Best Group Activities In Manchester

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By Scarlett Welch Editor, DesignMyNight Scarlett has covered the UK's best restaurants, bars and events for DesignMyNight since 2023. She holds an MA in Media & Journalism, with bylines in The Crack magazine and South London News, among others. Last updated on 11th August 2026

If you're like us and you want to share plenty of experiences with your pals, you'll appreciate how hard it can be to find a venue suitable for everyone. And that's why we've rounded up the best group activities Manchester has to offer right here.

Check out our list of some incredible places for you all, including cool gaming venues, quirky bowling alleys, boozy brunches and a host of other exciting ideas for both day and night.

Find out more about how we curated this guide in our Editorial Policy.

Best Activities In Manchester For Groups




Competitve Activities For Groups In Manchester

Gameface

10% off Christmas bookings

A social gaming venue built for groups, Gameface brings fast, interactive fun to the heart of Manchester. Across ten games, you'll put your teamwork, speed and coordination to the test, to rack up points and claim victory.

A perfect alternative to escape rooms and crazy golf, there's no complex rules or lengthy briefings here. Just turn up, grab a drink and get stuck in.

NQ64 Manchester Northern Quarter

Planning a group night out? Book a booth or simply head on over to NQ64 Manchester in the heart of the Northern Quarter and enter a retro gamers paradise. Complete with neon graffiti and a bar whipping up themed cocktails like the Kong Island Iced Tea, it's a spot that's far from short of entertainment. Take your pick from games like Pac-Man and guitar hero, munch on pizza from Crazy Pedro's and if you're near Deansgate? There's a location on Peter Street, too.

What's On At Loft Social

Make your way to Stockport for a fantastic day or night out at Loft Social - a modern take on social clubs that's designed to bring people together. This trendy, plant-filled space is ideal for both groups of friends and team building sessions.

Get competitive over their wide range of games, from shuffleboard to archery, petanque and disco curling. Prices start from just £15 per group, and there's a fully stocked bar on-site as well.

📺 Taskmaster at The Metropolitan📺

@ The Metropolitan, West Didsbury on Thursday 17th September 2026 and 3 other Thursdays

Whether you're celebrating something special or getting the gang together just because, Taskmaster at The Metropolitan is the perfect group night out. In this insane live game inspired by the hit series, you and your teammates take on a serious of bizarre tasks and ridiculous challenges.

Outsmart the competition and you'll win a prize that money can buy - a bar tab. You'll each need a ticket to get involved, but the good news is, they're absolutely free.

Black Cat Club Manchester

This isn't your average bar for group activities - this is a competitive social hub where you can challenge your friends to interactive darts with various game modes, or enjoy tech shuffleboard where the scoring is done for you. But the fun doesn't stop there. The Black Cat Club also boasts the most premium sports viewing experience Manchester has to offer.

With personal table service, luxe decor featuring copper and burnt orange tones, and a push-button service that eliminates bar queues, you'll have the best seat in the house. And when it's time to eat, the culinary geniuses behind El Gato Negro have crafted an irresistible menu of small plates, burgers, and wraps.

Courts Club

Make your way to Good Yard Park in Spinningfields for one of the quirkiest spots around: Courts Club. This fun destination boasts a full tennis and basketball court that you and your friends can book, with plenty of delicious food and drink on offer too. Grab a set at their indoor or outdoor tables to sip refreshing cocktails and draught beer, while tucking into loaded gyros, cheese toasties or a breakfast baguette.

Trax Social

Trax Social can be found upstairs in the Printworks, promising a whole lot of entertainment. Their immersive music quiz is ideal for groups, promising trivia rounds on lots of different genres, as well as unique challenges and quick-fire questions - costing £9 per person to enter.

That's not all though, as this versatile space is complete with cutting-edge racing simulators, where you and your mates can compete on virtual racecourses. There are also private karaoke booths that can fit up to 10 at a time, offering more than 100,000 different songs. Afterwards, sip cocktails and tuck into hearty burgers or small plates.

Immersive And Interactive Group Activities In Manchester

Alcotraz Manchester: Cell Block Three-Four

@ Alcotraz Penitentiary: Manchester on Various dates from Friday 11th September 2026

One of the best nights out for groups in Manchester, Alcotraz is the prison-themed speakeasy that requires savvy smuggling skills. Bring a bottle of your favourite spirit and successfully sneak it past the guards, where you'll be rewarded by talented inmates whipping you up something special. 

Bottomless Bandeoke

@ Highballer on Friday 11th September 2026 and 7 other Fridays

Round up the gang to sing your hearts out at Bottomless Bandaoke. This is your chance to live the dream of fronting a live band, belting out throwback anthems, guilty pleasures and crowd-pleasing classics in front of all your mates.

