The best activity bars in Manchester

The best activity bars in Manchester

Combine drinks with extra fun and entertainment when you visit an activity or games bar in Manchester. Whether you're keen on darts or bowling or prefer gaming with consoles and arcades, there's a bar in the city where you can get competitive with friends or colleagues. We've put together this guide to give you some inspiration for whatever kind of activity you fancy doing. Read on for the guide to the best activity bars in Manchester.

Tamsin Spargo, Thatsup
Tamsin Spargo
  1. The best activity and gaming bars in Manchester
    1. 1
      7Sins Trendy and lively bar
    2. 2
      1Up Fun for gamers
    3. 3
      Point Blank Test out the shooting range
    4. 4
      Twenty Twenty Two Hotspot for table tennis
    5. 5
      Electric Shuffle Huge venue for shuffleboard
    6. 6
      NQ64 All about gaming
    7. 7
      Pixel Bar Play your favourite video games
    8. 8
      Flight Club Darts, drinks, and pizza
    9. 9
      Urban Playground Cutting-edge competitive socialising
    10. 10
      Dog Bowl Bowling and games
    11. 11
      Sixes Social Cricket Cricket gets transformed
    12. 12
      Whistle Punks Something a bit different
    13. 13
      Lane7 Buzzy neon venue
    14. 14
      Roxy Ball Room Wide range of ball games
    15. 15
      Box Tons of entertainment
    16. 16
      Junkyard Golf Club Outrageous crazy golf courses
    17. 17
      The Bierkeller Beer and entertainment
    18. 18
      Boom Battle Bar Atmospheric activity bar

The best activity and gaming bars in Manchester

7Sins

Trendy and lively bar

Drinks and fun are served up at 7Sins. Graffiti and street art cover the interior and give the venue personality. Groups of all sizes are welcome and can enjoy pool, shuffleboard, quizzes, and live music performances. Drinks include craft beer and cocktails, plus street eats like tacos and quesadillas are also served.

1Up – Activity bars
1Up
1Up – Activity bars
1Up
1Up – Activity bars
1Up
1Up – Activity bars
1Up
1Up – Activity bars
1Up
1Up – Activity bars
1Up
1Up – Activity bars
1Up
1Up – Activity bars
1Up
1Up – Activity bars
1Up
1Up – Activity bars
1Up

1Up

Fun for gamers

Gamers will have a great time at 1Up; this gaming bar celebrates gaming and geek culture. Asian-inspired food and a varied choice of drinks are served, plus there are board games and consoles, pinball machines, a D&D table, ping pong, and beer pong. Events go on, too, like quizzes and comedy, plus tournaments and trading card events.

Point Blank

Test out the shooting range

Test your aim at Point Blank, the first simulation shooting range in the UK. This comfortable venue has a classic style. You get your own shooting range here, plus a dedicated host who will help you get the hang of it all. Aside from the shooting, you can enjoy cocktails and snacks like wings and nachos.

Twenty Twenty Two

Hotspot for table tennis

A spacious and fuss-free venue in the Northern Quarter, at Twenty Twenty Two, you can get competitive at one of the numerous ping-pong tables available. This simple venue is decorated with colourful art. Enjoy a drink from the bar whilst you play or check out events like tournaments, darts nights, and DJ sets.

Electric Shuffle

Huge venue for shuffleboard

Electric Shuffle opened in Manchester in 2024. This Art Deco-inspired venue is Electric Shuffle's biggest UK location. At this venue, you can play a modern take on the traditional game of shuffleboard while enjoying the well-stocked bar. 15 play areas accommodate hundreds of people at a time, and weekend brunch packages are available, too.

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

All about gaming

Fans of retro gaming will enjoy NQ64. These lively venues, black-lit and covered in neon, offer a wide variety of consoles and games to play. While you're playing, enjoy original games-themed cocktails or wine, beer, and alcohol-free drinks. The Northern Quarter venue also serves pizza courtesy of Crazy Pedro's.

  • 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

Pixel Bar

Play your favourite video games

The focus at Pixel Bar is cocktails and video games. This lively spot offers a range of consoles and games to try out, but booking is recommended if you want to play. You can also try games-themed cocktails and a menu with pizza, loaded fries, nachos, and small plates. This fun and comfortable venue is covered with neon lighting.

Flight Club

Darts, drinks, and pizza

Combine drinks and food with the fun of playing darts at Flight Club. This modern and lively bar features semi-private playing areas equipped with state-of-the-art dartboards where you can get competitive. This comfortable venue also serves a full range of drinks and food, including burgers and pizza, and is popular for its bottomless pizza brunch.

