Top places for a birthday with a difference in Manchester

Manchester is a city with real character. And let’s be clear, it’s goes way beyond football teams and rock music. It’s cosmopolitan and buzzing, has diverse options for all tastes and is cheaper than cities down south. So if you want to do something a bit special this year, it’s a great place to have as your celebration backdrop.

The music scene is a big part of this city and it’s varied and eclectic. The restaurants rival those in the capital and new places are opening constantly. There’s also a notable craft beer and micro-brewery industry. Manchester is well-known as a great place for shopaholics. However, if you want some culture in the mix, there’s a great choice of quality arts and museums and some amazing gothic architecture. It’s a good place to go to make a birthday more memorable, and here are some suggestions of top things to do.

Make your own Cocktails

With a thriving nightlife, staying-in is definitely not the new going-out in Manchester. There are endless pubs, bars and clubs for you to choose from. But as we all know how to drink a cocktail, why not do something a bit different and learn how to make them. There are plenty of places you can take a cocktail-making masterclass in Manchester to get your party started. Shake, stir and get to grips with ‘mixology’ and hopefully, you’ll be able to re-create these for your friends and family. Check out Fizzbox to see a few options, as well as maybe hitting Google.

Shop ’til you drop

For those who just love shopping, Manchester is the destination for you. It has large shopping centres such as the Arndale and the Trafford Centres offering all the big players. There’s also a luxury boutique district, Spinningfields, which is home to international fashion brands alongside swanky restaurants and bars. Then there’s the Northern Quarter for vintage and independent stores and even cafe-shop hybrids, so you can consider your purchases over coffee. And for those looking for something unique, there’s the Manchester Craft and Design Centre which houses a series of shared studio shops with unique designers who you may see at work.

Bar and bowling in style

This is a quirky option for those who want a bit of activity in their evening out. The Dog Bowl is not a typical bright tacky bowling centre, rather a sleek, stylish bar and eating environment with 5 bowling lanes in a New York style bar setting. It also has a sister bar called the Black Dog in the Northern Quarter. There’s a bottomless brunch if you are out at lunchtime or open late night for bowling with a difference. This is a place to find out if cocktails help or hinder your aim. https://blackdogballroom.co.uk/dog-bowl/

Live music

The likes of The Smiths, Oasis and Take That all came out of Manchester. With music a big part of its culture there are many major venues that attract the big names. But there are also plenty of smaller venues that are great for seeing new talent and places that cater specifically for different tastes. Band on the Wall has a long history and earned its stripes back in the 70s hosting punk groups like the Buzzcocks and Joy Division. These days, after a major revamp in 2009, it’s a platform for up and coming artists with a jazzier world music vibe. Craig Charles, from BBC Radio 6 hosts a monthly sell-out Funk and Soul Club.

There’s also Manchester’s Albert Hall. The venue is memorable enough on its own, in a Grade II listed Wesleyan chapel that has been restored and transformed into a dramatic atmospheric events space. There’s plenty of live music and events featuring well known artists for you to soak up along with the surroundings.

Northern Humour

There’s nothing quite like having a laugh with friends and the Frog & Bucket is the place in Manchester to do this. A comedy institution having been open for over 21 years, it’s regulars have included Johnny Vegas & Peter Kay. Jon Bishop, Lee Mack and Jason Manford have all cut their teeth here. If you fancy somewhere to sit back and have a giggle with your friends and soak up the northern humour this is a good call. Thursday is Open Mic Night and Fridays and Saturdays host the Barrel of Laugh nights with multiple acts introduced by a local compere. https://frogandbucket.com

Your time in Manchester will never be dull and you won’t be stuck for things to do. Happy birthday, hope it’s a good one.

*This is a collaborative post*