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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. 200
Photo: Google
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The Lowry
Salford › Salford Quays★★★★★ (—)
Award-winning arts centre and theatre on Salford QuaysNext gig: Sat 16 Jan Classic Rock Show
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • Tue11:00–23:00
  • Wed11:00–23:00
  • Thu11:00–23:00
  • Fri11:00–23:00
  • Sat10:00–23:00
  • Sun10:00–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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The Monaco
Wigan › Hindley, Wigan★★★★★ (—)
Pop and rap venue.Next gig: Sat 9 Jan CATSEYE
Private hire
  • 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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The Mother of Invention
Manchester › Northern Quarter★★★★★ (—)
Northern Quarter pub with local musicians and rock-request 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)
  • Mon14:00–02:00
  • Tue14:00–02:00
  • Wed14:00–02:00
  • Thu14:00–03:00
  • Fri12:00–04:00
  • Sat12:00–04:00
  • Sun12:00–02:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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The Oast House
Manchester★★★★★ (—)
City-centre bar and beer garden with live music seven days a weekNo 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)
  • Mon11:00–23:00
  • Tue11:00–23:00
  • Wed11:00–23:00
  • Thu11:00–01:00
  • Fri10:00–01:00
  • Sat10:00–01:00
  • Sun11:00–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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The Oddfellows Arms
Manchester › Swinton, Clifton★★★★★ (—)
Salford pub with 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)
  • Mon19:00–00:00
  • Tue19:00–00:00
  • Wed19:00–00:00
  • Thu19:00–00:00
  • Fri19:00–01:00
  • Sat19:00–01:00
  • Sun19:00–00:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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The Old Market Square, Warrington
Warrington › Golden Square, Warrington town centre★★★★★ (—)
Warrington's open-air town-square concert space at Golden SquareNo 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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Photo: Google
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The Old Nags Head
Manchester★★★★★ (—)
Victorian pub off Deansgate with live bands on Sundays and DJs at weekendsNo 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)
  • Mon12:00–00:00
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  • Wed12:00–00:00
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  • Fri12:00–00:00
  • Sat12:00–00:00
  • Sun12:00–00:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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The Peer Hat
Manchester★★★★★ (—)
Mancunian bar with arts and live music.Next gig: Sat 14 Nov Lomens, Oceanvein & Endings, Manchester
Private hire up to 120 standing
  • PA system
  • Drum kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon16:00–00:00
  • Tue16:00–00:00
  • Wed16:00–00:00
  • Thu16:00–03:00
  • Fri16:00–03:00
  • Sat13:00–03:00
  • Sun16:00–00:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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The Pen & Pencil
Manchester › Northern Quarter★★★★★ (—)
Northern Quarter's wednesday-night free open mic at The Pen & Pencil — PA + vocal mic, walk-in sign-up from 7:30pm, 15-minute slots, all ages.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer
  • Mon10:00–00:00
  • Tue10:00–00:00
  • Wed10:00–00:00
  • Thu10:00–00:00
  • Fri10:00–01:00
  • Sat10:00–02:00
  • Sun10:00–20:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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The Rat And Pidgeon
Manchester › Piccadilly, Manchester city centre★★★★★ (—)
NQ punk rock bar and venue.Next gig: Fri 13 Nov MX LONELY
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon12:00–23:00
  • Tue12:00–23:00
  • Wed12:00–23:00
  • Thu12:00–01:00
  • Fri12:00–01:00
  • Sat11:00–01:00
  • Sun11:00–21:00
View venue›
c. 80
Photo: Google
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The Rising Sun
Manchester★★★★★ (—)
Unity Social community sports pub off Deansgate.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • 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
  • Fri12:00–00:00
  • Sat12:00–00:00
  • Sun12:00–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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The Rose & Monkey
Manchester › Northern Quarter★★★★★ (—)
Northern Quarter pub with a small music stage and a beer gardenNo 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)
  • MonClosed
  • Tue17:00–00:00
  • Wed17:00–00:00
  • Thu17:00–01:00
  • Fri15:00–02:00
  • Sat13:00–02:00
  • Sun16:00–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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The Salty Dog
