Cheap And Free Things To Do In Manchester

Looking for a midweek pick-me-up that won't wreck your wallet? Be At One Manchester has cracked the code with their Midweek Mixtape - a buzzing evening of £5 margaritas, great vibes, and playlist perfection. From spicy to frozen to fruity, there's a marg for every mood (and budget).

With £5 spirit mixers, £3 Casamigos shots, and bottles of prosecco for just £20, it's the ultimate affordable night out without sacrificing the fun. Cheap? Yes. Boring? Never.

Taste + Liquor is offering a five-hour R&B Brunch experience, with tunes from the 90s to today's charts, plus 60 whole minutes of bottomless rum punch, all for just £18. It's a great shout when you're wondering what cheap things to do in Manchester city centre are about.

Paloma Club is the ultimate Saturday daytime party, bringing Ibiza energy and sunshine vibes to Be At One's brand-new summer series. Starting from 12pm, you can expect a fresh, feel-good atmosphere filled with sunshiney sounds, DJs on deck, and cocktails in hand.

The party features big tunes, including summer house anthems and 90s Ibiza classics played by house DJs to keep everyone bouncing. Highlights include £5 palomas, tequila trays on deck, and 2-4-1 cocktails flowing all afternoon to keep the fun going. For those who book the Paloma Club experience, there's exclusive merch and a vinyl token to make your own Paloma behind the bar, giving you total cocktail control. 

When the sun sets in Spinningfields, The Blues Kitchen turns up the volume with its electrifying LIVE: Hip Hop, Afrobeats and R&B 'Til Late events. Dive into a night where soulful grooves meet infectious rhythms, as top-tier live bands take the stage.

As the evening heats up, the DJs take over, spinning a mix of crowd-pleasing anthems and deep cuts to keep you dancing into the early hours. With its signature Southern-inspired cocktails, mouthwatering bites, and an atmosphere pulsing with good vibes, this is the spot for music lovers and night owls alike.

Get on board the early bird train and you'll embrace an afternoon of shows, minus the cocktails or munch, at Bougie Drag Bottomless Brunch for £16. Gimme gimme more? Well, you can party to four hours of Britney classics for the same price.

If you're after free things to do in Manchester this weekend and love talented guitarists, swing by the Live Acoustic Nights at Doghouse. It won't cost a penny to get in, and the next Matty Healy might just be doing their thing on stage.

Indulge in the best wings around at Manchester Wing Fest 2025, where chicken lovers from all over come together for a weekend of delicious food, drinks, and entertainment.

Whether you're here for the Best Buffalo Wing showdown, the Lava Wing Challenge, or just to have a laugh with friends while throwing axes, there's no shortage of fun. Add in live music, arcade games, axe throwing and the chance to win prizes, and you've got yourself the ultimate weekend of fun. Grab your Wing Fest trucker hat and let the wing-filled adventure begin.

From 12pm to 4pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, plus all day on Sundays, you can book your own premium range at Point Blank Shooting Manchester for just £10 per hour and person. While you practice your aim? Enjoy bespoke cocktails and pizza.

A quirky independent street food venue with craft beer, a garden and a cinema, GRUB hosts all kinds of wicked goings-on. And one of our favourite cheap and fun things to do in Manchester? Disco Bingo, which only costs £5 per ticket but promises hours of entertainment.

For under £20 per person, CityDays Manchester is making sure you can get stuck into immersive exploration games for your group outing, date, or corporate event. Think solving riddles hidden in statues and cracking escape game-style puzzles, all with built-in pub stops along the way.

Mamma mia! If you opt against getting stuck into the bottomless brunch deal, you can catch the ABBA Believe In Angels tribute act for just £16. The bar is still available though, so feel free to loosen up a little before joining in the singalongs at this lively event.

Nestled in the heart of The Printworks, O'Neill's Manchester is your go-to spot for a lively pub atmosphere with an Irish twist. Known for its warm hospitality, hearty pub grub, and an impressive selection of beers, whiskeys, and cocktails, it's the kind of place where every night feels like a celebration.

But the real star is its free live music. From local talents to seasoned performers, the stage comes alive with an eclectic mix of genres, guaranteeing toe-tapping tunes and a feel-good vibe. Don't forget its Sunday quiz nights either if you're keen to test your brain power. 

FunnyBoyz hosts all kinds of cheap events in Manchester, including Benidorm Bingo, which promises a night of fun prizes and outrageous comedy from a RuPaul's Drag Race star. Tickets start at just £5, so we recommend booking quickly to avoid missing any of the fabulous action.

Looking for some affordable, competitive fun? Then head to Courts Club at Spinningfields' Good Yard Park, where you can book their tennis and basketball court for you and your friends. A great way to unleash your inner big kid, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor places to unwind here as well, and you can enjoy refreshing beer, cocktails or soft drinks at the bar.

There's a selection of cheap eats on offer too, from cheese toasties to Greek delicacies from their street food truck Lucky Gyros. As for their events? Hoops is a Saturday night party that combines basketball with DJ sets and drinks, while Sundays see film screenings in their outdoor cinema - both of which are totally free to attend.

Manchester, a city known for its industrial heritage and vibrant arts scene, boasts an impressive array of museums and galleries that cater to every interest. Whether you're drawn to contemporary art, fascinated by history, or intrigued by science, there's something here to inspire your curiosity.

Best of all, many of Manchester's cultural gems offer free entry, making them accessible to everyone. From iconic institutions like the Manchester Museum to hidden gems like the People's History Museum, exploring these spaces is as easy on your wallet as it is enriching for your mind. 

The Northern Quarter might be tempting, but look a little deeper and embrace the cheap things to do in Manchester this weekend. There are so many unknown green spaces which are well worth exploring, like the beaut Mala Secret Garden.

The great outdoors is a real gem for saving cash while having a wholesome time too. When you're yearning for free things to do in Manchester for couples, bring your partner - with sarnies, of course - and stroll along Wharf City Trail or even head out of town to the nearby Peak District.

1UP Themed Quiz has a quirky night of game-inspired trivia in store for you. Sign up for a quid to win prizes and test your knowledge of Tetris, Pokémon and other topics that are a little on the geekier side of life. No offence, we love them too.

Albert's Schloss in Spinningfields is more than just a bar and restaurant - it's a Bavarian-inspired haven of indulgence, creativity, and endless fun. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, mouthwatering menu, and impressive selection of craft beers and cocktails, this iconic venue takes your night out to the next level.

What truly sets it apart is its free live entertainment. From cabaret shows to live music and DJs, their nightly performances guarantee a dynamic, feel-good vibe that's unmatched in the city.