Live music on stage: a band under the lights

Manchester Venues

Grassroots Venues in Manchester

Q: How many grassroots music venues are in Manchester?

GigXchange lists 135 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?

10 of 135 Manchester venues offer full backline (drums, guitar amp, bass amp, PA). 67 provide at least a PA system. 8 include an in-house sound engineer. Use the filters above to show only venues with backline.

135 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.

0Venues

0With PA

0Full Backline

0Engineer

Capacity, backline and booking info for every Manchester venue

135 venues, from back rooms to big stages
67 provide a PA in-house
10 offer full backline
8 include a sound engineer
Booking contact for signed-up artists
Verified and updated weekly

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Manchester's upcoming grass-roots gigs, sorted by date

One-off gigs at indie venues and community stages
Sorted by date, refreshed continuously
Free and ticketed shows
Every gig links its venue

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Weekly open mic nights across Manchester — verified and mapped

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Sign-up times, slot lengths and fees
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Everything the Manchester scene has beyond the venue list

City guide: venues, promoters and bookers
Local rate benchmarks before you quote
How to get gigs in the city
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Last updated: 4 September 2026

135 Venues in Manchester

135

grassroots venues hosting live music in Manchester

67 provide a PA system · 10 offer full backline
8 have an in-house sound engineer included
Booking contact, fee range and submission process available to signed-up artists

Manchester has 135 grassroots music venues listed on GigXchange. 67 provide a PA system, 10 offer full backline, and 8 include an in-house sound engineer. See what these rooms have on over the next four weeks. Sign up free to view booking contacts and fee ranges.

135 Venues 67 With PA 10 Full Backline 8 In-House Engineer Updated 04 Sept 2026

What’s on in Manchester this week — or see what’s on across the UK.

Manchester Venue Scene in Numbers

Live statistics from 135 grassroots venues across Manchester. Updated daily.

135

Total Venues

Across Manchester

50%

PA Provided

67 venues provide a PA system

Full Backline

10 venues offer full backline

In-House Engineer

8 venues include an engineer

Capacity Breakdown

Small

39%

Medium

41%

Large

20%

Equipment Provision

BYO

50%

PA Only

42%

Full BL

How many grassroots music venues are in Manchester? GigXchange lists 135 grassroots music venues across Manchester. 50% provide a PA system and 7% offer full backline (drums, guitar amp, bass amp, PA).

Do Manchester venues provide equipment? 8 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 135 venues by capacity, backline or area

Showing 24 of 135 venues

Photo: Google

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9inety6ix

Manchester › First Street★★★★★ (—)

First Street games bar with live music, open mics and DJ sets.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

MonClosed
TueClosed
Wed14:00–22:00
Thu14:00–22:00
Fri14:00–00:00
Sat14:00–00:00
Sun14:00–22:00

Manchester › Northern Quarter★★★★★ (—)

Underground Faraday Street music and events venue.

Backline4 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon16:00–00:00
Tue16:00–00:00
Wed16:00–00:00
Thu16:00–04:00
Fri16:00–04:00
Sat16:00–04:00
Sun16:00–00:00

Manchester › City Centre★★★★★ (—)

Restored Wesleyan chapel on Peter Street, one of Manchester's most atmospheric music venues.

Backline1 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times—

Mon—
Tue—
Wed—
Thu—
Fri—
Sat—
Sun—

Bolton › Victoria Square★★★★★ (—)

800-cap rock, indie, comedy and theatre hall.

Backline2 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon09:30–20:00
Tue09:30–20:00
Wed09:30–20:00
Thu09:30–20:00
Fri09:30–20:00
Sat09:30–20:00
Sun09:30–20:00

View venue›

Photo: Google

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Arley Hall And Gardens

Northwich › Arley, Cheshire★★★★★ (—)

Cheshire stately home with outdoor concerts.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon10:00–17:00
Tue10:00–17:00
Wed10:00–17:00
Thu10:00–17:00
Fri10:00–17:00
Sat10:00–17:00
Sun10:00–17:00

Aviva Studios - Warehouse

Manchester › Water St★★★★★ (—)

Factory International warehouse space for gigs.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

MonClosed
Tue09:00–19:00
Wed09:00–19:00
Thu09:00–19:00
Fri09:00–19:00
Sat09:00–19:00
Sun09:00–19:00

Manchester › Northern Quarter★★★★★ (—)

Manchester's Sunday-night free open mic at 25 Swan Street, M4 5JZ — historic music venue, full backline including piano, 10-minute slots.

Backline7 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
3 vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon17:00–00:00
Tue17:00–00:00
Wed17:00–02:00
Thu17:00–02:00
Fri17:00–02:00
Sat12:00–03:00
Sun13:00–00:00

Manchester › Hulme★★★★★ (—)

Hulme bar with DJ nights and live music.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon15:00–02:00
Tue15:00–02:00
Wed15:00–02:00
Thu15:00–02:00
Fri12:00–03:00
Sat12:00–03:00
Sun15:00–02:00

Stockport › Bramhall★★★★★ (—)

Rustic Irish bar in Bramhall village.

