Cool And Quirky Events In Manchester

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By Marcus Sanigar Food, Drink & Events Writer, DesignMyNight Food, drink and events writer with a decade of experience covering the UK hospitality scene. Has written for Expedia, Trainline and more. Last updated on 21st April 2026

Our city is a fun-filled hub of activity all year round, with plenty of things to do every week. If you're searching for cool and quirky Manchester events in 2024, then look no further - we've compiled a guide to the very best that offers something a little different. Whether you fancy getting boisterous at a boat party, flirty with flappers, or broody with burlesque babes, this list has just the thing.




📺 Taskmaster at The Metropolitan📺

@ The Metropolitan, West Didsbury on Thursday 30th April 2026 and 13 other Thursdays

For a one-of-a-kind night out, get on down to Taskmaster at The Metropolitan. In this epic live game inspired by the hit TV show, you'll battle it out across a series of brilliantly bizarre tasks and ridiculous challenges.

Outperform the competition to bag the ultimate prize - a bar tab. You'll need a ticket to join the fun and games, but fret not, they're absolutely free.

Alcotraz Manchester: Cell Block Three-Four

@ Alcotraz Penitentiary: Manchester on Various dates from Thursday 30th April 2026

Head to the city centre speakeasy, Alcotraz, where one of the most fun activities for adults in Manchester awaits. This immersive experience sees you charming your way past suspicious guards while smuggling in bootlegged liquor, before the inmates whip you up some delicious drinks.

Freight Island

Searching for the ultimate hangout spot in Manchester? Look no further than Freight Island. This innovative venue is a feast for the senses, with a wide range of food stalls serving up everything from gourmet burgers to plant-based delights.

The industrial chic design adds a cool edge, and there's always something going on, from live performances and sports viewings to exciting pop-ups. Whether you're here to grab a quick bite or make an evening of it with friends, you'll be surrounded by good vibes, great tunes, and amazing flavours.

What's on at GRUB

GRUB are filled to the brim with some of the quirkiest events in the city. Try out a cocktail masterclass, attend disco bingo or mosey over to a booze-fuelled garden party. If that wasn't enough, they also offer bottomless brunch and burlesque.

FunnyBoyz Manchester

Get a little quirky at some of FunnyBoyz Manchester's events, all making place at New York New York. Not only is there live entertainment from some of RuPaul's Drag Race's finest queens, but there are also Taylor Swift tributes and plenty of bingo. Sign us up.

WildWildStep

Looking for something offbeat? Wild Wild Steps brings the Wild West to Manchester, combining line dancing lessons, country music sing-alongs, and immersive decorations.

Dress in cowboy gear, sip themed drinks, and two-step to the tunes of Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, and Morgan Wallen. It's a unique twist on a night out, perfect for those who love cool and quirky events.

MANCHESTER WING FEST 2026

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

A Victorian swimming bath turned into a chicken wing battleground? That's exactly the kind of gloriously odd premise Manchester Wing Fest 2026 delivers this September. The three-day event mixes serious culinary competition with playful chaos, from axe-throwing lanes to music stages and sauce-covered judging.

Traders go head-to-head for the best Buffalo, BBQ and Wild Wings, while brave attendees can attempt the UK's hottest Lava Wing Challenge. What's more, there's a collectable trucker hat included in your ticket. 

Old Skool Bingo

Looking to mix it up on your next night out? Get on down to Old Skool Bingo. The ultimate throwback party is jam-packed with fun, games and non-stop nostalgia.

Expect RnB club classics, pop anthems, dance offs, singalong and epic prizes. Tickets to bingo and boogie to blasts from the past start from just £19.25.

What's On At Loft Social

Located in Stockport, Loft Social is a trendy social club that's designed to bring people together. This is a modern take on competitive fun, in a laid-back space that's filled with pretty plants and pared-back decor.

They've got multiple different games to play, from petanque to archery, shuffleboard and even disco curling. Book a space for your group from as little as £15, and check out the wide range of drinks on offer while you're here.

Manchester Comedy Club

Located in the heart of the Gay Village, Manchester Comedy Club takes place at AREA Manchester. They host a wide range of fantastic events on the weekends, starting from as little as £10 per person to attend.

Their shows are a combination of well-established acts trying out new material and emerging comedians, so you're guaranteed a brilliant mix of acts every single time.

Anime is Art: Goku & Ichigo

@ BrewDog Manchester on Sat, 9th May 2026 @ 13:00 - 16:00

Channel Chakra onto the canvas at Anime is Art: Leaf Village: Naruto vs Itachi. With the guidance of its resident artists, you'll paint your own anime masterpiece from the likes of Goku, All might and Naruto.

Just £27.50 gets you everything you need to get creative, from your apron and easel to your paints and a sensational soundtrack. Stick around after class for ice cold pints and delicious pub grub.

The Big Manchester Bake

@ The Big Manchester Bake on Various dates from Thursday 30th April 2026

Competitive baking sound like your thing? Grab your best baking buddy and pair up; you'll have 90 minutes on the clock to create an edible masterpiece at The Big Manchester Bake. You'll have all the ingredients and equipment provided in the marquee, while one skilled duo will also be crowned winning bakers.

Soul Supper Immersive Dining Experience - MANCHESTER

@ Freight Island on Sunday 17th May 2026 and 4 other Sundays

Looking for something cool and a little different? Soul Supper in Manchester offers an immersive dining experience that combines soulful Motown music with mouthwatering food.

Picture this: you're enjoying a two-course meal with a glass of wine in hand while the legendary sounds of The Four Tops and Diana Ross fill the air. Whether you're after a fun night with friends or a special birthday celebration, this event is the perfect mix of food, fun, and fantastic music.

