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Manchester · 164 venues · 71 with a PA

Grassroots Venues in Manchester

Every grassroots room in Manchester - capacity, backline, who books it.

By size: 30 small (under 150), 32 mid-size (150 to 499), 16 large (500+), 86 with no size listed. 147 of the 164 open rooms are verified. 10 with full backline, 9 with a sound engineer.

Nearby

Updated 12 November 2026

At a glance
Manchester
164
Grassroots
venues
in Manchester
In detail
House PA71 venues
Full backline10 venues
In-house engineer9 venues
Venue Score63 /100
01 — Find a venue
164 rooms
Pick your room
Size
Kit
Hire
City
Sort
02 — The scene
Venue Score
63
Out of
100
Solid — healthy choice, building on coverage. A dependable circuit for touring acts.
How it adds up (0-100)
Choice100
Coverage100
Backline6
PA43
Engineer5
Genres100
03 — Rooms + kit
Live data
What Manchester has
By size
Small under 15030 38%
Medium 150-49932 41%
Large 500+16 21%
Size not listed86

Rooms with no size listed show under every size in 01.

Kit
Bring your own93 57%
PA only61 37%
Full backline10 6%
This month
Added5
Removed0
Verified5
Re-verified9
04 — More of Manchester
Beyond the rooms
Gigs, mics + hire
Go next
Featured venueAlbert HallManchester · 2,000 cap
Manchester gigsWhat's on at these rooms, by date
What's on this weekEvery gig over the next seven days
Manchester open micsWeekly stage time, re-checked on a rolling cycle
Manchester music sceneVenues, rates, guides and gigs
Private hire

31 Manchester venues say on their own websites that they take private hire - parties, weddings and work events. Each card opens the venue’s rooms, capacities and how to enquire.

05 — Other cities
90 cities
Venues elsewhere
All cities, A–ZVenues
Live music on stage: a band under the lights
Manchester Venues

Grassroots Venues in Manchester

164 grassroots music venues across Manchester. Capacity, backline, genres, booking info. Re-verified on a rolling cycle.

63/ 100
Manchester Venue Score
SolidHealthy choice, building on coverage. A dependable circuit for touring acts.
Choice100
Coverage100
Backline6
PA43
Engineer5
Genres100
Run a Manchester venue? Claim your page free — keep specs current

Last updated: 12 November 2026

164 Venues in Manchester

Manchester has 164 grassroots music venues listed on GigXchange, from a 60-capacity room to 70,000. Listings show the capacity, backline and PA where we hold them, plus opening times, so artists, agents and bookers can shortlist the right room before getting in touch.

Of the 164 Manchester venues, 71 provide a PA system, 10 offer full backline and 9 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.

164
grassroots venues hosting live music in Manchester
  • 71 provide a PA system · 10 offer full backline
  • 9 have an in-house sound engineer included
  • Booking contact, fee range and submission process available to signed-up artists
164
Venues
71
With PA
10
Full backline
9
In-house engineer
Last updated

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

Browse Manchester Venues

Search all 164 Manchester music venues by area, capacity, backline, PA, sound engineer or private hire. Every card shows the room size, what is on stage and the opening times we hold, and opens the venue’s own page with its booking information.

