Amazing Group Activities In Manchester

If you're like us and you want to share plenty of experiences with your pals, you'll appreciate how hard it can be to find a venue suitable for everyone. So, we've thrown together a list of some incredible places for you all, including cool gaming, bowling and a host of other exciting nightlife ideas. Discover the best group activities in Manchester right here.

Last edited by Lauren Cole

Last updated on 2nd May 2025



Cocktail Masterclass

@ Dirty Martini Manchester on Tue, 29th Apr 2025 - Wed, 31st Dec 2025

Ready to spread your wings and become a cocktail pro? Join their masterclass and learn how to craft cocktails at the famed Dirty Martini. For £35 per person, you'll be guided by expert mixologists throughout this hands-on experience.

Start with a chilled glass of prosecco, then choose from a tempting selection of cocktails: blood orange and vanilla martini, pornstar martini, mango margarita, or espresso martini. Between mixing up your choice of three cocktails, enjoy sliders and small plates, all served up in their signature birdcage sharers.

NQ64 Manchester Northern Quarter

Taking Bookings

Planning a group night out? Book a booth or simply head on over to NQ64 Manchester in the heart of the Northern Quarter and enter a retro gamers paradise. Complete with neon graffiti and a bar whipping up themed cocktails like the Kong Island Iced Tea, it's a spot that's far from short of entertainment. Take your pick from games like Pac-Man and guitar hero, munch on pizza from Crazy Pedro's and if you're near Deansgate? There's a location on Peter Street, too.

Black Cat Club Manchester

Taking Bookings

This isn't your average bar for group activities - this is a competitive social hub where you can challenge your friends to interactive darts with various game modes, or enjoy tech shuffleboard where the scoring is done for you. But the fun doesn't stop there. The Black Cat Club also boasts the most premium sports viewing experience Manchester has to offer.

With personal table service, luxe decor featuring copper and burnt orange tones, and a push-button service that eliminates bar queues, you'll have the best seat in the house. And when it's time to eat, the culinary geniuses behind El Gato Negro have crafted an irresistible menu of small plates, burgers, and wraps.

What's on at GRUB

Interesting activities in Manchester are plentiful thanks to GRUB. Spruce up your regular ol' group outings with everything from burlesque to disco bingo, bottomless brunches and cocktail or food masterclasses.

Alcotraz Manchester: Cell Block Three-Four

@ Alcotraz Penitentiary: Manchester on Various dates from Sunday 4th May 2025

One of the best nights out for groups in Manchester, Alcotraz is the prison-themed speakeasy that requires savvy smuggling skills. Bring a bottle of your favourite spirit and successfully sneak it past the guards, where you'll be rewarded by talented inmates whipping you up something special. 

Courts Club

Taking Bookings

Happy Hour - Everyday - 5pm - 8pm

Make your way to Good Yard Park in Spinningfields for one of the quirkiest spots around: Courts Club. This fun destination boasts a full tennis and basketball court that you and your friends can book, with plenty of delicious food and drink on offer too. Grab a set at their indoor or outdoor tables to sip refreshing cocktails and draught beer, while tucking into loaded gyros, cheese toasties or a breakfast baguette.

The Spirit of Manchester Distillery

For a creative day out with all your best buds, head to The Spirit of Manchester Distillery in Spinningfields for a VIP tour of their headquarters, delish gin tastings, and the chance to become a distiller for the day with their immersive gin-making experience. Plus, as a special treat, you'll get 10% off the bill at their bar and restaurant, Three Little Words, and 10% off any merch purchases. Gin-joy.

Trax Social

Trax Social can be found upstairs in the Printworks, promising a whole lot of entertainment. Their immersive music quiz is ideal for groups, promising trivia rounds on lots of different genres, as well as unique challenges and quick-fire questions - costing £9 per person to enter.

That's not all though, as this versatile space is complete with cutting-edge racing simulators, where you and your mates can compete on virtual racecourses. There are also private karaoke booths that can fit up to 10 at a time, offering more than 100,000 different songs. Afterwards, sip cocktails and tuck into hearty burgers or small plates.

Official Manchester Rum Festival 2025

@ New Century Hall on Sat, 26th Jul 2025 @ multiple start times (see ticket info)

Groups of rum-lovers; rejoice. The Official Manchester Rum Festival is back, taking over New Century Hall with a range of top exhibitors - whose rums are included in your £27.50 ticket price. Peruse the options or head to a seminar with a top brand for an extra £10 each.

But that's not all, since the city's original, dedicated rum festival also has a cocktail bar food on-site for any extra purchases.

Cherry Jam

Looking to get together with pals? Cherry Jam's bottomless sessions are just the ticket. Think afternoon tea or grazing platters washed down with unlimited cocktails. Plus, there's musical bingo to finish things off.

DNA VR Manchester

Looking for fun things to do for the whole gang? DNA VR Manchester is just the ticket. Get on down to the city centre VR arcade for all kinds of group activities. Each session lasts one hour and includes things like zombie battles, dancing and boat racing.

1UP

1UP is a gaming bar with plenty of opportunities for things to do as a group, as the cool Didsbury destination is made for getting your geek on. Think D&D, Pokemon cards, board games, classic consoles and arcade machines all on the cards, alongside a UV room with beer pong.