Best Manchester Events In May 2027

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By katie kirwan Head Of Brand & B2C At DesignMyNight Nightlife and hospitality expert with 13 years of experience and coverage in The Times, Time Out and Bar Magazine. Last updated on 14th July 2026

May signals the end of term for a variety of students, and the turning of spring to summer for the rest of us. From bank holiday parties to drag brunches and Cinco De Mayo celebrations, there's plenty on the menu. So, we'll make life easier with our lovely list of the very best happenings heading your way this month. Certainly not one to be missed, check out our picks of the best things to do in Manchester this May 2027.




Old Skool Bingo - Manchester

Move your body this May at Old Skool Bingo. As you go eyes down in search of a full house, you'll groove to the biggest tracks from 90s and 00s RnB.

There's plenty more here to keep you entertained. We're talking singalongs, dance offs and epic prizes. Tickets start from just £19.80.

Bottomless Bandeoke

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

Bottomless Bandaoke brings you all the thrill of a live gig with the singalong fun of karaoke. Expect big vibes, surprise moments, and a packed dancefloor that keeps the energy high between songs.

To give you some courage to take to the stage, there's 90 minutes of free-flowing Vimto Mojitos, Long Island Iced Teas, Eepoo, Prosecco, Highballer Lager, plus spirits and mixers. Grab your tickets to a night of throwback anthems, guilty pleasures and crowd-pleasing classics for just £48.60.

Dirty Martini Manchester

This month, spice up your plans with a trip to Dirty Martini. This cool cocktail bar is known for its huge menu of affordable drinks, and they host brilliant bottomless brunches throughout the week.

These start from as little as £30 per person, including one of their signature birdcage sharers, featuring tasty bites like Japanese tempura prawns and hummus bruschetta. Plus, you'll enjoy 90 minutes of unlimited drinks.

Electric Shuffle Manchester Brunch

@ Electric Shuffle Manchester on Various dates from Saturday 8th August 2026

Fancy getting a little competitive this month? Then head to the Electric Shuffle weekend brunch, complete with an hour of gaming on their interactive shuffleboard tables. These offer all kinds of fun minigames, as well as large screens that add up your scores for you.

Each guest will enjoy a whole bottle of prosecco or four beers, as well as two hours of all-you-can-eat pizza to share between the group. After you've finished playing, you can toast to the winner in the bar, with tickets starting from £33 per person.

Restaurants In Manchester City Centre

When it comes to the best places to eat, these city centre restaurants are coming out on top. From Michelin-recognised spots to quirky basements, there's heaps to choose from, whether you're craving light bites or full-blown feasts. 

The Big Manchester Bake

@ The Big Manchester Bake on Various dates from Friday 7th August 2026

Whether you're looking for a unique date idea or something fun to do with your friends, The Big Manchester Bake is always a brilliant idea. You'll find their custom marquee in Salford, complete with 12 baking stations, a cake-themed bar, a hospitality suite and a stunning drinks garden. 

You'll work in teams of two, competing against all the other pairs, to bake the very beat treat. The theme changes every month, and they'll provide all the pre-measured ingredients you'll need as part of your ticket price.

YO! Sushi School - Manchester Selfridges Trafford

@ YO! Manchester Selfridges Trafford on Wednesday 12th August 2026 and 19 other Wednesdays

Learn to pack, roll and slice like a pro at Yo! Sushi School. Under the expert guidance of resident masters, you'll learn the history of this ancient dish, pick up some knife skills and prepare your sensational creations. 

You'll try your hand at sashimi slicing, cucumber maki making, Kyoto garden roll packing and plenty more. Tickets start from just £27.95 and include a welcome drink and tasty staring snacks.

Cherry Jam

For May events in Manchester this weekend, look no further than Cherry Jam's bottomless dining offerings. There's afternoon tea on Saturdays or grazing platters to share come Sunday, with unlimited cocktails and musical bingo rounding off each day.

