Havin it large in Manchester! Games, top nosh and fancy cocktails

Manchester is stacked with incredible activity bars where your night out is powered by a healthy dose of competition, incredible food and sensational drinks. From classic bowling and crazy to high-tech darts and retro gaming bars, Manchester has it all for your dates and mates.

As there are so many brilliant venues, we’ve put the ones offering a choice of activities first – but make sure you keep scrolling as there are some insanely fun options further down!

Lane7

  • 8 incredible activities
  • VIP room with lanes & luxury bar
  • Open until late every night
  • 18+ after 7pm
  • Located: Deansgate

Lane7 Manchester venue is packed with 8 awesome activities giving you plenty of opportunity to show your mates your skills.
Bowling at Lane7 is an experience. With 12 lanes separated into three different bowling areas. Lanes 1 & 2 sit in a VIP area with it’s red vibe and striking zig zag lighting, luxurious bar area and pool tables. Lanes 3-10 are located in the main venue space. Whilst lanes 11 & 12, in their own private space, will dazzle you with their immersive, neon graffiti decor.
As well as epic bowling there’s karaoke rooms, shooting pods, American Pool, rebound shuffleboard, ping pong tables, augmented reality darts, beer pong and an arcade. They’ve also got mouth-watering food courtesy of Fat Hippo and a large drinks menu. Check out their beautiful Signature cocktails & mocktails.

Website: lane7.co.uk
Activity cost from: bowling £9 pp/pg, karaoke £6pp, Shooting £25 for 25 mins, AR darts £20 for 55 mins, ping pong £10 for 25 mins
Top Tip… Bowl and Bowl Again for just £15.50 pp at off peak times

Roxy Ball Room

  • Two adult playground venues
  • 8+ activities at each venue
  • Open until late daily
  • 18+ only
  • Located: Deansgate and Arndale

If style, fun and an urban feel is your thing, then be sure to check out the two fabulous Roxy Ball Room venues in Manchester: One in Deangate, the other on the outer edge of The Arndale Shopping Centre . These are easily some of the most instagrammable venues in Manchester with a bangin’ indie / rock soundtrack.
Deansgate: sprawling over two floors are ice free curling, ping pong, Roxy Golf, shuffleboard, Bankshot shuffleboard, American Pool, basketball and beer pong. Yes, that’s eight incredible game options in this impressive urban venue.
Arndale: with their striking black and white theming throughout you can enjoy tenpin bowling, shuffleboard, crazy pool, ping pong, beer pong, Bankshot shuffleboard, American Pool, basketball and arcade games!!
Whatever you pick, make sure to relax after with a bite to eat and a drink from their sumptuous menu (their pizzas are pretty special!). Keep refreshed with a colourful cocktail, Roxy shot or something tasty from their Low & No list.

Website: roxyleisure.co.uk
Activity cost: bowling £9 – £11 pp/pg, crazy pool/Roxy golf £8-£10 pp/pg, ice free curling £28-32 ph, shuffleboard £18-£20 ph, Bankshot £14-£16 ph, ping pong £14-16 ph
Top Tip… Visit during off-peak (Sunday – Wednesday) for £2 off each activity

Boom Battle Bar

  • Seven activities to enjoy
  • Loud, bouncing vibe
  • Cocktails and finger food
  • 18+ only after 7pm
  • Located: The Printworks, Northern Quarter

Boom Battle Bar satisfies all your going out needs under one roof. Incredible gaming, epic vibe, full bar serving tasty cocktails and the Boom Bites menu with easy-eat finger food.
AR axe throwing makes the joy of hurling projectiles even more fun. BBB Birmingham have traditional axe throwing lanes where you can enjoy the visceral experience of releasing all your angst and stress by attempting to sink your axe into the target – the thud is profoundly satisfying.
Alternatively, the AR lanes where you aim for the right spot projected onto the target – hunt ducks, tic tac toe or “line up 4” (yes, like Connect 4 but without the TM). BBB have a strict no alcohol / no heels policy when it comes to axe throwing.
BBB Manchester also offers shuffleboard, shuffleboard bounce, augmented reality darts, American pool, beer pong and karaoke! So much to do!!! Although all this fun is thirsty work; thankfully their large bar is stacked will your favourite tipples and serves up an incredible range of cocktails. Spoilt for choice on the activity AND drinks front. The Boom Bites menu serves up tasty chicken tenders and topped nachos.

