Christmas Eve in Manchester

If you're looking for some ice-breaking family fun, why not ditch the Monopoly and instead head over to Flight Club for games night with a difference. Opening from 11am till midnight, you'll be able to book one of their decked out oches and spend the night going head to head with your loved ones (just make sure you keep the darts well away from your in-laws). 

Whether you're into mulled concoctions, egg nog tipples or a glass of brandy (Father Christmas style) nothing says Christmas like cocktails, and nowhere does cocktails quite like Dirty Martini. Opening from 3pm until 1:30am on December 24th, this is the perfect place to don your finest festive attire and dance until you hear reindeer hooves on the roof. 

The Old Welly is a traditional British boozer located just a stone's throw away from Manchester's two primary places of worship - the Cathedral and Printworks. Opening from 11am till 10pm, head to this cosy spot for a hearty lunch or early eve mulled wine. 

Open from lunchtime up until 8pm this Christmas Eve, The Oast House will be serving their usual hearty winter-warming grub served on rustic platters, the perfect stomach lining nosh before the main event. Their selection of ales, wines and other beverages are sure to keep you warm as you venture out into their huge wintertime teepee! 

Opening from mid-morning till 9pm, Revolution Deansgate Locks is the perfect place for some early door boozing before heading home to leave Santa a mince pie (or wrap those last-minute presents). With a capacity of 1100, this place is set to be alive with festive cheer and merriment come the 24th of December. 

Trof will be closing at 4pm this year, opening again at 10am on Boxing Day to give its team a well-earned break. Serving up all their classic ales and drinks, as well as a sumptuous lunch menu, this Northern Quarter bar and restaurant is the perfect spot for some post-panic-Christmas shopping nosh.

Open from 10am until 6pm this year, The Pen and Pencil is the perfect place for a spot of festive-themed brunch. Their menu is made of dishes such as eggs royale, fluffy American pancakes and steak and eggs, with the options to add bottomless drinks for the full Christmas experience (i.e falling asleep on the sofa at 3pm).

For the perfect Christmas eve girls' night out, look no further than Menagerie. Head here early evening for a gorgeous tapas and sushi-style meal, before moving onto festive-themed cocktails and a few hours of dancing on tiles. Closing at 11pm on Christmas Eve, you'll even be home and tucked up in bed before the big man pays his all-important visit.