Live Music — Pubs in Manchester

Peer Hat

14-16 Faraday Street, Manchester M1 1BE

Bar on the ground floor, there are 4 hand pumps, 2 tied to Marston's breweries with others serving local beers. Also 6 keg lines with 4 tied to Marston's products. At the time of visit one keg product was Runaway KeyKeg (real ale) beer. It has a downstairs area for music and club events, which can also be hired as a function room.

Fairfield Social Club

Mayfield Depot, 11 Baring Street, Manchester M1 2AD

Not a club as such just an open venue welcoming everybody hence the name. This had been the winter home of GRUB Manchester but this venue has now become an event space. This undercover hangout is just five minutes’ walk from Piccadilly train station. In a railway archway along with most of the brewers at this end of town.

Wilson's Corner

42-44 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE

Wilson's Corner replaced the short-lived Patron in August 2019. Patron had opened the previous year. This is now a restaurant/bar serving Latin American cuisine.

Hetheringtons Cafe Bar

8 Pollard Street, Manchester M4 7DS

Cafe Bar set up in 2019 that sells cask beers from Robinsons. More information will be available when open again and visited. Note hours are as in Tier 2 lockdown.

Whiskey Jar

14 Tariff Street, Manchester M1 2FF

Guilty By Association

Stevenson Square, Manchester, Manchester M1 1FB

No real ale. Subterranean bar accessed through a door on the street corner opposite to Fred Aldous shop.

Tariff & Dale

2 Dale Street, Manchester, Manchester M1 2FN

Opened in early May 2015 in a former cotton spinners warehouse and showroom. Entry is via a small lobby with a weighing machine (insert no coach parties joke here), the upstairs to the bar or down to the restaurant area. The modern bar is in a large room with rough painted brickwork. There are various styles of seating including an ingenious snug in the old lift shaft at the left hand end of the bar. The toilets and a separate drinking area are round the corner at the far end. Currently two regular real ales available on hand pump along with six craft beer fonts. A range of food is available all day at the bar or from the restaurant downstairs (Breakfasts until noon). There are DJ nights as well - see social media sites for details.

Angel

6 Angel Street, Manchester M4 4BQ

The Angel is found huddled within a flurry of new development in what was a notorious slum area, known as Angel Meadow. The horrendously busy junction on Rochdale Road makes it a hard place to reach at times but is worth making the effort. With a fine selection of beers adorning the dozen handpumps, there is something to suit most pallets. The house beer is a light, pale ale from Howard Town, usually balanced by a powerful dark beer at the other end of the spectrum. As a historic pub, refurbishment works are slow and expensive, however, they are making progress. The plumbing in the Gents, long closed for the necessary improvement, has now been suitably reinstated, with very few changes made to the tiling. The outdoor temporary arrangement may be retained for outdoor summer events. It seems The Angel will continue to serve both the new and old community for a while to come.

B Lounge @ the Brunswick

97 Piccadilly, Manchester, Manchester M1 2DB

The pub is entered up a couple of steps leading to the bar with its three hand pumps is in front of you. A small room with a large picture covering the majority of one wall is to the left. To the right of the bar is the main lounge area and at the rear is a raised area on the right with a smaller area to the left. Smart seating with comfy chairs and sofas as well as outside seating area on the pavement.

Band on the wall

25 Swan Street, Manchester, Manchester M4 5JZ

Famous Manchester music venue reopened after a major refurbishment in 2009. There is a public bar known as the 'Picturehouse bar'. The other bar is part of the music venue itself and is only accessible if you are going to a gig. Both bars serve real ale. Check website or music press for gig details. The venue can be hired out and accommodates 240 people.. Note that the opening times may vary and can be subject to gigs

Bay Horse

35-37 Thomas Street, Manchester, Manchester M4 1NA

This is one of the new breed of stylish Northern Quarter bars. Entrance steps lead up to the main room with the bar to the right. The furniture is a mixture of tables with wooden chairs, comfy chairs and 'chaise longue' providing a relaxed atmosphere. There is a downstairs room, featuring a pool table and a separate bar, although there is no hand pump there. There is also occasional on street seating usually used by smokers and probably weather dependent. The house beer is Tetley's rebadged.