To give you the courage to get behind the mic, there's 90 free-flowing minutes of booze, packing in everything from Vimto Mojitos, Long Island Iced Teas and Eepoo to prosecco and Highballer Lager. Tickets to get loud and let the good times roll are just £48.60.

Museum of Illusions Manchester

The Museum of Illusions has universal appeal written all over it. With regular adult admission at £25.50 and plenty of tailored group discounts available, it's a brilliant way to bring a crowd together for a shared experience where the icebreakers are literally built into the walls.

Whether you're visiting with family, rallying a university group, or heading out for a hilarious hen do, the museum's 65-plus exhibits keep everyone engaged. There's something inherently bonding about watching your best mates turn into tiny giants or trying to navigate the Vortex Tunnel without falling over. 

DNA VR Manchester

Looking for fun things to do for the whole gang? DNA VR Manchester is just the ticket. Get on down to the city centre VR arcade for all kinds of group activities. Each session lasts one hour and includes things like zombie battles, dancing and boat racing.

Shows And Entertainment For Groups In Manchester

Wholesome Group Activities In Manchester

CuppaPug Manchester

Whether you're coming down for a regular visit or booking a private puppy social for your group, CuppaPug in Salford is the perfect day out. At this cosy cafe, you'll get to cuddle, play with and give treats to their resident pugs, who are cared for in a safe environment.

This place is family-friendly and welcoming to all, supporting the rehoming of dogs. While you're here, sip delicious hot chocolates or smoothies, paired with everything from chicken nuggets to toasties and freshly made cakes.

Grit Studios

Gather your friends and try something truly memorable at Grit Studios' Sip & Paint events. With plenty of space, bottomless cocktails, and expert guidance from abstract artist Joe, this is the ideal group activity to laugh, bond, and create your own art masterpieces.

Whether it's a casual hangout or a special occasion like a birthday or reunion, you'll all leave inspired, smiling, and with a one-of-a-kind souvenir. This experience is a brilliant way to mix socialising with a creative challenge.

Food And Drink Activities For Groups In Manchester

MANCHESTER WING FEST 2026

@ Victoria Baths on Friday 18th September 2026 and 2 other dates

Fancy a food-based event with your best mates? Then head to Wing Fest, coming to Victoria Baths for three days of chicken eating and beer drinking. Everyone receives a free trucker hat on arrival, before you get stuck into an afternoon of live music, axe throwing, eating competitions and more.

There will be a wide variety of street food vendors here, selling their wings for just £1.50 per portion. You can vote for your favourites across three categories: Buffalo, barbecue and wild wing.

Food Escapes

Finding a plan that keeps a whole crowd entertained can be a challenge, but Food Escapes ranks among the most amazing group activities in Manchester. This interactive game pits your friends against the clock as you solve clues hidden in the streets to unlock three distinct independent eateries.

The event is also remarkably accommodating for families. While the massive food portions are designed to leave adults completely full, parents can easily buy a single ticket for two younger children to share, making it highly cost-effective.

Cherry Jam

Looking to get together with pals? Cherry Jam's bottomless sessions are just the ticket. Think afternoon tea or grazing platters washed down with unlimited cocktails. Plus, there's musical bingo to finish things off.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best group activities in Manchester for adults?

Manchester has a huge range of group-friendly options depending on your vibe. For competitive fun, venues like Flight Club (social darts), Boom Battle Bar (axe throwing, shuffleboard, karaoke), and Gameface (ten interactive games) are crowd-pleasers. If you want something more immersive, DNA VR Manchester offers virtual reality experiences for groups, while Food Escapes turns the city streets into an interactive dining adventure. For a more relaxed evening, Wynwood Lanes combines bowling with DJs and a full bar and restaurant.

What are some unique group activities in Manchester?

If you're after something out of the ordinary, Manchester delivers. Alcotraz is a prison-themed cocktail bar where you smuggle in your own spirits and have them mixed by "inmates." Taskmaster at The Metropolitan is a live game show experience inspired by the hit TV series — and tickets are free. Bottomless Bandaoke lets your group front a live band, belting out classics in front of a crowd. For something more cerebral, Food Escapes blends a street-based puzzle hunt with stops at independent restaurants.

What outdoor group activities can you do in Manchester?

For groups who want to get outside, CityDays offers escape room-style scavenger hunts through Manchester's streets, with rest stops for drinks along the way. Courts Club at Good Yard Park in Spinningfields has bookable tennis and basketball courts alongside food and cocktails.

What group activities in Manchester are good for large groups?

Several Manchester venues are specifically built to handle big numbers. Flight Club caters to large and small gatherings alike with its social darts format. Boom Battle Bar in The Printworks offers multiple activities across a large space — from axe throwing to shuffleboard and karaoke rooms. Wynwood Lanes has multiple bowling lanes with DJ sets, and Manchester Bierkeller can host big groups with Oompah shows, steins, and food packages. For something more active, DNA VR Manchester can accommodate groups across its city-centre VR arcade.