Manchester Venues — Updated 08 Jul 2026

Grassroots Venues in Manchester

Q: How many grassroots music venues are in Manchester?

GigXchange lists 123 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.

Q: Which Manchester venues provide full backline?

11 of 123 Manchester venues offer full backline (drums, guitar amp, bass amp, PA). 67 provide at least a PA system. 9 include an in-house sound engineer. Use the filters above to show only venues with backline.

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

Manchester Grassroots Venue Score

0 /100

Strong — choice and coverage lead the mix, with room to grow on engineer.

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0Venues

0With PA

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0In-House Engineer

123 Venues in Manchester

123 Venues 67 With PA 11 Full Backline 9 In-House Engineer Updated 08 Jul 2026

Manchester has 123 grassroots music venues listed on GigXchange. 67 provide a PA system, 11 offer full backline, and 9 include an in-house sound engineer. Sign up free to view booking contacts and fee ranges.

123

grassroots venues hosting live music in Manchester

67 provide a PA system · 11 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 123 grassroots venues across Manchester. Updated daily.

123

Total Venues

Across Manchester

54%

PA Provided

67 venues provide a PA system

Full Backline

11 venues offer full backline

In-House Engineer

9 venues include an engineer

Capacity Breakdown

Small

39%

Medium

40%

Large

21%

Equipment Provision

BYO

46%

PA Only

46%

Full BL

How many grassroots music venues are in Manchester? GigXchange lists 123 grassroots music venues across Manchester. 54% provide a PA system and 9% 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 123 venues by capacity, backline or area

Showing 24 of 123 venues

Photo: Google

The Rising Sun

ManchesterBe first to review

Unity Social community sports pub off Deansgate.

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Photo: Google

The Silly Country

Manchester › DroylsdenBe first to review

Manchester pub with live music.

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Photo: Google

The Snipe

Manchester › AudenshawBe first to review

Bolton pub with live entertainment.

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Photo: Google

The Snug Coffee House

Manchester › AthertonBe first to review

PA Engineer

Coffee house with live music sessions.

Manchester › Northern QuarterBe first to review

PA Backline Engineer

Northern Quarter's Sunday-night free open mic at 31-33 Spear Street, M1 1DF — basement music venue, full backline, i

StockportBe first to review

PA Backline

Stockport pub with live entertainment.

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Photo: Google

The Star And Garter Manchester

Manchester › Fairfield Street, PiccadillyBe first to review

Fairfield Street live venue.

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Photo: Google

The Stoller Hall, UK

Manchester › Manchester city centre (Victoria)Be first to review

RIBA award-winning concert hall at Chetham's School of Music

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200

Photo: Google

The Strines Nightingale

Stockport › Marpleridge, MarpleBe first to review

Independent country freehouse and grassroots music venue near Marple

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Photo: Google

The Talleyrand

Manchester › LevenshulmeBe first to review

Arty, eccentric Levenshulme bar with a packed live programme

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Photo: Google

The Test Venue

ManchesterBe first to review

Manchester test and events venue.

Manchester › City CentreBe first to review

Goods Yard bar with cold beer and hot chicken.

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100

The Wedge

Oldham › Town CentreBe first to review

Rock and live music venue in Oldham

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Photo: Google

The Whiskey Jar

Manchester › Northern QuarterBe first to review

PA Backline Engineer

Northern Quarter's tuesday-night free open mic at **The Whiskey Jar** — full backline, in-house sound engineer, walk

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Photo: Google

The Whiskey Jar

BoltonBe first to review

Manchester's longest-running open mic, in the Northern Quarter

Salford › Dickinson Street, SalfordBe first to review

Manchester rock, alt and punk venue.

Ashton-under-Lyne › Town CentreBe first to review

Rock and live music venue in Ashton-under-Lyne

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Photo: Google

The Yard Manchester

Manchester › Cheetham HillBe first to review

Unique Manchester workspace and venue.

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Photo: Google

Trof Northern Quarter

Manchester › Northern QuarterBe first to review

Northern Quarter pub & dining room with weeknight gigs and open mics.

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Photo: Google

Various Manchester Venues

Manchester › Lower Mosley StBe first to review

Multi-venue Manchester rock and indie events.

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Photo: Google

Wallop Prestwich

Manchester › Prestwich, BuryBe first to review

Prestwich neighbourhood bar for food, drinks and live music.

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Photo: Google

Wangies

Manchester › 305-307 Liverpool Rd, EcclesBe first to review

PA Backline

Eccles rock pub with regular weekend live music.

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500

Westwood Street, Manchester M14 4SW

Manchester › Moss SideBe first to review

Whittles Tokyo Project

OldhamBe first to review

Where Music Matters — Oldham's grassroots live-music venue

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Manchester Venue FAQs

How many grassroots music venues are in Manchester?

GigXchange lists 123 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.

Which Manchester venues provide full backline?

11 of 123 Manchester venues offer full backline (drums, guitar amp, bass amp, PA). 67 provide at least a PA system. 9 include an in-house sound engineer. Use the filters above to show only venues with backline.

What size are Manchester's grassroots venues?

Of the 70 Manchester venues with known capacity: 27 are small (under 150), 28 are medium (150–499), and 15 are large (500+). The majority of Manchester’s grassroots scene is mid-size standing rooms.

How do I book a gig at a Manchester venue?

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.

Are there open mics in Manchester?

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.

What genres do Manchester venues book?

The most commonly booked genres across Manchester’s 123 grassroots venues are Rock, rock, indie, folk, acoustic. Many venues accept both original music and covers. Browse artist profiles by genre to find acts for your venue.

What are typical fees at Manchester venues?

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.

Can I list my Manchester venue for free?

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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