Northwich★★★★★ (—)
Independent Northwich High Street pub built around beer and musicNo 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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The Silly Country
Manchester › Droylsden★★★★★ (—)
Manchester pub with live music.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon12:00–23:00
  • Tue12:00–23:00
  • Wed12:00–23:00
  • Thu12:00–23:00
  • Fri12:00–23:00
  • Sat12:00–23:00
  • Sun12:00–22:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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The Snipe
Manchester › Audenshaw★★★★★ (—)
Audenshaw pub with regular live music and a Wednesday quiz and karaoke night.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • 2 vocal mics
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • Wed16:00–00:00
  • Thu16:00–00:00
  • Fri16:00–00:00
  • Sat14:00–00:00
  • Sun14:00–21:30
View venue›
c. 80
Photo: Google
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The Snug Coffee House
Manchester › Atherton★★★★★ (—)
Coffee house with live music sessions.Next gig: Sat 14 Nov Snug Live Sessions w/Witness + The Jesus Bolt
  • PA system
  • Drum kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer
  • MonClosed
  • Tue09:00–16:00
  • Wed09:00–16:00
  • Thu09:00–16:00
  • Fri09:00–17:00
  • Sat09:00–23:00
  • SunClosed
View venue›
c. 200
Photo: Google
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The Soup Kitchen
Manchester › Northern Quarter★★★★★ (—)
Northern Quarter's Sunday-night free open mic at 31-33 Spear Street, M1 1DF — basement music venue, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.Next gig: Fri 13 Nov The Gulls
  • PA system
  • Drum kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • Keys / keyboard
  • 3 vocal mics
  • In-house engineer
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • Wed16:00–00:00
  • Thu16:00–02:00
  • Fri16:00–04:00
  • Sat12:00–04:00
  • SunClosed
View venue›
c. 100
Photo: Google
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The Spinning Top
Stockport★★★★★ (—)
Stockport pub with live entertainment.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon18:15–00:00
  • Tue17:00–00:00
  • Wed17:00–00:00
  • Thu17:00–00:00
  • Fri17:00–00:00
  • Sat17:00–01:00
  • Sun16:00–23:00
View venue›
c. 200
Photo: Google
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The Star And Garter Manchester
Manchester › Fairfield Street, Piccadilly★★★★★ (—)
Fairfield Street live venue.Next gig: Fri 20 Nov Grommet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon19:00–23:00
  • Tue19:00–23:00
  • Wed19:00–23:00
  • Thu19:00–23:00
  • Fri19:00–23:00
  • Sat21:00–02:30
  • Sun21:00–02:30
View venue›
Photo: Google
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The Star Inn
Salford★★★★★ (—)
Co-operatively owned Salford local with a monthly folk club open micNo 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)
  • Mon16:00–23:30
  • Tue16:00–23:30
  • Wed16:00–23:30
  • Thu16:00–23:30
  • Fri12:00–00:00
  • Sat12:00–00:00
  • Sun12:00–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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The Stoller Hall
Manchester › Manchester city centre (Victoria)★★★★★ (—)
RIBA award-winning concert hall at Chetham's School of MusicNext gig: Sat 14 Nov Kantos Chamber Choir: Brontë
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon08:00–22:00
  • Tue08:00–22:00
  • Wed08:00–22:00
  • Thu09:00–22:00
  • Fri08:00–22:00
  • Sat08:00–22:00
  • Sun08:00–22:00
View venue›
c. 200
Photo: Google
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The Strines Nightingale
Stockport › Marpleridge, Marple★★★★★ (—)
Independent country freehouse and grassroots music venue near MarpleNext gig: Fri 20 Nov Dylan Leblanc
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • WedClosed
  • Thu18:00–22:00
  • Fri17:00–22:00
  • Sat13:00–22:00
  • Sun13:00–21:00
View venue›
c. 80
Photo: Google
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The Talleyrand
Manchester › Levenshulme★★★★★ (—)
Arty, eccentric Levenshulme bar with a packed live programmeNo 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
  • Tue16:30–23:00
  • Wed16:30–23:00
  • Thu16:30–23:00
  • Fri16:30–01:00
  • Sat16:30–01:00
  • Sun16:30–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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The Test Venue
Manchester★★★★★ (—)
Manchester test and events venue.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—
  • Tue—
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View venue›

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
Free, weekly
One email a week. Gigs near you.

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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