Alcotraz Manchester: Cell Block Three-Four
Smuggle liquor, don the jumpsuit, and sip bespoke cocktails in a live prison breakout drama—Alcotraz Manchester delivers immersive thrills and mixology magic behind bars.
Step into a thrilling prison break fantasy at Alcotraz Manchester, an immersive cocktail bar where you don an orange jumpsuit, smuggle in your own liquor, and watch inmate mixologists craft personalized cocktails behind real metal bars. This theatrical experience unfolds in a gritty cell block setting inspired by Hollywood prison dramas, blending sharp-witted actors, dramatic storylines, and inventive drinks for an unforgettable 105-minute escape. Perfect for groups seeking interactive nightlife with a rebellious twist in the heart of Manchester.
A brief summary to Alcotraz Manchester: Cell Block Three-Four
- 1A Watson St, Manchester, M3 4EE, GB
- +442031090488
- Visit website
- Duration: 1.75 to 2 hours
- Mid ranged
-
Indoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Tuesday 7:05 pm-8:50 pm
- Wednesday 7:05 pm-8:50 pm
- Thursday 7:05 pm-11:15 pm
- Friday 3:30 pm-11:15 pm
- Saturday 12 pm-11:15 pm
- Sunday 2:15 pm-8:50 pm
Local tips
- Choose your smuggled liquor wisely—vodka, gin, rum, or tequila work best for the mixologists' creative cocktails.
- Opt for 'Associate' or 'Boss' tickets for extra perks like priority entry or additional drink features.
- Dress casually; you'll change into an orange jumpsuit upon entry, so layers help for comfort.
- Book well in advance—sessions sell out fast, especially weekends.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Drink Options
Alcotraz Manchester: Cell Block Three-Four location weather suitability
-
Any Weather
Discover more about Alcotraz Manchester: Cell Block Three-Four
Entering the Cell Block
Upon arrival at 1A Watson Street, you're stripped of your street clothes and issued a bright orange jumpsuit, marking your transformation into a convict. The entrance leads into a dimly lit corridor mimicking a high-security prison, complete with clanging metal doors and flickering lights that set an immediate tone of tension and mischief. This ritual immersion pulls you straight into the narrative, where every detail—from the cold steel bars to the echoing footsteps—amplifies the sense of confinement and conspiracy.Smuggling and the Warden's Watch
The core thrill begins with the smuggling mission: you must sneak your chosen liquor past the stern Warden, a character brought to life by charismatic performers with booming voices and piercing glares. Success means your bottle is handed off to the 'inmates'—skilled mixologists working covertly behind bars—who use it as the base for four bespoke cocktails tailored to your preferences. Failure adds to the drama, with improvised taunts and plot twists that keep the energy electric.Cocktail Alchemy Behind Bars
Each drink emerges as a work of art, combining your smuggled spirit with house liqueurs, fresh bitters, homemade syrups, and creative garnishes. Expect classics reimagined—like aviation-style libations with violet notes or frozen hybrids echoing piña coladas—served through the bars in a clandestine exchange. The mixologists whisper recipes amid the chaos, explaining flavors like ginger beer mules or herbaceous infusions, turning every sip into a sensory reward for your illicit efforts.Theatrical Inmates and Interactive Drama
A rotating cast of inmates and guards enacts a unfolding storyline filled with banter, betrayals, and belly laughs. These actors engage directly, riffing on your group's dynamics with sharp improv that feels personal and unpredictable. The cell block buzzes with overlapping dialogues, sudden lockdowns, and moments of rebellion, creating a live theater piece where you're not just watching—you're part of the breakout plot.Atmosphere of Gritty Glamour
The venue's industrial space pulses with low lighting, thumping soundtracks, and thematic props like contraband stashes and wanted posters, evoking films such as Shawshank Redemption or Orange Is the New Black. It's intimate yet chaotic, with small group cells fostering camaraderie amid the spectacle. The experience peaks in a crescendo of toasts and escapes, leaving you buzzed from both cocktails and adrenaline.Legacy of Immersive Escapism
As Alcotraz's third UK outpost, this Manchester iteration refines the concept with local flair, drawing on the city's vibrant nightlife heritage. Running sessions from early afternoon to late evening, it caters to varied schedules while maintaining the high-stakes prison vibe. The blend of mixology mastery and performance art cements its status as a bold nightlife staple, where ordinary evenings morph into legendary tales of contraband and cocktails.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Free Trade Hall
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Peterloo Massacre Monument
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Albert Memorial
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St. Peter's Square
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Connaught Building
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Castlefield historical zone
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Hotspur House
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Unmissable attractions to see
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Albert Hall, Manchester
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Manchester Central Library
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Abraham Lincoln Statue
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The Bridgewater Hall
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Beetham Tower
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Opera House Manchester
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Upper Campfield Market Hall
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Manchester Albert Square
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Rochdale Canal Lake
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John Rylands Research Institute and Library
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Essential places to dine
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Italiana Fifty Five Great Northern
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Dimitri's - Tapas Meze Bar & Restaurant
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Podium
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Don Giovanni - Italian Restaurant Manchester
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Science and Industry Museum Shop
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T.La Art & Craft Gallery
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Pulse
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Deansgate Square General Store
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Fun-filled
- Lively
- Entertaining
- Quirky
- Unique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Retro Vibes
- Industrial Designs
For the architecture buff
- Modern
- Industrial
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- LGBT Friendly
- Adults Only
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