Showing 24 of 164 venues
c. 120
Photo: Google
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Lost Cat
Manchester★★★★★ (—)
Oldham Street late bar with FOUND, an upstairs room for club nights and live showsNext gig: Mon 30 Nov Live Soundtracks To Silent Films
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • Tue17:00–03:00
  • Wed17:00–03:00
  • Thu17:00–03:00
  • Fri17:00–03:00
  • Sat12:00–03:00
  • Sun12:00–03:00
View venue›
c. 70
Photo: Google
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Lounge About
Manchester › Northenden, Manchester★★★★★ (—)
Harringay bar and cafe with events.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • 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
View venue›
c. 90
Photo: Google
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Low Four Studios
Manchester › Deansgate, Manchester★★★★★ (—)
90-capacity recording studio, live venue and Cloudwater bar at Deansgate Mews, ManchesterNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
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c. 900
Photo: Google
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Manchester Academy 2
Manchester › Oxford Road★★★★★ (—)
950-cap Academy room for alt and metal.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
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450
Photo: Google
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Manchester Academy 3
Manchester › Oxford Road★★★★★ (—)
500-cap intimate Academy room.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • 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
View venue›
110
Photo: Google
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Manchester Gullivers
Manchester › Northern Quarter★★★★★ (—)
Northern Quarter pub with a 110-cap gig ballroom.Next gig: Mon 23 Nov Where It All Began - Deaf Whip and Harlettes Live
Private hire up to 110 standing
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • 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
View venue›
c. 180
Photo: Google
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Matt & Phred's
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.Next gig: Sat 14 Nov M&P's Big Band Brunch
  • PA system
  • Drum kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • Keys / keyboard
  • 3 vocal mics
  • In-house engineer
  • 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
View venue›
c. 150
Photo: Google
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Merseyway
Stockport › City Centre★★★★★ (—)
indie and live music venue in StockportNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • 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
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Mulligans
Manchester★★★★★ (—)
Irish pub off Deansgate with live music daily, from indie anthems to trad folkNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
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Photo: Google
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Nancy Spains
Manchester★★★★★ (—)
Hilton Street pub with live music nightly, a Monday open mic and trad nightsNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon16:00–00:00
  • Tue16:00–00:00
  • Wed16:00–00:00
  • Thu16:00–02:00
  • Fri13:00–03:00
  • Sat13:00–03:00
  • Sun13:00–00:00
View venue›
1,300
Photo: Google
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New Century
Manchester › NOMA, Manchester★★★★★ (—)
Corporation Street, opened 2022.Next gig: Fri 13 Nov OK Go
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • 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
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Niamos
Manchester › Hulme★★★★★ (—)
Nia Centre in Hulme: DJ, reggae, community.Next gig: Thu 19 Nov Pollinate: Greater Manchester Independent Music Video Awards
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • 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›
c. 250
Photo: Google
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Night and Day
Manchester › Northern Quarter★★★★★ (—)
Legendary Oldham Street live music cafe.Next gig: Sun 15 Nov John Bramwell [I Am Kloot]
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon12:00–02:00
  • Tue12:00–02:00
  • Wed12:00–02:00
  • Thu12:00–02:00
  • Fri12:00–04:00
  • Sat12:00–04:00
  • Sun12:00–00:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Nook Cafe Bar
Stockport › Heaton Moor★★★★★ (—)
Heaton Moor cafe bar — coffee, brunch, craft beer and live music.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • Wed17:00–21:00
  • Thu09:00–00:00
  • Fri09:00–00:00
  • Sat09:00–00:00
  • Sun09:00–21:00
View venue›
c. 200
Photo: Google
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North of England Centre for Music and Arts
Huddersfield★★★★★ (—)
Family-run canalside arts centre in Marsden with a 200-capacity music roomNo gigs listed yet
Private hire
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon10:00–17:30
  • Tue10:00–17:30
  • Wed10:00–17:30
  • Thu10:00–17:30
  • Fri10:00–17:30
  • Sat10:00–16:00
  • Sun11:00–16:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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O'Sheas
Manchester★★★★★ (—)
An Irish bar on Princess Street with a stage for regular live musicNext gig: Fri 4 Dec All Folk'd Up
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon10:00–23:00
  • Tue10:00–23:00
  • Wed10:00–23:00
  • Thu10:00–23:00
  • Fri10:00–01:00
  • Sat10:00–01:00
  • Sun11:00–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Off The Square Manchester
Manchester › Northern Quarter★★★★★ (—)
Independent Manchester venue and bar.Next gig: Thu 26 Nov Women In Music Showcase - Presented by Outer City
Private hire
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
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  • Mon—
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c. 200
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Old Pint Pot
Salford★★★★★ (—)
Salford riverside student pub with a second-floor music venue.No gigs listed yet
Private hire
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon12:00–00:00
  • Tue12:00–00:00
  • Wed12:00–00:00
  • Thu12:00–00:00
  • Fri12:00–01:00
  • Sat12:00–01:00
  • Sun12:00–00:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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ONE EIGHT SIX
Manchester★★★★★ (—)
Deansgate late bar with resident soul, Motown and R&B bands Thursday to SundayNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
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  • Thu20:00–02:00
  • Fri19:00–03:00
  • Sat16:00–03:00
  • Sun20:00–02:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Opera House, Manchester
Manchester › Quay Street★★★★★ (—)
Manchester's grand touring theatre.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
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View venue›
Photo: Google
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Oscars Bar
Manchester★★★★★ (—)
Canal Street film and theatre bar with a musical theatre open mic and live pianoNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon18:00–02:00
  • Tue18:00–02:00
  • Wed18:00–02:00
  • Thu17:00–02:00
  • Fri16:00–02:00
  • Sat14:30–02:00
  • Sun14:00–00:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Pasha Lounge
Warrington › Town Centre★★★★★ (—)
Open mic lounge in WarringtonNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon18:00–01:30
  • TueClosed
  • Wed18:00–01:30
  • Thu18:00–01:30
  • Fri18:00–02:30
  • Sat17:00–02:30
  • Sun17:00–01:30
View venue›
c. 120
Photo: Google
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PINK Stockport
Stockport › Stockport Town Centre★★★★★ (—)
Stockport gallery, studios and event space hosting gigs and club nightsNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
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  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
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View venue›
Photo: Google
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Postern Gate
Warrington › Town Centre★★★★★ (—)
Open mic pub in WarringtonNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
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Venues You Can Hire in Manchester