Taste + Liquor

Searching for fun things to do in Manchester? Taste + Liquor are giving you everything for the best weekends, from Ayia Napa-inspired brunches to RnB music-filled afternoons and 90s throwback themed events.

Paintvine

Need fun activities in Manchester for couples? Paintvine is letting you get creative with a group or your other half, popping up at The King's Arms to bring you a cool class with plenty of opportunity to buy drinks from the bar too. 

Flight Club Manchester Brunch Social

@ Flight Club Manchester on Various dates from Saturday 2nd May 2026

Give your weekends a big dose of fun with Flight Club's brunch social, one of the best indoor activities in Manchester for adults. From birthday parties to hen dos, nothing will beat bottomless pizza, a bottle of bubbly per person and taking your friends on at a game of high-tech darts.

The Slow Jams Bottomless Brunch (Blues Kitchen)

@ The Blues Kitchen Manchester on Every Saturday

Make your birthday celebration one to remember with The Blues Kitchen's ultimate party brunch. Book a table with a £15 deposit (redeemed on the day), then tuck into hearty dishes while sipping on free-flowing bubbles, mimosas or rum punch for a full 90 minutes.

The soundtrack? Pure 90s and 00s R&B - think Ashanti, Nelly and Ja Rule. Perfect for groups, this is a Manchester birthday brunch where you can toast, dance and sing along to the songs you know every word to.

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

@ Manchester Piccadilly Train Station on Various dates from Thursday 30th April 2026

If non-drinking activities in Manchester are the ones for you, The Great Game Outdoor Treasure Hunt comes in at the top of our list. Solve riddles, crack codes or complete puzzles while travelling across the city, with 20% off a meal at a local pub once 'X' marks the spot.

Cherry Jam

Some of the most fun things to do in Manchester for couples, Cherry Jam's bottomless events offer up afternoon tea or a sharing platter of treats come the weekend. Wash your food down with unlimited cocktails and finish your afternoon off with musical bingo, or choose a themed brunch too.

BOUGIE DRAG EVENTS LTD

For a vibrant day out across trendy Manchester venues, check out the bottomless brunches on offer from Bougie Drag Events. Expect fabulous queens like Imani Versace and Barb hosting lip syncing, catwalk competitions and dance-offs throughout, as well as banging DJ sets, tasty dishes and 90 minutes of unlimited prosecco, cocktails or beer.

Kitty Yoga Manchester

@ GFFDamian Dance Studio on Saturday 30th May 2026 and 5 other dates

Looking for something a little different in Manchester? How about an hour of relaxation and kitten cuddles? Kitty Yoga combines gentle vinyasa flow with the joy of having kittens roaming freely around the room.

Enjoy meditative breathing, stretches, and poses while the purrs of your feline friends add to the calming atmosphere. Wrap it up with twenty minutes of playtime with the kittens.

Electric Shuffle Manchester Brunch

@ Electric Shuffle Manchester on Various dates from Saturday 2nd May 2026

Whether you're celebrating a birthday, starting off a night out early or just looking for a fun group activity, you can't go wrong with a boozy brunch at Electric Shuffle in Spinningfields. These two-hour sessions begin with some competitive action on the shuffleboard tables, before heading to their cool bar area to raise a toast to the winner. You'll get to enjoy as many slices of pizza as you want during this event, as well as an entire bottle of prosecco each, with tickets starting from just £30 per person.

DWTN paint and Sip: 2Pac & Biggie

@ Studio Bee on Sat, 20th Jun 2026 @ 13:00 - 16:00

Don't Wake The Neighbours invites you to Studio Bee for the 2Pac & Biggie Paint and Sip. Get on down to create, eat, drink and party with your squad.

There's no experience or equipment required - they provide the tools and materials, you bring the energy. There are prizes up for grabs for best painting and best dressed, and tickets start from just £36.30.

DOUGH-IT YOURSELF PIZZA MASTERCLASS MANCHESTER

@ Pizza Pilgrims Manchester - Deansgate on Saturday 2nd May 2026 and 30 other Saturdays

Located in Deansgate, Pizza Pilgrims are hosting their fantastic Dough It Yourself pizza masterclasses, which take place on a regular basis throughout the week. Their talented chefs will guide you through the process of shaping dough, balancing your toppings and baking it in their pizza oven, before you tuck into your creations. 

You'll begin by learning more about the restaurant's history, as well as enjoying some scrumptious Italian street food and two drinks per person. Plus, you'll finish up with their signature Nutella ring dessert, prepared by the kitchen team.

Almost Kate Bush at The Fitzgerald

@ The Fitzgerald on Sun, 24th May 2026 @ 18:00 - 20:00

Travel back in time to 1978 at The Fitzgerald with Almost Kate Bush. In this whirlwind tour of the real Kate's early work, you'll hear all the songs from her legendary Tour of Life. 

Fret not, you'll hear most of the hits you know and love too. Expect stunning piano and vocal performances, plus a few surprises along the way. Grab your tickets for just £16.

BANK HOLIDAY ROOFTOP TERRACE OPENING PARTY

@ Chotto Matte on Sun, 3rd May 2026 @ multiple start times (see ticket info)

If you love sunshine, music and tequila, there's only one place to be on 3rd May. Chotto Matte is bringing all this and more to its beautiful rooftop for Claude's Summer Sessions.

Special guest DJs Ryan Sinclair, Mwangi and Millie Manning will be behind the decks while live performers Kamii Fox and AKA Reece will take to the stage. Tickets start from just £201.40 and include 1800 Tequila bottle service.

Fabulous Brunch Events Manchester

Craving a boozy brunch with a little extra sass, a themed drag night or quirky bingo? The team over at Bougie Drag & Boy Toy events are bound to have something for you. Think everything from waiters in the buff to lip sync battles and games, all accompanied by tasty refreshments.