Guides
What's on
Where to go
See all

Guides
What's on
Where to go
See all

The Abbey

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

Visit now

The Abbey

Guildhall Close, Manchester, M15 6SY
01612262052
Website Facebook
  • Monday11:00am - 11:59pm
  • Tuesday11:00am - 11:59pm
  • Wednesday11:00am - 11:59pm
  • Thursday11:00am - 11:59pm
  • Friday11:00am - 1:00am
  • Saturday11:00am - 1:00am

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Visit now
The Old Abbey Taphouse
The Old Abbey Taphouse
Book now

Now Wave – the team behind YES and some of the best independent gig programming in the city – have taken over a Victorian pub on Guildhall Road in Hulme, restored it and added a dedicated live music space at the back. Farewell, Old Abbey Taphouse. Welcome, The Abbey.

The building has been here since 1890, and its history earns a mention. In 1953, boxer and activist Len Johnson walked in with friends and was refused service because of the colour of his skin. He launched a campaign, the Lord Mayor and Bishop of Manchester got involved, and over three days more than 200 people gathered outside in protest. The colour bar was overturned. Johnson – who was teetotal – was invited back in and shared a drink with the publican.

Now it’s got to be said, there’s something to mourn in the loss of the Old Abbey Taphouse – a community hub with a radio station, pay-as-you-feel meals, refugee outreach, and a genuinely generous ethos towards grassroots promoters. But generosity, alas, doesn’t keep the lights on. If anyone was going to take over the place as a live venue, Now Wave are a safe bet, and the opening programme – emerging and independent artists, carefully chosen – suggests the right instincts are in place.

What's on at The Abbey

Press shot by Ché Deedigan.
MusicManchester
1000 Rabbits at The Abbey

Now Wave’s newly revived Hulme pub opens its doors with an ‘art pop picnic’ from London’s 1000 Rabbits.

From £12.00

What's on near The Abbey

Press shot by Ché Deedigan.
MusicManchester
1000 Rabbits at The Abbey

Now Wave’s newly revived Hulme pub opens its doors with an ‘art pop picnic’ from London’s 1000 Rabbits.

From £12.00
Abel Selaocoe_Spring 2026_credit Phil Sharp_sq
Until
MusicManchester
Inspirational Artists at RNCM

The RNCM launches its second Inspirational Artists series, spotlighting a huge range of touring musicians and ensembles, each bringing something unique to the stage.

From £12.50
jonathan schofield giving tour
Until
Manchester
The Kimpton Clocktower Tour

Explore the incredible history behind one of Britain’s grandest and most storied commercial buildings: Manchester’s Grade II listed Kimpton Clocktower Hotel.

From £25.00
MusicManchester
Wednesday at The Ritz

Victory lapping the best album of their career so far, there hasn’t been a better moment yet to catch these North Carolina rockers.

From £29.95
Until
TourCity Centre
The Oxford Road Tour

Jonathan Schofield’s new walking tour exploring the treasures and famous landmarks of Manchester’s Oxford road.

From £20.00
See all events

Where to go near The Abbey

Design space on tote bag
Manchester
Shop
Want Not Waste

Want Not Waste is a student-run, not-for-profit zero waste shop operating out of Academy 1 at the University of Manchester Students’ Union.

Universally Manchester Festival 6-9 June 2024
Manchester
The University of Manchester

Celebrating its 200th year in 2024, The University of Manchester is the largest single-site university in the UK, and boasts come incredible cultural institutions, found on campus, across Manchester and…

Manchester Academy music venue on Oxford Road Manchester.
Manchester
Music venue
Manchester Academy

The Manchester Academy is a mid size, modern warehouse venue adjacent to the University of Manchester Students’ Union. It lacks any architectural merit and has always been a difficult place…

Cafe at the Museum
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
The Cafe
at the Museum

Manchester Museum’s cafe is run by the people behind award-winning cafe Teacup Kitchen. The menu features home-baked cakes, the finest loose leaf teas and breakfast, as well as a wide selection of mains and meals for kids.

Whitworth Park, Manchester
Manchester
Park
Whitworth Park

This 18-acre park opposite the Manchester Royal Infirmary provides a welcome patch of green in an otherwise densely populated and heavily used part of the city.

Manchester
Music venue
Manchester Academy 3

Brilliant venue for catching a touring band on the rise. The boringly titled Academy 3 or more interesting Hop and Grape, as it was once known, is a self contained…

See all places

Manchester District Guides

The cafe in the trees at the Whitworth
Oxford Road, Manchester

We cherrypick our favourite spots on Oxford Road, taking in unique theatres, characterful gig venues and fascinating museums.
Deansgate, Manchester

When you think of Deansgate, you might think about the long (seemingly endless) street that runs from the Manchester Cathedral all the way down to the Deansgate Towers. And you…
Outside Aviva Studios by the River Irwell
City Centre, Manchester

The heart of Manchester is packed full with history and stories. This industriousness is evident across the city centre, where proud heritage meets contemporary ambition, and a forward-looking mix of…
Cutting Room Square
Ancoats & New Islington

Ancoats, just off the Northern Quarter in Manchester, is one of the city’s most increasingly desirable neighbourhoods. Find out why.
Northern Quarter, Manchester
Northern Quarter, Manchester

Manchester’s most characterful, independent district is a jumbled network of streets to one side of Piccadilly Gardens. Here are the places you need to check out.
Salford museum and art gallery exterior
Salford, Greater Manchester

Cross over the River Irwell, and you’ll find yourself in another city entirely – Salford, which is enjoying something of a regeneration.
The front of Didsbury restaurant Volta.
Didsbury, Manchester

Didsbury has the perfect split between big brands and independent businesses, welcoming all from far and wide.

Culture Guides

One Leg One Eye
Music

From drone metal to art pop, free festivals to gigs in museums, here's one of our more eclectic music updates.

Food and Drink in the North

There’s been lamb, there’s been champagne, there’s been okra. Look at what you could have eaten, then plan the next few weeks accordingly.

Hofesh Shechter - Theatre of Dreams at Lowry
Theatre

Dark comedy, visceral dance theatre, Fringe hits and open-air performances on a railway viaduct - try something new this season.

Exhibitions

From post-it-sized art to commissions that fill entire gallery walls, five exhibitions ask what the overlooked reveals.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.