The Abbey

The Abbey’s back, bebé. Or did it ever go away? It’s the last remaining building from the Greenheys slum clearances of the 1960s and 70s, brought bang into 2026 by some key figures in Manchester’s gig-going landscape. We’re talking the brains behind local institutions like YES, Now Wave, Gorilla and the Manchester Psych Fest. In short, it ain’t another chain pub. 

And if it was, it’s unlikely the locals would back it. Previously it was the Old Abbey Taphouse, an admirably well-meaning but ultimately doomed community hub-meets-pub – a home for progressive events, local radio and pay-as-you-feel meals and rehearsal spaces. 

Of course, late-stage capitalism means places like that can’t last, but it appears the new Abbey crew will retain some of that grassroots spirit. The venue launched with the slogan “Old Pub, New Music”, and, indeed, the owners built their reputation on all things independent. 

Need more clarity? Well, the upcoming booking list includes agit-funk five-pieces, San Diego art-punks, and Swedish krautrock imports. In other words, don’t expect an Ed Sheeran tribute act to ruin your pint. 

As for being a pub, it’s a solid option and well worth the short trek out of the city centre. It’s not much further than the Big Hands and Manchester Academy and slots neatly into a first-class gig-going trifecta. 

There’s a wide-ranging choice of beers, plus two beer gardens – count ‘em – and the decor is faithful to that old-money Victorian look that Manchester does so well. 

The one misstep comes with the kitchen – it’s classic pub grub, as you’d expect, but with a national chain at the helm (albeit, a decent one: Pieminister). For a space like this, with the history it has, it’d be nice to see a more local flavour, similar to the Taphouse community kitchen of yore. Early days though. 

Nibble quibbles aside, The Abbey’s a grand addition to Hulme, and this is precisely the team you’d want running a place like this. Lemon Damm’s are on me.