The best group activities in Manchester

The Crystal Maze Live Experience brings all the action of the 90s gameshow to Manchester and is an ideal activity for teams of up to eight people. You'll work through a variety of zones, tackling puzzles and challenges as you do, before taking on the Crystal Dome. It's a popular activity for friends and corporate team building.

Immersive Gamebox offers a huge variety of immersive games that you can play in teams of up to six people, making it a great destination for bigger groups. There are games for all ages and abilities here, and they use motion tracking, projection mapping, touchscreens, and surround sound to really bring the experience to life.

Darts becomes a fun social activity for groups at Flight Club. Groups of any size are welcome here. You'll get a semi-private playing area fitted with a technologically-advanced dartboard to make sure there's no cheating. Food and drinks are served at this cosy and contemporary venue, plus it's particularly well-known for its bottomless pizza brunch.

A fun and lively activity for groups of all sizes, including birthday parties and corporate teams, Chaos Karts combines the thrill of go-karting with a digitally-projected world that places drivers in iconic locations like London, Nevada, or even outer space. The race gets even more exciting with a range of weapons and power-ups to help you beat your opponents.

The Spirit of Manchester is a distillery that produces spirits inspired by Manchester. Tours, gin tastings, and blending masterclasses are all available, and groups of all sizes are welcome to get involved. If you're looking for an experience where you'll learn something but get to enjoy delicious drinks whilst you do, this modern distillery is an ideal choice.

Modern entertainment centre Urban Playground is a destination for competitive socialising. This buzzy venue offers a choice of activities that are great for groups – play mini-golf or compete against other players in a live version of The Cube. You can also relax with a drink at the bars here or visit the on-site restaurant for gourmet burgers.

Groups can have a great time at Albert's Schloss, Manchester's Alpine party palace that attracts a buzzing crowd. At this lively spot, you can indulge with hearty food, steins of German beer, and loads of live entertainment like cabaret shows and oompah bands. This cheery venue is a retreat from the city.

Cricket becomes a social experience at Sixes Social Cricket, where your group can take on a variety of tech-enhanced cricket games. The venue is a great destination for any fun occasion, from corporate team building to big nights out with friends. The space looks smart and contemporary, and street food and a wide range of drinks are available too.

With food, drinks, and activities available, Dog Bowl is a great destination for groups, including families. Parties and larger groups are also welcome here. There are five bowling lanes and an arcade full of retro consoles to try out. This spacious and colourful venue also serves indulgent food like burgers and pizza, plus a comprehensive range of drinks.

The Liquor Store is a rock 'n' roll cocktail bar that's open til late. It's ideal for any night out but they cater for big groups, with a variety of packages and the capacity for up to 150 people. Another fun group activity here is to organise a gin or cocktail masterclass. The venue is lively and bustling.

Groups of all sizes are welcome at Junkyard Golf Club, where you can tackle some of the most outrageous mini-golf courses in Manchester. There are three nine-hole courses with a load of tricks and surprises along the way, as well as imaginative cocktails and tasty snacks. This vibrant and colourful venue also offers bespoke packages for big groups.

Groups can take on a challenging escape room or an intriguing trail around Manchester with Escape Hunt. This venue at the Corn Exchange offers a choice of immersive themed rooms, plus there's an on-site bar. It's a popular destination for team building and corporate activities, with a number of packages including complete private hire available.

If your group loves showing off their vocal skills, K2 Karaoke is the place to go. There are private karaoke booths here that can fit up to 40 people. Each luxury booth is soundproofed and equipped with the latest audio technology and self-ordering systems. Enjoy drinks and Asian street food whilst you sing at this modern and trendy venue.

Check out Alcotraz for a unique drinking experience. You smuggle in your own booze here before donning an orange jumpsuit and sitting in your cell to enjoy bespoke cocktails mixed up with the alcohol you supply. This themed venue welcomes corporate groups and offers fun challenges to do whilst you're drinking.

Reserve Wines in West Didsbury sells wines from all over the world and also has a tasting room that groups can book for events. Tasting room hire gives you a bespoke private tasting experience and is ideal for corporate events and parties. This smart and contemporary venue serves seasonal wines and light nibbles like cheeses.

There's something for everyone at Boom Battle Bar, where you can enjoy drinks, food, and a wide array of different activities. The choices at this buzzy venue mean it's ideal for groups with different interests, including corporate events. Head to the karaoke booth or try out axe throwing, shuffleboard, pool, darts, or beer or prosecco pong.

Head to Lane7 for food, drinks, and fun in a distinctive space covered in neon and graffiti. This cool spot offers a huge range of activities including bowling, darts, pool, arcade gaming, and karaoke, and is popular with big groups, including corporate teams. Burgers are served and there's a diverse range of drinks to satisfy everybody.

Visit Point Blank for a unique activity – it's the UK's first simulation shooting range. Test your aim out on your own range, with a dedicated host to help you get the hang of things. Each range can accommodate up to 40 people and whole-venue hire for up to 120 is available. House cocktails and snacks are also on offer.

1Up in Didsbury is ideal for groups who like gaming. This place celebrates gaming and geek culture, with themed murals on the walls and a comfortable interior. During a visit, you can try out pinball, D&D, board games, gaming consoles, and beer pong and ping pong, as well as sampling drinks and Asian-inspired dishes.

With space for up to 400 at a time, Electric Shuffle is an ideal option for groups of any size, including large corporate celebrations. The venue is lively and has a distinctive Art Deco style. Compete against each other with a modern electronic version of the classic game shuffleboard whilst enjoying drinks and tasty nibbles from the bar.

In Manchester you'll find a couple of TeamSport Go Karting sites, equipped with thrilling tracks and e-karts that reach up to 40km per hour. This modern venue also has a bar and spectator area. Groups of all sizes are welcome, including hen and stag groups and corporate teams. Meeting rooms are on-site for corporate groups.

King Pins is a cool and modern destination for all ages and any occasion. Large groups, including kids' parties and corporate team building events, are welcome here. Bowling on the modern lanes is a popular activity but the venues offer lots more to do besides that. A choice of food menus and full range of drinks are served as well.

A unique activity for groups in Manchester, Challenge Point is an interactive gameshow where teams of between two and six take on a series of mini-games like supermarket sweep and a lazer maze, hoping to make it to the final game. It's ideal for families and team building activities, with lots of fun and laughs throughout.

DNA VR will transport you into a virtual world, offering a fun and unique activity for any kind of group from corporate teams to kids' birthday parties. This modern venue has a huge library of single- and multi-player games from zombie shoot-outs to laser-tag or job simulators. Book a booth here or enjoy a premium free-roaming experience.

Roxy Ball Room has a couple of Manchester locations, offering a variety of different ball games to get competitive with. Party packages for groups are available here too. The venues are buzzy and low-lit with a range of activities to try, from basketball and bowling to pool and shuffleboard. Food and drinks are available.

Zip World in Heaton Park is an exciting treetop adventure with a choice of treks that make it an ideal day out for all ages. Corporate team building activities are also a speciality at this venue. Trek through the trees and encounter obstacles, challenges, and zip wires along the route. This activity is a fun escape from the pace of Manchester.

Head to Deansgate and try your hand at axe throwing with Whistle Punks. The venue offers a choice of ticket packages that include a 70 minute throwing session, with each lane accommodating up to 10 people. This place welcomes team building activities and hen and stag parties. There's also a rustic bar area that serves drinks and pizza.