Foundry Project

Smithfield Market Buildings, 85 High Street, Manchester, Manchester M4 1FS

Foundry Project opened on the site of the former Bluu bar/restaurant in November 2018. This is a bar/restaurant with food available throughout the day. There is no longer cask ale but there is Estrella tank beer and also various craft keg beers.

Rose & Monkey Hotel

31 Swan Street, Manchester M4 5JZ

This small and friendly pub has changed hands and is now under the stewardship of Chris Slater and Leigh Handford. It is a long narrow pub with 2 rooms one behind the other, the front room facing the street contains the bar. The pub has been refreshed and the removal of the pool table in the back room has created significantly more space. They continue to provide live music most nights and Chris and Leigh are also custodians of The Twisted Wheel music venue in the city. The pub may occasionally open on a Monday.

Castle Hotel

66 Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LE

Please note temporary change of opening times. This 200-year-old pub has outgrown its chequered past and blossomed to embrace a modern era. The listed building has been restored and its faded and rather tired décor has been given a new lease of life – all in tune with its grade 2 listed status. With 4 Robbies own plus their Hartley’s, plus 4 guest hand pumps it is an impressive view that meets your eyes as you walk through the door. There is also a fine array of bottles and keg beers for those needing more. There are 2 back rooms plus a further upstairs room, used for music and spoken work session as advertised on their website. The rooms may also be used for private functions during the week. The Castle supports community groups and activities by allowing these rooms to be used for rehearsals, and their chosen charities – The Booth Centre, plus Calais Drive in conjunction with L’auberge des Migrants.

City

133 Oldham Street, Manchester, Manchester M4 1LN

Grade II listed one room pub that had rejoined the real ale fold in 2009. However falling sales led to real ale being discontinued towards the end of 2018. A pub full of characters during the day but generally quieter in the evenings. The interesting frontage is dominated by the Royal coat of arms and a tableau celebrating the arrival of William III and Mary II being welcomed by Britannia.

Common

39-41 Edge Street, Manchester, Manchester M4 1HW

Reopened on 2nd April 2015 after month long extensive refurbishment. New central bar with one hand pump to the right hand side as you enter. Toilets are now downstairs and the old loo area is now a cosy snug.

Alvarium

8 Dorsey Street, Manchester, Manchester M4 1LU

Stopped selling real ale some time in 2013 and two hand pumps removed. However does sell a range of continental bottled beers along with bottles from the Freeminer Brewery range.

Crown & Kettle

2 Oldham Road, Manchester M4 5FE

This Grade II listed free house reopened in 2005 after 16 years in co-operation with English Heritage with particular attention to the fine and unusual ceiling. The central bar serves up to eight ever-changing real ales from all over the country. Refurbished in 2020, the pub has been smartened up following a change of ownership in 2021 and in some places the walls have been stripped back to the brickwork. There is a large drinking area in front of the bar along with a small vault and a snug at the rear. Two TVs in the main bar area list all the beers and ciders sold. The pub itself dates from around 1800 and was quite prosperous due to its junction location and proximity to the nearby Smithfield Markets. Food is available and is listed on cards left on the tables.. Greater Manchester CAMRA regional Pub of the Year 2015. Central Manchester Pub of the Year 2019. No children allowed - strictly 18+.

English Lounge

64-66 High Street, Manchester, Manchester M4 1EA

Open plan divided by structural pillars. L-shaped bar, front right area reserved for diners. Normally at least one beer from Timothy Taylor.

Green

Bridge House, 26 Ducie Street, Manchester, Manchester M1 2DQ

No real ale.

Gullivers

109 Oldham Street, Manchester, Manchester M4 1LW

Reopened in September 2013 and refurbished in the summer of 2014. There is a long narrow front room with the bar along the wall on the left as you enter from Oldham St and raised tables on the right. There are two further rooms, the first, on the left as you leave the bar, is the larger and is quite dark, the second is down a corridor and smaller and quieter. The first floor of the pub is a live music venue.

