A mixologist pouring liquid from a cocktail shaker into a glass at a speakeasy-style bar, a great quirky date venue in Manchester.
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8 Cool Date Ideas in Manchester

8 Brilliantly Cool Date Ideas in Manchester

If you’re looking for quirky date ideas, Manchester has it all; from hidden cocktail bars to immersive experiences, sky gardens, and even a cheese crawl (yes, really). Whether you’re local or just visiting for the weekend, Manchester is the greatest city in the world in our eyes, and the perfect place for a date to remember. As proud locals ourselves, here’s our pick of the best cool date ideas Manchester has to offer.

1. Play Retro Video Games at NQ64

If you’re a couple who thrives on healthy competition, head to NQ64 on Peter Street for an evening of retro video and arcade games. Go head-to-head on the Sega Mega Drive, classic PlayStation or Nintendo 64 as you play the likes of Mario Kart, Space Invaders, Tetris or Mortal Kombat. There are even games-themed cocktails on offer – Kong Island Iced Tea, anyone?

A hand holding a Super Nintendo gaming controller at a retro video games arcade - one of the cool date ideas Manchester has to offer.
A wheel of cheese with a wedge cut out of it, from a cheese-tasting experience, one of the unusual date ideas Manchester couples can enjoy.

2. The Manchester Cheese Crawl

Forget the classic pub crawl – these days, it’s all about the Cheese Crawl. When it comes to quirky date ideas, Manchester offers the cheesiest of them all. The Manchester Cheese Crawl is essentially a walking tour of cheese shops and restaurants in the city centre, with plenty of delicious samples to try along the way. Most couples have “Their Song” – it’s time to find “Your Cheese”.

3. Travel Back in Time to a 1920s Speakeasy

Drinks are a classic choice for a date, whether it’s your first meeting or you’ve been together for years. But if you’re looking for unique date ideas in Manchester, shake things up a little beyond your usual local and visit a 1920s-style speakeasy in the city’s bustling Northern Quarter. At The Fitzgerald, it’s a case of IYKYK – if you didn’t know it was there, you’d easily walk past its unsuspecting entrance. Inside, you’ll find atmospheric live music and a gorgeous cocktail menu.

A mixologist pouring liquid from a cocktail shaker into a glass at a speakeasy-style bar, a great quirky date venue in Manchester.
A three-tiered cake stand on a restaurant table. The top tier holds 2 china pots, the middle layer holds a selection of scones, and the bottom layer holds a selection of patisserie. Manchester has multiple themed afternoon teas that make a great date idea.

4. Venture Down the Rabbit Hole For Afternoon Tea

If you’re looking for Manchester day date ideas, you can’t go wrong with a fancy afternoon tea. Swap the tea for a glass of Champagne or prosecco if you’re celebrating a special occasion, or even planning to propose. Richmond Tea Rooms on Sackville Street serves up one of the city’s best afternoon teas in its wonderfully quirky tearoom, inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Tuck into delicious sandwiches, pastries and cakes before exploring the rest of the city – you could even round off your day with one of the other activities from our list of unusual date ideas. Manchester has many afternoon tea spots, but this is hands down one of the best.

5. Explore a Garden in the Sky

The viaducts of Castlefield are one of old industrial Manchester’s most iconic features. But did you know that one of these bridges is now home to a National Trust ‘garden in the sky’? A walk along Castlefield Viaduct to admire its carefully cultivated flowers and plants against the Manchester skyline is one of the city’s most romantic, unusual date ideas. Manchester looks glorious from above, and this is a great way to admire the city’s heritage before spending the rest of the day exploring MCR further.

The Castlefield locks and viaduct in Manchester, home to a National Trust garden that's a lovely, unique date idea.
A red neon sign displaying the word 'Cocktails' on a dark background at a secret cocktail bar, one of many cool date ideas in Manchester.

6. Enjoy Cocktails in a Laundrette

One of the best quirky date ideas in Manchester involves you stepping through a washing machine (yes, you did read that correctly) to enter a secret cocktail bar, known as The Washhouse. Located in the city’s Shudehill area, The Washhouse appears to be a run-of-the-mill laundrette from the outside, but venture inside and you’ll find a hidden bar serving up a tempting cocktail menu. Book a slot for a date night to remember with maximum surprise factor.

7. Visit Britain’s Oldest Public Library

For the history buffs out there looking for unique date ideas, Manchester is home to Britain’s oldest public library. Dating back over 350 years, and housed in a 1421 building, Chetham’s Library is home to thousands of beautiful tomes and offers regular tours – the perfect date activity for book lovers. Just over the road from Manchester Victoria train station, this historic venue houses treasures including Karl Marx’s desk and dozens of rare books – perhaps it’ll house a chapter of your love story too.

Rows of bookshelves in an old public library. Manchester is home to Britain's oldest, and visiting can be a romantic, unusual date idea.
A black and grey maze graphic with a maze-patterned block in front of it. The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience is one of the top cool date ideas in Manchester.

8. Conquer The Crystal Maze

For seriously cool date ideas, Manchester has no shortage of activity bars and escape rooms, but one of the ultimate highlights has to be The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience. Ever spent a lazy Sunday afternoon watching re-runs snuggled on the sofa together? It’s time to take it out of the living room and into the Crystal Dome. In this 75-minute immersive, interactive experience, test your relationship as you work together to crack puzzles, collect crystals, and conquer the maze.

Explore More of Manchester

If you’re spending a few days in Manchester, don’t just stick to the city centre. Hop on the Metrolink to the quays and buzz of MediaCityUK, head to Heaton Park for a picnic, or visit the foodie hotspot that is Altrincham Market. Hill & Hill The Jewellers is located just around the corner from the market, so pop in to browse our unique, on-trend jewellery collection and take your relationship to the next level. We can’t wait to be a part of your story.

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