10 Fun Things to Do in Manchester With Your Mates
Manchester is one of the cultural capitals of the UK, known for its electric nightlife, world-class sport, brilliant food scene and standout group experiences. With so many fun things to do in Manchester, it can be difficult to decide what’s actually worth your time.
Whether you’re planning a weekend with friends, celebrating a birthday or organising a group getaway, our detailed guide covers the best fun things to do in Manchester, most of them conveniently located near Maldron Hotel Manchester Cathedral Quarter and Maldron Hotel Manchester City Centre.
1. Visit the Crystal Maze Experience
Inspired by the beloved 90's TV show, the Crystal Maze Experience Manchester describes itself as the “ultimate team experience”, making it one of the most exciting activities in Manchester for groups. Whether you’re looking for a team-building activity or just want to have a tonne of fun with your mates, this is sure to be a winner. '90s kids are sure to love this experience as it lets you relive childhood memories of racing around and shouting instructions at your teammates. You’ll have to work together, and it’s likely to get pretty competitive at times, but it’s so much fun and such a great way to spend an afternoon in Manchester.
2. Have a game of ping pong at Twenty Twenty Two
Located in the heart of the Northern Quarter, Twenty Twenty Two awaits you and your friends with open arms, a tonne of beer and some epic games. Twenty Twenty Two is Manchester’s premier ping pong bar. Here you can hire a ping pong table or set up a game of beer pong to get really competitive with your friends. You can even hire a private room for special events such as birthday parties, stag parties or hen weekends so that you and your friends can have an incredible night of fun and games in one of the coolest venues in Manchester. If you’re looking for a fun night out in Manchester that’s a bit different to your usual bar crawl, a visit to Twenty Twenty Two is an absolute must!
3. Get competitive at Junkyard Golf
Junkyard Golf is home to three awesome crazy golf courses unlike anything you’ve ever seen before! Forget what you think you know about crazy golf, as this place has reinvented the wheel when it comes to indoor fun with putters. As well as games of mini-golf, you can also enjoy a delicious selection of cocktails, craft beers and spirits, and maybe place bets on who will win and who will lose; loser buys the next round!
4. Go on a silent disco tour
You might have heard of a silent disco before and you might have even been to one, but have you ever been on a silent disco tour? Manchester Silent Disco Adventures offer bespoke tours through the city while you wear your headphones and dance the night away. This is a great group activity to enjoy for any occasion such as birthdays, hen dos or stag parties, as it’s different from your usual run-of-the-mill night out. The tours usually last around 60 minutes, and depending on the different seasons and times of the year, you can even embark on themed tours such as a festive silent disco, which is perfect for your annual Christmas night out.
Alongside these experiences, don’t miss shopping in Manchester at the Trafford Centre or Northern Quarter boutiques, and if you’re visiting in winter, the Manchester Christmas Markets are a seasonal highlight.
5. Visit Bongo’s Bingo
Bongo’s Bingo offers a modern twist on a classic game giving you a lively evening of traditional bingo combined with crazy nightclub vibes and the chance to take part in raves and dance-offs throughout the night. It’s certainly not your usual form of entertainment, but it’s an incredibly fun and cheesy experience to enjoy with your mates while in Manchester. You’ll even get the chance to win some truly wacky prizes, ranging from Henry Hoovers to celebrity cut-outs to cash! It’s a whirlwind experience for everyone involved, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most fun things to do in Manchester.
6. Take a cocktail masterclass
A cocktail masterclass is something that can be enjoyed in most cities around the UK, but Manchester’s eclectic nightlife scene makes it one of the best places to enjoy an evening of cocktail making with the gals. There are dozens of bars in Manchester city centre that offer immersive cocktail-making classes, including places like Revolution Manchester, The Alchemist, MOJO Bar and Dirty Martini. The best thing about this activity is that even if one of your group members doesn’t drink alcohol, they can still join in with the fun and opt for mocktails instead. Attending a cocktail masterclass allows you to sharpen your bartending skills and enjoy an evening of sipping yummy drinks without following the usual rigmarole of simply sitting in a bar and drinking.
7. Beat your pals at Treetop Adventure Golf
If Junkyard Golf doesn’t tickle your fancy as a crazy golf venue in Manchester, then Treetop Adventure Golf surely will. Located in the Printworks, Treetop Adventure Golf is one of the best indoor activities for groups in Manchester and it’s the perfect rainy day activity. It’s a rainforest-themed crazy golf attraction that’s ideal for groups of all ages, so whether you’re heading to Manchester on a casual night out or you’re planning someone’s 30th birthday party, Treetop Adventure Golf should be a strong contender on your list of things to do in the city as a group.
8. Work as a team at Escape Room Breakout Manchester
Escape rooms have gained a lot of popularity in the UK in the last few years and Breakout Manchester is an escape room adventure that you’re sure to love if you’re visiting the city with friends. Breakout allows you to work in teams of 2-5 people and you have 1 hour to escape the room by working together to solve puzzles, clues and riddles. It can be quite an intense group activity, but the gratification of solving the challenges as a team is very rewarding and a lot of fun! One great thing about Breakout Manchester is that they have several different themed escape rooms, so you can visit time and again and experience a different room every time. From Zombie Lab to Most Wanted to Sabotage, choose the room that you and your friends want to tackle and try your hand at being puzzle-solvers.
9. Experience the thrill at iFLY Indoor Skydiving
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to skydive without jumping out of a plane, iFLY Manchester gives you the chance to enjoy the rush in a safe and fully controlled indoor environment. Inside the state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnel, flyers aged 3 and above can experience the incredible sensation of freefall, with expert instructors guiding you every step of the way. It’s a brilliant family-friendly option that combines excitement with reassurance, making it one of the most unique activities in Manchester for all ages.
10. Go on a football stadium tour
A football stadium tour might not be something that’s to everyone’s taste. However, with Manchester being the home of football with two of the UK’s most famous football teams, Man City and Man United, a football stadium tour is an essential part of any visit to Manchester. Whether you’re team red or team blue, you can tour both stadiums on your visit to the city. There’s really nothing better than heading to Old Trafford or the Etihad Stadium (whichever team you support) to kick off your weekend in Manchester!
Your Perfect Base For Fun Activities in Manchester
With so much fun to be had, choosing the right base is essential when planning your trip and ticking off the best fun things to do in Manchester. Stay at Maldron Hotel Manchester Cathedral Quarter for unbeatable access to the city’s top attractions and nightlife, or choose Maldron Hotel Manchester City Centre to stay close to the Northern Quarter and some of the coolest venues in town. Both locations place you within easy reach of the very best activities in Manchester, making them the ideal base for your city break.
