Having produced The Smiths, Oasis, The Stone Roses, Simply Red and The Chemical Brothers, this city's got entertainment under wraps. Wondering where to find the next hottest acts? These are the best bars, pubs or clubs for live music in Manchester.
Switch up your usual night out with relaxing beats and heart-racing tunes, all
while you dine or drink out. From DJs spinning late-night sets to talented local
acts with chilled out vibes and massive bands playing sell-out
shows, we've got it all here.
Find out more about how we curated this guide in our Editorial Policy.
A reinvented classic from the 90s, Barca Bar serves up tasty pub grub, live music, and cocktails to boot. Want to soak up some rays? Check out their massive terrace with a cocktail in hand, or get your groove on to some of the best live bands in town.
Gorilla is a hotspot under the railway tracks on Whitworth Street West, where the coolest tunes and delicious grub come together to rock your world. When it comes to drinks, they've got a whole lineup of cocktails and shakes, along with the finest bottled beers, top-notch wines, and fair-trade coffees, along with mouthwatering burgers and swanky sandwiches to keep you satisfied.
The Lawn Club are bringing you live music on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with the former being a showcase of new, upcoming artists. Chow down on pizzas and sip through seasonal drinks while enjoying the performances here.
A lively and much-loved Irish bar, O'Malleys spans two floors right in the heart of the city. With a stacked events calendar, this place is a go-to spot for live music in Manchester.
There's plenty to keep you refreshed as you bust a move to local and emerging talent. We're talking creamy pints, wines and cocktails, plus epic pub grub like spice bags, burgers, stews and pies.
Located in the heart of Manchester, BOX Deansgate is a premier sports bar offering delicious food and drink selections, as well as live band performances every Friday and Saturday, so you can dance the night away until 2am. Swing by for an all-American feast of pizza, piled-high nachos, and mouthwatering burgers, all while soaking up the live music and catching all the live-streaming excitement.
Moxy Manchester is the cool hotel bar fronting live DJs on weekends, bottomless brunches or beer pong to kick it off, and 24/7 pizzas for when you get peckish. Better yet, the lineup of unique cocktails includes the Manc-hatten of Makers Mark bourbon, merlot and vimto.
Spread over two floors of a Grade II listed building is The Whiskey Jar, a favourite out of all the bars with live music in Manchester. Head downstairs to enjoy local ales and cocktails as you take in a live band, open mic set or DJs in the basement space.
A vibrant event space that features 11 food vendors and seven bars across its indoor and outdoor spaces, Freight Island has always got something fun going on. Expect regular DJ sets and indie nights, many of which are even free to attend.
There's plenty of space to party, and while you're here you can tuck into tasty street food from the likes of Burgerism, Mega Gyros and Oh My Cheesecake.
Looking for a unique pub experience in Manchester? Head to Stables Tavern in St John's near Aviva Studios, where the original Rovers Return set from Coronation Street has been transformed into a cosy, modern hangout.
Sip on locally brewed beers, snack on homemade sausage rolls, and savour pies from Great North Pie Co. With live music Thursday to Sunday and a friendly, dog-welcoming atmosphere, it's the ideal spot to relax and enjoy.
One of the best restaurants with live music in Manchester, Blues Kitchen is the place for those who love the sounds of the American South. The Quay Street spot offers bands from Monday to Thursdays and club nights taking over on the weekend.
A buzzing Latin-themed music bar, Revolucion De Cuba Manchester is the go-to for eclectic tunes, salsa dancing and great cocktails. If the tasty menu of South American food and drinks isn't quite enough, then the infectious sounds should definitely do it for you.
Located in Albert Square, Dirty O'Sullivans is a lively Irish bar and live music venue. There's always a buzzing atmosphere going on here, as well as musical performances every single day of the week.
There's an excellent range of drinks behind the bar, as well as a hearty food menu to keep you fuelled. Think dry-aged short beef rib burgers, beer-battered haddock, Guinness onion soup and more.
