Nightlife & music in Manchester

The Creative Tourist guide to Manchester nightlife and pick of Manchester music

Band on the Wall: After a £4 million refit in 2009, this legendary music venue has swiftly got back to business and now plays host to the sorts of musical genres that would otherwise go under-represented in Manchester, everything from jazz and reggae to new folk and electronica. Aiming to highlight the best in both world and local talent, it’s run on strictly not for profit lines – an ethos that runs over into its education programme. Providing a range of courses in tandem with its eclectic array of shows, there are few competitors that can claim to have as much cultural impact on the Manchester music community as Band on the Wall.

Matt & Phreds: The only club in the north dedicated to jazz, Matt & Phreds is always a good bet for interesting and innovative independent music. Free to get into on weekdays, it still costs only a fiver at weekends, with live acts playing six nights a week. Poetry, literature and acoustic evenings are also a staple, with artwork provided by emerging local talent. The venue also has a great wine list and knows how to make a good pizza.

Common: An utter phenomenon and a law unto itself – if you want to see where the movers and shakers of the city’s vibrant emerging music scene relax, there is no other place to go. Effortlessly cool, the ever changing backdrop of wall art from the area’s most exciting artists forms the backdrop to Common’s rosta of DJs. Membership gives a 10% discount on the bar’s food and drink, another reason to hang about within the venues’ comfy, relaxing confines.

Briton’s Protection: To the untrained eye, the Briton’s Protection may have the air of an old man’s pub, but in fact this traditional boozer is the preferred watering hole of music-makers from the nearby Bridgewater Hall. Its traditional ambience is enhanced by a whisky menu that boasts no less than 150 varieties, and while it is undoubtedly one of the best pubs in the area, its reputation has been enhanced by its extracurricular activity: an upstairs room that apparently saw the start of Badly Drawn Boy’s career, as well as frequent gig nights, poetry recitals and standard pub-fare such as the odd quiz night.

The Deaf Institute: Part of the ever expanding Trof empire, The Deaf Institute has quickly become the hub of the city’s independent music scene. Squatting inside the neo-Gothic grandeur of the Grade II listed Deaf and Dumb Institute (hence the name), the venue’s dome-shaped music hall, complete with smoking terrace, tiered seating and glittering mirror ball, has hosted scores of critically acclaimed international acts and acts as a focal point for the city’s local musicians and promoters. A wonderful aesthetic and ethos runs throughout, which draws young professionals and knowing students alike for good food, drink and well attended club nights. The Institute also has its own boutique record label (Suffering Jukebox), confirming it as the hippest music venue in the city.

Academy 1, 2, 3 and Club: The city’s classic student venue, officially a part of The University of Manchester, the Academy has a suitably scattergun approach to booking acts. Mid-level touring bands play the recently renovated Academy 1 (with a capacity of 2,300), whereas up-and-coming hopefuls, faded has-beens and battles of the bands fill the other, smaller venues. Although it’s played host to many major acts over the years, the Academy is not the most charismatic of venues, but what it lacks in quality, it makes up for in quantity, which means any gig-goer is likely to make a visit at least a few times every year. Nearby, Big Hands is a suitably musical hangout for pre and after-gig drinks.

The Bridgewater Hall: A truly striking building, and one that cost £42 million to build (state of the art doesn’t cover it – the whole place sits on earthquake-proof springs, specially created to reduce acoustic vibration), The Bridgewater Hall is home to three world famous orchestras (the Hallé, the BBC Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata). It hosts over 250 shows every year and covers pretty much every major genre – the collaboration between Elbow and the Hallé during Manchester International Festival being perhaps the most famous example of its diversity. With impeccable acoustics and a decent view from every seat in the house, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the Hall manages to pull in performers from all over the world on a regular basis.

The Ruby Lounge: One of the last old-school dingy music dives remaining in the city, the basement of Ruby Lounge still manages to punch above its weight. Although it claims to be a place for ‘big, wild, loud, thrilling, smeared and sultry live bands’, its guiding principle appears to be if it’s good enough, we’ll put it on. Located just off Market Street, its 350 capacity expands to 500 for club nights, and there’s rarely an evening empty on its hectic calendar.

Manchester Evening News Arena: It may lack the heart and soul of smaller venues, but there are few other cities around the country that can claim to have an arena of the quality of the MEN Arena. Boy bands, pop stars and international rockers grace its stage night after night, sandwiched between sell-out tours by comedians, reality TV spin-offs and even the occasional football match. Merchandise, food and drink may be eye-wateringly expensive, and it may appear unnervingly generic, but the MEN Arena is brutally efficient at putting on what thousands of people are desperate to see.

Saki Bar: Despite spending week nights juggling punk, techno and reggae fans, Saki is probably best known for its highly regarded Underachievers, Please Try Harder club night, which doubles as a platform for the most exciting new bands in the area. A much loved destination for gig goers, Saki’s well-stocked bar and regular cocktail deals means there’s nowhere in the city centre quite like it.

Kro Bar: Sitting at the tail end of Oxford Road, Kro’s upstairs room is frequently transformed into one of the quaintest live music venues in Manchester, which often makes for an unforgettable show. Akin to having your favourite acts play in your living room, this is a venue that is intimate and intense, near perfect for DIY shows and ramshackle club nights. The bar itself is youthful yet manages to steer clear of the student rabble – which is nothing short of a miracle given that the Academy (and Student Union) is only across the road.

Manchester Cathedral: The Cathedral is rarely used for concerts, and with good reason – its majesty could easily overshadow the majority of touring bands playing Manchester. That said, the select few who do get to play are given a truly unique gig, with impressive acoustics to match this beautiful Gothic, grey stone building. Drinks are served, but the bands, as much as the Cathedral itself, are unlikely to get rowdy.

Image: The Deaf Institute. Words Matthew Britton.