The city is full of great places to impress your other half.
Whether you want to make an impression on a first date, hoping the third will be just as good, or it’s your turn to plan your regular date night, we’ve got you sorted for date ideas in Manchester. Here’s our tried and tested best ways to play cupid in the city.
Planning something special? Check out our guide on romantic things for couples to do in Manchester.
Quick picks: Best date ideas in Manchester
Enjoy a themed tasting menu at Six By Nico
Six By Nico is one of Manchester’s best date night restaurants when you want something that feels special without blowing the budget. With rotating themes and ever-changing menus, every visit feels like a new experience – turning dinner into a ritual, rather than a one-off.
Each course becomes a natural talking point, making it ideal if you want a dinner date that feels interactive rather than awkwardly quiet. Go all in with a wine flight to stretch the evening, or keep things casual with cocktails before heading elsewhere for a late-night drink.
Where? Six By Nico, 60 Spring Gardens, Manchester, M2 2BQ & 2 John Dalton St, Manchester, M3 2BY.
Budget: Prices vary, but you can expect to pay from £42pp for tasting menu (wine pairing extra).
Best for: Special occasion dates and foodie couples who want something memorable without full fine-dining formality.
Try pottery throwing with Bruno Schooling
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Nothing says romance like a pottery throwing class – and Bruno Schooling is the perfect guide to help you pull out your best Patrick Swayze moves! Luckily for you, he runs classes at both Altogether Otherwise and Merseyway Workshop. In your class, you’ll be shown how to use a potter’s wheel then have the chance to hand-build a clay creation of your choosing.
Once you’re happy with your design, give it back to one of the two instructors who will fire it ready for collection three weeks later. If your date goes well, this is the perfect opportunity to pick up your pots together – and decide who gets the title of best potter!
Where? Altogether Otherwise, 6-10 Hanover Street, Manchester, M4 4BB & Merseyway Workshop, Unit 6 Deanery Way, Stockport, SK1 1PP.
Budget: All sessions at Altogether Otherwise are free, while it’s £80 for a two-hour throwing class for two at Merseyway Workshop.
Best for: Laidback dates that give you time to chat and collaborate.
Watch live comedy at Frog and Bucket
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Find out if you and your date have a similar sense of humour with a fix of live comedy. Frog and Bucket’s jam-packed programme makes this a cracking choice for mid-week dates in Manchester, but it’s even better on the weekend with their Barrel of Laughs shows on Fridays and Saturdays.
You can order burgers, loaded fries and pizzas to nibble while you enjoy the show, just don’t catch the eye of the comedian who will surely give you a big shout out in front of everyone as you stuff your face! If you really want to see what your partner is made of, try sitting them in the front row…
Where? Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, 102 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LJ.
Budget: From around £8 to £15 per ticket (depending on show and night).
Best for: Low-pressure first dates, shared laughs, and easy midweek date nights.
Try ice-free curling at Roxy’s
Credit: Roxy Leisure
With shuffleboard, beer pong and basketball, Roxy’s is the home of fun date ideas, but ice-free curling is by far our favourite – and a real ice breaker! Challenge your date to slide their stone as close as to the bullseye as possible, while knocking out their competition as they go.
You can take this game of winter shuffleboard up a level by inviting others on a double or triple date, and pair up with your partner to become curling champions. After, warm up with classic eats like American-style pizzas, hotdogs and chicken wings, including our favourite mac and cheese balls!
Where? Roxy Ball Room Manchester Deansgate, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2FN.
Budget: From £36 per lane per hour.
Best for: Playful competition and group dates.
Devour bottomless cheese fondue at The Mews
If you enjoy getting to know someone over dinner and drinks, the bottomless cheese fondue at The Mews is an absolute must. Tuck into a pot of melted Italian Fontina cheese with meats, bread and crackers and get to know your date in one of the bar’s cosy corners.