Kahiki Soundhouse is a dynamic live music venue and cocktail bar situated in the heart of the Northern Quarter. With regular DJs, acoustic sets and live bands, you can enjoy all kinds of performances with immersive audio and a central stage.
The bar delivers a variety of high-end cocktails, served well into the night with a 4am closing time. On weekends, you can enjoy a Showtime bottomless brunch with live acts, interactive activities and group sing-alongs. What's more, there are private karaoke rooms too.
Bunny Jackson's is the place to be if you're searching for free live music in Manchester city centre. Hosting bands every Sunday, this Deansgate joint showcases the finest artists on a chain-link fenced off stage, all while offering bourbon and bites inspired by the Deep South.
When in need of live music in Manchester tomorrow or this weekend, you'll find a varied mix of artists taking to the stage at The Night and Day Cafe; from disco to indie and rock 'n' roll. There really is something for everyone at this cosy Northern Quarter pick.
Sporting one of the coolest looks in the city, the gig room at YES is entirely pink. Expect an inclusive and diverse line-up, with everything from EP launches to jazz trios in this totally Instagrammable space.
@ Albert's Schloss on Every Sunday
Albert's Schloss is buzzing at Sunday lunchtime, offering a Bavarian beauty of a Cook Haus roasts, accompanied by a live jazz band. Get a wriggle on and stay as long as you please, as the bar keeps the party going 'til 2am with resident DJs.
Soup is your one-stop-shop for seasonal food and music galore. Alongside snacks, sandwiches and one pots, you'll find a lineup of events in the basement. Think local bands or international acts, alongside DJs, producers and offbeat sessions.
Live jazz, folk, gypsy, salsa, swing and ska make Matt and Phred's a top choice out of live music venues in Manchester. Whether you're out with mates or on a date, team your tunes with cocktails, beers or a bite to eat in this prohibition-style hotspot.
The oldest nightclub in the city, The Ritz dates back to the 1920s. Hosting legendary performers like The Beatles, it's now run by O2 and offers a wide variety of live acts, from world-famous punk acts to local indie acts, right around the corner from Oxford Road.
From more intimate gigs at its bar to 500-people capacity shows in the main performance space, Band On The Wall's 2022 reopening saw the venue continue its international reputation. Once the epicentre of the city's 70s punk scene, this party palace is ideal for live music in Manchester come Saturday or any other time.
Several venues on the DesignMyNight guide offer live music seven days a week. The Blues Kitchen in Spinningfields hosts live music and DJ sets every single night, with free Friday sessions for RnB, afrobeats and hip hop. Albert's Schloss also runs live performances, music and kabaret every night of the week, each with its own themed night and curated guest acts. Dirty O'Sullivans on Albert Square is another reliable option, with musical performances every day of the week.
Yes — several venues and spaces offer free entry to live music. Freight Island regularly hosts free DJ sets and indie nights across its indoor and outdoor spaces. The Blues Kitchen opens its doors for free club nights every Friday, featuring hip hop, RnB and afrobeats with a mix of live performances and DJ sets. Matt and Phred's also runs cheap and often free live music events, spanning jazz, folk, swing and ska.
The Blues Kitchen on Quay Street is a 600-capacity venue with live music every night. Albert's Schloss on Peter Street hosts seven nights of live performances and kabaret. Gorilla, tucked under the railway arches on Whitworth Street West, is a beloved gig venue combining cool tunes with great food and drinks. The Whiskey Jar — spread across two floors of a Grade II listed building — offers live bands, open mic nights and DJs in its basement space. BOX Deansgate hosts live band performances every Friday and Saturday until 2am.
Several venues combine great live music with a proper food offering. Freight Island has 11 food vendors and seven bars alongside regular live music and DJ nights. The Blues Kitchen serves Southern American comfort food — think buttermilk fried chicken and Philly cheese steak burgers — alongside live music every night. BOX Deansgate pairs live band performances on Fridays and Saturdays with an all-American menu of pizza, nachos and burgers. Albert's Schloss offers Bavarian Cook Haus cuisine alongside its nightly live entertainment programme.
