Where to find entertainment in Manchester for less than twenty quid

Manchester is a bustling city that’s packed with different things to see and do, but if you’re on a tight budget then you might assume that there aren’t many options available.

To dispel the myth that finding entertainment in Manchester is expensive, here are a few places to go if you want to have fun without spending much dough.

Play mini golf

Costing under £8 per person from Sunday to Thursday, or £9.50 on Fridays and Saturdays, the arrival of Junkyard Golf in Manchester has provided a compelling alternative entertainment option for locals who don’t want to burn through their bank balance.

For your fee you’ll get a round of golf on one of three different courses, and if you’re really enjoying yourself you could even tag on another course to keep the evening going. If you decide to splash out on the cocktails and craft beers sold here, you’ll quickly push north of your £20 budget, but since this is entirely optional it’s still a great idea for frugal fun-seekers.

Hit the casino

If you are on a limited budget, heading to a casino might not seem like a good idea. But Manchester 235 is still worth a visit even if you only have £20 in your pocket.

Whether you decide to spend your time playing slot machines, or head to the table games like roulette, blackjack and poker, your money could go quite a long way. Players often get free drinks and snacks thrown in to help them stick around, which is where you can really start making every penny you spend count.

If you are intimidated by the idea of taking a trip to a land-based casino, you could instead try out Casumo online casino at home? It offers the same range of games, and you can play for hours without exceeding your £20 budget.

Head to a museum

If you’re looking learn something as well as entertain yourself for an afternoon, you can schedule a trip to one of the many museums in Manchester which are free to the public.

The Museum of Science and Industry on Liverpool Road lets you take a look back at the various breakthroughs which have helped to forge modern Manchester over the past few centuries, from the railroads to research into atomic energy.

The Imperial War Museum North at the Quays is also worth a look, with its huge array of military exhibits and regularly updated attractions that focus on conflicts past and present. And of course you won’t even have to break into your £20 to get in, instead using it to grab a coffee or splurge at the gift shop.

See some comedy

Manchester’s comedy scene is thriving and you can see the latest up and coming acts as well as established headliners at various venues, often for much less than £20 a ticket.

The Frog & Bucket is one of the most affordable venues in the city, with tickets starting at under £10. There’s also the Comedy Store, which is a little more expensive during peak periods but can be an eminently affordable midweek option for entertainment.

Catch some live music

You could pay a pretty penny to see big-name acts playing at any one of Manchester’s larger venues, but why bother when there are lots of cheap or even free alternatives to provide your aural entertainment fix?

If classical music is your thing, the Royal Northern College of Music plays host to regular recitals which typically take place on weekdays and have no cover charge to worry about. If jazz floats your boat, there are free gigs at Matt & Phreds on Tib Street on weeknights, along with great drinks offers to whet your whistle.