Manchester City Centre
    Roxy Ball Room Deansgate
    76-78 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre
    Roxy Ball Room Manchester Arndale
    Withy Grove, Manchester City Centre
  • Roxy Ball Room Deansgate
    roxyleisure.co.uk/location/manchester-deansgate
    Roxy Ball Room Manchester Arndale
    roxyleisure.co.uk/location/manchester-arndale
    Roxy Ball Room Deansgate
    016-169 653 00
    Roxy Ball Room Manchester Arndale
    016-169 653 01
  • Roxy Ball Room Deansgate Roxy Ball Room Manchester Arndale

K2 Karaoke

Luxury karaoke

K2 Karaoke is where karaoke and a nightclub meet. There are luxury private karaoke booths here equipped with self-ordering systems so you won't miss any of the fun. Asian food is served, as well as a variety of drinks. VIP packages are available at this trendy and modern spot.

Treetop Golf

Themed mini-golf fun

Based at Printworks, Treetop Golf is an immersive mini-golf experience offering two 18-hole courses. The space has a jungle theme – move through the tropical course and encounter interactive elements along the way, before taking your chances with the elusive 19th hole. The venue also has three different themed eateries for before or after you play.

Boom Battle Bar

Choice of activities

A buzzy spot for drinks and games, Boom Battle Bar offers a choice of enjoyable activities. There are karaoke booths, plus darts, pool, shuffleboard, axe throwing, and beer or prosecco pong. Some activities use augmented reality to enhance the experience. Drinks and snacks such as wings and fries are available from the bar.

Alcotraz

A unique way to drink

To make drinking cocktails even more fun than usual, head to Alcotraz. This immersive prison-themed bar sees you smuggling in your own booze, wearing an orange jumpsuit, and sipping drinks in your cell. The staff will mix up bespoke drinks using the alcohol you provide, and there are fun challenges to take on whilst you do.

Bingo Balls

Unleash your inner child

You'll feel like a child again with a night at Bingo Balls. This venue is Manchester's adult ball pit, housing a big pool of balls in an on-trend setting with neon signs. Frolic around and enjoy drinks, food, and music from DJs and local entertainers. There's bingo on Friday to add to the vibe even more.

Treasure Hunt Manchester

Interesting self-guided walking tours

Treasure Hunt Manchester makes for an engaging way to discover the city, whether it's a family day out, a hen party, or a corporate team-building activity. You'll follow a well-designed route at your own pace, solving clues and discovering hidden gems around the city, as well as some fascinating Manchester facts.

Hyde Leisure Pool

Aquatic fun for all

Hyde Leisure Pool is a fun place to splash around in the water, featuring wave machines, bubble beds, and a thrilling water slide. It's a popular destination for all age groups, and also runs other aquatic activities like aqua workouts, adult swimming lessons, and lane swimming. On-site you'll also discover a gym and a café.

Lucardo

Themed challenges for teams

Head to Lucardo in Manchester city centre if you're a fan of escape rooms. A number of escape challenges are available for groups of between two and six people, with themes from crime scenes to spaceships. Solve puzzles and clues to escape in a set time limit. Gift vouchers for these experiences are also available. 

1Up – Fun activities
1Up
1Up – Fun activities
1Up
1Up – Fun activities
1Up
1Up – Fun activities
1Up
1Up – Fun activities
1Up
1Up – Fun activities
1Up
1Up – Fun activities
1Up
1Up – Fun activities
1Up

1Up

A celebration of gaming

Gamers can have a great time at 1Up. This bar in Didsbury celebrates gaming and geek culture with on-theme murals, board games, consoles, pinball machines, and a D&D table. There are regular events like gaming tournaments and live music and comedy, plus the bar serves a wide range of drinks and Asian-inspired food.

The Archertype

Energetic archery games

Try out combat archery at The Archertype. This energetic game is described as dodgeball meets archery – it's just like tag but uses safe foam-tipped arrows. You can join an open session alone or with others or you can book a private session. It's a popular activity for any occasion, including corporate team-building.

Twenty Twenty Two

A venue for ping pong

Play ping pong against your friends at Twenty Twenty Two. This simple and spacious bar has no shortage of tables, plus there are activities like tournaments, darts nights, and happy hours. The bar serves a range of drinks, including cocktails, whilst the setting is fuss-free with colourful art on the walls.

Chill Factore

Explore the slope

Chill Factore is a top destination for indoor skiing and snowboarding in Manchester – it's home to the longest indoor snow slope in the country. Visit just for fun, with sledges, downhill donuts, and ice slides all available, or have a lesson to improve your skills. There's an Alpine-themed lounge on-site as well.

Manchester235

Bringing Las Vegas to Manchester

A Las Vegas-style casino in Manchester, Manchester235 offers grand and modern surroundings and heaps of entertainment. Play poker, blackjack, or roulette here, watch live football, or check out live entertainment like drag acts, cabaret shows, and open mics. There are drinking and dining options on-site as well.

Virtual Hideout

Discover VR gaming

You can try out hundreds of different VR games when you visit Virtual Hideout. The games here cover a range of genres and offer something for all ages and abilities. This modern destination uses advanced technology to offer an unforgettable experience, with games for single players and up to four people.

Fun activities – About the guide

Fun things to do in Manchester - Our guide to fun things to do in Manchester is updated regularly. If you know of a fun activity in Manchester that we haven't featured in our guide, feel free to get in touch. Please let us know if you see any mistakes in our guide to fun activities in Manchester. Have you visited any of the places mentioned in the guide? Don't forget to write a review on Thatsup.

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At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.