Boom Battle Bar Manchester Printworks

You walk into what feels like an adult playground disguised as a bar. The Printworks location buzzes with the sound of axes hitting targets, ping pong balls bouncing off tables, and groups celebrating questionable karaoke performances. It's competitive socialising at its most shameless – and somehow, it absolutely works. The cocktails are surprisingly decent for somewhere that also lets you hurl sharp objects at wooden boards. Staff keep the energy high without being overbearing, and the mix of activities means you're never stuck doing one thing all night. Whether you're on a date trying to impress with your axe-throwing skills (spoiler: you probably won't) or celebrating a birthday with augmented reality darts, it delivers exactly what it promises: ridiculous fun with a proper drink in hand.