The best places to celebrate Halloween in Manchester

For a slightly more low-key Halloween celebration, pop into Cocoa Cabana to sample its range of seasonal treats. With two locations in Ancoats and Didsbury, this is the go-to spot for chocolate lovers everywhere. Known for its delicious selection of handmade sweet treats, as well as its transformation into a stylish cocktail bar come evening, this quirky cafe is perfect for a laid back celebration with friends or family. When spooky season rolls around, the chocolatier always goes big on themed confectionery – you can gorge on the likes of gooey eyeballs, plump pumpkins, and skull-shaped treats. As well as indulging yourself in spooky bakes, Cocoa Cabana’s tasty treats would make a wonderful gift for any Halloween fan.

As a holiday known for its theatrics, where better to celebrate Halloween than Wonderland itself? From its home on Sackville Street, Richmond Tea Rooms offers one of the most unique dining experiences in the city centre. Inspired by the weird and wonderful novels of Lewis Carroll, the venue promises a trip down the rabbit hole with its extravagant decor and delightful menu of sandwiches, cakes and other sweet treats. And that’s just a normal day. Spooky season is when it gets even better, with a special Halloween edition of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Promising superstar drag queens, party games and other live entertainment, don’t be late for this very important date at Richmond Tea Rooms this Halloween.

Just off the hustle and bustle of Oxford Road, Brickhouse Social serves up a social atmosphere and plenty of local beers on rotation, perfect for soaking up the Halloween nightlife. Housing everything from a live music lounge to a pool hall, the three-storey venue has the perfect set-up for a spooky extravaganza. Last year, Brickhouse Social kicked off the Halloween weekend with an epic Taylor Swift takeover as well as its very special Haunted Greenhouse, complete with Halloween cocktails, costumes and singalongs. With a reputation for its delicious pizzas and unmissable entertainment, we’re feeling confident that this popular social hangout spot will top those festivities this year.

Motley is a character-filled space in the centre of Deansgate, known for its laid back atmosphere, good-for-the-soul dishes and fantastic selection of beers and cocktails. You can enjoy delicious food and drink all year round, from morning till late, but Halloween is when the fun really begins. Expected to be going all out with its Halloween cocktails once again this year, you could be sipping on something ghoulishly good this spooky season. Not only that, but Motley’s popular brunch sessions are known to come back with a devilish twist. So whether you plan to have a quiet Halloween brunching or to go all out with the drinks, grab your pals, your costumes and get ready to celebrate Halloween in style at Motley.

Halloween is the time to play pretend, so what better place to celebrate than at this speakeasy cocktail bar hidden in the centre of Manchester. Disguised as what looks like a laundrette, this secret bar serves up nothing but unique cocktails, stylish interiors and a whole lot of fun. Feel like a kid again in its secret slide room, or have a dance in the famous disco bathroom whilst sipping on its new menu of top secret cocktails. Enclosed in classified case files, each cocktail has a story of its own, giving you an experience like no other. Not only that, but this year, The Washhouse is developing exclusive Halloween cocktails once again, so you can enjoy a spooky season like no other.

Sat in the heart of Deansgate, Dimitri’s is a Mancunian Greek restaurant that specialises in tapas, and is one of the most popular eateries in the area. As an independent, family-run restaurant for over 30 years, it really knows how to party, making it the perfect place to celebrate Halloween with family and friends. For the adults, Dimitri’s serves wonderful Greek burgers, such as the halloumi burger, and plenty of food that comes fresh off the grill. What’s more, the party meze menu provides you a Mediterranean banquet, at only £30 per person. Dimitri’s has entertainment for all the family and even has an arcade to keep the kids busy. This warm and welcoming establishment provides great food and late night music for an unforgettable Halloween.

Featuring five independently owned kitchens, Society is a vibrant hub of street food, craft beer, wine and cocktails, the perfect hang out spot for you and your pals this Halloween. Welcoming guests from 12pm every day, you can start your Halloween celebrations early with towering burgers or pan Asian specialties alongside an array of cocktails to get you in the spooky spirit. Perfect for socialising with pals and visitors alike, Society transforms from daytime lunching to a bustling evening destination. Not only that, but Society is renowned for its packed programme of live entertainment. From resident and guest DJs to specially curated playlists that will no doubt get you on the dance floor, it’s the hot spot for an unmissable Halloween party.

This late night party bar is a neighbourhood favourite, nestled amongst the bustling streets of the Northern Quarter. Split over two floors with two bars, Lost Cat is a vibrant spot for social gatherings and special occasions, making it the perfect Halloween party venue. Known for its quirky style and out-of-the-box branding, Lost Cat has just the cocktails you’re looking for this spooky season. With names like the ‘Skanky Vamp’, the ‘Baby Demon’, and the ‘Potential Slayer’ it’s like these cocktails were made for Halloween! Not only that, after last year’s Rocky Horror Singalong and fancy dress competition, there’s bound to be something spooktacular lurking in the shadows for you this year too.

In amongst the buzz of Deansgate is the Peaky Blinders Bar, possibly one of the best places to celebrate Halloween this year. This trendy gastropub and bar has an authentic 1920s twist, offering up the perfect opportunity to dress up to the nines this spooky season. Featuring bartenders who look like they have just stepped off the set of the series, Peaky Blinders themed drinks packages and a tasty menu full of British classics, immerse yourself in the charm of this intriguing era. Offering live entertainment every weekend, with DJs and musicians from across the city, this themed venue is cooking up some exciting plans, making it the perfect place to party the night away this Halloween.

You just can’t go wrong with TGI Fridays. The ultimate spot for some classic all-American grub and, of course, the cocktails Halloween wouldn’t be complete without. Perfect for celebrating with all the family, TGI Fridays has a menu packed with devilicious burgers, ribs, fajitas and sweet treats, along with some seriously spooky cocktails to get your taste buds tingling this Halloween. Each year TGI Fridays crafts up some exclusive drinks just for spooky season. From cocktails served in skull shaped glasses and spooky seasonal snacks, to going all out with the Halloween decor, it’s an ideal family friendly venue to celebrate Halloween with the kids.