Website: boombattlebar.com
Activity cost: AR axe throwing 30 mins, up to 6 players £40 per lane. 1 hour, up to 6 players £70 per lane
Top Tip… Book before you go as game sessions are in high demand at peak times

Dog Bowl x NQ64

  • 5 lanes of New York style bowling
  • NQ64 arcade in-house
  • Kong’s Diner
  • 18+ only after 7pm
  • Located: Deansgate

Do you love retro arcades? What about nailing that illusive strike? Then Dog Bowl x NQ64 is the venue for you. With a perfect blend of these two epic hospitality companies, this venue is as fun as it is visually stunning.
The New York inspired bowling alley combines five full length bowling lanes, with enough space to play with all your mates. Keen dog lovers? Expect ball dispensers inspired by Dog Bowl’s very own black dog, Bruce the Patterdale Terrier. Not just that, but due to their coupling with NQ64, you get to play some of the best classic arcades in all their retro glory. Reconnect with friends and bowl the night away.
A brilliant night out deserves awesome eats and drinks, thankfully Dog Bowl has both. The in-house Kong’s Diner serve up mouth-watering meals. Burgers, fried chicken & waffles, hanger steak and tasty sides including the delectable Nduja mac n cheese! At the bar you’ll find craft beers, low/no options and some stunning looking cocktails.

Website: dogbowlmanchester.co.uk
Activity cost: Bowling £8.50 – £10.50 pp/pg
Top Tip… Beer, Burger & Bowl, £16.50pp Monday to Friday before 5pm

Tenpin Printworks

  • 14 bowling lanes that glow under the UV lighting
  • Food & drink can be ordered from the lanes
  • Other activities including karaoke, beer pong & ping pong
  • 18+ only after 9pm
  • Located: The Printworks, Northern Quarter

Imagine an cool art gallery and a state-of-the-art bowling lane, all rolled into one. Chances are you’re thinking of something very similar to Printworks – complete with 14 interactive bowling lanes, beer pong tables and karaoke! Plus, we’re sure they can easily bowl you over with their latest arcade games, table tennis, and American pool tables. It’s certainly not one to miss if you fancy practicing your striking skills with mates, dates or work pals. Sound good? They also offer a delicious food menu, as well as a fantastic selection of drinks and cocktails from their two bars. With amazing deals on bowling, food and drinks, you are sure to be in for a great time!

Website: www.tenpin.co.uk
Activity cost: bowling £6.50 – £8.50
Top Tip… Bowl N Bev – Just £9 for a game of bowling and a drink off peak. Off peak is Sunday 6pm to Friday 6pm

Flight Club

  • High tech Social Darts
  • Fast-paced games for groups
  • Sharing platters & cocktails
  • 18+ only
  • Located: Deansgate, Kings Street

Unexpected, Ridiculous, Joy
Since it first opened in 2015, Flight Club has made its mark on the social scene, complete with cocktails, social darts and good times. Their venues scream Victoriana, with beautiful portraits, stunning murals and spectacular carousel themed features, meaning they’re absolutely perfect for your Instagram stories. Their 14 oche venue in Manchester is so awesome it’s even won awards!
The darts is amazingly high-tech, with automatic scoring and an incredible range of games – perfect for a group night out. Food and drink can be delivered directly to your semi-private oche, so you can enjoy great laughs, thrilling gaming, tasty food & stunning cocktails all at the same time.
Flight Club is an absolute must for brunch. Thursday to Sunday you can enjoy prosecco, bottomless pizza and a darts sampler for £30 per person (£25 without the darts). A hugely enjoyable way to spend a long lunch.

Website: flightclubdarts.com
Activity cost: £10 for 60 minutes or £13 for 90 minutes
Top Tip… Try their sharing cocktail trophy – they’re epic!!!

Whistle Punks

  • 5 throwing lanes (10 targets)
  • Shared and private lanes
  • 70 minute sessions (inc. safety briefing, instruction & throwing)
  • Open Tuesday – Sunday. Fri & Sat closes at 11pm
  • 18+ only
  • Located: Deansgate

If you’re in Manchester and love your axe shaped projectiles, then get yourself to Deansgate for Whistle Punks Manchester! With custom axe throwing cages, pure wood targets, (two targets in each lane) and your own instructor, it means you’ll have an epic fifty-minute axe throwing session. You’ll go from beginner to lumberjack in no time!
If you don’t mind mixing with other people then you can throw for just £22 pp. If, however, you wanting something a little more exclusive then up to 10 players can hire a lane, starting from £220. Throwing, drinks & food packages are available. Party & corporate hires also work brilliantly here.
Be sure to make the most of their fully licenced food and drink bar (for after throwing refreshments) and knock back refreshing beers and ciders, as well as tasty pizzas.

