Places For a Unique Night Out in Manchester

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Think bowling is boring? You clearly haven’t spent a night at Dog Bowl, Manchester’s most stylish bowling alley. It’s owned by the team behind Black Dog Ballroom, the Northern Quarter’s favourite late-night party den, and it combines a restaurant, bar and ten-pin bowling beneath a railway arch just around the corner from Oxford Road station. It’s open late, so swap your heels for bowling shoes and get competitive with your pals. Who knows, the more cocktails you drink, the more strikes you might get!

Manchester currently has a bit of a thing for taking usually dull sports and injecting them with a healthy dose of cool. Junkyard Golf offers two indoor crazy golf courses, themed on popular culture with each hole named with a witty pun. Everything is made from scrap material, as alluded to by the name, and there’s plenty of UV lights to add to the party vibe. An American diner-themed menu and intriguing cocktails ensure that you can stay for hours, sipping drinks in between rounds of golf.

In need of a few laughs? The Frog and Bucket is an award-winning comedy venue located on the edge of the Northern Quarter, showcasing live stand-up comedy most nights of the week. Check the event’s page ahead of time to find something to suit your comedy niche, but you can’t go wrong with the Monday open mic night or Thursday Night Live featuring five comedians from the local, national and international comedy circuits.

Manchester’s most eclectic venue, Albert’s Schloss is a huge Bavarian-themed drinking den that is ideal for both relaxed meals and nights out. Alongside an extensive beer menu and a highly covetable photo booth, the venue offers a variety of themed nights and unusual entertainment. Expect the unexpected, including a variety of live gospel choirs, DJ’s, live music, burlesque performers and film screenings.

One of the best things about a night out in Manchester is that there is literally something for every music taste. If you’re more into classic eighties power-ballads than techno beats or indie tunes, ensure that you buy a ticket for Ultimate Power’s monthly club night in Manchester. The O2 Ritz provides the perfect backdrop for one of the UK’s most welcoming nights out. Anything goes – particularly blow-up guitars and crazy wigs – as long as you are open to singing along at the top of your voice.

If you’re looking for something a little different that still involves loud music, DJ’s and a thriving atmosphere, head to the back room of Twenty Twenty Two to spend an evening playing competitive ping pong with a group of friends. Tables can be booked for an hour or for the entire night, allowing you to play multiple games whilst sipping your drinks and enjoying the music streaming in from the main room next door.