13 Best Date Ideas in Manchester for Couples in 2024
What are some of the best date ideas in Manchester? Choices range from cooking classes, art lessons and fine dining to nature watching, museums and in-line skating. All are terrific options for first date ideas, double date ideas, weekend excursions, anniversaries and other romantic occasions.
Whether you’re in the mood for candlelight and romance or adventurous and active date ideas like ax-throwing and rock climbing, we’ve collected a list of date ideas in Manchester to get you started. Call your sweetie and start making plans!
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- Fun Date Ideas in Manchester for Couples
- Unique Date Ideas in Manchester
- Romantic Date Ideas in Manchester
- Free & Cheap Date Ideas in Manchester
Fun Date Ideas in Manchester for Couples
1. Cooking Classes
Cooking classes in Manchester are an excellent way to spend a fun date night. They allow couples to connect, laugh and find shared interests while learning to bake bread, make homemade pasta, braise lamb chops, roll sushi or sauté fragrant sauces. You’ll join gourmet chefs for these fun and interactive date night experiences.
2. Bowling
Double dates call for fun and competitive activities, and bowling is the perfect choice. Show off your talents, laugh at your mistakes and share each other’s victories. Whether you bowl as a couple or a double, bowling is a wonderful way to spend time together.
3. Freight Island
Are you searching for lively first date ideas in Manchester? Music, food and entertainment are a great blend of options for date nights.
Located near Mayfield Park and Depot Mayfield, Freight Island is surrounded by historic buildings and architecture that create a unique setting for the first or the 50th date.
Enjoy craft beer and a variety of food vendors while listening to live music, playing BINGO and participating in other social activities. Food options range from pizza and burgers to curry, desserts and South American street food.
4. Comedy Club
Couples who laugh together will want to head to a comedy club like the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, The Comedy Store, Chorlton Comedy Club or Didsbury Comedy Club.
Listen to and laugh with national, international and up-and-coming stand-up comedians, as well as amateur nights where you just might find a new favorite.
Unique Date Ideas in Manchester
5. Rock Climbing
Let’s explore some adventurous and unique date ideas in Manchester. Meeting up at Manchester Climbing Centre, Depot Climbing or Summit Up Climbing is a terrific date night idea whether you’re an experienced climber or just getting started.
Encourage, assist and lend a hand while you learn about safety gear, tie knots and conquer obstacles.
6. Outdoor Escape Room
If you and your sweetie are the adventurous types, and you’re looking for outdoor date ideas in Manchester, an outdoor escape room is right up your alley.
Manchester Exploration Games is set up like a traditional escape room, but it’s done outside. You and your significant other will explore the area and work together while searching for clues and solving riddles. You’ll discover historic sites, pubs, cafés and urban art along the way.
7. Mixology Class
Couples who enjoy creating mixed drinks can boost their bartending skills with mixology classes. Learn to make gin at Four Sisters Gin Making, discover the art of Japanese whiskey at Peter Street Kitchen or prepare fizzing, foaming and smoking concoctions at The Alchemist.
Even if you just choose to do a tasting, this is a super fun and unique experience for date nights.
8. Interactive Games
Are you searching for date ideas for teens or alphabet date ideas? Interactive games have the letter I covered. Put on motion sensor headsets to complete challenges and show off your skills at Immersive Gamebox.
Game themes include Squid Game, Tetris 1991, Angry Birds or Ghostbusters: The Cursed Collection. You’ll duck, dodge, jump and otherwise navigate your way through the virtual worlds. DNA VR Manchester also offers a variety of games that provide wonderful date ideas for teens, couples and groups.
Romantic Date Ideas in Manchester
9. Foodie Fun
What are some of the most romantic date ideas in Manchester? You can’t beat candlelight, soft music and linen tablecloths for a taste of romance.
Whether it’s high-end dining or a casual lunch, sharing a meal is a fantastic way to connect, get to know each other or share your day without the stress of fixing dinner and cleaning up dishes.
Share tapas at La Bandera, sink your teeth into slices at Crazy Pedro’s Pizza Parlor, enjoy creative cocktails and Asian cuisine at Tattu or celebrate a special occasion at the Michelin-starred Mana.
10. Afternoon Tea
Spend a leisurely time sipping tea, coffee or bottomless mimosas while enjoying sweet treats, scones, sandwiches, chocolate truffles and unique selections such as sushi and deli ham sandwiches.
A few Manchester locations that offer afternoon tea include Cocoa Cabana Chocolatiers, Annie’s, Cherry Jam, Vienna Coffee House, Sunset by Australasia or The Library at the Edwardian Manchester Hotel.
Free & Cheap Date Ideas in Manchester
11. Museums
Is Manchester good for couples on a budget? The answer is a hearty yes! There are plenty of free places to spend time together, including museums such as the Science and Industry Museum, the Gallery of Costume, Heaton Hall and the Manchester Museum.
The Manchester Art Gallery is a wonderful option for date ideas in Manchester’s city centre. Wandering around museums is a way to discover each other’s interests whether it be art, science, architecture or fashion design.
12. Street Art Tour
One of the best cheap date ideas in Manchester is a walking tour of the bold and colorful streets that are found around the city.
Check out murals depicting bees, birds, David Bowie and more at Stevenson Square, The Wall on Stevenson Street, Thomas Street and Newton Street. Stroll along the canal, hold hands and snap selfies while discovering these creative installations and historic sites.
13. Day at the Park
For outdoor date ideas in Manchester, head to a local park. Platt Fields Park or Whitworth Park offer fishing ponds, colorful gardens, walking and biking trails, statues, historic markers and picnic areas.
Some locations have dog parks, which is always a fun way to connect. Piccadilly Gardens is a wonderful choice for date ideas in Manchester’s city centre. It features landscaped gardens, fountains, statues and historic buildings near a variety of shopping and dining options.
The next time you wonder “Where can I go on a date in Manchester,” consider some of these activities. Any of them make fantastic anniversary date ideas, winter date ideas or first date ideas in Manchester.
According to University Health, date nights boost emotional connections with each other, reduce stress by having fun and allow you to share thoughts and feelings. Plus, they’re just plain fun!
For even more fun date ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
