Best Manchester Events In May 2025

Combing all your favourite hits with an orchestra twist, games and a Southern-inspired, soulful meal, The Hip Hop Orchestra Brunch is the stuff of dreams. Head to The Blues Kitchen to get a taste of this fun event.

When it comes to the best places to eat, these city centre restaurants are coming out on top. From Michelin-recognised spots to quirky basements, there's heaps to choose from, whether you're craving light bites or full-blown feasts. 

Whipping up bespoke cocktails from your smuggled liquor, Alcotraz is the immersive prison experience giving jail time a boozy twist. Befriend the crooked guards, hide your contraband and watch the action unfold. 

This month, take a trip to the city's first simulation shooting range - Point Blank Manchester. Not only will you get your own personal booth to relax in, but they've also got over 200 games to choose from and huge screens to battle your friends on.

There are all kinds of themed cocktails like the Riding Shotgun or an AK 40 Lemon to keep you fuelled - alongside mouthwatering pizzas, garlic bread and other tasty bites. Even better? They offer bottomless brunches on Sundays for just £40 per person, complete with unlimited pizza and drinks.

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of R&B-inspired fun at Old Skool Bingo in Manchester. This unique twist on classic bingo is packed with old-school classics and modern bangers that will have you singing and dancing all night long. With prizes, crazy games, and ridiculous challenges, this event will take you on a nostalgic trip through your favourite RnB hits from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s.

The night will feature exciting bingo rounds with fantastic prizes up for grabs, dance competitions to show off your best moves, and non-stop entertainment hosted by our MC. Plus, for those celebrating a birthday, special birthday packages will make your celebration unforgettable.

Bot Brothers: A Story of Our Times is the must-see comedy show that turns the classic Blood Brothers on its head - because this time, it's not about boys, it's about robots.

Harris Morris and Joe Smith star as two robo-clones, separated at birth and raised by different families, one in luxury and the other in poverty. Set in 1980s Merseyside, this show brings together laughs, love, and some serious mechanical mishaps. After a sell-out run in London and critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe, it's finally Manchester's turn to enjoy the robo-fun.

Taking place at Freight Island, Bingo Lingo is one of the wildest nights out in the entire country. Not only will their be crazy rounds of bingo all night, including their notorious rave rounds, but you can also expect dance-offs, sing-alongs and fantastic prizes to be won.

Their DJs will be playing all your favourite nostalgic tunes throughout, and there'll be lots of confetti too. And the best part? Tickets cost just £12 each.

Mix up your May proceedings with a trip to Sixes, the Corn Exchange watering hole with interactive batting nets. A must for cricket fans and bar game lovers alike, you'll take to the crease to go up against some of the best bowlers in the world.

Wondering what's on in Manchester this May weekend? FunnyBoyz is bringing you Benidorm bingo and a choice of events featuring RuPaul's Drag Race stars, so you can expect hilarity alongside fabulous performances.

Fancy getting a little competitive this month? Then head to the Electric Shuffle weekend brunch, complete with an hour of gaming on their interactive shuffleboard tables. These offer all kinds of fun minigames, as well as large screens that add up your scores for you.

Each guest will enjoy a whole bottle of prosecco or four beers, as well as two hours of all-you-can-eat pizza to share between the group. After you've finished playing, you can toast to the winner in the bar, with tickets starting from £33 per person.

Get ready for the craziest live bingo show to hit Manchester at Reggae Bingo, returning on Friday the 30th of May, from 7pmto 10pm. After a series of sold-out shows, this event promises an unforgettable night of comedy, chaos, dance-offs, and the ultimate reggae vibes.

With your ticket, you'll get entry, seating, and three game cards, giving you the chance to win cash prizes while enjoying live performances and a DJ spinning the biggest anthems from reggae, dancehall, soca, and old-school hits.

The Spirit of Manchester Distillery is home to all kinds of fun events this month, from spirit tasting experiences to gin making sessions for that have been previously voted as Manchester's number one Thing To Do on TripAdvisor. These activities start from £30 each, taking place in a beautiful destination complete with golden distilling equipment and exposed brick walls.

Step back in time and relive the golden era of R&B at Freight Island's Old School R&B Brunch in Manchester. From 2pm to 7pm, guests are treated to an hour of bottomless punch while being serenaded by nostalgic R&B tracks, alongside current hits that'll have everyone on their feet. The DJ and host guide the journey, blending in island vibes, Afrobeats, and commercial hits, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy.

As the music pulses, food lovers can explore a variety of delicious street food vendors, including favourites like Fuku, Burgerism, and Lazy Tony's Taqueria, offering everything from burgers to tacos.

With April taking the crown for bringing in spring, the main event this month are those sweet May bank holidays in Manchester. Spend your extra days off hitting up all kinds of happenings around the city, from bottomless brunches to quirky outdoor activities. 

