Guide
The Ultimate 2025 Dining Bucket List
03 Dec 2024
03 Dec 2024
Where to go for live gigs in Manchester
Manchester is world famous for music. Legendary Mancunian bands include The Stone Roses, New Order, The Smiths, Oasis, Happy Mondays, The Chemical Brothers, and The 1975 to name a few. The northern city has a rich culture in music, partying and venues, from The Hacienda to The Warehouse Project. This makes Manchester a hotspot for dancing your blues away. Manchester still has some of the best independent music venues about, where you can have a boogie and a drink. This is a list of some of Manchester’s intimate and cool music bars.
Jimmy’s is located in the heart of trendy hotspot Ancoats. Their beautiful red-brick building can be found on the corner of Blossom Street on Cutting Room Square. Spread across two floors, this rock n roll themed venue is amazing for live music. With a rocking BBQ menu, Jimmy’s Beers and some really great cocktails, Jimmy’s is a bit special when it comes to live gigs in Manchester.
Located next to the Northern Quarter, near Piccadilly Gardens, is The Peer Hat, a community hub with lots of passion and love for grassroots and underground music. In their basement, they have a chilled-out music venue and above it is a very friendly bar. The founders value people, places, art and nature, which is very evident when you step inside The Peer Hat. From hosting grassroot gigs for students to genres, such as DIY music or experimental electronic music, you will discover something wonderful, innovative and fresh at The Peer Hat.
This trendy bar is famous for hosting great music gigs and club nights. However, they also have a fantastic restaurant, where the halloumi burger is to be recommended. In addition, in the morning they serve a scrumptious brunch! Gorilla is only a two minute walk from the Oxford Road Train Station and as one of the bastions of the Manchester nightlife, you must experience a music event here at least once.
Matt and Phreds is a back-street jazz club in the North Quarter, full of passion and joy for jazz music. The club was established in 2010 and became a centre for jazz in Manchester, mixing the young and the old generations together. From one on one jazz musician masterclasses to promoting new and upcoming musicians, Matt and Phreds is the place for jazz. They also serve refreshing drinks and delicious food, so come in whenever and hopefully you’ll be able to listen to some live jazz music!
The Deaf Institute can be found just off Oxford Road, near the Manchester Metropolitan main campus. It’s an integral part of Manchester’s night life and survived the COVID-19 Pandemic thanks to emergency funding. The independent bar is built on the original institute for deaf people in Manchester, so the building dates all the way back to 1878! Since then, they’ve redone the building and returned it to its glory. With so much history and a friendly but unique vibe, it’s a great place to have a cheeky cocktail or a boogie!
