Manchester Venues — Updated 15 May 2026

Grassroots Venues in Manchester

76 grassroots music venues across Manchester. Capacity, backline, genres, booking info. Updated weekly.

76Venues
32With PA
8Full Backline
9In-House Engineer

76 Venues in Manchester

76 Venues 32 With PA 8 Full Backline 9 In-House Engineer Updated

Manchester has 76 grassroots music venues listed on GigXchange. 32 provide a PA system, 8 offer full backline, and 9 include an in-house sound engineer. Sign up free to view booking contacts and fee ranges.

  • 76 venues hosting live music across Manchester
  • 32 provide a PA system · 8 offer full backline
  • 9 have an in-house sound engineer included
  • Booking contact, fee range and submission process available to signed-up artists

Manchester Venue Scene in Numbers

Live statistics from 76 grassroots venues across Manchester. Updated daily.

76
Total Venues
Across Manchester
42%
PA Provided
32 venues provide a PA system
11%
Full Backline
8 venues offer full backline
12%
In-House Engineer
9 venues include an engineer
Capacity Breakdown
Small
9
35%
Medium
11
42%
Large
6
23%
Equipment Provision
BYO
44
58%
PA Only
24
32%
Full BL
8
11%

How many grassroots music venues are in Manchester? GigXchange lists 76 grassroots music venues across Manchester. 42% provide a PA system and 11% offer full backline (drums, guitar amp, bass amp, PA).

Do Manchester venues provide equipment? 9 venues include an in-house sound engineer. The majority of Manchester venues are medium (150-500). Data from GigXchange’s verified Manchester venue directory, updated daily.

Browse Manchester Venues

Filter all 76 venues by capacity, backline or area

Showing 76 of 76 venues
Photo: Google
9inety6ix
ManchesterBe first to review
First Street bar with DJs and live music.
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Photo: Google
Aatma
Manchester 14-16 Faraday StBe first to review
PA Engineer
Underground Faraday Street music and events venue.
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Photo: Google
Albert Hall
Manchester 27 Peter StBe first to review
PA
Restored Wesleyan chapel, major touring acts.
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Photo: Google
Aviva Studios - Warehouse
Manchester Water StBe first to review
Factory International warehouse space for gigs.
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250
Photo: Google
Band on the Wall
Manchester Northern QuarterBe first to review
PA Backline Engineer
Manchester's Sunday-night free open mic at 25 Swan Street, M4 5JZ — historic music venue, full backline including pi
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150
Photo: Google
Big Hands
Manchester HulmeBe first to review
Hulme bar with DJ nights and live music.
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Central Hall Oldham Street M1 1JQ
Manchester Oldham StBe first to review
NQ event space for pop and live shows.
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Photo: Google
City Airport (Barton)
Manchester EcclesBe first to review
Historic 1930s aerodrome with R&B events.
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Photo: Google
Co-op Live
Manchester 1 Sportcity WayBe first to review
23,500-cap UK's largest indoor arena.
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Photo: Google
Depot Mayfield
ManchesterBe first to review
10,000-cap historic Mayfield railway venue.
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Photo: Google
Factory 251
ManchesterBe first to review
Legendary NQ venue on FAC251 site.
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Photo: Google
Freight Island
Manchester PiccadillyBe first to review
Piccadilly food and entertainment destination.
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250
Photo: Google
Frog and Bucket Comedy Club
ManchesterBe first to review
PA
Award-winning Manchester comedy club.
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70
Photo: Google
Fuel Cafe Bar
Manchester WithingtonBe first to review
PA
Withington's monday-night free open mic at **Fuel Cafe Bar** — PA + vocal mic, walk-in sign-up from 7:30pm, 10-minut
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500
Photo: Google
Gorilla
Manchester DeansgateBe first to review
Whitworth Street bar and live room.
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90
Photo: Google
Grafton Arms
ManchesterBe first to review
PA
Joseph Holt pub with function room hire.
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Photo: Google
Grand Central Alt Bar & Live Music Venue
Manchester 80 Oxford StBe first to review
PA
Oxford Street alt bar and music venue.
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Photo: Google
Halle at St Michael's
Manchester AncoatsBe first to review
Hallé's secular concert hall in Ancoats.
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100
Photo: Google
Halle St Peter's
Manchester AncoatsBe first to review
Hallé's rehearsal and recording hall.
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Photo: Google
Heaton Park
ManchesterBe first to review
Major park for festivals and outdoor concerts.
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Photo: Google
ICONS
Manchester PrestwichBe first to review
Tribute act venue in Manchester.
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120
Photo: Google
Jimmy's
Manchester Northern QuarterBe first to review
PA Backline Engineer
Manchester's Thursday-night free open mic at 24 Newton Street, M1 2AE — basement bar, full backline, in-house engine
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Photo: Google
Joshua Brooks
ManchesterBe first to review
PA
Underground club with DJs and food.
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180
Photo: Google
Lions Den Manchester
ManchesterBe first to review
PA
Live music, comedy and good times.
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Manchester Venue FAQs

GigXchange lists 76 grassroots music venues in Manchester, from small pub back rooms to mid-size standing rooms. Each listing includes capacity, backline provision, genres booked, and verification status. Browse the full national directory at UK Venue Directory.
8 of 76 Manchester venues offer full backline (drums, guitar amp, bass amp, PA). 32 provide at least a PA system. 9 include an in-house sound engineer. Use the filters above to show only venues with backline.
Of the 26 Manchester venues with known capacity: 9 are small (under 150), 11 are medium (150–499), and 6 are large (500+). The majority of Manchester’s grassroots scene is mid-size standing rooms.
Sign up free on GigXchange to view booking contacts, fee ranges, and submission processes for every Manchester venue. Most grassroots venues accept email submissions with a link to your music, EPK, or social profiles. Check current UK fee benchmarks before quoting.
Yes. GigXchange also runs the UK Open Mic Finder for Manchester, which lists weekly open mic nights with backline, day, and fee filters. Open mics are the main pathway from bedroom to stage for most grassroots artists. See also our guide on getting gigs in the UK.
The most commonly booked genres across Manchester’s 76 grassroots venues are Rock, Pop, Alternative Rock, DJ / Electronic, Indie Rock. Many venues accept both original music and covers. Browse artist profiles by genre to find acts for your venue.
Fees vary by venue size and event type. The GigXchange Rate Calculator shows current percentiles for Manchester by band size and venue type. Door splits are common at smaller venues; flat fees are more typical at mid-size rooms. The Musicians’ Union publishes recommended minimums.
Yes. Submissions are free, take 2 minutes, and are verified within 48 hours. Once approved, claim your listing to self-edit your profile and manage bookings. Venues with a PRS licence can also list their music policy.

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