Quirky Date Ideas In Manchester

You've settled the texts and secured an evening, but the next step is another deal entirely. Done with pub visits and dinner? You'll need to mix it up a little when it comes to your romantic rendezvous. From themed cocktail cruises to a stint of old school SEGA gaming, these quirky date ideas in Manchester are sure to impress.

Last edited by Kiera Chapman

Last updated on 10th July 2025




Manchester Comedy Club

Looking for a fun date idea that'll have you both in fits of giggles? Then check out Manchester Comedy Club, who host fantastic events at AREA Manchester on Sackville Street on a regular basis.

You can secure your spot for as little as £10 per person, giving you the chance to watch a mix of established acts practicing new material and up-and-coming comedians.

Cherry Jam

On the hunt for fun dates in Manchester? Cherry Jam's bottomless sessions have your back. From a boozy afternoon tea complete with cocktails and scrummy sweet treats, to Sundays spent grazing on sharing platters with unlimited drinks, you can't go wrong.

Alcotraz Manchester: Cell Block Three-Four

@ Alcotraz Penitentiary: Manchester on Various dates from Friday 11th July 2025

Alcotraz: Cell Block Three-Four is an absolute must for quirky and fun date night ideas in Manchester. Dress in orange jumpsuits before smuggling bootleg liquor past the eagle-eyed warden. Once inside? You'll be rewarded with bespoke sips from the prison's master bartenders. 

Manchester Fun Puzzle Treasure Hunt! Single route or double for racing!

@ Manchester Piccadilly Train Station on Various dates from Friday 11th July 2025

For quirky outdoor date ideas in Manchester, look no further than the Fun Puzzle Treasure Hunt. Priced at just £15 per couple, this unique activity will see you race around the city's most famous landmarks and secret streets, solving clues and puzzles as you go. And for your prize? 20% off your bill at a local pub.

Electric Shuffle Manchester

Happy Hour and 2 other offers

Plan a competitive date for your loved one and head down to Electric Shuffle on Deansgate for its unique take on shuffleboard, complete with mini games that really shake things up. They come complete with automatic scoring, so you can focus on your technique and trash talk. Otherwise, choose their boozy brunch to go up against other couples while enjoying two hours of bottomless pizza and a bottle of prosecco each.

The Cube - Urban Playground Manchester

Get competitive with your partner when you take a trip to Urban Playground Manchester in the Northern Quarter. This is the home of The Cube, an interactive version of the TV gameshow. Get involved in one or two-player challenges, testing your skills across multiple categories.

This event space is also home to Putters, which offers three themed crazy golf courses. Afterwards? Head to The Butcher for juicy burgers, chicken wings, nachos and more.

Official Manchester Rum Festival 2025

@ New Century Hall on Sat, 26th Jul 2025 @ multiple start times (see ticket info)

Manchester's original, dedicated festival dedicated to all things rum, the Official Manchester Rum Festival 2025 is the perfect idea for a unique date in July. This one-day-only event is making sure you get your fix from the spirit at New Century Hall, with all rums consumed from the exhibitors included in your £27.50 per person ticket price.

Not only that, but you can add on seminars with top brands for an extra tenner each. Plus, there's a dedicated rum cocktail bar and food on-site for any extra purchases throughout the day.

YO!

If you're a pair of foodies looking for what to do come your next date, then YO! Manchester Arndale has just the thing. Nab tickets to their masterclass, where you'll enjoy tucking into gyozas on arrival, before learning how to make four delicious sushi items.

Murder Mystery Experience - Manchester

@ I'm Puzzled on Various dates from Friday 11th July 2025

Manchester is your playground - and your crime scene - in this immersive murder mystery adventure. As a top detective, you'll be tasked with solving the shocking murder of politician Chester Monte. Your only tools? A smartphone, your wits, and a keen eye for detail.

Using an innovative mobile app, you'll trek through the city, follow hidden clues, and interrogate virtual suspects to piece together the truth. Perfect for quirky date nights, this outdoor experience promises mystery, suspense, and plenty of fun.

The Alchemist Manchester - New York Street

The Sunday Feast

One of the best date night bars in Manchester, The Alchemist New York Street, MediaCityUK and Spinningfields are gorgeous venues packed with unique cocktails and theatrical concoctions. Bring your partner here if you're looking to impress with fizzing, popping and colour-changing booze.

That's not all that's on offer though, their two-person Sunday Feast offers an indulgent sharing platter for £20 per person - featuring the likes of macaroni cheese, pork belly bites and loaded truffle tater tots.

Courts Club

Happy Hour - Everyday - 5pm - 8pm

Looking to spice up your usual date night plans? Then Courts Club should definitely be on your radar. You can book their tennis and basketball court for a fun, competitive game with your other half, before heading to the bar for some much-needed refreshments. There are indoor and outdoor tables to choose from, where you can enjoy a selection of refreshing draught beer and cocktails - as well as Greek street food, hearty sandwiches and toasties.