Website: whistlepunks.com
Activity cost: Shared lanes £22 – £30 pp. Exclusive lanes start from £220 per lane
Top Tip… Off-peak price of £22 pp is available Tuesday and Wednesday

Junkyard Golf

  • Three 9-hole crazy golf courses
  • Flashing & UV lights, loud music
  • 18+ only Thursday to Saturday
  • Cashless venue
  • Located: Deansgate, M15

There’s a reason that Junkyard Golf is a household name. With several successful venues all around the country, it’s clearly a winning formula, and there’s nowhere that reflects it better than their Manchester site.
Junkyard Golf has three amazing courses, each with their own unique Junkyard twist. Pablo guides you through UFC bears, pirate speedboats and glitter temples, all housed in a tropical madness. Gary, on the other hand, transports you back to the magic of the 90’s, with amazing rave tunes, disco balls and a UV disco room! If horror is more your thing, the Bozo course is here to impress – the creepiest show on earth is back on earth, with nine holes for you to face your fears, whether it be clowns, circus freaks or fairground creeps.
They also serve incredible cocktails, mocktails, tasty pizzas and nachos.

Website: junkyardgolfclub.co.uk
Activity cost: £8.50 – £10 pp/per round
Top Tip… Sunday to Thursday is off-peak, so you can get your gaming cheaper!

Point Blank Shooting

  • Competitive shooting simulations
  • Cocktail bar & pizza emporium
  • Brunch, Sunday 12-4pm
  • 18+ only
  • Located: Deansgate

Point Blank in Manchester is a stunning blend of speakeasy cocktail bar with high-tech shooting range. Here you get to safely wield your MP5 submachine gun or AK47 whilst taking on some of their 200+ shooting scenarios. Take aim at the 132 inch gaming screen and let those digital-bullets fly. The stylish bar boasts a wide range of beers, wines, spirits and, of course, cocktails! Catch all the latest live sport and fuel up with their American snack menu (wings, hot dogs, pizza, nachos and tater tots).

Website: pointblankshooting.co.uk
Activity cost: Off peak £10 pp, per hour, up to six guests. Peak starts from £45 ph for up to four shooters
Top Tip… Blue Light & Student discounts available Sunday – Wednesday

NQ64

  • Two Retro arcade bars
  • Craft beers & colourful cocktails
  • Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7pm
  • No food served
  • 18+ only
  • Located: Northern Quarter & Deansgate

NQ64 beckon you down into their magnificent gaming den. Floor to ceiling with spectacular neon spray-paint art, playing your favourite tunes, with wall to wall arcade games. It’s the perfect escape! Manchester houses two of these epic arcade bars, bringing the thrill of late night 80’s gaming to the city. If you love staying home with the games console then this is the bar for you too with Nintendo 64, GameCube, Mega Drive, PlayStation and Super Nintendo systems available to play for free. Enjoy classic arcade games like the original Mario Cart GP, Hyper Sports, Packman and so many more. NQ64 have some of the most creative signature cocktails available … we recommend the Power Star Martini (Finlandia Vodka, passion fruit, vanilla, raspberry, mango and Hoola Hooch – yum).

Website: nq64.co.uk/manchester
Activity cost: Purchase tokens from the bar
Top Tip… Pop along at Happy Hour just £10 for 15 gaming tokens + a selected pint / mocktail

Base Bar

  • Three Batting cages
  • Buzzing vibe in historic arches
  • Outdoor space for summer months
  • 18+ after 7pm
  • Located: Northern Quarter

Fancy yourself a pro baller? Then Base Bar is the place for you. This baseball themed venue is for “fastballin batswingin ballsmashin junkies” everywhere. The Base Bar is equipped with three custom batting cages and a one-of-a-kind bunker themed bar for curve balling cocktails and beers. The venue also offers classic American baseball food, including four kinds of hotdogs and some sensational nachos. Once you hit that home run, you’ll feel like you’re playing in the MLB yourself!

Each cage holds up to five people and each session is 30 minutes.

Website: basebar.co.uk
Activity cost: £30 per 30 min session for up to 5 people
Top Tip… Weekends tend to be pumpin so book your slot in advance