Urban Playground – Activity bars
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Activity bars
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Activity bars
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Activity bars
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Activity bars
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Activity bars
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Activity bars
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Activity bars
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Activity bars
Urban Playground
Urban Playground – Activity bars
Urban Playground

Urban Playground

Cutting-edge competitive socialising

At Urban Playground you get games, food and drinks, and a buzzy atmosphere. You can try mini-golf enhanced with audio and animations at this vibrant venue, or take on The Cube Live Experience and compete in seven different games. There are bars here serving a wide range of drinks in comfortable surroundings and an on-site burger restaurant.

Dog Bowl

Bowling and games

Cocktails, craft beer, and food are served at Dog Bowl, plus there are lots of ways to have fun at this colourful and cavernous venue. There are five bowling lanes to book, plus an arcade packed with retro games and consoles. If you're hungry, try satisfying dishes like burgers, pizza, and loaded fries.

Sixes Social Cricket Manchester – Activity bars
Sixes Social Cricket Manchester
Sixes Social Cricket Manchester – Activity bars
Sixes Social Cricket Manchester
Sixes Social Cricket Manchester – Activity bars
Sixes Social Cricket Manchester
Sixes Social Cricket Manchester – Activity bars
Sixes Social Cricket Manchester
Sixes Social Cricket Manchester – Activity bars
Sixes Social Cricket Manchester
Sixes Social Cricket Manchester – Activity bars
Sixes Social Cricket Manchester
Sixes Social Cricket Manchester – Activity bars
Sixes Social Cricket Manchester
Sixes Social Cricket Manchester – Activity bars
Sixes Social Cricket Manchester

Sixes Social Cricket

Cricket gets transformed

Cricket becomes fun and sociable at Sixes Social Cricket. A variety of cricket games can be played here, plus there's a karaoke room, and live sporting events are screened. The space is modern and colourful, with a welcoming atmosphere. A wide range of drinks are served, including creative cocktails, plus street food is on offer.

Whistle Punks

Something a bit different

Visit Whistle Punks to try your hand at axe throwing. Various ticket packages are available, but they all include a 70-minute session with an experienced instructor. The venue has a modern and rustic bar you can relax in afterwards, which serves pizza and drinks, including cocktails and beer. The venue also offers bottomless brunch.

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

Buzzy neon venue

Lane7 is a distinctive venue covered in neon and graffiti that offers a choice of different activities. Some of the things to do here include arcade games, bowling, pool, darts, and karaoke. You can also enjoy food and drinks here—burgers, cocktails, hard shakes, draft beer, and wine are served.

  • 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
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

Wide range of ball games

Roxy Ball Room revolves around drinks and ball games, offering a choice of activities to get involved in. Options vary by location but include pool, basketball, shuffleboard, and ping pong. Food and drinks are also available. The menu features pizza and hot dogs, plus wine, beer, and cocktails. The venues are moodily lit and buzzing.

  • 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

Box

Tons of entertainment

Box in Deansgate is a top destination for sports and entertainment. This lively bar has 25 HD screens, so you don't miss the sporting action or fun activities like live music, shuffleboard, and karaoke backed up by a live band. A varied choice of drinks and food, such as burgers, sandwiches, and pizza, is also served at this bustling and style-conscious spot.

Junkyard Golf Club

Outrageous crazy golf courses

Junkyard Golf Club brings three outrageous nine-hole mini-golf courses to Manchester. Compete against your friends at some of the craziest golf games around, and enjoy drinks and food, too. A full range of drinks is on offer, but imaginative cocktails are a speciality. Pizza and nachos are available if you're hungry.

The Bierkeller

Beer and entertainment

The Bierkeller is a traditional beer hall that hosts Bavarian parties every day. This lively and busy venue serves various beers by the stein and street food. Expect quizzes, comedy nights, and live sports here. There are also extra opportunities for fun with darts, pool, and huge projection screens in the venue's Shooters sports bar.

Boom Battle Bar

Atmospheric activity bar

Sporting a low-lit and vibrant appearance, Boom Battle Bar is an atmospheric spot for games and drinks. At this venue you can try axe throwing, shuffleboard, darts, pool, and beer or prosecco pong, with some activities using augmented reality. Karaoke booths are also available. The bar serves a wide range of drinks plus food like wings and fries. 

Activity bars – About the guide

The best activity bars in Manchester - Our guide to the best activity bars in Manchester is updated regularly. If you know of a great games bar 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 the best activity bars 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.