Hare & Hounds

46 Shudehill, Manchester M4 4AA

Grade II-listed pub, adjacent to Shudehill bus station and Metrolink stop. The pub has a nationally important historic interior and mottled tile frontage. Remodelled about 1925 the building dates back to about 1800. Split with a lobby in front of a bar, a lounge at the rear and vault at the front; the pub can be busy most days. Karaoke and other entertainment takes place regularly and it appeals to the mature drinker and sports fans.

Millstone

65 - 67 Thomas Street, Manchester, Manchester M4 1LQ

Lively city centre pub catering mainly for older clientele. It hosts regular singing evenings performed by the locals. A former Wilsons pub it was acquired by J W Lees in 2004. The friendly landlord often mixes and chats with his customers. There are three distinct drinking areas and the large front windows are opened when the weather allows. It provides inexpensive accommodation (14 rooms) and this operation is known as the Little Northern Hotel. Underwent refurbishment in late June 2014 which included opening former office space into an extra drinking area at the rear of the pub.

Night & Day

26 Oldham Street, Manchester, Manchester M1 1JN

Started selling real ale in mid 2012.

Freemount

73-75 Oldham St, Manchester, Manchester M4 1EB

Once a traditional Tetley's pub, the Kings; this was refurbished and became an evening bar known as the Northern a number of years ago and did not feature real ale. This has now been redeveloped as the Freemount and cask ale has been reintroduced, it currently has 2 revolving cask beers. The entrance on Oldham Street that was closed when the pub was The Northern has been reopened but there is still a second rear entrance on Tib Street. There is often live music in the evening at weekends.

Soup Kitchen

31-33 Spear Street, Manchester M1 1DF

This is a canteen style bar and bistro with mainly bench seating. Soups, snacks, main meals available as per opening hours including good vegetarian options. Some on street seating is available. Music and comedy events feature in a downstairs room which is only open when an event is on and usually incurs an admission charge. In January 2019 Soup Kitchen reduced their cask offering to three. First Chop SUP is now their 'house beer'.

Star & Garter

18-20 Fairfield Street, Manchester, Manchester M1 2QF

No real ale.

Trof

8 Thomas Street, Manchester, Manchester M4 1EU

This Northern Quarter bar now has a single hand pump serving a guest beer.

Bar21

10 Thomas Street, Manchester, Manchester M4 1DH

A television, film and arts themed venue located in the Northern Quarter. A large metal 'Alien' stands waiting for a pint in the main room and there are other film themed items. The most noticeable of these is the Space Shuttle snug which is now probably the only operational one left. Sells one real ale. Formerly 'TV21 Manchester' until a refurbishment in May 2014. Don't forget to buy the Alien that pint!

Unicorn

26 Church Street, Manchester, Manchester M4 1PN

Multi room city centre pub usually very busy during the day with a lively band of friendly regulars. Generally not as busy in the evenings. Large central bar serving a narrow lounge and also a lobby that leads to a large lounge off to the right. A small back room has a TV and an interesting collection of naval themed pictures. The bar and rooms consist of carefully preserved light oak panelling. An upstairs function room caters for 30 to 40 people.

Wheatsheaf

30 Oak Street, Manchester M4 5JE

Large pub hidden in the small housing estate that now covers much of the former Smithfield Market area. Altered in the 1990's it has a large bar along the back wall in the middle of the pub. Essentially open plan the layout gives the feel of four separate drinking areas. Regular live music evenings are provided by a keyboardist. Across the road from Manchester Craft & Design Centre housed in the old retail fish market.

Projekt 42

42 Charles Street, Manchester M1 7DB

Originally opened 4/1/11 as a new basement bar. Change of direction on 25/8/12 when it re-opened as a club called Projekt 42, specialising in music in the basement location.

Garratt

127 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7AG

Formerly the Old Garratt and a branch Pub of the Month in Feb 1988. It once sold Boddingtons and other cask products. Now a music bar.

