New Year’s Eve in Manchester and the North

Creative Tourist

New Year’s Eve, the year’s biggest night out, is nearly upon us.

Now, clearing out your bank account to stand in a 100-strong queue for a franchised nightclub might be your thing, but if you’re reading this, we’re guessing it’s not.

You’re more likely looking for alternative guide to the North’s best parties. And you’re in the right place. From warehouse raves to funk and soul events, games nights to fine dining experiences, here are our recommendations for a memorable (or not so memorable, depending on your prosecco consumption) midnight.

Our top picks

Ducie Street Warehouse

Ducie Street Warehouse, Ground Floor, Warehouse, Ducie St,, Manchester, M1 2TP - Visit now

Ducie Street Warehouse’s ‘One Night at Ducie’ on New Year’s Eve pays homage to Manchester’s vibrant creative scene featuring performances and DJ sets from some of Manchester’s finest emerging talent.

The multifaceted venue will also host an all-day roast on 31st December where you can sample the best-rated UK roast and dine out on Ducie Street’s dedicated cauliflower cheese menu.

Need hair of the dog? On New Year’s Day, Ducie Street hosts an all day brunch so you can start your year with the emphasis firmly on party.

Ducie Street Warehouse

Sexy Fish Manchester

Sexy Fish Manchester, 1 The Avenue, Deansgate, Manchester , M3 3AP - Visit now

Manchester’s all-new Sexy Fish is bidding farewell to 2023 in grand style with Sirens Of The Midnight Sea, a night of exquisite cuisine, fine Champagne and handcrafted cocktails, soundtracked by DJs and “surreal performers”.

As you’d expect from a fine dining restaurant, the full shebang costs a pretty penny, with tickets priced at £195 per person. These tickets include an indulgent Fishmas menu with a glass of Champagne for guests seated from 8pm onwards. But for those who just want to soak in the atmosphere in the bar area, standing tickets are available at £50 per person.

Sexy Fish Manchester

The Refuge

The Refuge, Oxford Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M60 7HA - Visit now

Slip on those dancing shoes, shimmy into those sequins and join The Refuge for a disco-centric New Year’s Eve with a whole host of familiar faces and fantastic folk.

“Think Studio 54, but make it Mancunia!” says the venue as they host a takeover by Manchester music institutions, Sticky Heat and Supernature Disco, plus all the fabulousness and vibes provided by charismatic drag troupe The Family Gorgeous.

Let’s Dance tickets are available from £30, and include a glass of fizz for everyone who arrives before 9pm. Scale up the celebrations with Dine and dance tickets for £95, including an 80s dinner party-style feast to share, and table service for drinks all night.

Ian Jones

20 Stories

20 Stories, No. 1 Spinningfields, 1 Hardman Square, Manchester, M3 3EB - Visit now

Bring in the New Year ‘Somewhere High Above Manchester’ as Spinningfields’ 20 Stories serves up an extravagant celebration for the 31 December.

An earlybird celebration kicks off with a first sitting at 5.30pm, with a bespoke three-course New Year’s Eve menu priced at £120. There’s a second sitting at 8pm that expands to five courses for £160.

If you’re after drinks and nibbles only, £75 will get you a drinks ticket including a glass of fizz and canapés, soundtracked by live music until 2am.

Three Little Words

Three Little Words, 12-13 Watson St, Manchester, M3 4LP - Visit now

Adjoining The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, Three Little Words is one of our favourite spots in the city for cocktails, particularly gin-based cocktails. Why not celebrate New Year’s Eve by working your way through their fantastic menu (in between obligatory glugs of fizz) while DJs spin funk, disco and house until 2am.

Standard entry tickets are only £15, and come with a gin serve or glass of fizz on arrival. There are also booths available for parties up to 6, plus a bar snacks and nibbles menu to soak up the heady mix of cocktails you’ll be unable to resist guzzling, as 2024 gets off to a rather blurry start.

Three Little Words

Ducie Street Warehouse

Ducie Street Warehouse, Ground Floor, Warehouse, Ducie St,, Manchester, M1 2TP - Visit now

“Say goodbye to the old and hello to the bold” at Ducie Street Warehouse’s New Year’s Eve party. It sees all the musicians, DJs and performers who have entertained audiences at the venue this year, get together for One Night At Ducie Street. Expect back-to-back beats, dishes that’ll make your tastebuds dance and a cheeky beverage with your name on it.

Ducie Street Warehouse

Freight Island

Freight Island, Mayfield Depot, 11 Baring St, Manchester, M1 2PY - Visit now

Freight Island, Manchester’s cultural hub of food, drink and entertainment, is running a free-to-attend New Year’s Eve celebration, headlined by international DJ Jamie 3:26 alongside some of Manchester’s Mix-Stress and Sharples b2b Joe Roche. Neighbouring the venue, The Twilight Trail at Mayfield Park is set to present its last session on New Year’s Eve with additional entertainment including a spectacular 12-minute fireworks display.

Freight Island

The Invisible Wind Factory

The Invisible Wind Factory, Carlton Street, Liverpool, Merseyside - Visit now

The creative team at Liverpool’s Invisible Wind Factory have joined forces with three of the city’s best promotors (Keep It Cryptic, Social Hours and Sisu) to curate an eclectic and diverse line-up for the launch of their latest event concept, Megalopolis.

Invisible Wind Factory
Photos by Keith Ainsworth for Getintothis.
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