It may have been a flirty look across a bar, a heart-fluttering swipe right, a screw-your-ex-lets-hit-the-town declaration or a whirlwind Nora Ephron-style romance; whatever the reason, a date is on the cards. Now comes the tricky part: what exactly are you going to do? From outdoor activities for those dry days to plenty of back-ups in case the heavens open – we’re perfectly prepped with fun date ideas to take on in Manchester with your nearest and dearest this winter, and some are also great if you’re off on a first date too.
1. Take a stroll around Manchester
We’re so lucky here in Manchester to have so many wonderful parks and green spaces, and when the sun comes out, even if it’s freezing, it’s the perfect wholesome date activity. Whether you take a hot drink to Heaton Park, take part in a Parkrun at Platt Fields Park or Peel Park if you’re a sporty couple, or admire the flora at RHS Garden Bridgewater or Fletcher Moss Park, there’s a park activity for every couple, and it’s one of the more affordable date ideas to pursue in Manchester.
2. Get creative at a Neon Brush masterclass
Neon Brush is a one-of-a-kind paint and sip workshop that’s inspiring Mancunions to paint outside the box. With a drink in hand, you and your date will channel all your creativity and artistic flare to create a masterpiece using neon paints that glow up under UV lights. And of course, you’re free to paint whatever you want. A memory from your most recent romantic rendezvous, that iconic Romeo and Juliet balcony scene or something completely unrelated to love – it’s up to you! Two drinks (beer, wine or soft drinks) are included in your ticket, so if you or your other half needs a little something to get the creative juices flowing, Neon Brush has you covered.
3. Take in a unique Candlelight concert
Concerts are always a great date idea, whether it’s a romantic evening or a lovely mate date. Why not take that up a level with a Candlelight concert? Experience your favourite tunes recreated by skilled musicians inManchester’s most beautiful and historical venues. Whether you’re mad for Oasis, Queen or ABBA, obsessed with classical music and Christmas classics, or love your film and video games, there’s something for every couple. Experience the biggest hits by Celine Dion, Coldplay and more, and be transported to another world at Manchester Cathedral or Ancoats’ own Halle St Peters.
4. Experience a festival or gig in Manchester
Speaking of gigs, this music-centric city always has something going one for the gig-loving couples out there. From small gigs from local and touring bands to epic blow-outs at the arena and stadiums, the array of gigs we have going on is immense. Plus, the indoor venues really come into their own, often packing out their schedules week on week, perfect for a lovely date for gig-lovers. You can also test your relationship by going to a festival together – see whether you leave together at the end of the weekend!
5. Get your caffeine fix together at one of Manchester’s wonderful coffee shops
If you’re a couple of coffee lovers, or perhaps looking for a low-pressure environment for a first date, look no further than our wonderful coffee shops in Manchester. Sit and sip on your favourite beverage at the likes of Federal or Just Between Friends, and if iced coffee is your bag, why not sit al fresco? You’ll probably freeze, but in a romantic way. This one’s simple but effective, and sets you up for success if you’re both into cafe culture.
6. See the city from a different perspective on a river cruise tour
Whilst the weather is a lot chillier than the summer months, outdoor date ideas in Manchester are still worth making the most of in the winter, so why not sit back on a boat together admiring the city from a different perspective? Don your hat and scarf, and set sail from Salford Quays for an epic 60-minute journey down Manchester’s iconic Ship Canal and River Irwell on a specially-designed Dutch sightseeing boat, starting from the heart of Manchester. Witness the industrial heartland and historic monuments, including Stephenson’s railway bridge. You can also marvel at Manchester United’s stadium of Old Trafford and Imperial War Museum North from the water.
7. Sit back and relax with the newest releases at Vue and Odeon
And for when your after indoor date ideas in Manchester, look no further than the cinema. Whether you’re a fiend for action, love a romance or can’t wait for a horror fest, you can’t go wrong with a cinema date. Why not catch the latest blockbusters at some of the UK’s favourite cinemas, with discounts on Vue and Odeon tickets available for any screening you could think of. Sit back, relax and scran some popcorn with your loved one.
