Something A Little Different In Manchester

Specialising in bottomless brunches fronting drag queens, bingo, Gaga, waiters in the buff and more, these events offer up the best day drinking. Taking over venues across the city with all kinds of naughtiness, Bougie Drag & Boy Toy have unique happenings all wrapped up.

This July, Manchester's original, dedicated rum festival returns. Head to New Century Hall for the Official Manchester Rum Festival 2025, where rums from all exhibitors are included in the £27.50 ticket price - a bargain for your next quirky date or group gathering. 

Find a rum cocktail bar and food at the event too, making sure you stay well-fed and watered throughout the day.

Head over to Watson Street where this cocktail experience is bringing you one of Manchester's most fun activities. An immersive prison-themed speakeasy, Alcotraz will have you smuggling booze past the wardens and mingling with mixology-savvy inmates.

When on the hunt for something a little different in Manchester, check out GRUB's events. From drinks masterclasses to whole beer festivals and sultry burlesque, this award-winning venue will keep you entertained.

A unique way to spend a day out in a group, THE CUBE sees you working in groups of up to four across a series of one and two-player challenges that test everything from balance to reactions and more. Take on the iconic TV gameshow glass boxes and their highly pressurised atmosphere, with plenty of drinks and burgers from The Butcher afterwards - as well as crazy golf.

Find your next quirky pick using our brand new search engine, where thousands of venues from across the UK are waiting to be discovered. Plus, with every booking you make, you'll earn reward points to spend on events and experiences.

Combining a pub, fairground-inspired decor and darts, Flight Club is offering up something pretty unique for your night out. Go for the bullseye against all your mates, as you sip on slushie cocktails and munch on pizza in your private oche.

In the mood to be mystified and thoroughly entertained? Mesmerising performer Steve Price will be putting on his Magic at the Midland show in Manchester's most historic hotel. Watch as he does the impossible with ordinary objects, and he's bound to make you laugh as well. 

Do you dare to do battle with Doctor Who villains, outsmart bloodthirsty cowboys or try to flee a sinking pirate ship? Then Escape Hunt Manchester is just the place for you. Choose from their classic escape rooms, or opt for fun outdoor missions and at home adventures.

If it's something unique you're after, you can't go wrong with Bougie Drag Events. They host regular bottomless brunches at On Bar and other venues, where you can expect a raucous day out hosted by Northern queens Imani Versace and Barb. There'll be plenty of lip syncing, dance-offs and catwalk contests, with DJs all afternoon and the option to add on 90 minutes of unlimited prosecco or cocktails.

From beer pong in Manchester to cocktails inspired by our city, Moxy offers something fun on all levels. The hotel bar not only has activities and unique drinks, but also 24/7 pizza once hunger pangs strike.

Known for their frothing, popping and fizzing tipples, The Alchemist have some of the kookiest drinks around. For a theatrical night out, accompanied by swish interiors, there's no better place than these New York Street, Spinningfields and MediaCity hangouts.

If you're looking for something a little different to do for your next get-together with your mates, book tickets from £30 each to the Electric Shuffle Brunch. Bring out your competitive side with one hour of shuffleboard followed by two of unlimited pizzas. That's right. What's more, each guest will even have their own bottle of prosecco to enjoy and there'll be complimentary carafes of orange juice for you to make your own mimosas with. 

Doghouse Manchester is BrewDog's first UK carbon-negative beer hotel on Fountain Street and boy is it a stunner. It offers 18 boutique rooms, equipped with fridges and in-room taps. What's more, you'll find you can attend beer school (that's right), which includes a guided tasting and five 1/3 pints paired with a cheese board for £25 per person. 

Take to Sixes Cricket's high-tech batting nets and it'll feel like you've stepped out on the crease at Old Trafford. Test your skills against the world's best bowlers, before tucking into food and drink once you've worked up an appetite at this top pick of activity bars in Manchester.

One of the best bars in Manchester for something a little different, Impossible is the three-floor beauty bringing immersive night life and plenty of surprises to the city. From the hidden gin palace serving over 60 different bottles of the stuff to the basement theatre and catwalk area, there's always something fun.

If unique outdoor bars in Manchester are what you're searching for, The Lawn Club has you covered with bookable private pods and greenhouses surrounded by fairy lights and greenery, as well as a sun-soaked terrace to enjoy a refreshing summer spritz on. Offering the best of alfresco drinking and dining, with gourmet burgers, small plates and mouthwatering pizzas to choose from, this spot delivers on all fronts.

Whether you're familiar with the kitchen or are a baking beginner, this award-winning event is fun for all. Taking place in a marquee and with 90 minutes on the clock for you and your mates to create a masterpiece with pre-measured ingredients, The Big Manchester Bake is a great activity to book with tickets starting from £49.90 per person. 

From cocktail dens hidden behind porn shops to subterranean immersive prisons and 70s-inspired lairs, we've rounded up the secret bars in Manchester (and how to find them). You'll be taking your nightlife up a gear; but shhhh, we don't want everyone to find out.

When you're looking to improve your skills in the kitchen, YO! Manchester Arndale have just the event for you. Nab tickets and venture here for gyozas on arrival, followed by a masterclass that sees you whip up four different delish sushi items. 

When you're in need of trying something new next time you head out, Point Blank Shooting is just the place. Tucked away on Deansgate, this speakeasy-style choice of activity bars in Manchester is not only harbouring bespoke cocktails and mouthwatering bites, but also a simulation shooting range to boot.

From boy band-themed brunches to bottomless afternoon tea and gazing boards washed down by unlimited booze, Cherry Jam is the ideal place for fun activities. Not only that, but there's musical bingo included after each too.

Fronting immersive gaming experiences where you try to become spies, befriend aliens and take on Squid Game, this unique experience isn't to be missed. From family outings to date nights and work dos, Immersive Gamebox is a sure fire way to do something unforgettable in the city.

Project Halcyon Distillery is the bar that's hidden beneath Old Granada Studios, bringing modern jazz-hop, cutting edge cocktail techniques and a whole absinthe lounge to the historic warehouse building. Plus, they've already made it onto the list of the UK's Top 50 Cocktail Bars for all their efforts.

These guys need to be on your unique food list for one reason: the pizzas. Only offering the weirdest and most wonderful toppings, including chicken 'n' waffles, your taste buds will go on the strangest adventure of its life. Meanwhile, you can enjoy their fun atmosphere and late night partying. 

Hunting for game bars in Manchester with a healthy dose of entertainment to boot? Look no further than the ping pong wonderland that is Twenty Twenty Two. Not only an urban art space, the watering hole promises darts, beer pong and DJ sessions, all accompanied by cocktails or pints. 

An alpine-style beer palace serving Europe's best tankards of booze, Bavarian plates, and seven days of live entertainment, Albert's Schloss is the beer and pleasure palace of your dreams. And don't forget the live entertainment—they promise seven days a week of fantastisch showtime performances. No ticket is needed—just come on in and enjoy the fun.

While being one of the best rooftop bars in Manchester, YES is equally blessed with unique things to do. There's a regular roster of live DJs and bands in the pink gig space, pop-up kitchens fronting a choice of pizza or vegan kebabs, and a huge beer garden too.

Fancy being transported to another world? Then head on over to DNA VR Manchester. Perfect for group activities or unique date nights, this city centre arcade offers a number of exciting experiences to choose from, including zombie fights, racing on boats and more.

Manchester may well be known for its gloomy weather, but step downstairs into The Liars Club and you'll be transported to a tropical tiki world. This brilliantly designed paradise of flames, rum-heavy drinks and bangin' tunes boasts a strong party game.