23 wonderful Manchester venues well worth considering for your Christmas party
- By I Love MCR
- Published 21 September 2018
- Updated 4 years ago
Cover your ears, we’re about to talk Christmas. Yes, we know it’s only September and you probably don’t want to start stressing about it yet. But for anyone who has to organise a Christmas party, the early bird catches the worm, as the old saying goes.
We’ve chosen a diverse selection of venues, all of which are taking Christmas bookings now. So whether you’re looking for an intimate dinner, a large company affair, or something in between, keep reading because we’ve got you covered.
Mercure Hotel
From intimate party lunches, mid-week festive celebrations, full-on glitz and glamour party nights, or even an after party in January, this hotel has it all. If you’re partying on a budget, the off-peak party nights are the perfect choice for smaller groups looking for a mid-week celebration. You’ll still be treated to all the glitter and glamour of the larger parties, but you might have to put up with an accompanying mid-week hangover.
Fairfield Social Club
Best known as the home of iconic street food fair Grub, when Fairfield Social Club isn’t hosting live music, comedy, or beer festivals it’s available for private party hire. The standard package includes a fully-staffed bar, event manager, a full PA and a standard array of furniture. Food doesn’t come as standard, however, but if this is something you’re keen to incorporate there’s no extra charge. What’s more, their relationship with many of Manchester’s fab food traders and chefs means you can choose from an array of high-quality suppliers.
Asha’s
Named after Bollywood legend Asha Bhosle, arguably the most important figure to grace Indian pop music ever, Asha’s is a top-notch choice for anyone looking for something a little different this Christmas. Serving up fine Indian food with a twist, upstairs the restaurant is kitted out with plush booths to match the luxurious and innovative menus. Downstairs, Asha’s Bollibar (available with complimentary hire) is perfect for a relaxed evening with of drinks and canapes, accommodating up to 120 people. So whether you’re looking for an informal evening of drinks and nibbles, or an alternative-yet-flavoursome sit-down dinner, you’ll be well looked after.
Albert Square Chop House
From fine wine to sumptuous traditional menus, not to mention incredibly close proximity to the Manchester Christmas markets in Albert Square, the Albert Square Chop House has plenty to offer for your Christmas celebrations. Executive chef Lee Ferguson has been busy creating a gorgeous Christmas menu that not even Santa could refuse. One of our top 50 restaurants in Manchester, if you love a bit of traditional grub this one should be right up your street.
Menagerie
Popular with Manchester’s glitterati, Salford hotspot Menagerie is a glitzy choice if you’re looking to throw a party with plenty of glamour. With plenty of Instagram-worthy selfie spots dotted around, including a bath filled with multicoloured balls and plenty of party drinks on their cocktail menu to get your night off to a strong start, head to Menagerie for a night to remember.
Great John Street Hotel
This year converted Castlefield school house Great John Street is hosting a series of shared Christmas parties. Head there dressed to impress, complete with a mask, for an elegant evening in the bewitching Oyster Bar. Get there for a welcome drink at 7pm before sitting down for a three-course Christmas dinner. Keep the mask on and let your hair down on the dance floor with live sax, bongos & DJ.
Manchester Art Gallery
Looking to go all-out this year? Manchester Art Gallery is one of the city’s most unique spaces with a multitude of rooms which are available for larger parties. With a dedicated events organiser on hand to help you plan every last detail to a T, you’re in safe hands here.
Alston Bar & Beef
If you love beef and gin, you can’t go wrong at Alston Bar & Beef. Their Tweed Valley beef comes from accredited farms in the Scottish Borders renowned for producing quality beef that’s full of flavour & tenderness. Selected from the top 1% of the Scottish suckler herd, beef are guaranteed to leave here happy. There is also a private function room if you are after a more secluded dining experience.
The Living Room
Long-standing Deansgate cocktail institute The Living Room is chic, stylish and offers a relaxed experience for diners and drinkers alike. With a range of gorgeous private dining spaces available as well as a variety of drinks that come served on trees, all the ingredients are there for your perfect party. What’s more, every guest for two- or three-course dining receives a complimentary glass of prosecco.
King Street Townhouse
The beautiful and intimate wine cellar at King Street Townhouse hosts up to 14 people for a sumptuous 5-course tasting dinner paired with matching wine flight. To make it a thoroughly special experience, you can have your evening hosted by expert sommelier George Bergier, chairman of the Guild of Sommeliers and Consul of the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne.
The Refinery
Last Christmas the Refinery was a magical place to be with Christmas igloos on its Spinningfields terrace, so they’ll probably have something fabulous up their sleeves this year. Now taking bookings for everything from champagne breakfasts full of sparkle to Christmas lunches, drinks and even 4-course sit-down dinners (including a new vegan Christmas menu), you can’t go wrong here with something on offer for everyone.
