Staying off the booze? We got you. No alcohol doesn’t mean no fun, trust us there’s plenty of alcohol-free things to do in Manchester that will make you wonder why grabbing a drink was your go-to activity choice. Manchester truly is a fantastic city for the boozers among us. From bars and clubs to proper traditional pubs – we’ve got it all. But what if you actually don’t fancy a pint for a change? From immersive experiences to fun, family-friendly activities, we’ve rounded up the best alcohol-free things to do in Manchester.
1. Indulge yourself in the luxury of cinema
Starting off with what will always be a great choice, we have a trip to the cinema. Whether you prefer to dive into the plot of the latest blockbuster or are always looking for the next indie hit, watching a great film is never a bad decision. Whilst it seems to be the trend that more and more cinemas are offering alcoholic options, classic is often best. Popcorn and an Ice Blast is all you really need at the cinema, but that doesn’t mean it can’t get even better. There are a variety of luxury cinema options for you to choose from which come with comfier seats, more space, and often a whole lot more than popcorn when it comes to food options.
Everyman is a fan favourite because they have so many locations and have seemingly perfected the premium cinema experience, but there’s plenty of other amazing cinemas to choose from in Greater Manchester. Or you could opt for a classic trip to Vue or Odeon and get yourself a cheeky discount on us.
Vue Cinema Tickets – valid for any 2D movie, on any day, at any time at participating Vue cinemas in Manchester.
Odeon Cinema Tickets – valid for standard 2D films at ODEON cinemas in Manchester (ODEON LUXE excluded).
2. Try your hand at batting for glory at Sixes Cricket Club
Cricket gets a bad rep a lot of the time as being boring, but Sixes is sure to change your opinion on that. A popular experience in the city that’s perfect for drinkers and non-drinkers alike, Sixes Cricket Club is a fantastic place to meet with mates – and is home to a fun, interactive game where players must bat against the system in order to take home the glory. The fun doesn’t stop at the game, either, with a tasty BBQ-inspired menu up for grabs to enjoy afterwards.
📍Sixes Cricket Club, Cathedral St, M4 3TR.
3. Embark on a brie-lliant Manchester cheese crawl
If you camembert the thought of trying to stay teetotal while your friends journey around the pubs then this is one of the tastiest, alcohol-free 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.
4. Treat yourself to a banging brunch
If you’re choosing not to drink, all that really means is you have a little extra cash to put towards your dining budget. Thankfully Manchester is absolutely packed full of restaurants that do fantastic food. Whether you opt for some of the more well-known spots or want to discover a hidden gem, you’re only a stone’s throw away from great food at any time. But we all know out of all the different food options, the most superior of them all is brunch.
Now we understand that yes, a drink with brunch can be good – but it’s not actually needed. Savoury, sweet or in between there’s something for you on a brunch menu whether you’re an omnivore, veggie, or a vegan. Round up the troops, and get yourself to a brunch sharpish.
5. Spice up your 5-a-side with Bubble Football
We’re not here to bash 5-a-side by any means, but Bubble Football definitely adds a little something to it. Suit up in your giant inflatable bubble and bounce your way to some goals. This is the one time getting a bit physical and bumping into your opponents is encouraged. Don’t worry though, things won’t get too out of hand as there is a ref presiding over games. Trust us, you’ll have a blast – just be prepared to be rolling around laughing just as much as you’ll actually be playing football.
6. Throw a few axes at Whistle Punks
Got a bit of steam to blow off, without the booze? Whistle Punks is a pretty unique venue in Manchester, offering guests the chance to throw actual axes at the wall. Sounds fun, huh? Practise your technique and aim for the target, while keeping score if you’re the competitive type! Located within the Great Northern Warehouse, it’s ideally located for grabbing a bite to eat afterwards, with Almost Famous, Suki Suki, Albert’s Schloss, Rudy’s and more right on its doorstep.
📍Whistle Punks, Great Northern Warehouse, Unit 20, Atrium level, 235 Deansgate, M3 4EN.
7. Go on a ghostly adventure with the Haunted Manchester City Exploration Game
A boozy bevvie will be the last thing on your mind as you explore the most hair-raising places in Manchester on this engaging walking tour. It’s a walking tour meets solving a murder mystery in some of Manchester’s most historic locations.
Uncover the story of Loky, the student who drowned in the canal under mysterious circumstances and now seeks vengeance on the serial killer who is responsible for his death, aptly nicknamed The Pusher. You can help Loky and the other victims find peace on this exploration game, uncovering clues while learning about the supernatural side of historic buildings around the city.
8. Lose yourself in the music at a Candlelight concert
If you’re after a unique form of relaxation that doesn’t require a glass of wine and a hot bath, then a Candlelight concert is your answer. Throughout the year you can feast your eyes and ears on a beautiful candlelit performance by classical musicians, with tributes to Coldplay, Rihanna, Hans Zimmer, and more including a special flamenco performance by candlelight.
They take place at architectural gems such as Manchester Cathedral, where the intricate Gothic architecture is illuminated by the dancing flames of candles and the buzz of the outside world fades into a distant hum. All you need to do is sit back, close your eyes and let the music wash over you.
9. Go on a lovely and serene city centre stroll
Even in the cooler months, alcohol-free things to do don’t all have to be indoors and nothing beats a good walk around Manchester, whether romantic with a partner, a solitary activity or with friends and family. Although we have many destinations here in the North West where you can take in the greenery and fresh air far away from the city, the urban inner of Manchester has some beautiful places of its own to take a leisurely stroll. There are plenty of convenient yet soothing city centre walks in Manchester for city-dwellers and urbanites including wanders by the canals and strolls along Castlefield Viaduct.
10. Make a splash at this fluorescent painting class
Wanting to express yourself in the form of art? Well, grab your paint brush and get creative in Manchester as there are a wealth of painting classes, including a neon Neon Brush experience. Suitable for beginners and art aficionados, the experience offers a fun social occasion with and without booze. Whether you want to be the next Frida Kahlo or L.S. Lowry, this luminescent painting workshop allows you to make a splash on a canvas.
11. Use your problem-solving skills to break out of an escape room
Looking for a challenge for your next mates date then escape rooms are where it’s at. From movie-themed rooms that you’ll need to bust out of with the help of your mates, to full-on nostalgic throwbacks to shows such as The Crystal Maze, there are plenty of escape rooms in Manchester for you to try and crack. Fancy stepping into a virtual reality and trying to break out of an escape room? The VR escape rooms at DNA VR are more elaborate and fantastical with themes include avoiding a nuclear disaster, escaping a lost pyramid, and dragon and pirate rooms.
12. Visit Manchester’s latest alcohol-free bar
There seems to be a hankering for alcohol-free options in Manchester, hence the opening of Hinterland, an alcohol-free bar located in the basement of the Manchester Buddhist Centre in the heart of the Northern Quarter. The exposed brick walls and wooden beams hint at the building’s rich history as a Victorian warehouse on Turner Street, and is now certainly home to something the Northern Quarter has never seen before. The bar encourages meaningful connections whether you’re off the booze or not via Conscious Connection Cards (small cards on tables in the bar with thought-provoking questions) as well as a delicious drinks selection whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just looking for alcohol-free fun.