8 of the best things to do in Manchester when you’re single

With a world-renowned music scene and a history rich in culture and arts, Manchester has a lot to offer.

Perhaps you’ve been doing it solo in style for years and are looking for some exciting adventures to partake in alone, or to meet new people.

Alternatively, maybe you’ve recently experienced a divorce, and you’re waiting for your divorce solicitor based in Manchester to tie all the loose ends? In this case, you may require some self-care options to heal yourself post-divorce.

Either way, Manchester has something for everyone.

Once you’re ready to start living out your best single years in Manchester, check out our list below featuring eight of the best things to do as a single person in our favourite city…

Have a big night out at The Warehouse Project

Clubbing can be a great way to socialise, have fun and meet new people.

Whether you’re going out with friends or hoping to meet a potential love-interest, Manchester has a vibrant and lively nightlife with something for everyone. 

The Warehouse Project is a well-known club not only in Manchester, but across the globe.

The club has hosted a number of internationally acclaimed DJs and musicians, including Annie Mac, Aphex Twin, Basement Jaxx and The Prodigy.

Unlike other clubs, each year’s season runs from September through to New Year’s Day, as well as the occasional bank holiday weekends. This season correlates with the busiest time of the year for students going out and partying.

Interestingly, the club nights used to be hosted in an old Second World War air raid shelter underneath Manchester Piccadilly station. Now, it is located at Depot, Mayfield.

So, if you’re ready to get out and party, The Warehouse Project is the place for you.

Get an award-winning pizza at Mackie Mayor

Hosting some of the best independent food retailers in the city, Mackie Mayor is a popular food hall.

Located on the edge of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, the Grade II listed building offers an eclectic mix of different food businesses, including award-winning pizza from Honest Crust.

The Mackie Mayor is an excellent choice to grab some tasty food and catch up with friends – or plan a potential date.

Check out some art galleries

After a divorce or break-up, you may need some recreational activities to embrace in order to make sense of what’s happened.

Art can actually be used as a therapy after divorce in order to help a person to come to terms with everything. After all, not only is it a freeing medium, you may also find that representations of divorce in art can help you feel less alone. 

Manchester is well-known for its rich artistic history and hosts a number of impressive art galleries.

Both the Whitworth art gallery and the Manchester Art Gallery feature a variety of classic and contemporary pieces, and would be a great location if you’re planning on taking a romantic date.

One to keep in the diary for this is the British Art Show 9 which showcases contemporary art in the UK. Both the Whitworth and Manchester Art Gallery will be hosting the forthcoming show from 27th May to 4th September 2022.

Go to the First Dates restaurant

The hit channel 4 series, First Dates, relocated from London to Manchester, and is now filmed at The Anthologist on St Peter’s Square.

The Anthologist offers a range of mains, including burgers and salads, as well as bar bites and sharing boards. They also have their own eclectic cocktail menu.

Its central location is very convenient and easy to get to, with various upscale bars and restaurants surrounding it.

The restaurant’s rustic-chic interior and soft lighting makes the place feel very relaxed and would be a great setting to hang out with some friends or bring a potential date.

Or, if you actually want the help of Fred Sirieix and his team playing cupid, applications are now open!

Plan a day out in the Northern Quarter

Packed with independent clothing shops, and offbeat bars and cafes, this bohemian hot spot is the perfect location to plan a romantic date.

Affleck’s Palace, a former department store, is a must-visit when venturing into the Northern Quarter.

It has an abundance of independent stalls selling anything and everything from handmade jewellery to vintage clothing.

Take a stroll through Fletcher Moss Park

Experts say that a bit of exercise – even as simple as a stroll – can help you to beat the blues after a divorce or break-up.

Manchester offers plenty in this department.

Renowned for its botanical beauty and amazing wildlife habitat, Fletcher Moss Park is the perfect spot to soak up some picturesque scenery.

The park is located in Didsbury, just a 20-minute drive from central Manchester.

With its whole 90 acres of land, the park has much to offer including its rose pergola gardens and wildlife meadows.

It’s also home to a number of recreational facilities including tennis courts, rugby and football pitches, as well as a family-run café.

So, whether you’re newly single and in need of a soul-cleansing stroll through a scenic park, or you are planning a romantic date, Fletcher Moss Park is the place for you.

Immerse yourself in literature

Libraries may not seem the go-to place to have fun as a singleton, but when you’re newly divorced, you may find solace in the arms of a good book.

Reading can also offer a great source of comfort and escapism for those who have recently gone through a break-up. Reading about something similar that you’ve recently gone through can make you feel less alone in the process.

One library to definitely explore is the John Rylands Library in Manchester.

The building itself is an architectural masterpiece with its neo-gothic features, so feels more like a castle than a library.

Complete with exhibitions and Medieval manuscripts, it is certainly worth the visit.

Have a self-care day at the Bali Health Lounge

Spa days have long been one of the best ways to indulge and rejuvenate your mind and body. So why not treat yourself to a self-care date by visiting one with friends or by yourself?

Here in Manchester, Bali Health Lounge offers a wide range of different spa treatments, including massages, body treatments, facials and waxing.

They take pride in their holistic approach to delivering spa treatments to help reduce any stress and tensions and to improve your mood and confidence.

Ready to have your single fun in Manchester?

Going through a divorce or break-up isn’t going to be easy. That said, taking care of yourself and making time to do some fun activities can provide some escapism.

Who knows, you may even meet your new match along the way.

We hope, after reading this list, you have found some inspiration of fun single things to do in Manchester.

Whilst this list offers some ideas, it is not exhaustive, so get out there, go with your gut and make your own happiness.