Alongside your fondue, you can quench your thirst with bottomless wine and pints of house pilsner for an hour and a half (there’s also the option to just get the cheese) and sit outside under the twinkling fairy lights or inside in a cosy candle-lit booth that’s sure to set the mood.
Where? The Mews Bar & Charcuterie, Unit K, L and M, Deansgate Mews, 253 Deansgate, M3 4EN.
Budget: The bottomless fondue experience is £37.50pp.
Best for: Cosy winter dates and staring into each other’s eyes over a pot of melting cheese.
Score a strike at Lane 7 Bowling
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A classic date night idea with a twist – book one of the neon graffiti lanes at Lane 7 and impress your partner by knocking down all your pins in one go. While you assess your partner’s bowling skills, sip from one of the alley’s signature slush cocktails or craft beers which you can drink at your lane.
If it’s still going well after the game, sit down for a bowling debrief while tucking into a tasty burger and sides. There’s also shuffleboard, ping pong and arcade games to play, as well as karaoke booths to see if your partner is lying about just how well they can hold a tune!
Where? Lane 7, Unit 3, 235 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN & 6 Stamford New Road, Altrincham, WA14 1RN.
Budget: Prices start from £12 per person for one game.
Best for: Laidback dates with a party vibe.
Listen to live jazz at Matt and Phreds
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Fall in love among the sultry sounds of jazz music at Matt and Phreds. With live music every night and many weeknight and early evening performances free to watch, this small and intimate jazz club makes a great date night for those who can’t stop watching La La Land.
There’s a real sense of timelessness to Matt and Phreds as couples young and old come together to get lost in the music. So perfect is this spot for date night, that they even do their own package for two on a Wednesday where you can get a bottle of house wine or two cocktails, a pizza and garlic bread for £30.
Where? Matt and Phreds, 64 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1LW.
Budget: Generally free during the week, with prices from around £7 to £10 on weekends.
Best for: Relaxed late night dates in an intimate setting.
Play social darts at Flight Club
Credit: Flight Club
Let Cupid’s aim hit the bullseye with a game of social darts at Flight Club. Head over to your oche, making sure to spot Matilda the fairground horse, and snap a photo for your player icons by posing in front of the cameras. These will also catch your best throws and film you throughout the game!
Choose from a range of great games – start easy by knocking down your tower block with Demolition, then take it up a notch with the competitive Donkey Derby. You can fuel your dart throwing by ordering food to your oche, including a plate of heaped cheesy nachos and tasty sourdough pizza.
Where? Flight Club, Ship Canal House, 98 King Street, Manchester, M2 4WU.
Budget: From £10pp off-peak (Sunday to Tuesday), or from £13pp standard (Wednesday to Saturday).
Best for: Interactive group dates and impressing your crush with your killer arrow skills.
Race around the obstacle courses at Total Ninja
If racing each other around two obstacle courses sounds like your idea of a fun date, this is the place to go in Manchester. Begin your session at Total Ninja by testing your strength on the first ninja course including a spider wall, cargo net and Tarzan swings. Next up, it’s the inflatable obstacle course!
Afterwards, head upstairs on your jelly legs for a slush puppy and fries in the cafe, wondering just how you got so out of breath. Since Total Ninja is great for adults and kids alike, you’re best off going later in the evening to avoid tripping over little feet!
Where? Total Ninja, Tenax Road, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester, M17 1JT.
Budget: Prices from £13 per person for a one-hour session.
Best for: Adrenaline seekers and active couples.
Play a game at Junkyard Golf
Impress your date with a hole in one at Junkyard Golf. But with thumping music, crazy decorations and boozy bars midway through, this isn’t your average game! Better still, these courses are only nine-holes long – great if you’re really not vibing with your golfing partner.
Choose from a variety of wacky themes including basement horror rave, 90s garage scrapyard and terrifying circus! If that isn’t enough to talk about, what about the Disco is Dead cocktail served in a glitter ball or the Creepy Clown cocktail made with strawberry Ribena?
