10 Unmissable Things To Do In Manchester At Night

Manchester does not roll up the sidewalks at dusk; the city lights up and welcomes all to come out and party! With a great selection of pubs, restaurants, and nightclubs you will definitely find something to keep you busy well into the night. If the bar scene is not your thing, there are plenty of other options for a night on the town in Manchester.

Visit the theater, take a nighttime walking tour, take in a concert, play a round of golf, or spend a few hours bowling with friends. Jump off at Piccadilly train station and grab a tasty handmade Cornish pasty. Meander past the Manchester Cathedral to marvel at its beauty in the evening. Look for food stalls and sample the best of Manchester street food.

No matter what type of fun you are looking for, check out these unmissable things to do in Manchester at night. Be sure to leave your bags with a Manchester luggage storage service so you don't have to worry about your things while exploring this fun city after dark!

See live music at Band On The Wall

Address: 27-29 Swan Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester

Located in the Northern Quarter near Ancoats, Band On the Wall is a fantastic and iconic music venue that has played host to a number of great bands throughout the years including punk artist Joy Division. This venue is one of the cornerstones of the thriving music scene in Manchester for over two centuries.

This rather unusual club has a storied past. It began in the early 20th century as a pub called The George and Dragon. But many of the regular patrons simply called it the Band on the Wall since it was the local hang out for musicians and the stage was in the corner up against the back wall. Today, the stage is a little more prominent and musicians are honored to play here.

Grab your significant other or a group of friends and spend an evening listening to fantastic live music, relaxing over a drink or two, and soaking up the ambiance that is the Band on the Wall. It is one of the best things to do in Manchester at night.

Meander along Curry Mile

Address: Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, Manchester

Curry Mile is actually a nickname for an area in Rusholme along Wilmslow Road in Greater Manchester just south of Manchester’s city center. This area was a boomtown during the 1970s and 1980s when it was flooded with immigrants from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Today, it is filled with restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs.

Spend an evening exploring this unique area. Begin your evening at Mughli, one of the best restaurants along Curry Mile. Dine on traditional English cuisine with a few interesting and surprising flavor twists that will leave you wanting more. After dinner, stroll through the University’s park-like grounds and then head to one of the nightclubs or comedy clubs nearby to complete your evening.

You can easily spend several hours exploring all the nooks and crannies along Curry Mile and you will meet some interesting individuals along the way. This is a popular area – there may also be some rather unsavory characters lurking about, so do not explore the area alone at night.

Enjoy dinner at Hawksmoor Manchester

Address: 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester

One of the most popular places in Manchester for both locals and tourists is Hawksmoor Manchester, located near Spinningfields in an old Victorian courthouse. Fresh seafood is abundant and the flavorful dishes will make your mouth water. Aside from great seafood, Hawksmoor is also best known for the British steak that is on the menu – thick and juicy and bursting with seasoned flavor, this dish is truly a must-try.

The relaxing ambiance of the restaurant carries over to the friendliness of the wait staff. You will have an enjoyable time from the moment you step foot inside! It is a fabulous place to hang out with loved ones or grab a delightful meal with friends.

Visit on Sunday and order the roast beef which was named by Observer Food Monthly as the “Best Sunday Lunch in the UK”. This moderately priced restaurant does offer great specials for those looking for a more budget-friendly dining experience.

See all of YES Manchester

Address: 38 Charles Street, Yes, Manchester

This incredible four-story building was once a large auction house. It has since been transformed into a live music venue where you can meet up with friends, listen to great music, enjoy a few drinks, and dine on delicious food.

The downstairs of YES Manchester has a large stage for up-and-coming musicians to perform on. Visit on the weekend and enjoy free admission to the downstairs club area. The ground floor is home to the kitchen and bar where you can order delicious pub food including pizzas, burgers, fish and chips, and vegan burgers.

Be sure to visit the rooftop terrace when you are here. This outdoor oasis is filled with lush greenery and plants and has a definite 70s vibe with music from that era playing in the background. The panoramic views from the roof are simply amazing! You can even catch a glimpse of Manchester’s busy city center.

Wander through Mackie Mayor Market

Address: 1 Eagle Street, Manchester

Located within walking distance from the eclectic Northern Quarter, the Mackie Mayor Market is a fantastic place to spend an evening. The building itself was built in 1858 and is an architectural marvel. But chances are you are visiting Mackie Mayor for the bustling nightlife, not the interesting architecture.

Home to some of the best pubs in Manchester, this market offers a little bit of everything to keep you coming back time after time. Grab your friends and spend an evening sampling craft beer, cocktails, and wine at several of the bars and pubs. Before you get down to the serious business of drinking, though, you will want to grab a delicious meal at one of the restaurants.

