The Big Guide to Your MANCHESTER Stag Weekend

A premier party city, you simply cannot go wrong with a Manchester stag weekend.

It's undergone big redevelopments in recent years and is one of the most up-and-coming stag cities in the country.

If you've never partied in Manchester, have a scroll through our beefy guide below for the key things you need to know.

We discuss where to stay, when to go, where to party and so much more.

Contents

Is Manchester Right for Your Group?

Big nights out, a wide range of activities, friendly locals - unless you want a quiet weekend in the countryside or you hate having fun, a Manchester is a surefire winner.

Even if you want a relaxing, booze-free weekend, Manchester has plenty for you to sink your stag-sized teeth into.

The Wrestling School (based slightly out of Manchester) is a popular choice. Ben, one of our stag legends, said: "It was a fantastic weekend, and the wrestling was something that most had never taken part in.

"We all had fun and Manchester was a fantastic night out!"

The Places in Manchester You Need to Know About

Deansgate

Deansgate is the main party street and the perfect spot for that big stag night out. As well as the main Deansgate Road, there are side streets shooting off with other bars and places to eat. Have a look down Quay Street, Jackson Row, Liverpool Road and more.

Deansgate Locks

At the bottom of Deansgate Road, you'll find the bouncing Deansgate Locks. These are six arches that have been converted into a range of bars and clubs - one of which is occupied by a Popworld if you're looking a bit of a retro throwback.

Castlefield

Next to Deansgate is the area of Castlefield. Castlefield incorporates Liverpool Street and a large area to the north and south of Bridgewater Canal. Here you'll find some cracking pub gardens, plus some traditional boozers and bars.

Printworks

Printworks is an entertainment complex on the west side of the Northern Quarter. It's home to many chain bars - we're talking Bierkeller, Wetherspoons, Walkabout and more.

Northern Quarter

Northern Quarter is situated just under a mile away from Deansgate but is a great place to head for some beers if you're on this side of the city. From craft beer bars to cocktail joints, it's a great area for a refined pint.

Ancoats

Not a party region, but the area of Ancoats - just north of the Northern Quarter - is a great place for a calm daytime beer.

Oxford Road

South of the city, in and around the University of Manchester, you'll find Oxford Road. This a popular student area with a great pint-to-pound ratio.

Top 8 Manchester Pubs, Bars & Clubs

The Best Time to Go

There's no bad time to head to Manchester for a stag do.

You're not having to rely on the weather. You're not having to wait for party season. You're not having to wait for anything.

Manchester pops off all year round.

In 2023, from February until the end of September, we had a completely even spread of groups going here. Usually, we get a spike in one or two months, but Manchester is simply great all the time.

How Long Do People Go For?

70% of the guys partying with StagWeb last year went there for 2 nights (3 days).

2 nights is definitely enough to give you ample time to take on activities, prank the groom, and enjoy a couple of nights out.

We wouldn't recommend any more, but we also wouldn't recommend any less (unless you live locally).

How Soon Do People Book?

For those heading to Manchester in 2023, the average group booked 4 months in advance - which is bang on the average for all destinations according to our end-of-year stats.

What does that mean for you?

Well, hopefully you're reading this with enough time to spare, but we'd advise booking at least four months ahead of time to ensure you get the best accommodation options and activity timeslots available.

Leave it too late?

Well, you'll end up trying to convince the guys the awful hostel you booked 'has character' and the line dancing masterclass 'will be a right laugh'.

Where to Stay in Manchester

Well, yes, you could stay miles out of town and spend loads of your hard-earned money on taxis to get you into the city centre...

Or you could book up one of StagWeb's top stag-friendly Manchester apartments or hotels and save yourself a whole load of time and effort.

But it's up to you!

All of our accommodation options have maps and distances on, so you can see how far they are from the centre.

Easy.

What to Do in Manchester

We have over 50+ Manchester stag do ideas for you to pit your wits against.

We'd recommend adding at least two or three to your weekend to keep the party spirits high and any boredom at bay.

Also, what's a stag do without a bit of healthy competition?!

Set prizes for the winner and remember... losers buy the beers!

Things to See in Manchester

National Football Museum

A great way to spend a couple of hours for footy fans.

Stadium Tours

You may struggle to book tickets for a game, but a stadium tour is a good shout if neither side is playing at home.

Warehouse Project

Manchester's rave hub. Have a look at what's going on before you head up.

Chinatown

A great place for a little food tour!

How to Get to Manchester...

Car - Depending on where you're driving from, it can be cheaper for a few of you to jump in a car and spilt a tank of petrol.

• London to Manchester - 200 miles - 4.5-5 hours approx. drive time
• Cardiff to Manchester - 190 miles - 4.5-5 hours approx. drive time
• Birmingham to Manchester - 100 miles - 2-2.5 hours approx. drive time
• Newcastle to Manchester - 170 miles - 3-3.5 hours approx. drive time
• Edinburgh to Manchester - 220 miles - 4.5-5 hours approx. drive time

Check in advance to see if your accommodation has parking. If not, visit Parkopedia for the nearest parking spots.

Train - The train can be a quicker way of getting to Manchester, but be sure to factor in potential changes and costs.

Splitting a tank of petrol can be a lot cheaper.

However, if you're heading from London, you could potentially get there in half the time it would take to drive.

• London to Manchester - 2-3 hours approx.
• Cardiff to Manchester - 3.5-4 hours approx.
• Birmingham to Manchester - 1.5-2 hours approx.
• Newcastle to Manchester - 2-3 hours approx.
• Edinburgh to Manchester - 3.5-4 hours approx.

Visit Trainline to book your train tickets.

Plane - If you're fancy enough to be flying into Manchester for the stag, the airport is only 10 miles south of the city.

There are plenty of transport options from Manchester Airport that will get you to the city within half an hour.

Tips On Getting Around Manchester

Walking - The city centre is easy to walk about on foot. However, if you need to travel a bit further afield, be sure to check out the range of options below.

Free Bus - Yep, you read that right - Manchester operates a free bus service in the city centre. Covering two zones, you can get from Manchester Piccadilly in the east to Deansgate Station in the west to Manchester Victoria in the north, all without spending a penny.

Buses - As well as free buses, Manchester has an extensive paid bus network. It's a simple and budget-friendly option for stags who need to bounce about the city.

Tram - As well as the buses, Manchester has a handy tram network. Covering four zones, it's a quick and simple way to travel.

Common Manchester FAQs

Is Manchester good for a stag do?

Manchester is a great city for a stag do. It has loads of adventures to take on during the day, loads of bars and clubs for that big night out, and it's a really friendly city. What more could you ask for? From Bubble Football to Go Karting, Axe Throwing and more, you won't be short of options.

What part of Manchester is best for nightlife?

Whilst there are plenty of places for stags to party in Manchester, Deansgate and Deansgate Locks are definitely the places to head.

From bouncing bars to massive clubs and loads of places to grab a kebab or a proper bite to eat, you're spoilt for choice here.

What's the best way to get around Manchester?

The centre of Manchester is easily walkable.

If you need to go further, get on Google Maps and see whether you can walk or if you want to hop in a cab.

There are also a load of trams, buses and trains, too, so you won't be stranded anywhere on your trip.