We all make those zany resolutions on New Year’s Eve – giving up chocolate, going for a jog every day or even going cold turkey with alcohol – only to get a swift knock to reality once the bells ring at midnight.
However, it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom, staying at home while your friends go out and party.
A report conducted by KAM Insight revealed that a staggering 77% of adults less reliant on alcohol for a good time at competitive leisure spots.
Greater Manchester offers a wealth of exciting activities while keeping the alcohol firmly on the shelf. Here are 8 hot spots across Greater Manchester – for something fun to do with friends, family or even solo.
Electric Shuffle
There are many pubs across the Greater Manchester that welcome booze-free patrons – including the Electric Shuffle – a retro cocktail and social gaming bar where you and up to 16 friends can play a game of shuffleboard.
Located in Deansgate, players can enjoy listening to Electric Shuffle’s retro music while sliding pucks down a wooden board and aiming to get the highest score.
The best bit? High-tech cameras track where each puck lands and tallies up points as well as capturing the “best bits” of the game.
Players can also choose from their low and no alcohol menu, with the opportunity to make both alcoholic and alcohol-free cocktails.
Sixes Cricket Club
Beat the January blues by batting with friends in a competitive game of cricket.
Located at the Corn Exchange, The Sixes Cricket Club offers couples and groups the chance to boast cricket skills in a vibrant atmosphere.
In groups of up to 155 people, customers can experience cricket simulations and professional nets while enjoying a menu of cricket-themed snacks and drinks.
Sports fans can also enjoy a private karaoke to celebrate their cricket wins – or losses!
Manchester River Cruises
The Manchester River Cruises offer locals and tourists breathtaking views of Manchester’s modern skylines and fantastic blend of vibrant clubs and heritage sites.
The cruises also offer insight into the local history of Greater Manchester, with local tour guides excitedly imparting knowledge of their hometown.
For those looking for a boogie, the river cruises host themed nights – with upcoming tributes for Tinna Turner, Abba, Diana Ross and Adele.
Enthusiasts can also relax while listening to soul music as they drive along Manchester’s Waterways.
Salford Museum & Art Gallery
History fans can explore the rich heritage of Greater Manchester by visiting one of the many museums dotted around the county.
Be prepared to time travel when setting foot in the Salford Museum & Art Gallery.
Located in Peel Park, the museum offers an array of beautiful artwork, Victorian architecture and a fantastic Victorian street you can walk along.
The best part? It’s completely free and welcomes people of all ages to enjoy what is arguably a point of pride for Salford.
Friends of Fletcher Moss Park & Parsonage Gardens
Situated in Didsbury, South Manchester, the Fletcher Moss Gardens offers visitors a peaceful walk through an array of diverse botanics.
First opened to the public in 1915, the park and gardens were transformed into Friends of Fletcher Moss Park & Parsonage Gardens in 2006.
Open all-year-round, visitors can enjoy the vibrant gardens, a picnic in the park or get a glimpse into the incredible architecture used in popular TV shows such as Coronation Street and Cold Feet.
Entry is free and visitors can also duck into a nearby cafe for a warm beverage and a bite to eat.
Hinterland Alcohol-Free Bar and Cafe
For those looking to simulate the atmosphere of a pub without the alcohol, you can visit the Hinterland Alcohol-Free Bar and Cafe in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Punters can enjoy a bubbly space with a full programme of live music, spoken word and informative workshops.
The pub also boasts of having having an inclusive menu with the options of vegan meals, alcohol-free cocktails, speciality teas – all from a pop-up kitchen.
HOME
Locals can go from home to Home where they can experience a delight of the senses in this combined arts centre-cinema-theatre complex.
Visitors can kick their feet up while watching a movie with friends or family, attend one of their two theatres or enjoy speculating artwork in the gallery.
Budding artists can also submit artwork to Home’s upcoming Manchester Open.
Ibibio Sound Machine
Music lovers can enjoy an eclectic mix of music at the Band on the Wall on 17 January 2026.
Performed by the Ibidio Sound Machine and led by Nigerian artist Eno Williams, fans can stomp their feet to a mixture of West African beats and a cross-cultural blend of the Ibibio language.
The music will also weave in sounds of electronic, disco and modern post-punk. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or through the Band on the Wall website.
Music lovers can also attend further shows from rock to reggae and enjoy in snacks at the cafe.
John Rylands Library
Reminiscent of Hogwarts, the John Rylands Library is a great stop for those looking to enrich their learning.
Open in 1900, the neo-gothic building is located in Deansgate, Manchester, and is home to a collection of rare books, manuscripts, and hundreds of databases.
Free to access, this castellate library also boasts of dramatic lighting, arched ceilings and carved corridors.
This library is guaranteed to make any book or history lover get enveloped in its breathtaking architecture.
Featured image credit Paige Green/ Red Engine
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