Chaophraya
Fine dining Thai favourite Chaophraya is always popular at Christmas for anyone looking for something a bit different from a traditional turkey dinner. There’s something for everyone, with a range of set menus on offer. Choose to dine in one of their private dining areas or in the main restaurant or, if you fancy switching it up even more, you can take part in one of their hands-on cooking or cocktail making experiences.
Sam’s Chop House
Head to Sam’s Chop House for a drink with the infamous statue of L.S.Lowry before sitting down to enjoy seriously hearty British grub with your group. Take a table in the glorious wood-panelled restaurant or, for larger groups, section off the raised bar area for your own private shindig.
Atlas Bar
Situated under the railway arches of Deansgate, Atlas Bar has been a popular Manchester haunt for two decades now and was once a favourite of Tony Wilson aka Mr Manchester himself. With the biggest gin collection in the city centre and a cosy, sheltered roof terrace, Atlas Bar is a popular choice for a festive knees-up. They offer gin masterclasses in the bar and have a mobile gin bar for out-of-venue events too.
Chetham’s
If you’re looking for somewhere a tad gothic with a big slice of Manchester history, Chetham’s is a grand choice. There is a range of contemporary and medieval spaces on offer for private hire, with some parts of the music school nearly 600 years old. With gothic windows and 17th-century doors, this iconic Manchester location provides a dreamy backdrop for your Christmas party.
Samsi
With fine Japanese cuisine on offer, multiple accolades from national food critics and a separate private dining area with traditional sunken seating, Samsi has a certain, undeniable allure. An out-of-the-box Christmas choice for sure, if you fancy mixing it up this year we’d highly recommend giving it a go.
Bunny Jackson’s
Not your typical choice for a Christmas do, particularly if you’re after a sit-down meal -although the dirty American diner-style menu is completely delicious – Bunny Jackson’s juke joint and dive bar is certainly the spot to get your party on. With free hot dogs, cracking live music and a general up-for-anything atmosphere, if you’re looking for a fun and boozy night out you can’t go wrong at Bunny’s.
O2 Victoria Warehouse
Originally the Liverpool Warehousing Company, Victoria Warehouse was renovated in 2009 to become a premier event and hospitality venue. One of the only surviving warehouses of its kind, containing a multitude of unique rooms of different sizes, Victoria Warehouse has a unique industrial aesthetic and is a truly special events space. Located near Old Trafford just 15 minutes from town, the venue comes complete with its own in-house events and catering team. Its largest events space can accommodate up to 3,500 guests.
Don Giovanni
Back to normal after suffering a kitchen fire this summer, Manchester’s oldest Italian restaurant is a stalwart on the city’s dining scene and has been a firm favourite for Christmas parties for many years. With a range of set menus on offer, mixing traditional Italian classics with favourites served with an Italian twist), not to mention a large private function room accommodating up to 50 for a seated dinner, the long-standing Italian offers party-planners a sleek and sophisticated setting with tasty cuisine to boot. The restaurant are also offering rewards of up to £50 vouchers to party planners who book early.
Food Sorcery
If you fancy taking the office Christmas party somewhere a little different this year, why not book you and your gang into the Food Sorcery cookery and barista school in Didsbury. Guided by their trained professional chef, you will enjoy nibbles and drinks from their well-stocked bar on arrival before rolling up your sleeves and getting stuck into cooking your own Christmas party meal – finishing with sitting down together to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Perfect for anyone who loves to cook but doesn’t like doing the washing-up. Unless you insist, of course.
The Green
Outside match days, sports bar The Green is a laid-back party venue. The specialized booths are transformed into indoor golf arenas, giving golf lovers the chance to play at Pebble Beach, St Andrews and over 50 other world-class PGA courses. They also have karaoke, Xbox, pool, fussball, and a new multi-sports booths that allow guests to do free kicks or penalty shots, try your hand as an American football quarterback, pitch a baseball, try a slap shot at hockey and much more. Use code ILOVEMANCHESTER to book before the end of September for 20% off or 10% off in October.
Teppanyaki Chinatown
The original Teppanyaki in the north west since 1987, this authentic Japanese restaurant is well worth seeking out. Once you get there simply sit back, relax and enjoy some top-drawer dining as you watch Teppanyaki Chinatown’s talented chefs demonstrate their craft right before your eyes. Book in early with a deposit and enjoy a complimentary bottle of prosecco to kick off your celebrations.
Cibo
Don Giovanni’s cute little sister, Cibo (pronounced chee-bo) takes its inspiration from the Neapolitan region of Italy. Serving up a variety of Italian classics, the restaurant has a spacious downstairs area with its own private bar, perfect for larger groups after their own space.
Wood
For unintimidating, high-end dining you won’t forget, head to Simon Wood’s First Street restaurant for your Christmas do. Incorporating fresh and seasonal produce into every dish, Wood is one of our top foodie picks. With private dining on the mezzanine seating up to 20 guests, enjoy an exclusive and memorable experience starting with a welcome drink in your private gallery before moving through to the dining room.
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