Nightlife & music in Manchester

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

Band on the Wall: jazz and music aficionados get their rocks off at this legendary live music venue, which recently re-opened after a £4m refit. Expect everything from jazz and dub to funk punk and soul.

Matt & Phreds: one of the city’s original jazz venues and always worth a punt for independent music and live jazz. Good pizzas, too.

Common: a small, fiercely independent bar in the Northern Quarter that’s big on ambition: great for both DJs and cocktails of a weekend, plus a regularly changing selection of street art covers the walls.

Briton’s Protection: where music-makers from the nearby Bridgewater Hall hang out – it’s traditional ambience enhanced by a 150-variety whisky menu.

Night & Day: one of the most popular gig venues in the city, its dark, scruffy (but edgy with it) interior playing host to live music throughout the year.

The Deaf Institute: new-ish kid on the block that is one of the top small music venues in the city. Ace café by day, pub, club and gig venue by night.

Image: The Deaf Institute

Possibly related to this:

1. Music and Manchester Music and Manchester go hand in hand: the bands, the venues, the people. Listen to promoter Henry from MIE Music...
2. New Year’s Eve in Manchester: a survival guide Make the most of New Year's Eve in Manchester with our recommendations for a decent night out. Cab carnage, random...
3. An unconventional music festival. Un-convention gets underway. Bill Drummond, Jah Wobble, Jarvis Cocker and an engine room: Un-convention's Jeff Thomas gives us his must-see list for this...
4. Looking for good music? Twelve of the best live music venues in Manchester. Music blogger Matthew Britton rates the top dozen live music venues in Manchester...
5. Weekender Top 5 Art & Music Events. Our top 5 art events and exhibitions on during the Weekender, followed swiftly by our picks of the music events...