Where? Junkyard Golf, 2 First Street, Manchester, M15 4RP.
Budget: It’s £9 for nine holes from Sunday to Thursday, £11 for nine holes on Friday and Saturday, or you can go all out with unlimited golf for £12.50 Sunday to Thursday or £16.50 on Friday and Saturday.
Best for: Fun-first dates – Manchester-List approved.
Check out what’s on at HOME
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A triple threat of dates ideas, you’ll find an independent cinema, theatre and art gallery at HOME – perfect for cinephiles, dramatists and arty couples. The events programme is always full to the brim here, so you can plan your trip in advance or head to HOME on a whim and let it surprise you.
Depending on what time your date is, you can tuck into a variety of delicious plates downstairs in the bar and cafe. This gives you the perfect chance to debrief on your showing with a slice of pizza, healthy lunch bowl or plate of crispy pastries.
Where? HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN.
Budget: Entry to the gallery is free, but films and events are ticketed.
Best for: Culture lovers and dates combining film, food and conversation.
Listen to live music at Whiskey Jar
Credit: Lydia Bradley
With sofas you can sink into and cosy corners to cuddle up in, this hidden gem of a bar is a great date spot in Manchester any time of the week. But the bar’s signature cocktails and house whiskies are best enjoyed with a live performance courtesy of their regular open mic sessions.
Get lost in the sounds of the acoustic guitar and watch the candles flicker alongside a handful of other couples who also have the same idea – that is when you’re not too busy taking advantage of the happy hour!
Where? Whiskey Jar, 14 Tariff Street, Manchester, M1 2FF.
Budget: Free entry.
Best for: Live music fans and cosy late night catch ups.
Get crafty at K Craft Studio
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Unleash your creative side by making Korean moru dolls at K Craft Studio. This is one of the most creative ideas for a day date in Manchester. It’s perfect for keen crafters and just as good if you’re looking for an alternative to the usual dinner and drinks.
In these classes, they’ll show you how to transform your pipe cleaner into a moru doll – including the different types of dolls you can make and the tiny clothes you can customise them with. You can then take your creation home with you, either as a tiny doll or as a keyring!
Where? K Craft Studio, Studio 6, Makers Quarter Kampus, 2/F, 28 Minshull Street, Manchester, M1 3EF.
Budget: From £25.
Best for: Cute daytime dates for crafty couples.
Hire out the screening room at King Street Townhouse
For a date night you won’t forget in a hurry, hire out the luxury screening room at King Street Townhouse – this is a great idea if you’re planning a special occasion, like an anniversary or your partner’s birthday.
Sit back in your blue velvet armchair, sip delicious cocktails and tuck into loaded fries, burgers, pizzas and pick ‘n’ mix sweets as your favourite film is brought to life on the state-of-the-art cinema screen and sound system. The only thing left to do is to decide what you want to watch!
Where? King Street Townhouse, 10 Booth Street, Manchester, M24AW.
Budget: Prices available on request, but you’ll need a big budget for this one.
Best for: Special occasion dates at one of Manchester’s most romantic hotels.
Mooch around the Maker’s Market
If spending your Sunday pottering around independent market stalls sounds like your idea of heaven, head to the Maker’s Market. Held in a different part of Manchester every week with alternating stalls, this daytime date idea can fit flexibly around other plans, like a pub lunch or a Sunday roast.
Alternatively, grab a bite to eat at the market and tuck into one of the many mouthwatering food stalls. Then spend the rest of your time checking out the other indie business owners selling one-of-a-kind prints, handmade designer jewellery and even hot sauces made locally!
Where? The Maker’s Market, in and around Greater Manchester.
Budget: Free.
Best for: Laidback daytime dates and lazy Sundays without a plan.
Play retro arcade games at NQ64
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This neon-splattered retro arcade bar is the perfect date spot for avid gamers and anyone who likes to get competitive. After buying tokens at the bar (and ordering one of NQ64’s game-themed cocktails in crazy colours), you can go head to head with your date on over 40 arcade games and machines.
