If there’s one person who deserves a treat, it’s Dad. If a family day out is on the cards, you’ll be pleased to hear that – as always – we’ve done the leg work for you and rounded up some of the best things to do this Father’s Day in Manchester – from boozy lunches to fun activities that the whole family can get stuck into. Without further ado…
1. Get into the football spirit as the Euros kick off
Kicking off from June 14 in Germany, the UEFA Euros tournament is back with England playing against Serbia on Father’s Day (June 16) as part of the group stages. Could this be England’s year? Fans can luckily watch all of the football action across Manchester as a number of bars and venues will beshowing the matches on the big screen.
2. Take your music and football-loving dad on the Rock and Goal Manchester walking tour
Whether your dad loves Manchester for its musical heritage or its footballing legacy, this walking tour will fill them in on all the juicy secrets the city has to share. Snap epic shots, spot locations from your favourite BBC and Netflix shows, and even discover spots that double for New York City on the big screen. On Rock and Goal Manchester Walking tour, you’ll uncover Manchester’s pivotal role in history, from ending WWII and slavery to pioneering rights and innovations that changed the world. Plus, if they’re into football, you can learn about how Manchester began the Premier League, and if they’re more of a music fan, see where live acts started out.
3. Bag your dad some free pints at these Manchester drinking spots
Bella Italia
Bella Italia is celebrating Father’s Day with a free pint or bottle of Stella. This year, the popular restaurant known for its delicious pasta dishes and freshly made, hand-stretched sourdough pizzas, offers a special treat to all fathers and father figures alike. On June 16, guests can enjoy a complimentary bottle of Stella Unfiltered or a pint of Stella Draught, available with the purchase of any main dish from the menu and advance booking is required online or via a local restaurant. Stella Artois 0% and soft drink alternatives are also available.
4. Battle at it out with your dad at NERF Action Xperience
Whether you’re looking to get your own back on dad or visa versa, NERF Action Xperience at Trafford Palazzo is a family-friendly activity where you can all unleash your inner action hero. Put your NERF blasting skills to the test with four fun-packed zones which include battlefields, a training ground and a variety of energetic sports games. The 35,000 square-foot space is a NERF nirvana perfect for sharpshooters and those after some healthy competition, but maybe let your dad win just this once this Father’s Day…
5. Treat your day to a relaxing spa experience at The Lowry Hotel
Treat the father figure in your life to an indulgent day of relaxation at The Lowry Hotel with The Zen Gentlemen package for £80. Kickstart the day with your dad at the RE:TREAT spa which includes a revitalising cryotherapy session, with icy temperatures to boost energy levels and promote muscle recovery. Then, dads can indulge in a deep tissue back, neck and shoulder massage, helping to melt away muscle tension and reduce aches, pains and stresses of the body. And for the perfect end to the relaxing experience, you can head to The River Restaurant for a Sunday roast, complete with all the trimmings.
6. Chill out by watching a film at the cinema
Looking to do Father’s Day in Manchester on a budget? Vue and ODEON Cinemas have teamed up with Fever for a cheap-as-chips offer: starting from just £3.99 per ticket, any time for any film. There are tons of huge blockbusters showing at the moment, just maybe let your dad pick the film this time. Latest films to watch at the cinema include Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, The Garfield Movie, The Fall Guy and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
7. Take a trip to Salford for as the free festival We Invented The Weekend returns
We Invented The Weekend will celebrate the joy of free time, treating guests to sports, music, comedy, theatre, dance, workshops, talks, food, charity, wellness, crafts and more. The two-day event will take place on June 15 and 16 in MediaCity and Salford Quays. Revellers can expect a specially curated programme of over 200 events and activities which will resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds, with unmissable headline moments scattered throughout the weekend celebrations.
8. Tour the Etihad Stadium, the home of the Premier League champions
If your dad or fatherly figure is a big Manchester City fan then this tour is definitely one way to treat them to this Father’s Day. Enjoy one of the most immersive tour experiences in the Premier League with a guided look around the Etihad Stadium and learn all about the club from expert guides. Better still, you can take the fabled tunnel walk out onto the pitch and get photos in the dugouts for the ultimate Manchester City experience.
9. Indulge in a delicious feast at these tasty Manchester spots
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The Pearl
The Pearl in Prestwich is serving up a delicious dining room set menu this Father’s Day where you can enjoy two courses for £37 or three courses for £45. Menu highlights include gin cured salmon, roast rump of beef and white asparagus and Gariguette strawberry trifle. Plus, to mark the special occasion The Pearl will also be starting with Cumbrae Scottish oysters and toasting with a glass of Hattingley Wines English Sparkling.