8. Enjoy a tipple at a lovely terrace bar
Here in Manchester we’re proud of our bars and array of establishments serving any beverage you could ever want, and trust us when we say they’re prepped for any type of weather. Despite Manchester’s generally rainy climate, we’re ever the optimists and boast our fair share of terraces and beer gardens to enjoy a tipple in the sometimes unseasonable sun. Sit back with your date at Dukes 92 or The Wharf in Castlefield for some lovely surroundings of canals and industrial reminders, in the chic Northern Quarter at the likes of Terrace or Flok, or elsewhere in Manchester including Ancoats or Spinningfields where you’ll find a huge selection of date ideas, whatever mood you’re in. Plus, all of these offer indoor seating for when the weather inevitably turns!
9. Join a craft beer tour around the city
Are you a pair of beer lovers? There are no better date ideas for a beer-loving duo or hoppy couple than a craft pub crawl, and Manchester is a hotspot for ales, lagers, stouts and more. From Shindigger and Seven Bro7hers to Cloudwater and Manchester Union, the craft brewery in Manchester is thriving, with higher quality product than ever, with many welcoming tours and customers to their taprooms. There are also organised craft beer tours, ensuring you hit all the locations of note, sipping as you go – cheers to a perfect date!
10. Escape the city for a romantic day out
OK, we know Manchester is the bee’s knees, but the amount of wonderful places you can get to not far from the city is truly impressive. Whether it’s taking in the sea air on Blackpool seafront, having a walk in the fresh air of the moors, or exploring pretty towns and villages, a date out of the hustle and bustle of Manchester could be just what the doctor ordered. Think ice creams, funfairs and bobbing in and out of shops – you can’t beat it!
11. Spend an evening locked up at Alcotraz Prison cocktail bar
Ever wondered how you’d both look in an orange jumpsuit, behind bars? Well, the Alcotraz Prison cocktail bar experience will take you on a quirky date, if you fancy something drastically different to the norm. Successfully smuggle liquor behind bars and get it to the hands of the longest-serving inmates with this immersive experience, combining quality cocktails, live actors and impressive set design. Enjoy personalised cocktails with your other half and get playing the part – you might even wish you had a life sentence!
📍 Alcotraz Prison Cocktail Bar, 1A Watson St, Manchester, M3 4EE.
12. Tour Manchester’s vintage shops and find some gems together
Manchester is truly famed for its vintage shopping, and if you’re both vintage fiends, it’s one of the better casual date ideas. Wander through the emporium that is COW Vintage, tour the hidden gems in Pop Boutique (especially downstairs), and the wonders that Blue Rinse has to offer, all within the confines of the Northern Quarter. Afflecks is also worth a visit for the variety of vendors that trade there, as well as to soak up the history of the building, and if you feel like going a bit out of town, look no further than Pear Mill Vintage Emporium and Top of the Town Vintage in Stockport – of course, a lovely vintage piece will also make a great Christmas present.
13. Try your hand at shuffleboard
Show your competitive side with a shuffleboard date. The game involves sliding a disk – or a ‘biscuit’ as it is otherwise known – along a narrow lane or a table in order to score points. Add in plenty of drinks, a gang of mates, and you’re promised one hell of a good time, plus there a plenty of spots in Manchester to give it a go! Shuffleboard is also a great activity for double dates, and you could get away with calling it exercise, too, even if you down a pint or two in the process.
14. Nibble your way around the city with the Manchester Cheese Crawl
If you camembert the thought of not doing anything for a date then this is one of the tastiest things to do in Manchester to get involved in. Manchester Cheese Crawl gives cheese lovers the opportunity to discover some of the delicious dairy delights that can be found around the city. This two-hour walking tour will take you around Manchester’s cheesiest spots: meeting cheese mongers, tucking into cheese and crackers (and just maybe a bit of vino) and, of course, being treated to a fantastic selection of cheese-based puns. Have a chuckle, eat cheese and compare flavours together – sounds like a brie-lliant day out.
15. Get competitive at an activity bar
Why not challenge each other to a game of cricket, darts or axe throwing? The likes of Flight Club, Sixes and Whistle Punks offer competitive fun whatever the weather, and we don’t know about you, but the most competitive people we know are couples. Get the drinks flowing and order a cheeky burger, settle into your area and absolutely smash whatever sport or game you fancy – perfect!
16. Discover a range of flavours and botanicals with this gin-tasting experience
Fancy a gin-ful? You and your date can go on a gin journey which starts with a refreshing Manchester Gin and tonic and four samples as you uncover the secrets of gin production. You can discover a variety of flavours and botanicals all whilst sipping on some top gin at The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, located in the iconic Manchester arches where you’ll find Three Little Words.