20 alternative Christmas nights out in Manchester

Christmas party meets après-ski mayhem. Choose from Alpine karaoke huts, party lodges and outdoor seating (under a heated canopy, don’t worry).

Sleigh and Sparkle packages make Christmas parties easier with gaming, booze and food all wrapped. A range of areas are available for private hire.

If you work for a big organisation with deep pockets, Bongo’s Bingo are available as callers-for-hire. Otherwise, get tickets for the big Christmas shindig. It’s legendary.

Physical challenges, mental workouts against the clock and a glass of fizz at the end. It’s a change from canapés and small talk.

Hi-tech shuffleboard for a happy Christmas. Electric Shuffle has options for small festive get-togethers and packages for 37+.

From exclusive hire to simple escape room packages with sweets and drinks, Escape Hunt doesn’t leave you cornered with the office bore, they lock you up with them. Only go with colleagues you get on with.

Flight Club offers big group parties for 37+ or smaller festive shindigs. It’s a chance to bond over a different type of board game. A double top night out.

Hold a private party at Food Sorcery Deansgate Square. You can enjoy a carefully-planned menu or you can cook dinner yourself. At least you don’t have to do the washing up though.

Freight Island knows how to party. Their Winter Island offering is a tried-and-tested Christmas night out with party hire a booming business throughout the festive season.

Looking for an inclusive celebration that doesn’t revolve around getting hammered? Immersive Gamebox Manchester has plenty to keep everyone entertained for a different sort of Christmas party experience.

From mad golf and drinks to the full festive party paraphernalia with festive food, buckets of Prosecco and some below par playing, Junkyard Golf have Christmas party packages down to a tee.

King Pins Manchester Arndale is casual Christmas party royalty with pizza, booze and bowling.

Bowling with bells on. Lane 7 Deansgate is a good office night out if you don’t fancy a formal do.

Charter a boat for a Christmas party with a difference. The Isabella is available for private hire. Hire a DJ or pick your own playlist. Go with catering recommendations or sort your own. Manchester River Cruises offer a flexible way to organise your festive party.

If you want to seem like a modern, forward-thinking company, you could always organise a virtual Christmas party. Don’t be a Scrooge, you do need an actual party but you could go for a VR experience package at MeetspaceVR Manchester.

Pizza, gaming, cocktails and a riotous good-time sensibility make Roxy Ball Room Manchester Deansgate a good choice for the annual Christmas bash.

Party cricket is a lot more fast-paced than the real thing. It’s a fun way to get competitive with friends and colleagues. Sixes Social Cricket has a range of fully-inclusive packages for every party.

Racing round the track is a bit more exciting than a festive three-course set menu. There’s a basic essentials party package or custom and premier options.

Hire Twenty Twenty Two for a ping pong party this Christmas. Drinks are good and there’s a cool NQ atmosphere because you don’t want your work Christmas party to feel like, well, work.

Urban Playground Manchester is one exciting interactive game after another. As Christmas parties go, it certainly beats telling the jokes in your cracker at a sit-down turkey dinner.