Manchester’s Best Live Music Venues – You Gotta Roll With It
Whether you are into aggressive, down and dirty rock bars or have a taste for the smoother sounds in life, Manchester has some of Europe’s, if not the world’s, best music venues.
Here’s a quick guide to what’s hip, where’s hot, and what’s out right crazy.
Night and Day
Set deep in the centre of Manchester is the heart and soul of the city’s live music scene. Night and Day Cafe plays the latest grooves from across the world and has staged some of the world’s greatest musicians. They also have and fantastic daytime menu and you could quite easily while away your day, just eating, drinking and listening to music at this iconic venue.
Address: Oldham Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M1 1JN
The Warehouse Project
If you prefer your venues to be a little bit quirky and off-the-beaten-track then The Ware House Project is the place for you. It’s not your typical high street venue, but a series of parties with genius DJs and live acts playing in an abandoned warehouse, hidden somewhere in the city centre. The parties are legendary but you’ll be hard pushed to get a ticket, so make sure you get in touch well in advance.
Address: Trafford Park Road, Trafford Park, Manchester, M17 1AB
www.thewarehouseproject.com
The Ruby Lounge
For a night of unadulterated chaos and wild, live music, make sure you’re one of the 400 or so people that fill The Ruby Lounge on almost every night of the year. It’s one of the oldest, dingiest music venues in Manchester and championed as being “flash without being showy, lived in without being beat up, Rock’n'Roll without being clichéd and timeless but not tired.” Whether this is your kind of place or not it’s hard not to let it sweep you away in its roaring, mind blowing tornado. Sometimes, you just gotta roll with it. D’you knows what I mean?
Address: 28 – 34 High Street, Northern Quarter Manchester M4 1QB
www.therubylounge.com
Matt & Phreds
If you are in need of some laid back jazz, acoustic music and, of course, literary readings, then you should definitely head to Matt & Phreds in the hip and trendy Northern Quarter of Manchester. Their stage is often graced with new and emerging talent and has hosted the likes of Adele and Jamie Cullum over the years. There’s always something cool going on. Admission is free during the week and only a fiver during the weekends. Regardless of when you go you should make sure to indulge in their fantastic pizzas, accompanied by a glass of classy wine, this is a jazz club after all!
Address: 64 Tib Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1LW
www.mattandphreds.com
Briton’s Protection Hotel
This is one of those little places that’s really only known by locals. It’s a far cry from the modern Manchester hotels that scatter across the city like and glitzy bandanna. From the outside it looks like a traditional, boring old man’s pub but it is, in fact, a favourite drinking spot for many Manchester musicians. Its relaxed atmosphere and antique decor is a great place to talk with friends and sip on fine whisky, apparently they have over 150 different blends on offer. They also have countless traditional ales on tap and their selection of pub classics is something to relish – try the Wild Board & Pheasant Pie for a tasty and filling lunch. If you’re lucky you may even catch one of the occasional musical or poetry performances, which happen spontaneously in a small room on the upper floor. Just make sure you don’t go telling everyone about this little gem – it really is one of the most legitimate remnants of British culture and one can only hope it is preserved as it is, in all its glory.
Address: 50 Great Bridgewater Street, Castlefield, Manchester, M1 5LE
www.britonsprotection.co.uk/