There are several places to enjoy a sit-down dinner, or you can just grab a quick snack or a cup of coffee at one of the cafes. Vegan and vegetarian options are available at many of the food vendors and restaurants. Some great street food vendors also set up shop here. You do not want to miss the chance to visit Mackie Mayor when you are out and about in Manchester at night.

Tee off at Junkyard Golf Club

Address: 2 First Street, Unit 1, Manchester

When looking for a wacky good time, you have got to spend a few hours at the Junkyard Golf Club, a quirky restaurant and mini golf combo that has become one of the most popular places to hang out in Manchester. With three indoor golf courses, you can play golf no matter what the weather is outside. Scrap materials were used to create these eclectic courses.

After you have spent an hour or so putting your way through one of the craziest golf courses in Manchester, sit down to a tried-and-true American meal. Add one of their signature junkyard cocktails to your meal and kick back and relax with friends or your significant other.

Advance reservations are recommended as the Junkyard Golf Club only releases a few walk-in tickets each night. You want to be certain you have a ticket to get in or you will be left standing out in the cold. When you get there, you can choose which course you want to try:

• Pablo takes you on a polluted tropical jungle excursion.
• Gary is where all the old junk cars and mounds of tires create a challenging course.
• Bozo leads you through a darkened fairground filled with creepy clowns and circus oddities.

Go 10-pin bowling at Dog Bowl

Address: 57 Whitworth Street West, Manchester

Owned by the infamous Black Dog Ballroom group, the Dog Bowl is a unique experience you will be so glad you discovered. You do not have to be a world-class bowler to enjoy an evening of 10-pin bowling at the Oxford Road Station. Bring your competitive spirit along and challenge friends and even complete strangers to a game of bowling.

The Dog Bowl also offers a wonderful restaurant with great menu choices that even include a section for vegan and vegetarians. Order a pitcher of beer to share with your bowling buddies or sip a signature cocktail while waiting for your turn on the lanes. Drop by the retro arcade and try your hand on a few of the retro games.

Plug into one of the game consoles for free and play on the GameCube, PlayStation, or Sega Mega. Do not hog the game consoles though, they are free as long as everyone shares nicely and does not cause problems for the other gamers. After some late-night bowling fun, sleep in and then head out for a mouthwatering Manchester brunch.

Enjoy the night at The Comedy Store

Address: Deansgate Locks, 3 Whitworth Street West, Arches 3 &4, Manchester

Laugh the night away at the Comedy Store’s 500-seat theater that has been custom made to provide guests with the most comfortable experience. There are three bars, including a special VIP bar for those in the VIP seats. An on-site restaurant makes it easy to enjoy a great dinner and some of the best comedic entertainment in Manchester.

Enjoy a pre-show a la carte menu filled with flavorful tapas and decadent desserts. You can make post-show reservations to enjoy a full menu of fine dining dishes. Live background music is played in the restaurant and also before and after the comedy show.

Open Thursday through Sunday, the Comedy Store has some of the best stand-up comics in the area and has even brought in a few international comedians to delight the audience. There is a different comedy act each night the club is open to ensure you get to see something different each time you visit. Why not stay in the area and check out numerous shows?

Play ping pong at Twenty Twenty Two

Address: 20 Dale Street, The Basement at Little Lever Street, Manchester

No, that is not a typo, the name really is Twenty Twenty Two and this rather unique place offers a great night filled with competitive Ping Pong as well as music spun by a local DJ, good food, and delicious drinks. When you are looking for outside-the-box things to do in Manchester at night, look no further than Twenty Twenty Two.

You do need to make reservations in advance so you can get in and enjoy a few games of ping pong. This venue also has several other table games and arcade games for you to try your hand at. Bring your sense of adventure and your competitive nature so you can enjoy a quirky night at Twenty Twenty Two.

It is open seven days a week and is very popular with the younger crowd including teens. Located in the Northern Quarter in Manchester, this unique bar and game room should not be missed when searching out activities in Manchester that are inventive, fun, and maybe just a little weird.

Club nights at Matt & Phreds

Address: 64 Tib Street, Manchester

Matt and Phreds is one of the best jazz clubs in the city and perfect for listening to the soothing live music that is jazz. This secret bar and basement club is located on Tib Street and is open six nights a week. Plan to spend a few hours soaking up the jazz culture and relaxing over craft beers or signature cocktails.

You can even get a free pizza when you purchase two alcoholic drinks. The laidback ambiance of the club will have you chilling out as you listen to live music and sip one of their slightly over the top, but absolutely fantastic cocktails.

Put on your dancing shoes

Manchester is brimming with cool and interesting things to see and experience at night including live music venues, art galleries, secret bars, iconic pubs, and quirky golfing and bowling opportunities. From High Street to the Northern Quarter, see the city and hit the town! Or hop on the tramway to Manchester Victoria and see Manchester Cathedral at night. Plan a big night on the town in the city and find some pretty amazing things to do. Hidden gems can be found around almost every corner but the things listed here really should be checked out when in Manchester.