MANCHESTER’S TOP 8 INDEPENDENT VENUES
VOCAL GIRLS are on tour! We’re kicking things off up north, so here’s some of Manchester’s staple independent venues we recommend getting sweaty in.
Manchester: One of the north’s largest and most outspoken creative cities in the UK. Known for its iconic indie and alternative sound, many formidable musicians begin their journey here, often owing their success to the small pubs and clubs that helped to build and nurture them. So, let’s take a look at some of the venues that make the city’s music scene what it is today.
THE DEAF INSTITUTE
135 Grosvenor St, Manchester M1 7HE
First up is The Deaf Institute. As a previously derelict building, The Deaf Institute was erected in 1878 and is steeped in Mancunian history. Reclaimed a little over a decade ago in 2006 by Manchester's TROF group, The Deaf Institute reopened its doors in 2008 to avid music lovers as a live venue. Based in the heart of the Manchester Metropolitan University Campus, the venue comprises three floors housing a trio of bars, a stunning roof terrace and a kitchen - serving up proper scran only! Still relatively new, The Deaf Institute is already recognised as one of Manchester's most iconic venues, with its gothic embellishments and humble stage homing a plethora of today's most familiar musical names.
GORILLA
54-56 Whitworth St, Manchester M1 5WW
Like The Deaf Institute, Gorilla is one of the north-west's most renowned independent venues. The "industrial chic" splendour resides snugly beneath the city's railway arches - tucked away - but by no means hiding! It’s got everything you could possibly want from a music venue: a dingy aesthetic, cheap drinks and awesome lineups. Both Gorilla and The Deaf Institute faced potential permanent closure from the effects of Covid-19 last year, and it was feared the landscape of the scene in Manchester would resultantly be thrown askew. Thankfully both escaped Covid's capture, and in the coming months, live music will return to the two iconic establishments (yay)!
GULLIVERS
109 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LW
Found amidst Manchester’s Northern Quarter, Gullivers offers not one but two performance spaces; an upstairs ballroom with a modest 100 cap and a downstairs lounge, suited for more intimate performances with a cosy 40 cap. Working alongside countless promoters both in and outside of the city for countless years, Gullivers has garnered a respectable reputation amongst Manchester’s grassroots artistic communities. Priding itself with a traditional pub ethos of “good beer, community and creativity,” Gullivers also has two sister venues: The Castle (Castle Hotel) and The Eagle Inn.
JIMMY’S
27 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6AJ
Founded by One Night Only bandmates and brothers George and Jimmy Craig, Jimmy’s is the go-to for some good gastropub grub and a guaranteed great time! With accompanying residences in both Liverpool and York, Jimmy’s is well and truly making a name for itself up north. A highly popular gig space and quintessential hangout spot, it’s fully equipped with all the neon lights you could ever need!
MATT & PHRED’S
64 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LW
One for the Jazz fans, Matt & Phred’s is named after its two musician founders, who took over the backstreet Jazz club in 2010. With a passion for bringing people from all backgrounds together, the pair have undoubtedly put their once overlooked Jazz club back on the map by allowing masses of talent to grace their stage as they pass through its doors. "Watching bands grow until they are too big for the club is bittersweet, but it also gives up and coming musicians the chance to play at the club too. That's something we are very passionate about." - Matt & Phred
NIGHT & DAY CAFE
26 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JN
Originally opening in 1991 as a chip shop, Night & Day slowly but surely transformed itself into a music venue in the hands of owner Jan Oldernburg. Who would’ve thought it? Sitting across from Piccadilly Records, Night & Day hosts regular art exhibitions alongside its music events drawing artsy folk from all corners of the city. Fun fact: in January 2014, the venue was almost permanently closed after Manchester Council issued a nuisance notice due to noise complaints coming from neighbouring flats. Thankfully, when faced with the threat of closure, music legends including Guy Garvey, Jonny Marr, Frank Turner and Tim Burgess all converged in aid of the venue's support - highlighting the undeniable impact Night & Day had on the music scene in Manchester.
SOUP
31-33 Spear Street, Northern Quarter M1 1DF Manchester
The next stop on our list is the multi award winning bar, nightclub and music venue, SOUP, formerly known as Soup Kitchen. With its two separate floors, SOUP has presented Manchester with an astounding variety of talent over the years. From the live bands they’ve showcased, to the DJ’s keeping the city boogying until the early hours of the morning; this SOUP has got the perfect blend.
YES
38 Charles St, Manchester M1 7DB
Last but by no means least (because this is in alphabetical order, we don’t have favourites) is YES. “Four floors of YES”, to be precise. As one of Manchester’s hottest new venues only opening a couple of years ago; YES is still the baby in the mix but already has a strong offering! There’s vegan street food, a basement club, roof terrace and a beer garden - all alongside its separate gig venue, ‘The Pink Room’. It quite literally has the lot, including an unreal aesthetic too.
So there we have it, eight of Manchester’s finest small venues, and with the return of live music almost in reach, the concept of being immersed within the brick walls of one of these spots is beyond exciting. It goes without saying that after the year we’ve had, when live music does properly return, it’s going to kick ass! Many thanks, of course, to charities such as the Music Venues Trust and Arts Council England for helping keep our favourite venues alive! We’ll see you out there!