O'Sheas

80 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6NF

An Irish pub housed in an old William & Glynn’s bank yet despite that pedigree, this L shaped bar is somewhat basic, almost like a 1970s works canteen with red painted woodwork, half-panelling on the walls, bench seating and wood flooring. On the walls is the usual Irish bric-a-brac expected of an ‘Irish’ bar. Round the corner from the entrance is a stage area that host regular live music, and a pool table. Irish TV sports are shown via RTE, the Irish broadcaster. A welcome conversion to cask beer took place in mid-2012, however that did not work out, so back to the keg beer it went in mid-2014.

Rembrandt / Rem Bar

33 Sackville Street, Manchester M1 3LZ

Two bars in one building. The lower Rem Bar has recently be refurbished to a high standard - all black and silver décor with tasteful use of a military-boot motif in the logo and in artefacts in and around the bar. There isn't much furniture, so the emphasis is on vertical drinking. The upstairs bar, Belinda Scandals / Rembrandt, is accessed from the Sackville St entrance.

Dockyard

Left Bank, Irwell Square, Manchester M3 3AN

After 18 months of success at their original bar in Salford's Media City area, the Dockyard Spinningfields opened in April 2015 on the banks of the Irwell immediately adjacent to the pedestrian bridge which crosses the river at Left Bank. Their tag line reads 'A proper pub, serving proper food and proper ale' and they mean it. The L shaped bar has 8 handpumps fitted. Four dispense Thwaites Wainwright (now brewed by Marstons) and house beer Dockyard Ale (a rebadged Thwaites TBC). A bank of four pumps server the guest ales which are always sourced from local breweries in support of owner Steve Pilling passion for local produce. Housed in one of the many ground floor retail units under the Spinningfields office and residential blocks, the bar is spacious. There is a large outdoor area on the banks of the River Irwell which will be a real sun trap in summer. The food menu consists of classic burgers, a selection of 'butties' ranging from ham & cheese through to a fish and mushy pea butty, ribs, wings, salads and a pie of the day. Sunday roasts are served.

Cafe Beermoth

40A Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 1EN

Unique modern bar with leanings to a Belgian style cafe-bar. From the team behind the Beermoth specialist beer off-licence on Tib Street in the NQ, so you can expect a very good range of beers form all over the world. Specialising in wild yeast and American bottled beers. Seven ever-changing British cask ales on hand pulls plus ten keg lines many of which will serve British key-keg conditioned beers from both local breweries and others from across the UK. Plus other foreign beers from an extensive bottle menu. Serves a range of bar snacks comprising of cheese and meat plates at very reasonable prices, available all day with food popups occasionally at weekends. Live music on an occasional ad-hoc basis. Whilst the address is Spring Gardens the public access door is in Brown Street.

Cringlewood Social Club

Yew Tree Lane, Manchester M23 0DY

Former GMT workers social club featuring a bowling green, indoor sports are also popular, at the rear of the premises is the concert room with regular entertainment a feature. The club features a bowling green, snooker, darts, pool a concert room and sports on TV.

Manchester Metropolitan University Students' Union

21 Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester M15 6AD

Opened in 2015 the Manchester Metropolitan University Students' Union is a modern building designed to provide for all the students needs when on Campus. Note that whilst it is usually open to the Public access may be limited to holders of Students Unions Cards for certain events.

Academy 1

University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL

Manchester Academy is the largest of Manchester University Student Union's live music venue. It regularly plays host to major touring bands and artists. It has two bars - a main bar to the rear of the auditorium and a smaller can & bottle bar to the right hand side of the auditorium. Does not usually open except for concerts.

Academy 3

University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL

Academy 3 is a live music venue on the top floor of Manchester University Students Union. It is the second smallest of the University's venue playing host to upcoming bands and established acts with a smaller audience.In the past has been known as The Solem Bar & the Hop & Grape but was renamed Acedemy 3 when expanded in the mid 2000s. Is also used for meetings by the University. Is not open to the public except for concerts.