For as little as £34.95 each, you can become an expert in all things sushi, thanks to the YO! School at Selfridges. By far one of the best May things to do in Manchester, you'll learn knife skills and how to how to roll like a pro, discovering more about the history of these dishes along the way. You'll get a chance to create everything from salmon sashimi to California rolls and nigiri, all while sipping prosecco and munching on some tasty gyozas and edamame.

Magic at the Midland is a exciting and mind-blowing show, performed by one of the UK's top magicians Steve Price. Prepare to be wowed as he turns ordinary objects into impossible things, taking place in one of the city's most iconic hotels. Tickets start from just £24.50 per person, promising over an hour of mesmerising tricks and amazing feats.

May at Freight Island is packed with exciting events and live music that will have you grooving all month long! Kick off the Spring Summer Series with incredible special guests like Ghosts of Garage, Donae'O & Crazy Cousinz, and É Soul Cultura. Whether you're into garage, indie, or soul, this venue is the place to be for a night of unforgettable music and good vibes.

Catch the MCR ROCKS - Indie Night for a rockin' evening of the best indie tracks, or vibe to Ghosts of Garage and their explosive live sets. For fans of Donae'O & Crazy Cousinz, you're in for an epic night of garage and grime that will keep you dancing all night. 

Whether you're looking for a unique date idea or something fun to do with your friends, The Big Manchester Bake is always a brilliant idea. You'll find their custom marquee in Salford, complete with 12 baking stations, a cake-themed bar, a hospitality suite and a stunning drinks garden. 

You'll work in teams of two, competing against all the other pairs, to bake the very beat treat. The theme changes every month, and they'll provide all the pre-measured ingredients you'll need as part of your ticket price.

Join Annabelle and her crew of talented queens at The Frockatoo Drag Brunch, taking place at The Cockatoo Club in Manchester's Gay Village. For just £40 per person you can enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless cocktails, as well as a free bottle of prosecco for tables of four or above, alongside a menu which features Southern fried chicken wraps, smoked paprika nachos and more. What's more, there will be high-energy drag performances and fun games with cracking prizes throughout.

Giving you behind-the-scenes access to a number of Manchester's most innovative microbreweries, this tour is a must for any lovers of craft beer. Sample drinks fresh from the taproom and be guided by experts, accredited sommeliers or makers.

Bougie Drag Events are known for one thing - and that's raucous bottomless brunches. They've got days out themed around iconic artists like Beyonce, all hosted by iconic queens like Imani Versace and Barb, complete with lip sync battles, dance-offs and catwalk contests. What's more, you can sip on 90 minutes of free-flowing booze and enjoy delicious dishes while DJs play banging tunes.

For May events in Manchester this weekend, look no further than Cherry Jam's bottomless dining offerings. There's afternoon tea on Saturdays or grazing platters to share come Sunday, with unlimited cocktails and musical bingo rounding off each day.

May in Manchester means one thing... extra time for brunch. As the bank holiday rolls around, there's even more options for you and your mates. So whether you fancy a boogie in your seat or a quirky activity alongside your eggs benny and prosecco, explore our guide to boozy weekend ideas. 

This month, Simmons are launching their Bottomless Tea Drag Party: Right Royal Tea's Up. This is hosted by the one and only Banksie, as seen on RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

The fabulous event is promising sickening looks, lots of laughs and chaotic fun, and they'll be accompanied by live DJs throughout. Sip 90 minutes of unlimited prosecco, beer and cocktail teapots, paired with all-you-can-eat pizza. 

Fun and games come in the form of prosecco, freshly baked slices and state-of-the-art darts at Flight Club. Start the shenanigans early with their brunch, which includes a bottle of fizz per person, complimentary jugs of orange juice and steaming hot platters of droolworthy pizza.

Known for their cool May events in Manchester today, GRUB know how to take things up a notch. You can expect a roster of bottomless brunches, disco bingo and fizz-laced quizzes. Good luck choosing.

For the best events in Manchester in May 2025, check out Bougie Drag & Boy Toy. Expect a roster of incredible live entertainment complete with bottomless booze, from Beyonce-themed drag bashes and a Britney show, to bingo or musical sing-a-longs.

Looking for an afternoon full of live music, while you sip free-flowing drinks? Then head to The Fitzgerald's All That Jazz & Brunch event on the third Saturday of each month. The speakeasy-style bar is inspired by the prohibition era, making you feel like you're part of The Great Gatsby.

Expect two hours of live music from a lineup of talented jazz performers, while you sip bottomless tipples throughout. As for the food, expect everything from Buffalo chicken wings to smash burgers or salt and pepper tofu tacos.

Things are hotting up this May, and whether you're looking to make the most of a long weekend or simply fancy an alfresco dinner, there's nowhere better than a beer garden. Our selection of places are perfect for any and all occasions - just have a scroll through 'em here.

Located in the city centre, DNA VR is a virtual reality arcade boasting a choice of fun, interactive games, from boat racing to zombie battles or dancing with your friends. Every one-hour session is led by an expert guide who will take you through the digital landscape, available for groups of up to 15 people at once. If you fancy planning a bigger event? They also have private hire options for up to 45 guests as well.