31 Manchester venues say on their own websites that they take private hire - parties, weddings and work events. Each card opens the venue’s rooms, capacities and how to enquire.

Manchester Venue Scene in Numbers

Manchester’s 164 grassroots venues in one picture: how big the rooms are, what kit is on stage and how many take private hire. Use it to judge whether to bring your own backline and which size of room suits your draw before you start booking.

Grassroots venues · Manchester
164

From the
GigXchange venue directory

Room sizeof the 78 with a known capacity
30Small · under 150
32Medium · 150–499
16Large · 500+
What's on stageall 164 venues
10Full backline
61PA only
93Bring your own gear
71provide a PA
9have an in-house engineer
31take private hire
Rock · Acousticmost-booked genres

How many grassroots music venues are in Manchester? GigXchange lists 164 grassroots music venues across Manchester. 43% provide a PA system and 6% 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 (150–499). Data from GigXchange’s verified Manchester venue directory.

Manchester Venue FAQs

10 answers about grassroots venues in Manchester, from how many there are and how big the rooms are to the kit they provide, booking a gig and listing your venue free - each answered from the venues listed here.

GigXchange lists 164 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.
10 of 164 Manchester venues offer full backline (drums, guitar amp, bass amp, PA). 71 provide at least a PA system. 9 include an in-house sound engineer. Use the filters above to show only venues with backline.
31 Manchester venues state on their own websites that they take private hire for parties, weddings and work events, among them Albert Hall (up to 1,300 standing), Albert Halls Bolton (up to 800 standing) and Albert's Schloss (up to 100 standing). Each venue page has a Private hire tab with its rooms, capacities and a link to enquire with the venue directly. Use the Private hire filter above to list them all.
Of the 78 Manchester venues with known capacity: 30 are small (under 150), 32 are medium (150–499), and 16 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 What’s On in Manchester page lists every gig we hold across these 164 venues over the next four weeks — dates, times, entry and ticket links, refreshed daily. For everything beyond that window, browse the Manchester gig directory.
The most commonly booked genres across Manchester’s 164 grassroots venues are rock, acoustic, indie, folk, Pop. 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. Listing is free. If your venue is already in the directory, open its page and press Claim this venue (or create a free venue account) to self-edit your profile and manage bookings; if it is missing, email support@gigxchange.app and we will take a look. Venues with TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS can also list their music policy.
07 — Keep up with Manchester
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Keep up with Manchester

One email a week with the gigs coming up at Manchester’s grassroots venues - new nights, open mics and shows worth catching. Free to join and easy to leave, and turning up is what keeps small rooms open.

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Venues like these feed the national Hardest Working Rooms table and every UK city's scene. Browse all UK venues.

Naumaan Zahid
Founder & Builder

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