Alternative nights out in Wirral & Chester
With thriving cultural scenes and imaginative entrepreneurs determined to offer something new, Chester and Wirral are making their mark when it comes to alternative evenings out. From salsa to bingo, there’s so much to do after-hours in the region. So, grab your diary, set up a ‘new nights out’ WhatsApp group, and take your pick from these slightly different social experiences.
Make your escape with Clue HQ
If you’ve ever dreamed of being on The Crystal Maze, then Clue HQ was literally made for you. With teams of up to six being challenged to work together and find a way to escape one of the specially equipped rooms in 60 minutes, the whole experience is designed to offer an entirely different way of spending time with friends and family. Gather your gang together and head to the Market Street venue, 11 minutes walk from Birkenhead Central Station.
Get your groove on at salsa Classes
If shows like The Greatest Dancer and Strictly Come Dancing make you want to move your hips, then the salsa classes at Port Sunlight could be the start of a whole new passion. Based in The Lever Club on Greendale Road, just a minute away from Port Sunlight Station, the weekly classes take place every Thursday from 7.30-11pm, with all ages welcome. It’s a good laugh, a chance to unwind, and a great way of keeping fit too. Just don’t forget your spray tan and sparkles!
Embrace the Eighties with bowling and Laser Quest
Remember the Eighties, when the huge venues offering ten-pin bowling and Laser Quest started to make their way onto our newly developed retail parks? If just the mention of bowling brings back memories of shell suits, baggy jeans and maybe even a teenage romance or two, then you’ll definitely enjoy this step back in time in New Brighton. Riverside Bowl offers the full bowling and Laser Quest experience, complete with American diner, and it’s just a three-minute walk away from New Brighton Station – which means you can leave the car at home too.
Join the Club at The Wro
If you’d prefer a more refined evening out, then the cultural offerings at The Wro in West Kirby will make you go weak at the knees. Pontificate on the aroma of wine at the Wine Club, take in a Spanish movie at the Spanish Film Club, or discuss the themes of chosen novels at the Readers Club. There’s also a Supper Club, French Club and Film Club too, so whatever your interest, there’s likely to be a group for you. And as it’s located just yards away from West Kirby Station, indulging at the Wine Club shouldn’t be an issue!
Have a giggle at Wirral Comedy Club
If the gloomy combination of bad weather and gloomy news is getting you down, then why not escape into an environment where laughter is pretty much guaranteed? The Wirral Comedy Club by Funhouse at the Gladstone Theatre is only a 15-minute walk away from Bebington Station, and offers a fun night in a relaxed atmosphere. Funhouse Comedy Clubs operate across the country, with acts such as Sarah Millican, Russell Kane, Jack Whitehall and Rhod Gilbert all having played them before hitting the big time. So book your tickets, take a seat, and prepare to see the next John Bishop emerge before your very eyes.
See the Next Big Thing at Alexander’s Live, Chester
There are plenty of open mic nights in the Merseyside region, but Alexander’s, which lies within Rufus Court off Northgate Street and is a short walk from Chester Station, is one of the best in terms of the quality of acts it attracts. Far from being a glorified karaoke night, this music hotspot is an important showcase for up-and-coming singers, and some super-talented acts await inside its walls. A trendy, intimate venue with a laid-back vibe, you can dine on tapas as you and your pals sit in judgement, Simon Cowell-style, on the performers eagerly awaiting your response.
Soak up the culture at Chester Storyhouse
If your idea of a good night out is observing rather than participating, then Chester’s Storyhouse, a 20-minute stroll from Chester Station, will be just the ticket. This fabulous cultural centre, officially opened by the Queen and the Duchess of Sussex last year, has a fantastic programme of events which over the next few months includes a discussion with feminist whistle-blower Rose McGowan, the much-loved musical Joseph and The Technicolour Dreamcoat, and a series of open-air performances at Grosvenor Park. What’s not to love!
