If you’re giving up the booze for the month – or longer – the city is filled with things you can do on your own, or with your mates, that won’t make you feel like you’re missing out.
Plus, that feeling of waking up on a weekend without a hint of a hangover is absolutely unmatched. When it comes to Dry January, Manchester is a veritable playground. There are loads of exciting sober activities to embrace, from illusions to interactive art. It’s almost too exciting, if anything.
Here’s our round-up of the best things Dry January in Manchester has to offer…
Archie’s Atomic
Remember when Archie’s were just a bright pink burger and shake spot? Us neither. Seems like quite some time ago. Their newest venture is a rollerskating rink and arcade out by the Trafford Centre, and it’s beautiful chaos. Think neon on every surface, party packages, a gaming arcade and – of course – exceptional scran. Plus they don’t serve booze at all. Probably a good thing, when you start putting wheels on people.
David Hockney at Factory International
‘Bigger & Closer (not smaller and further away)’, is a larger-than-life opportunity to get up-close and personal with the work of one of Britain’s greatest living artists. The exhibition was hugely popular at London’s Lightroom, and has now come to Manchester, bringing with it huge projections of newly created work, alongside new interpretations of David Hockney’s most iconic pieces from the past 60 years. It’s all set to music and a commentary by the man himself, and runs until 25 January. We can’t think of a dreamier way to spend an afternoon.
Try an ice bath sauna
Ice bath saunas are the craze that seems to be sweeping Manchester (if you count two new openings as a craze). FIX is located a stone’s throw from one of Manchester’s most stressful locations, Piccadilly Gardens. As well as offering saunas and ice baths which you can oscillate between at your own pace, dispelling all sorts of nasty toxins in the process. Kontrast, over in the Green Quarter, is similarly bringing all things very warm and very chilly, but their sessions are unguided, so you’re left to your own devices. Think of it as a turbo-charged way to clear away those New Year cobwebs.
The Museum of Illusions
Alter your mind without the use of alcohol at The Museum of Illusions. This family-friendly attraction on Market Street is a palace of interactive illusions that you can all be part of. From reversing gravity to entering the infinity room, there’s loads of great photo opportunities and laughs to be had along the way. Plus, you’ll spot a Manc landmark or two, but are all things as they seem?
Manchester Museum
If there was ever a time to check out the newly-refurbed Manchester Museum, it’s now. The iconic Oxford Road building has had a serious renovation, and houses exhibits spanning everything from archaeology to zoology. From natural history rooms which help with education about conservation, to – let’s face it – a very cool T-rex called Stan, there is simply something for everyone. With over six million exhibits, you’d hope so too.
Electric Shuffle
Memorable moments are abundant at Electric Shuffle, and they needn’t be booze fuelled. Get your mates together and play a high-energy version of shuffleboard, with competitive interactive games and live action replays. There’s loads on offer when it comes to no-and-low-alcohol drinks, as well as mocktails too. So shuffle on down to Deansgate for a sober night with an electric atmosphere.
HOME Cinema
January is awards season in the world of cinema, so why not spend your evenings checking out some of the notable winners and nominees at HOME Cinema, who showcase the best of independent and blockbuster releases. A great place to people-watch too, there’s a cafe bar where you can pick up pre-film refreshments. A great pub-free night out, in our opinion, and you’ll be able to hold your own with all the film buffs at work, too.
Barbara Walker at Whitworth Gallery
In her first major survey exhibition, Turner Prize-nominated artist Barbara Walker’s Being Here exhibition comes to one of our most stunning galleries, The Whitworth. Experience over 70 of her extraordinary artworks, including rarely seen paintings, her Turner Prize-nominated drawing series, and a newly commissioned printed wallpaper ‘Soft Power’. It’s free, and runs until 26 January. From delicate graphite drawings to a monumental wall piece, it’s a wide-ranging look at Black experiences in the UK.
Lane7
Newly opened in Altrincham, at the much-refurbed Stamford Square end of the high street, is Lane7, a neon-lit late night bowling and games space. It’s not just about the pins though, there’s also karaoke, pool, ping pong – quite literally something for everyone. And while there is a well-stocked bar, you’ll probably be so caught up in the action that you won’t think to visit it.
An Inspector Calls at The Lowry
If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to watch less Netflix, why not get yourself over the River Irwell and down to Salford’s cultural hub – The Lowry – for a literary classic this January. Running until 18 January is a National Theatre adaptation of JB Priestley’s classic thriller. It’s super-entertaining, and you can get 2025 off to a cultured start. Time to brush up on those GCSE English Literature talking points.
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