Backline1 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon16:00–23:00
Tue12:00–23:00
Wed12:00–23:00
Thu12:00–23:00
Fri12:00–02:00
Sat12:00–02:00
Sun12:00–23:00

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Photo: Google

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Bolton Socialist Club

Bolton★★★★★ (—)

Bolton grassroots club hosting the Write Out Loud spoken word open mic

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon10:00–22:00
Tue10:00–22:00
Wed10:00–22:00
Thu10:00–22:00
Fri10:00–22:00
Sat10:00–22:00
Sun10:00–22:00

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500

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Central Hall Oldham Street M1 1JQ

Manchester › Northern Quarter★★★★★ (—)

NQ event space for pop and live shows.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times—

Mon—
Tue—
Wed—
Thu—
Fri—
Sat—
Sun—

Cheadle And Gatley Conservative Club

Cheadle★★★★★ (—)

Conservative club with DJ and social nights.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon18:00–23:30
Tue18:00–23:30
WedClosed
Thu18:00–23:30
Fri18:00–23:30
Sat12:00–00:30
Sun12:00–23:30

View venue›

Photo: Google

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City Airport (Barton)

Manchester › Eccles★★★★★ (—)

Historic 1930s aerodrome with R&B events.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon09:00–18:00
Tue09:00–18:00
Wed09:00–18:00
Thu09:00–18:00
Fri09:00–19:00
Sat09:00–19:00
Sun09:00–19:00

Manchester › Etihad Campus★★★★★ (—)

The UK's largest indoor arena, on Manchester's Etihad Campus.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times—

Mon—
Tue—
Wed—
Thu—
Fri—
Sat—
Sun—

10,000-cap former railway venue, home of The Warehouse Project.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times—

Mon—
Tue—
Wed—
Thu—
Fri—
Sat—
Sun—

Manchester › Chorlton-cum-Hardy★★★★★ (—)

Bolton pub with live music.

Backline2 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
2 vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon14:00–00:30
Tue14:00–00:30
Wed14:00–00:30
Thu14:00–00:30
Fri14:00–01:30
Sat12:00–01:30
Sun12:00–00:30

Hyde › Hyde, Greater Manchester★★★★★ (—)

Rock and indie music venue.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times—

Mon—
Tue—
Wed—
Thu—
Fri—
Sat—
Sun—

Warrington pop venue.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times—

Mon—
Tue—
Wed—
Thu—
Fri—
Sat—
Sun—

Manchester › Manchester City Centre★★★★★ (—)

Legendary NQ venue on FAC251 site.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon23:00–04:00
TueClosed
WedClosed
Thu23:00–04:00
Fri23:00–04:00
Sat23:00–04:00
SunClosed

Oldham › Town Centre★★★★★ (—)

Grassroots live music venue in Oldham with a regular open mic night.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–22:00
Tue12:00–22:00
Wed12:00–22:00
Thu12:00–22:00
Fri12:00–22:00
Sat12:00–22:00
Sun12:00–22:00

Manchester › Mayfield / Piccadilly★★★★★ (—)

Piccadilly food and entertainment destination.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

MonClosed
TueClosed
WedClosed
Thu16:00–23:00
FriClosed
Sat12:00–00:00
Sun12:00–22:00

Frog and Bucket Comedy Club

Manchester★★★★★ (—)

Award-winning Manchester comedy club.

Backline1 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon19:00–23:00
Tue19:00–23:00
Wed19:00–23:00
Thu19:00–23:00
Fri19:00–23:00
Sat15:00–23:30
Sun18:00–22:00

Manchester › Withington★★★★★ (—)

Withington's monday-night free open mic at Fuel Cafe Bar — PA + vocal mic, walk-in sign-up from 7:30pm, 10-minute slots, all ages.

Backline1 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon11:00–00:00
Tue11:00–00:00
Wed11:00–00:00
Thu11:00–00:00
Fri11:00–02:00
Sat11:00–02:00
Sun11:00–00:00

Manchester › Withington★★★★★ (—)

Withington's veggie café bar and live music venue

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times—

Mon—
Tue—
Wed—
Thu—
Fri—
Sat—
Sun—

View venue›

Manchester Venue FAQs

How many grassroots music venues are in Manchester?

GigXchange lists 135 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?

10 of 135 Manchester venues offer full backline (drums, guitar amp, bass amp, PA). 67 provide at least a PA system. 8 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 75 Manchester venues with known capacity: 29 are small (under 150), 31 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's on at Manchester venues this month?

The What’s On in Manchester page lists every gig we hold across these 135 venues over the next four weeks — dates, times, entry and ticket links, refreshed daily. For everything beyond that window, browse the Manchester gig directory.

What genres do Manchester venues book?

The most commonly booked genres across Manchester’s 135 grassroots venues are Rock, rock, acoustic, indie, folk. 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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