Places For A Unique Night Out In Manchester

Manchester is renowned for being a good night out, no matter what you’re into. The Northern Quarter is favoured by a more left-field crowd, the city’s students hang out in the Oxford Road corridor and anyone seeking a luxurious evening heads to Spinningfields. But what if you’re looking for something a little more unusual? Here are six suggestions for a unique night out in Manchester, if you’re looking for something other than pints or cocktails.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Dog Bowl

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.

Frog and Bucket

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.

Albert’s Schloss

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.

Ultimate Power

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.

Ping Pong at Twenty Twenty Two

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.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.