Quirky Date Ideas In Manchester

If you're a pair of foodies looking for what to do come your next date, then YO! Manchester Arndale has just the thing. Nab tickets to their masterclass, where you'll enjoy tucking into gyozas on arrival, before learning how to make four delicious sushi items.

You'll be competing in pairs at fun baking experience The Big Manchester Bake, so let the best couple win. All ingredients and equipment are provided in the marquee - making sure you can concentrate on the important part (winning) and create the most tasty bake.

When you want your quirky date night in Manchester with a healthy dose of competition, look no further than Point Blank Shooting. They're serving up two for £12 cocktail happy hours, bottomless brunch on Sundays and all kinds of simulation shooting games to get stuck into.

Alcotraz: Cell Block Three-Four is an absolute must for quirky and fun date night ideas in Manchester. Dress in orange jumpsuits before smuggling bootleg liquor past the eagle-eyed warden. Once inside? You'll be rewarded with bespoke sips from the prison's master bartenders. 

Manchester's original, dedicated festival dedicated to all things rum, the Official Manchester Rum Festival 2025 is the perfect idea for a unique date in July. This one-day-only event is making sure you get your fix from the spirit at New Century Hall, with all rums consumed from the exhibitors included in your £27.50 per person ticket price.

Not only that, but you can add on seminars with top brands for an extra tenner each. Plus, there's a dedicated rum cocktail bar and food on-site for any extra purchases throughout the day.

Fancy earning reward points to spend on fun events and experiences with your boo? Then use our brand new table search engine next time you want to make a booking. There are thousands of venues from across the UK to choose between.

From cocktail classes and games nights, to 'crafternoons' and wine tastings, GRUB has you sorted when you're on the hunt for fun date activities for adults in Manchester. Take your pick from their events and mosey on over to the Red Bank venue, where you and your SO are guaranteed a good time. 

Featuring a bar, theatre and restaurant stocked full of surprises and secrets, Impossible is a venue no one can stop talking about. Offering guests an escape where the rules just don't seem to apply, this unusual night out with your boo promises everything from Champagne to elaborate cuisine and cabaret.

Got a date coming up? Well, The Black Cat Club has quickly become the place to be in Manchester. This competitive social bar offers a thrilling experience with interactive darts and tech shuffleboard, where the games are always fun and the scoring is taken care of by the tech, ensuring zero debates.

But it's not just for gamers. The food, curated by the chefs of El Gato Negro, includes an array of small plates, burgers, and wraps, all perfect for enjoying with your partner.

One of the best date night bars in Manchester, The Alchemist New York Street, MediaCityUK and Spinningfields are gorgeous venues packed with unique cocktails and theatrical concoctions. Bring your OH here if you're looking to impress with fizzing, popping and colour-changing booze.

Want to do something truly quirky for your next date in Manchester? The Manchester Bank Heist Scavenger Hunt is your chance to star in your very own heist movie. You and your date will team up, using a cutting-edge mobile app to navigate the streets, crack codes, and plan the perfect robbery (without any of the actual stealing).

With a couple of hours to crack the case, this thrilling, fun, and highly-rated adventure is the perfect way to break away from the usual dinner and drinks routine. 

Move over Netflix and chill, you're so last year. It's all about Flight Club, where you can get stuck into a lively game of darts, munch on delicious pizza and sip staple cocktails (like their boozy slushies), with a healthy dose of competition to keep the date interesting.

For date night with a twist, get some retro arcade games involved with a trip to Q64, found in Manchester's Northern Quarter or over on Peter Street in Deansgate. Simply show up or book a both to enjoy an array of cult classics like House Of The Dead or Dance Stage 2 Euro Mix. Refuel for round two in the neon-lit den with pizza from Crazy Pedro's and themed tipples like a Kong Island Iced Tea.

Create some memories on your next date night with this gin making masterclass at 11 Central. Try some selected sips before forming your own recipe from a choice of over 60 botanicals and come away with your own unique bottle of spirit. You can also attend their tasting experience for just £30. 

Treat your partner to a night out at one of these undercover watering holes, where finding it is only half the fun. Once inside these secret bars, you can uncover neon lights, retro sweets, cocktails galore, old school games and immersive theatre.

Looking to spice up your usual date night plans? Then Courts Club should definitely be on your radar. You can book their tennis and basketball court for a fun, competitive game with your other half, before heading to the bar for some much-needed refreshments. There are indoor and outdoor tables to choose from, where you can enjoy a selection of refreshing draught beer and cocktails - as well as Greek street food, hearty sandwiches and toasties.

On the hunt for fun dates in Manchester? Cherry Jam's bottomless sessions have your back. From a boozy afternoon tea complete with cocktails and scrummy sweet treats, to Sundays spent grazing on sharing platters with unlimited drinks, you can't go wrong.

Team up with other couples or go it alone across this quirky outdoor date idea in Manchester. Expect to be solving escape room-style puzzles across the treasure hunt game, all whole exploring the city's hidden gems and stopping off for drinks.

