Gameface
BEST FOR
Ages 8+
ENTRY
from £12.95
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Manchester
What it’s like
Ten fast-paced social games mixing physical challenges and quick thinking, built for teams of mates rather than little kids.
This one's for the older crowd, minimum age 8 and honestly it suits teenagers and adults more than younger kids. Ten different games test speed, coordination, memory and teamwork, plus a shuffleboard table and a photobooth to capture the damage afterwards. Nobody's watching over your shoulder at each game either, so it's on your group to police the rules and keep things fair.
A session is 90 minutes total but only 60 of that is actual gameplay, the other 30 is check-in, a briefing and getting a drink in. They want you there 15 minutes early too, which feels like a lot of admin before you've thrown a single ball. Turn up late and you risk losing playtime or the whole slot getting cancelled, so build in some slack getting to the Printworks.
Prices start at £12.95 for under-18s and climb to £30 for the adult social ticket, which is a proper night-out price rather than a soft-play one. It's card only, no cash, and there's no cloakroom or lockers, just a small spot at each game for your bag and coat. Food-wise it's a bar with drinks rather than a kitchen, but you're surrounded by food options inside Printworks if anyone gets hungry.
Getting there is easy without a car: trams stop a few minutes' walk away at Shudehill or Exchange Square, and Manchester Victoria train station isn't far either. If you are driving, there's parking at Shudehill, Arndale and the Printworks itself. Some evening sessions are 18+ only, so if you've got a group of teenagers check you're booking the right slot.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 8 and up, really suits teens and adult groups
- Booking
- Advance booking recommended especially evenings/weekends
- Parking
- Nearby parking at Shudehill, Arndale & Printworks
- Food
- Bar with drinks available. No food menu but surrounded by food spots in Printworks
- Wheelchairs
- Most areas and games are accessible
- Getting there by bus or train
- Tram: Shudehill Interchange/Exchange Square (3-4 min walk), Train: Manchester Victoria (7-10 min walk), Bus: Shudehill Interchange
- Worth knowing
- Students 15% off with code STUDENT15
- No cloakroom or lockers, just a small spot for belongings at each game
- Games aren't individually supervised, so it's on your group to keep things fair
- Students get 15% off with a code and key workers get 10% off
- Arrive late and your playtime can be cut short or the session cancelled
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£12.95 for under-18s on the standard ticket, £19.95 for adults, with combo and social tickets going up to £25 and £30.
Do we need to book?
Booking's recommended, especially evenings and weekends. Walk-ins are sometimes possible when it's quiet but you're taking a chance.
What age is it suitable for?
Minimum age is 8, and some evening sessions are 18+ only so check which slot you're booking if you've got teenagers with you.
How long do we get?
90 minutes total, but only 60 minutes of that is actual gameplay. The rest is check-in and a briefing, and they want you there 15 minutes before your start time.
Is there food?
There's a bar for drinks but no food menu on site. Printworks has plenty of food spots around it if you want to eat before or after.
Can we pay with cash?
No, it's card only across the venue.
What if someone in our group can't make it?
No refunds for no-shows, but the rest of the group can still play as booked.
Can we add someone to our booking last minute?
You can add one extra person on arrival with no advance notice, as long as it doesn't push a game over its maximum group size.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Most areas and games work fine, though a few games have physical limitations for wheelchair users. Worth contacting them ahead about specific needs.
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