Piccolino
Piccolino has reimagined the classic surf and turf just in time for Father’s Day, with a mouth-watering Ribeye Steak topped with the finest Wild Red king prawns and sides priced at £35. This succulent meal is sure to impress Dad and is served with the warmest of Italian hospitality to deliver a dining experience filled with good food and even better memories.
Sexy Fish
Sexy Fish Manchester has announced a very special Father’s Day with the opportunity for dads to win big when they roll the Sexy Fish dice. Every dad will be able to throw the ‘dice’ to be in with a chance of winning a special prize including Oysters, Wagyu and Caviar Gold Roll, a cocktail, champagne or a glass of red wine. Sexy Fish Manchester will be serving up a selection of Omakase tasting menus in the evening as well as a selection of fine Champagne and the recently launched UNITY cocktail menu (Sexy Fish’s equitable mindful drinking menu) to celebrate Father’s Day.
The Sexy Bottomless Brunch, which takes place every Sunday between 12pm-4pm, will also have an extra twist in celebration of Father’s Day. Featuring unlimited sushi, bottomless gyoza and an impressive robata counter the brunch, priced at £48 per person allows guests to feast on a selection of starters, a self-serve sushi bar and a signature main and side dish before concluding with an indulgent dessert for Dad.
Riva Blu
If you’re wanting a taste of Italy with Papa this Father’s Day then head to Riva Blu in Manchester. Celebrate in true Neapolitan style with the restaurant’s latest Domenica Italiana Sunday Menu, reminiscent of traditional family gatherings in Italy. Complete with the delicious flavours of Naples including Frittura di Mare, lightly fried fresh seafood, Ragu alla Napoletana, a rich slow-cooked beef, meatball and sausage ragu, and Piccola Pasticceria Sharing Dessert, an indulgent selection of desserts to end the meal on a sweet note, this new menu is a treat perfect for your dad.
10. Sip your way around the city on this craft beer walking tour
Calling all craft beer lovers! Prepare for things to get boozy as you hop along on this craft beer walking tour around Manchester. Sip on 10-12 beers (1/3 pints) of superb craft beer locally brewed in Manchester, with each one very unique. At each venue a brewer or a tasting expert will give the full lowdown on what makes these craft beers un-brew-lieveable. Get your steps in on this craft beer tour and be rewarded with an epic pint – what more could you want?
11. Enjoy a family trip to Knowsley Safari where dads go free
Knowsley Safari, just an hour’s drive from Manchester, has Father’s Day wrapped up this year with a ‘dads go free’ day out on Father’s Day weekend (June 15 and 16) when you book in advance. Dads can get in free to enjoy a wild day out with the kids, but if he’d prefer the day to himself, then mum can bring them and go free instead, as the offer is for one adult in each car to go free with a full-paying child. The Safari is buzzing with new life following the births of a yak calf and a young Southern White Rhino, as well as the arrival of new Andean Bears. Dad will also enjoy the huge five-mile Savannah-style Safari Drive where he can channel his inner Madagascar, encountering African Lions, Somali Wild Ass, wildebeest and one of the UK’s largest rhino crashes, among hundreds of other animals.
12. Take your dad into a whole new reality at DNA VR
Providing a unique entertainment experience, DNA VR allows visitors to dive into unimaginable virtual worlds spanning horror, fantasy and music. For gamers and adventurers alike, DNA VR offers an immersive experience and true escapism from the outside world with solo and group virtual reality modes on 70 games providing hours of gameplay. From surviving a zombie apocalypse, to traveling to the pyramids in Egypt or fighting off dragons, DNA VR has a game for everyone. Whether you’re craving horror or wanting to test survival skills against zombies, DNA VR is a great spot for a day out with your dad.
13. Tuck into a roast at these Manchester restaurants
The Botanist
The Botanist in Manchester is hosting an all-day-long celebration to take care of Dad of this Father’s Day. Diners can catch up over a Sunday roast with options including Roast Rump of Beef, Slow Roast Honey Glazed Pork Belly, Roast Chicken or vegan Celeriac, Mushroom and Pearl Barley Wellington, each served with a fluffy Yorkshire pudding and accompanying sauce. The dishes also come with maple glazed carrots, roast potatoes, greens and gravy, for the whole table to dig in to. Plus, throughout the day, the bar will be offering bottomless drinks (lager, Aperol Spritz or prosecco) for 90 minutes for an additional £25 with any main course, so Dad can truly relax. If a roast and bottomless drinks wasn’t enough, The Botanist’s house band will be providing the soundtrack to the weekend, with live music throughout the afternoon on Father’s Day.