Soul Supper Immersive Dining Experience - MANCHESTER

@ Freight Island on Sunday 3rd August 2025 and 2 other Sundays

If you're looking for a quirky date night with a twist, Soul Supper in Manchester is a must-try. Enjoy a delicious two-course meal while being transported to the golden era of Motown with iconic tunes from legends like Marvin Gaye and The Supremes.

Set at Freight Island, this immersive experience lets you dive deep into the world of soulful music while savouring mouthwatering food. Whether you're celebrating with a partner or looking for a fun night out with friends, Soul Supper is a unique and memorable way to enjoy food, music, and great vibes. 

What's on at GRUB

From cocktail classes and games nights, to 'crafternoons' and wine tastings, GRUB has you sorted when you're on the hunt for fun date activities for adults in Manchester. Take your pick from their events and mosey on over to the Red Bank venue, where you and your SO are guaranteed a good time. 

Black Cat Club Manchester

Kids Go Free! and 1 other offer

Got a date coming up? Well, The Black Cat Club has quickly become the place to be in Manchester. This competitive social bar offers a thrilling experience with interactive darts and tech shuffleboard, where the games are always fun and the scoring is taken care of by the tech, ensuring zero debates.

But it's not just for gamers. The food, curated by the chefs of El Gato Negro, includes an array of small plates, burgers, and wraps, all perfect for enjoying with your partner.

MANCHESTER WING FEST 2025

@ Victoria Baths on Friday 19th September 2025 and 2 other dates

Turn your date into an epic adventure at Manchester Wing Fest 2025. From feasting on a variety of chicken wings (Buffalo, BBQ, and wild) to getting your competitive side on with axe throwing and arcade games, there's no shortage of fun.

Enjoy live bands, DJs, and even try your luck in the wing-eating competitions. Don't forget the signature Wing Fest trucker hat as a sweet souvenir to remember your date by. Grab your tickets now from £19.50 per person. 

Starbucks® Roller Rink

@ Cathedral Gardens on Friday 1st August 2025 and 2 other dates

Looking for a date that's fun, different, and full of energy? The Starbucks® Roller Rink in Manchester's Cathedral Gardens is the ultimate quirky date idea this August.

For just a £5 refundable deposit, couples get a 45-minute roller skating session (skate hire included), a free Starbucks® Caramel Frappuccino® or Melon Pearl Refresha®, plus a DJ spinning summer songs all session long. And if one of you doesn't fancy skating? That's fine, only skaters need a ticket.

Kitty Yoga Manchester

@ Deansgate on Various dates from Saturday 12th July 2025

If you're after a cool and quirky event in Manchester, Kitty Yoga is calling your name. Picture this: forty minutes of soft, slow yoga flow, paired with adorable kittens roaming freely around the room.

It's the purrfect combination of mindfulness and pet therapy! Finish your session with twenty minutes of pure kitten playtime. Trust us, it's the fun, relaxed weekend activity you didn't know you needed.

NQ64 Manchester Northern Quarter

For date night with a twist, get some retro arcade games involved with a trip to Q64, found in Manchester's Northern Quarter or over on Peter Street in Deansgate. Simply show up or book a both to enjoy an array of cult classics like House Of The Dead or Dance Stage 2 Euro Mix. Refuel for round two in the neon-lit den with pizza from Crazy Pedro's and themed tipples like a Kong Island Iced Tea.

Secret Bars In Manchester

Treat your partner to a night out at one of these undercover watering holes, where finding it is only half the fun. Once inside these secret bars, you can uncover neon lights, retro sweets, cocktails galore, old school games and immersive theatre.

Scavenger Hunt Bank Heist - Manchester

@ I'm Puzzled on Various dates from Friday 11th July 2025

Want to do something truly quirky for your next date in Manchester? The Manchester Bank Heist Scavenger Hunt is your chance to star in your very own heist movie. You and your date will team up, using a cutting-edge mobile app to navigate the streets, crack codes, and plan the perfect robbery (without any of the actual stealing).

With a couple of hours to crack the case, this thrilling, fun, and highly-rated adventure is the perfect way to break away from the usual dinner and drinks routine. 

Bollyhop Dance Workshop

@ Fiera Dance Studio on Sat, 12th Jul 2025 @ 17:00 - 19:00

Looking to impress with a date that's way outside the norm? Say hello to the BollyHop Dance Workshop, landing in Manchester on the 12th of July. This lively, choreographed session is packed with upbeat energy, catchy tunes (yes, you'll be grooving to Sapphire), and a room full of people just there to have fun. Whether you've got two left feet or killer moves, it's a playful way to connect, laugh, and maybe even discover your signature dance style together.

DNA VR Manchester

Whether you're looking to break the ice on a first date or have a laugh with your other half, DNA VR Manchester offers a bucketload of fun. The city centre VR gaming experience allows you to move freely in a large virtual space with a range of different games.

1UP

1UP is the ideal pick of quirky dates, thanks to its range of activities. Whether classic consoles, board games, Pokemon cards or arcade machines are more your jam, you can head here to get your geek on as a couple.