Freight Island

May at Freight Island is packed with exciting events and live music that will have you grooving all month long. Kick off the Spring Summer Series with incredible special guests, and be sure to check out their indie nights too.

These events are totally free to attend, and there are seven different bars to check out while you're here. Plus, you can enjoy a range of sumptuous street food from their 11 vendors.

The Cockatoo Club

Join Annabelle and her crew of talented queens at The Frockatoo Drag Brunch, taking place at The Cockatoo Club in Manchester's Gay Village. For just £40 per person you can enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless cocktails, as well as a free bottle of prosecco for tables of four or above, alongside a menu which features Southern fried chicken wraps, smoked paprika nachos and more. What's more, there will be high-energy drag performances and fun games with cracking prizes throughout.

FunnyBoyz Manchester

Wondering what's on in Manchester this May weekend? FunnyBoyz is bringing you Benidorm bingo and a choice of events featuring RuPaul's Drag Race stars, so you can expect hilarity alongside fabulous performances.

Flight Club Manchester Brunch Social

@ Flight Club Manchester on Various dates from Saturday 8th August 2026

Fun and games come in the form of prosecco, freshly baked slices and state-of-the-art darts at Flight Club. Start the shenanigans early with their brunch, which includes a bottle of fizz per person, complimentary jugs of orange juice and steaming hot platters of droolworthy pizza.

Best Bottomless Brunches In Manchester

May in Manchester means one thing... extra time for brunch. As the bank holiday rolls around, there's even more options for you and your mates. So whether you fancy a boogie in your seat or a quirky activity alongside your eggs benny and prosecco, explore our guide to boozy weekend ideas. 

The Metropolitan, West Didsbury

🥂 A Round of Prosecco or Bottle of Beer on Us 🍺 and 2 other offers

The Taskmaster is at The Metropolitan and he's planning to put you through your paces. In this chaotic night inspired by the hit TV show, you'll take on a series of brilliantly bizarre challenges and play all kinds of ridiculous games.

The winners bag a prize that money absolutely can buy - a bar tab. While you need a ticket to get involved, you can snap one up for free.

Magic at the Midland

@ The Midland on Sunday 16th August 2026 and 6 other Sundays

Magic at the Midland is a exciting and mind-blowing show, performed by one of the UK's top magicians Steve Price. Prepare to be wowed as he turns ordinary objects into impossible things, taking place in one of the city's most iconic hotels. Tickets start from just £24.50 per person, promising over an hour of mesmerising tricks and amazing feats.

DOUGH-IT YOURSELF PIZZA MASTERCLASS MANCHESTER

@ Pizza Pilgrims Manchester - Deansgate on Saturday 8th August 2026 and 16 other Saturdays

Whether you're a first timer or a budding pizziolo, the Dough-It-Yourself Pizza Masterless will have you flinging flour and stretching dough like a champ. With the help of resident chefs, you'll roll, top and bake your way to mastering the art of the Neapolitan.

Tickets start from just £54 and include all the ingredients, tips and tools you need, plus two drinks and a Friggitoria street food feast. Upgrade to the Pizziolo Grande package and you can add a Pococello shot or espresso to the mix, and get a branded apron and pizza cutter to take home.

Chotto X Studio 34 Rooftop Pilates & Brunch

@ Chotto Matte on Saturday 8th August 2026 and 3 other Saturdays

Back by popular demand, the Chotto x Studio 34 Rooftop Pilates and Brunch returns to Chotto Matte. Start your day with a 45 minute guided Pilates sesh before refuelling with a Chotto protein bowl, created specially for the occasion. 

Classes start at 10:30am with brunch from 12pm. Grab your tickets to unwind with views of the Manchester skyline for just £43.20.

DNA VR Manchester

Located in the city centre, DNA VR is a virtual reality arcade boasting a choice of fun, interactive games, from boat racing to zombie battles or dancing with your friends. Every one-hour session is led by an expert guide who will take you through the digital landscape, available for groups of up to 15 people at once. If you fancy planning a bigger event? They also have private hire options for up to 45 guests as well.