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Manchester Venues

Grassroots Venues in Manchester

Q: How many grassroots music venues are in Manchester?

GigXchange lists 131 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 131 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.

131 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

131 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

Filter by night of the week
Sign-up times, slot lengths and fees
Most are free entry
Re-verified on a rolling cycle

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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
Members near you on GigXchange

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Reach artists actively looking for Manchester stages

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Last updated: 14 August 2026

131 Venues in Manchester

131

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 131 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.

131 Venues 67 With PA 10 Full Backline 8 In-House Engineer Updated 14 Aug 2026

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

Manchester Venue Scene in Numbers

Live statistics from 131 grassroots venues across Manchester. Updated daily.

131

Total Venues

Across Manchester

51%

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

49%

PA Only

44%

Full BL

How many grassroots music venues are in Manchester? GigXchange lists 131 grassroots music venues across Manchester. 51% provide a PA system and 8% 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 131 venues by capacity, backline or area

Showing 24 of 131 venues

Photo: Google

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Grafton Arms

Manchester › Chorlton-on-Medlock★★★★★ (—)

Joseph Holt pub with function room hire.

Backline1 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–23:00
Tue12:00–23:00
Wed12:00–23:00
Thu12:00–23:00
Fri12:00–23:30
Sat12:00–23:30
Sun12:00–23:00

View venue›

Photo: Google

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Grand Central Alt Bar & Live Music Venue

Manchester › 80 Oxford St★★★★★ (—)

Oxford Street alt bar and music venue.

Backline1 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–00:00
Tue12:00–01:00
Wed12:00–02:00
Thu12:00–02:00
Fri12:00–03:00
Sat12:00–03:00
Sun12:00–23:00

Stockport › Wellington Road South★★★★★ (—)

Quality Stockport venue for pop and events.

Backline0 of 7

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

Opening times—

Mon—
Tue—
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Thu—
Fri—
Sat—
Sun—

Halle at St Michael's

Manchester › Ancoats★★★★★ (—)

Hallé's secular concert hall in Ancoats.

Backline0 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon10:00–18:00
Tue10:00–18:00
Wed10:00–18:00
Thu10:00–18:00
Fri10:00–18:00
Sat10:00–18:00
SunClosed

Manchester › Ancoats★★★★★ (—)

Hallé's rehearsal and recording hall.

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 › Prestwich★★★★★ (—)

Major park for festivals and outdoor concerts.

Backline0 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon08:00–19:00
Tue08:00–19:00
Wed08:00–19:00
Thu08:00–19:00
Fri08:00–19:00
Sat08:00–19:00
Sun08:00–19:00

Rock and metal venue.

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
Thu17:00–00:00
Fri17:00–02:00
Sat17:00–02:00
Sun13:00–23:00

Manchester › Tyldesley★★★★★ (—)

Bolton pub with live music.

Backline3 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

MonClosed
Tue18:00–00:00
Wed12:00–00:00
Thu12:00–00:00
Fri12:00–00:00
Sat12:00–00:00
Sun14:00–22:30

Manchester › Prestwich★★★★★ (—)

Prestwich live music bar with a packed tribute-band diary

Backline0 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

MonClosed
TueClosed
Wed17:00–23:30
Thu17:00–23:30
Fri15:00–01:00
Sat12:00–01:00
Sun12:00–23:30

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Photo: Google

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Irish Club Warrington

Warrington › Orford★★★★★ (—)

Warrington Irish club with Celtic live music.

Backline0 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–23:00
Tue12:00–23:00
Wed12:00–23:00
Thu12:00–23:00
Fri12:00–00:00
Sat12:00–00:00
Sun12:00–23:00

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

Manchester's Thursday-night free open mic at 24 Newton Street, M1 2AE — basement bar, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.

Backline6 of 7

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

Opening times—

Mon—
Tue—
Wed—
Thu—
Fri—
Sat—
Sun—

Manchester › City Centre★★★★★ (—)

Manchester's long-running basement bar and club for house, techno, D&B and live electronic acts.

Backline1 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–23:00
Tue12:00–23:00
Wed12:00–23:00
Thu12:00–23:00
Fri12:00–04:00
Sat12:00–04:00
Sun12:00–23:00

Warrington › Padgate★★★★★ (—)

Open mic pub in Warrington

Backline1 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–23:00
Tue12:00–23:00
Wed12:00–23:00
Thu12:00–23:00
Fri12:00–01:00
Sat11:00–01:00
Sun12:00–23:00

Live music, comedy and good times.

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—

Manchester › Northenden, Manchester★★★★★ (—)

Harringay bar and cafe with events.

Backline0 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon13:00–23:30
Tue13:00–23:30
Wed13:00–23:30
Thu13:00–23:30
Fri12:00–23:30
Sat11:00–23:30
Sun12:00–23:00

Manchester › Deansgate, Manchester★★★★★ (—)

90-capacity recording studio, live venue and Cloudwater bar at Deansgate Mews, Manchester

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—

City-wide live music venues.

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 › Oxford Road★★★★★ (—)

950-cap Academy room for alt and metal.

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 › Oxford Road★★★★★ (—)

500-cap intimate Academy room.

Backline0 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon08:00–22:30
Tue08:00–22:30
Wed08:00–22:30
Thu08:00–22:30
Fri08:00–22:30
Sat09:00–22:30
Sun12:00–22:30

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

Oldham Street pop and indie venue.

Backline0 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–01:00
Tue12:00–01:00
Wed12:00–01:00
Thu12:00–01:00
Fri12:00–01:00
Sat12:00–01:00
Sun12:00–00:00

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

Manchester's Monday-night free jazz open mic at 64 Tib Street, M4 1LW — dedicated jazz club, full backline including upright 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

Mon18:00–23:00
Tue18:00–23:00
Wed18:00–23:00
Thu18:00–23:00
Fri18:00–01:00
Sat18:00–01:00
SunClosed

Stockport › City Centre★★★★★ (—)

indie and live music venue in Stockport

Backline1 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon09:00–17:30
Tue09:00–17:30
Wed09:00–17:30
Thu09:00–17:30
Fri09:00–17:30
Sat09:00–17:30
Sun10:30–16:30

Manchester › NOMA, Manchester★★★★★ (—)

Corporation Street, opened 2022.

Backline1 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

MonClosed
Tue11:00–22:00
Wed11:00–22:00
Thu11:00–22:00
Fri11:00–00:00
Sat11:00–00:00
Sun11:00–19:00

Manchester › Hulme★★★★★ (—)

Nia Centre in Hulme: DJ, reggae, community.

Backline0 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–18:00
Tue12:00–18:00
Wed12:00–18:00
Thu12:00–18:00
Fri12:00–18:00
Sat12:00–18:00
SunClosed

View venue›

Manchester Venue FAQs

How many grassroots music venues are in Manchester?

GigXchange lists 131 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 131 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 131 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 131 grassroots venues are Rock, rock, indie, acoustic, Pop. 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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