This is the place to go to test your rhythm on Guitar Hero, prove how good you are behind the wheel on Mario Kart and see if you can still remember how to play pinball. Feeling peckish? Tuck into a pizza from Crazy Pedro’s upstairs with toppings that are equally as whacky.
Where? NQ64, 12 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1SH & 23 Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5QR.
Budget: Free to enter, and it’s £9.50 for 15 gaming tokens.
Best for: Challenging each other to beat your high score.
Cook up a storm at a cooking class
Impress your date with your culinary skills (or find out neither of you know how to properly chop!) with a cooking class at Food Sorcery. This fun date idea is perfect for foodie couples, especially as there’s an option to book a class where you cook the same meal as a pair.
Under the guidance of chefs who have trained all over the world, create a number of tasty courses then sit down to try your work – accompanied with a tipple from the fully stocked bar! Whether it’s Italian staples, Cambodian cuisine or Indian street food, there’s a class for every type of couple.
Where? Food Sorcery, Didsbury, M20 5WZ and Deansgate Square, M15 4YB & West Tower, 1 Owen Street, Manchester, M15 4YB.
Budget: Prices from around £160 for two people.
Best for: Foodies and couples looking to learn something together.
Create a rug at this Tufting Workshop
Credit: Alena Ruth Donely
Go home with more than just a great date story and create a rug at Alena’s unique tufting workshops. Under her expert guidance, choose your favourite colour yarns and map out your design, before grabbing your tufting gun and getting started.
Workshops vary in length depending on the size of rug you want to create and how many hours you want to spend doing it. You could opt for a 2.5-hour class or even do the workshop over multiple days – great if you don’t want the date to end!
Where? Tufting Workshops, Unit 4, Regent Trading Estate, Oldfield Road, Salford, M5 4DE.
Budget: From £260 for a half-day session for two.
Best for: Creative couples looking to make something meaningful together.
Check out the exhibitions at Manchester Museum
Credit: Manchester Museum
Take your date back in time to ancient Egypt, before introducing them to Stan, the gigantic Tyrannosaurus rex at the Manchester Museum. With almost 4.5 million objects from natural science and human cultures, this spot is perfect if you’re looking for a daytime date idea with a fun historical twist.
There’s also a number of new galleries shaped by research projects at the University, great if either of you are Manchester alumni! After getting your fill of fossils, head to the museum cafe for a slice of cake and a debrief on which collection was your favourite.
Where? Manchester Museum, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL.
Budget: Free entry.
Best for: Free daytime dates for curious minds.
Go for cocktails at The Daisy
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If you want to spend your date night drinking cocktails, head to The Daisy. You’ll find this underground haunt in the basement of brunch spot Evelyn’s and it’s a real hidden gem – small enough to feel intimate but absolutely oozing atmosphere.
Cocktails are what The Daisy does best, and you’ll definitely want to switch drinks to try a sip of your partner’s, too. Will you go for a classic Espresso Martini? Or something a little bit different like a Strawberries and Cream with single malt whisky, house lemon sherbet and strawberry vermouth?
Where? The Daisy, 44 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1NB.
Budget: Free entry.
Best for: Intimate cocktail dates and anyone who loves a hidden gem.
Go wine tasting at Salut
Spend your evening making your way through the impressive selection of vino at this independent wine bar. At Salut, you can do your own mini wine tasting. Just top up your drinks card at the bar, grab a glass and choose the size of your next tipple by pressing the button under the description card.
With tasting sizes as well as your typical 125ml, 175ml and 250ml measurements, this is a great date night idea if you’re looking to impress someone with your random wine knowledge or find a new wine for your shared weekly shop.
Where? Salut Wines, 11 Cooper Street, Manchester, M2 2FW.
Budget: A 175ml glass of wine costs anything from £8 upwards.
Best for: Wine lovers and anyone looking for a bar date with a difference.
