The best live music bars and small gig venues in Manchester

Deaf Institute

Three floors of pure vibes, including a rooftop terrace, a lively bar, and a 260-capacity music hall upstairs, make this a one-stop shop for a great night out. It first opened in 1878 as a place to help the hearing impaired, but today it helps music lovers find their groove. The grand upstairs hall has welcomed everyone from Emeli Sandé to Jarvis Cocker.
135 Grosvenor St, M1 7HE

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Castle Hotel

A pub with serious pedigree. It’s been pulling pints since 1776 and hosting artists since long before the Northern Quarter was cool. The intimate back room holds just 80 people, meaning you’re never far from the music. Joy Division’s Ian Curtis once did an interview here—how’s that for indie cred?
66 Oldham Street, M4 1LE

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The Peer Hat

Hidden down a side street behind an unmarked ginnel, The Peer Hat feels like a secret society for music lovers. The bar upstairs is chill, but it’s the basement where the magic happens—think sweaty walls, DIY spirit and gigs nearly every night of the week.
14-16 Faraday St, M1 1BE

Star and Garter

A stone’s throw from Piccadilly Station, this iconic venue has hosted everything from Smiths-themed discos (immortalised in a Courteeners song) to gritty indie sets. It’s got cult status and cinematic history, having popped up in It’s A Sin and Brassic.
18-20 Fairfield St, M1 2QF

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YES

Four floors of fun and two top-notch gig spaces, The Pink Room and the Basement, make YES a serious spot for new music discovery. Pizza in the bar, DJs on the roof, and gigs curated by tastemakers Now Wave. If someone’s about to blow up, you’ll probably see them here first.
38 Charles St, M1 7DB

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Lions Den

Tucked into the Great Northern complex, this upstairs venue is a laid-back gem with a new stage and a buzzing calendar of gigs, comedy, and more. Catch a show and then hang out on the outdoor terrace with cracking views over Deansgate.
253 Deansgate Mews, M3 4EN

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Soup Kitchen

By day it’s a canteen-style hangout; by night, one of the Northern Quarter’s most revered venues. With a 200-capacity basement, it delivers raw energy and genre-spanning line-ups: from DIY punks to electronic innovators.
31-33 Spear St, M1 1DF

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Eagle Inn

Off-the-beaten-track in Salford, this restored Victorian pub hides a tiny but atmospheric venue. Expect quirky interiors—like a fireplace halfway up the wall—and a music schedule that champions punk, garage rock, experimental sounds, and more.
19 Collier St, Salford M3 7DW

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AATMA

You’ll need sharp eyes to spot this place. Tucked down an alley, up a flight of stairs, and through an unmarked door. AATMA thrives on its underground status, offering everything from art-rock to electro-noise in a no-frills, full-hearted space.
1st Floor, 14-16 Faraday St, M1 1BE

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The White Hotel

A raw, surreal experience awaits in this former auto garage behind Strangeways Prison. No photos allowed. No frills. Just otherworldly visuals, industrial interiors, and boundary-pushing music from the city’s experimental underbelly.
Dickinson St, Salford M3 7LW

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Gullivers

Another Oldham Street favourite, Gullivers pairs a classic pub with a versatile upstairs space perfect for midweek gigs and weekend all-dayers. Cheap tickets, punk attitude and a killer selection of touring and local acts.
109 Oldham St, M4 1LW

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Islington Mill

More community than club, Islington Mill blurs the line between artist, audience and venue. This artist-led space in Salford is a breeding ground for avant-garde creativity, hosting live gigs, exhibitions, residencies and more.
James St, Salford M3 5HW

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The Bread Shed

Sitting behind the Flour & Flagon pub, The Bread Shed is a flexible venue hosting everything from battle rap and burlesque to indie gigs and comedy nights. A true all-rounder on the gig circuit.
126 Grosvenor St, M1 7HL

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The Night & Day Cafe

A Northern Quarter institution that’s helped launch the careers of Elbow, Arctic Monkeys and more. The programming is eclectic, and the vibe is always electric. One of the city’s most cherished live venues.
26 Oldham St, M1 1JN

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Big Hands

A legendary dive bar by the university, complete with rooftop garden and a jukebox heavy on post-punk. It’s got gig space inside and one of the city’s best pre-or-post-show atmospheres.
296 Oxford Rd, M13 9NS

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The Fitzgerald

A treasure tucked away in the Northern Quarter, The Fitzgerald oozes old-school glamour. With dimly lit interiors, vintage décor, and 1920s glassware, this cocktail bar channels the mystique of a prohibition-era speakeasy. Behind its discreet entrance lies a Great Gatsby-style hideout that’s won Best Cocktail Bar at the Design My Night Awards. Wednesdays feature an open mic night filled with jazz and blues, while weekends are all about live music and top-tier cocktails.

11 Stevenson Square, Manchester M1 1DB

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Stage & Radio

One of Manchester’s most storied venues, Stage & Radio spans two floors with a jazz-inspired bar upstairs and a powerful sound system below in the basement club. Dating back to 1946 as the legendary Club 43, the venue has welcomed icons like Ronnie Scott and even helped launch Coldplay’s career. After its rebirth in 2016, it continues to offer live music and late-night vibes in a venue steeped in musical history.

43 Port Street, Manchester M1 2EQ

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Matt & Phred’s

Matt & Phred’s is a Northern Quarter institution for jazz, funk, and everything in between. With live music six nights a week, you can book a table or just rock up and grab a spot by the bar. Fridays and Saturdays get lively, with dancers spilling out by the stage, but midweek gigs offer a more intimate, relaxed experience. A must-visit for lovers of live, spontaneous performances.

64 Tib Street, Manchester M4 1LW

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