Manchester is a city with a long and storied musical history. From The Beatles and Frank Sinatra to The Smiths and The Stone Roses, the city has seen some of the greatest musical acts of all time. Today, Manchester is still a vibrant music scene, with a variety of venues offering live music for all tastes. Whether you're looking for jazz, blues, folk, or rock, there's something for everyone in Manchester.
If you're looking for the best places to listen to live music in Manchester, you've come to the right place. From classic venues like Albert Hall and Band on the Wall to newer spots like Gorilla and The Deaf Institute, there's something for everyone in this vibrant city. Here's a look at some of the best places to go for live music in Manchester.
Albert Hall
- Albert Hall is one of the oldest and most iconic live music venues in Manchester. With a long history dating back to the early 20th century, this venue has seen some of the greatest musical acts of all time.From The Horrors to Martha Wainwright and Public Enemy to PJ Harvey, Albert Hall continues to host some of the best live music in the city.
Night %26 Day Cafe
- Night %26 Day Cafe is a great spot for live music lovers. Spread over four floors, this venue offers two live music spaces, a fantastic cafeteria, and a rooftop terrace. You can catch up-and-coming artists in the basement or some of your old favorites in the Pink Room. Plus, you can enjoy pizza and hang out upstairs before the show.Band on the Wall
- Band on the Wall is one of Manchester's most beloved live music venues.After being renovated and designed exclusively with live music in mind, this venue has become renowned for its support of jazz and its eclectic mix of established artists and emerging talent.
Gorilla
- Gorilla is another great spot for live music in Manchester. Formed from what was once The Green Room, this venue offers a great medium-sized space for concerts, club nights, book readings, and more. You can expect a mix of established artists and up-and-coming talent here.The Deaf Institute
- The Deaf Institute is one of Manchester's favorite venues for live music. This venue offers a ground floor for drinking and eating as well as an upper floor with space for up to 500 people.You can catch performances from artists like Jane Weaver, Laura Veirs, and Cautious Clay here.
Blues Kitchen
- Blues Kitchen is one of the best restaurants with live music in Manchester. If you're a fan of blues or jazz, this is definitely the place for you. You can catch bands or DJs every night of the week here.Night %26 Day Cafe
- Night %26 Day Cafe has been around since 1991 and it's still one of Manchester's favorite spots for live music. This venue offers everything from club nights to vegan food.The Ritz
- The Ritz is another classic venue with a long history dating back to 1776.This venue pays homage to its musical heritage with several weekly concerts in its charming concert hall.Academy 2
- Academy 2 is one of three Academy venues located close to each other on Oxford Road.This venue offers some great live music from local artists as well as international acts.