Quirky Date Ideas In Manchester

You've settled the texts and secured an evening, but the next step is another deal entirely. Done with pub visits and dinner? You'll need to mix it up a little when it comes to your romantic rendezvous. From themed cocktail cruises to a stint of old school SEGA gaming, these quirky date ideas in Manchester are sure to impress.

Last edited by Lauren Cole

Last updated on 19th June 2024




Manchester Electric Shuffle Brunch

@ Electric Shuffle Manchester on Various dates from Saturday 6th July 2024

Plan a weekend date for your loved one and head down to Electric Shuffle in Deansgate for its bottomless brunch affair. Tickets start from £30 per persona and include an hour on the boards, competing against (or with) each other, plus an entire bottle of prosecco per person. And if you're feeling hungry? There's two hours of unlimited pizza to enjoy too. 

1UP

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.

Alcotraz Manchester: Cell Block Three-Four

@ Alcotraz Penitentiary: Manchester on Various dates from Wednesday 3rd July 2024

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 Fun Puzzle Treasure Hunt! Single route or double for racing!

@ Manchester Piccadilly Train Station on Various dates from Wednesday 3rd July 2024

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.

Secret Bars In Manchester

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.

NQ64 Manchester Northern Quarter

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.

Cherry Jam

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.

What's on at GRUB

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. 

IndieFlicks

Is your boo a film buff? With tickets starting at just £8, a trip to IndieFlick's monthly festivals of short films is just the thing for unique and cheap date ideas in Manchester. You can head on down the first Wednesday of every month, enjoy a varied programme of offerings and even vote for your favourite.

11 Central Gin Making Experience

@ 11 Central on Various dates from Sunday 14th July 2024

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. 

YO!

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.

MANCHESTER WING FEST 2024

@ Victoria Baths on Friday 20th September 2024 and 2 other dates

Around for three days only again this year is Wing Fest, which returns to Manchester in September - promising dates to remember at the iconic Victoria Baths. Tickets gets you a free hat and access to axe-throwing, arcade games, live music, DJs and more across the space, while grabbing food from the traders offers a chance to vote on your favourite offerings across best Buffalo, best BBQ and wildest wings categories.

Immersive Gamebox

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.

DNA VR Manchester

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.