Whether you’re organising your best mate’s stag do or you and the boys just fancy a weekend away, Manchester is the perfect city to explore in a group. While the city might boast cultural riches and be steeped in history (which we strongly recommend visiting), there are lots of places to go and grab a drink or catch a game with friends.
Luckily, there are also loads of events and experiences to be had around every corner, so we’ve got you covered with our guide to the top things to do during a boys weekend in Manchester.
Bubble Football
Add a hilarious twist to this lad’s favourite - you’ll be encased in a giant bubble, split into two teams, and the argy-bargy will commence.
Where - Union Street, Manchester
Who - Bubble Soccer World
How much - 10+ players = £25 for an hour, £28 for 90 minutes and £30 for two hours.
Extras - Group photo, event coordinator, referee.
Go Karting Indoor
Whizz around a 550m state of the art track and imagine you’re Vin Diesel in the latest Fast & Furious film in karts that reach speeds of 40mph. You’ll find a multi-level track packed with twists and turns and can take part in an Open Mini Grand Prix race.
Where - Manchester Victoria Station
Who - Team Sport
How much - 10+ drivers = £47pp.
Extras - Offer stag party packages & trophy presentation.
Paintball
Experience an adrenaline rush you’ll never forget in the largest indoor paintball area in the North West. Don’t worry about the region’s reputation for precipitation, you’ll be warm and dry (and covered in paint rather than mud), plus there are private party and stag packages available.
Where - Nile Mill B, Chadderton
Who - Manchester Paintball Arena
How much - Prices vary depending on how many paintballs you purchase - 200 = £20, 300 = £25 and so on (it’ll be more expensive if you want the place to yourself).
Extras - Host stag and private parties, 1,000 free paintballs for groups of 10 or more.
Premier League Darts
The Unibet premier league is returning to the Manchester Arena and it promises top-names in the sport alongside an unforgettable atmosphere. Fancy dress is encouraged, and the bars will be in full flow; perfect for a boys weekend.
Where - Manchester Arena
Who - Unibet Premier League
How much - standard seats costs £29.50pp or you can opt for the VIP package for £310.50
When - April 16th 2020, doors open at 5.30pm.
Axe Throwing
Want to try something a bit different? Then try your hand at throwing axes without needing to head into the woods. This urban experience is set in a vibrant venue and accompanied by a pumping soundtrack to really get your heart racing.
Where - Deansgate
Who - Urban Axe Throwers
How much - Big shot package for up to 10 people = £30pp for 70 minutes
Extras - expert instructors, food and drink as part of the package, trophy for the winner.
Manchester Alcohol Connoisseur
Choose your favourite tipple and experience a 90-minute session which will give you a bit of an education alongside five or six tastings each. So, whether it’s whiskey, rum, gin, or tequila that tickles your fancy, start things off on a classy note with this experience.
Where - Deansgate
Who - Freedom Events
How much - £39pp
Extras - Icebreaker game, info on how the drink is made, history and geography of each drink.
Barman Skills
Ever fancied getting behind the bar and shaking what your mama gave you? Well, here’s your chance. You’ll get a welcome drink, 90-minute cocktail masterclass, the chance to mix two cocktails, plus there’s a buffet so you can line your stomach and a bomb drinks rally to finish.
Where - Deansgate or Spinningfields
Who - Freedom Events
How much - £29.95pp
Extras - a light education in cocktail making, games, you can swap the food for an extra drink and decide your own start time.
Whether you don’t fancy anything formal or you’re wondering where to head out afterwards, there are three main ‘areas’ of Manchester most famous for their nightlife.
Deansgate
Take a stroll down the main street or head to the locks and take your pick of lively, exotic and on-trend pubs and bars.
Spinningfields
One of the trendiest places to be in the city, Spinningfields is filled with an eclectic mix of elegant bars and cosy boltholes.
Northern Quarter
Coined the bohemian quarter, it’s filled with cool, fashionable, and quirky pubs and bars. It also boasts a high proportion of live music venues, so you’re sure to find somewhere to dance the night away.
If you want to get your groove on and check out a gig while you’re in Manchester, here’s a list of some of the finest festivals, events and music venues the city has to offer in 2020.
Warehouse Project
The Warehouse project is a chain of dance music-based club nights that take place each year across the city between September and January. Keep your eye on their website for all the latest on line-ups, tickets and event nights.
Sounds of the City
Sounds of the City take over Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl throughout July with a series of headline concerts, including big names such as Kaiser Chiefs, Foals and Razorlight. Sound good? For the full line-up and tickets head here.
Manchester Arena
The biggest music venue in the city is, of course, Manchester Arena which will host world-famous acts throughout 2020. So, if you want to base your weekend around your favourite band, check out all the shows on offer on their website. Popular names include Billie Eilish (21-22 July), Blossoms (28 March), Craig David (17 April) and Dua Lipa (1 June).
The Academy
If smaller and more intimate gigs are more your thing then the Academy is where it’s at. They boast three spaces and host artists big and small including Example (22 February) and the Subways (14 March). Check out their site to find a gig during your stay.
Other great places to catch some live music in the city include:
Whatever you decide to do during your weekend in Manchester let us take care of your accommodation in our conveniently placed city centre hotel. We’ve got 265 large and comfortable rooms and catering for large groups doesn’t faze us.
Each of our rooms are designed to offer a great night’s sleep, so you can shake off the cobwebs and start fresh in the morning, you’ll also get free WiFi, a flatscreen TV and heaps more. We hope to welcome you soon!
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