Inside the GigXchange arena — hundreds of member profiles under stage lights

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

Find out more Join free

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

Find out more Join free

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

Find out more Join free

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

Find out more Join free

Reach artists actively looking for Manchester stages

Free listing — no fee
Claim an existing page to keep it current
Backline and capacity specs searchable
Booking contact shown to members

Find out more List your venue

Run a Manchester venue? Claim your page free — keep specs current

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

Claim this venue

The Alexandra

Stockport › Edgeley★★★★★ (—)

Cracking Robinsons pub in Edgeley.

Backline1 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon14:00–23:00
Tue12:00–00:00
Wed12:00–00:00
Thu12:00–00:00
Fri12:00–00:00
Sat12:00–00:00
Sun12:00–23:00

Bolton pub with live music.

Backline1 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon15:00–01:00
Tue15:00–01:00
Wed15:00–01:00
Thu15:00–01:00
Fri15:00–02:00
Sat15:00–02:00
Sun15:00–00:00

Manchester › Didsbury★★★★★ (—)

Didsbury cafe, bar, books, art and cake.

Backline1 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon09:00–22:00
Tue09:00–22:00
Wed09:00–22:00
Thu09:00–22:00
Fri09:00–22:00
Sat09:00–22:00
Sun10:00–21:00

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

Northern Quarter's Wednesday-night free acoustic open mic at 35-37 Thomas Street, M4 1NA — small back room, PA + guitar amp, 12-minute slots.

Backline3 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–00:00
Tue12:00–00:00
Wed12:00–00:00
Thu12:00–00:00
Fri12:00–02:00
Sat11:00–02:00
Sun11:00–22:00

Ashton-under-Lyne › Mossley★★★★★ (—)

Huddersfield 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
Thu12:00–00:30
Fri14:00–00:30
Sat14:00–00:30
Sun14:00–00:30

Bolton's Bradshawgate Irish bar — live bands and DJs at the rear Fri–Sun plus a Thursday open mic.

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—

Stockport › Heaviley★★★★★ (—)

Stockport pub with live entertainment.

Backline4 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon15:00–22:00
TueClosed
Wed15:00–22:00
Thu15:00–22:00
Fri15:00–00:00
Sat12:00–23:00
Sun15:00–22:00

Manchester › City Centre★★★★★ (—)

Burgers, cocktails and live blues, soul & funk on Quay Street

Backline0 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
Wed12:00–01:00
Thu12:00–01:30
Fri12:00–03:00
Sat11:00–03:00
Sun12:00–00:00

Altrincham › Bowdon★★★★★ (—)

Award-winning 1903 events and live-music venue in Bowdon

Backline0 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon09:00–17:00
Tue09:00–17:00
Wed09:00–17:00
Thu09:00–17:00
Fri09:00–17:00
SatClosed
SunClosed

Manchester › Oxford Road / Grosvenor Street★★★★★ (—)

Independent live-music venue and club on Manchester's Oxford Road corridor

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—

View venue›

Photo: Google

Claim this venue

The Britons Protection

Manchester★★★★★ (—)

Traditional pub with house music events.

Backline0 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon00:00–12:00
Tue00:00–12:00
Wed00:00–12:00
Thu00:00–12:00
Fri11:00–00:00
Sat11:00–00:00
Sun11:00–22:00

View venue›

Photo: Google

Claim this venue

The Button Warehouse Button Entertainment Ltd

Macclesfield★★★★★ (—)

Warehouse entertainment venue.

Backline0 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

Mon11:00–16:00
Tue11:00–23:00
Wed11:00–22:00
Thu11:00–23:00
Fri11:00–23:00
Sat11:00–23:00
Sun12:00–18:00

View venue›

Photo: Google

Claim this venue

The Carlton Club Manchester

Manchester › Whalley Range★★★★★ (—)

Whalley Range DJ and electronic members club.

Backline0 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
Tue16:00–23:00
Wed16:00–23:00
Thu16:00–23:00
Fri15:00–01:00
Sat12:00–01:00
Sun12:00–00:00

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

Northern Quarter's historic 80-cap live room for emerging bands.

Backline6 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
3 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
Fri12:00–02:00
Sat12:00–02:00
Sun12:00–00:00

NQ cocktail bar with live music and pizza.

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 › University★★★★★ (—)

Manchester's Thursday-night free open mic at 135 Grosvenor Street, M1 7HE — converted institute, 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 times—

Mon—
Tue—
Wed—
Thu—
Fri—
Sat—
Sun—

Award-winning 80-cap Salford music venue in a Victorian terrace pub

Backline1 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

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

Salford pub with live entertainment.

Backline1 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

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

NQ atmospheric drinking den with live music.

Backline1 of 7

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

Opening times7 of 7

MonClosed
TueClosed
WedClosed
ThuClosed
Fri17:00–04:00
Sat17:00–04:00
SunClosed

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

Atmospheric student-quarter pub on Manchester's Oxford Road corridor — sister bar to The Bread Shed, with DJs, live music and 20+ gins.

Backline1 of 7

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

Opening times6 of 7

Mon11:00–00:00
Tue11:00–00:00
Wed11:00–00:00
Thu11:00–01:00
Fri11:00–01:00
Sat11:00–00:00
Sun—

Warrington › Orford, Warrington★★★★★ (—)

Warrington social club and live-music venue on Orford Lane

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—

Salford's most bohemian back street boozer.

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 › Levenshulme★★★★★ (—)

Manchester club 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›

Claim this venue

The Lodge, Manchester

Manchester › Grosvenor Street, near Oxford Road★★★★★ (—)

Manchester rock, indie, alt and pop venue.

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—

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.

More Cities

Switch to another UK city.

Run a Manchester venue? List it free.

2-minute submission, verified within 48 hours. Reach thousands of Manchester artists actively looking for gigs.

Claim Your Venue Why List?

Looking for paid bookings in Manchester?

For Artists For Venues For Agents For Promoters For Organisers For Fans