1UP is the ideal pick of quirky dates, thanks to its range of activities. Whether classic consoles, board games, Pokemon cards or arcade machines are more your jam, you can head here to get your geek on as a couple.

If you fancy stepping up to the crease and hitting a six against some of the world's best bowlers, then Sixes' high-tech batting nets are the place to be. From Sunday roasts to bottomless brunch, there's plenty of food and drink to help the pair of you refuel at this activity bar too.

Plan a competitive date for your loved one and head down to Electric Shuffle on Deansgate for its unique take on shuffleboard, complete with mini games that really shake things up. They come complete with automatic scoring, so you can focus on your technique and trash talk. Otherwise, choose their boozy brunch to go up against other couples while enjoying two hours of bottomless pizza and a bottle of prosecco each.

For quirky outdoor date ideas in Manchester, look no further than the Fun Puzzle Treasure Hunt. Priced at just £15 per couple, this unique activity will see you race around the city's most famous landmarks and secret streets, solving clues and puzzles as you go. And for your prize? 20% off your bill at a local pub.

One of the city's best LGBTQ+ destinations, On Bar is ideal for a night with your OH if you fancy boozy bingo, bottomless brunches and boisterous DJ nights. Taking pride of place on Canal Street, the venue is a hub for drinking, dining and damn good nights out. 

Manchester is your playground - and your crime scene - in this immersive murder mystery adventure. As a top detective, you'll be tasked with solving the shocking murder of politician Chester Monte. Your only tools? A smartphone, your wits, and a keen eye for detail.

Using an innovative mobile app, you'll trek through the city, follow hidden clues, and interrogate virtual suspects to piece together the truth. Perfect for quirky date nights, this outdoor experience promises mystery, suspense, and plenty of fun.

For those quirky date night plans, Boom Battle Bar is the place to be. Choose from a range of cool activities, including karaoke, shuffleboard 'crazier golf' and axe throwing, before chowing down on delicious food. Think pizza, loaded fries or succulent wings.

Obsessed with all things juniper? Three Little Words was founded by the minds behind Manchester Gin, offering a swoon-worthy setting for a romantic rendezvous. Do something new and try a gin blending experience or distillery tour at this unique bar.

Keep things fun and casual on a quirky Manchester date with Dog Bowl. Not only can you knock back craft beers and ample American bites, but their state-of-the-art bowling alleys are also sure to keep you busy (and a little competitive) well into the evening.

Whether you're searching for an ice breaking date idea or you fancy trying something a little different with your other half, Electric Gamebox has just the thing. An interactive entertainment haven, this spot is providing you with a library of immersive activities and adventures to choose from.

If you're looking for a quirky date night with a twist, Soul Supper in Manchester is a must-try. Enjoy a delicious two-course meal while being transported to the golden era of Motown with iconic tunes from legends like Marvin Gaye and The Supremes.

Set at Freight Island, this immersive experience lets you dive deep into the world of soulful music while savouring mouthwatering food. Whether you're celebrating with a partner or looking for a fun night out with friends, Soul Supper is a unique and memorable way to enjoy food, music, and great vibes. 

Turn your date into an epic adventure at Manchester Wing Fest 2025. From feasting on a variety of chicken wings (Buffalo, BBQ, and wild) to getting your competitive side on with axe throwing and arcade games, there's no shortage of fun.

Enjoy live bands, DJs, and even try your luck in the wing-eating competitions. Don't forget the signature Wing Fest trucker hat as a sweet souvenir to remember your date by. Grab your tickets now from £19.50 per person. 

Get competitive with your partner when you take a trip to Urban Playground Manchester in the Northern Quarter. This is the home of The Cube, an interactive version of the TV gameshow. Get involved in one or two-player challenges, testing your skills across multiple categories.

This event space is also home to Putters, which offers three themed crazy golf courses. Afterwards? Head to The Butcher for juicy burgers, chicken wings, nachos and more.

Whether you're looking to break the ice on a first date or have a laugh with your other half, DNA VR Manchester offers a bucketload of fun. The city centre VR gaming experience allows you to move freely in a large virtual space with a range of different games.

For a quirky date idea that'll have both of you laughing all night long, head to Bongo's Bingo in Manchester. This high-energy event mixes dance-offs, rave intervals, and wild bingo debauchery, making for a date night you'll never forget.

Forget dinner and a movie – try your luck at winning mobility scooters or Henry Hoovers while sharing unforgettable moments. It's a night of fun, excitement, and a lot of audience participation that's bound to bring you closer together.

Sure, pizza makes for a classic night with your boo (we're not silly), but there's no joint for these Italian slices quite like Crazy Pedro's. Join them for wacky interiors, a bunch of unique toppings and all the sweetie-themed cocktails and mezcal you can handle. 

Date ideas in Didsbury don't get any better than a trip to The Drawing Room, where bargain cocktails and a banging jukebox collide. Whether you spend your evening on the dancefloor or cosied up with your SO, its atmospheric lighting and long list of tipples is sure to seduce you.