Ape & Apple

28-30 John Dalton Street, Manchester M2 6HQ

This Joseph Holts house was converted from a former bank in the late 90s. Although brightly lit, the decor features lots of wooden panelling & screens giving a much older traditional feel. Fixed bench seating on the John Dalton Street side of the pub and a range of old prints & other bric a brac adds to the feel. As a Holts pub, offers some of the cheapest drinks in the city centre. As well as the keenly priced Holts draught beers, the full range of Holt's bottled beers is stocked alongside a wide variety of spirits. Located between Deansgate & Albert Square, the pub attracts a wide clientele from shoppers to local office workers but retains a core of friendly regulars. Stays relatively quiet and doesn't tend to attract the more unruly element from some of it's Deansgate neighbours. There are good value food offers for the budget conscious. Upstairs is a large area which can be used as a function room. There is a large heated roof terrace with plentiful seating. Manchester's longest running free comedy club, Comedy Balloon, is held in the upstairs room every Wednesday (http://www.comedyballoon.co.uk/). The room is available for hire other nights & many local societies meet here regularly.

Atlas Bar

376 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LY

Albert's Schloss

27 Peter Street, Manchester M2 5QR

Large beer hall which feature Pilsner Urquell served from tanks and also many German beers on tap. Sell a locally brewed house beer called 'Saxe Coburg'. There are 2 handpumps serving cask ale at the front and one at the far side of the bar from the entrance.

Dukes 92

18-20 Castle Street, Manchester M3 4LZ

Dukes 92 opened in 1991 in the very early days of the regeneration of Manchester's Castlefield district. Since then it has become an institution in the area having more than doubled in size with several expansions over the years. The bar takes it's name from the adjacent Lock No 92 on the Rochdale Canal where the canal flows into Castlefield Basin and meets the Bridgewater Canal & the River Medlock. Is extremely popular in the summer months due to it's massive waterside patio area on the Castlefield Basin side of the building. Inside the main ground floor space is a large open plan area with one side of the L shaped bar to the right. The other side of the bar faces the rear of the building where the most recent expansion has added 'Dukes Grill' restaurant area. The upstairs gallery bar has a balcony overlooking the patio area and is available for hire for private parties. Two further event spaces not normally open to the public are also available to hire. In addition to Dukes Grill (12 - 10 Mon - Thurs; 12 - 10.30 Fri; 10.30am - 11pm Sat; 10.30am - 9.30pm Sun) their are three further menus on offer - the bar menu, the pizza menu & the cheese and pate selection. The bar menu is served 12 - 3pm Mon - Thurs & 12 - 4.30pm Fri - Sun. Pizzas and sharing buckets are served until 10pm daily (10.30 Fri/Sat, 9.30 Sun). Dukes 92 begain life as sister bar to Salford's Mark Addy, from which it inheritted the legendary cheese & pate selection. Served 12 - 7pm daily (12-6 Fri - Sun), for £7.95 you can choose from a selection of over 40 English & Continental cheeses and pate's, served with a choice of salad, granary or ciabatta bread and homemade pickles. Portions are massive - allow plenty of time to get through it or grab a doggy bag & take some home for later. Although not obvious when first looking across the bar, real ale is served from two stainless steel handpumps on the corner of the bar with unusual oversize pump clips showing both ales available complete with tasting notes. Unfortunately real ale availability can be erratic and quality is often variable.

Grand Central

80 Oxford Street, Manchester M1 5NH

Grand Central is located just south of Manchester city centre, close to Oxford Road Station. It's open 7 days a week but has live music on Thursday nights, with the occasional 'special' on other days of the week. In its own words it is 'proud to be rock n metal to its foundations' - so expect it loud, especially at weekends. It is also the North West home of Bloodstock Festival's Metal To The Masses contest. However, lunchtimes and early evening it is popular with the suits from Manchester's business community who call in one route to their daily commute who happily rub shoulders with the students and metal fans. A long and thin building, the main bar is directly in front of you as you enter. The stage is to the right while to the length is a deceptively large seating area.

Mulligans

12 Southgate, Manchester M3 2RB

Irish bar just off Deansgate.

Peveril of the Peak

127 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester M1 5JQ

Re-opening on 06.07.2020. The 'Pev' is a famous Manchester institution, still run by the city’s longest serving landlady. A splendid etched mirror hangs over the fireplace in the snug (formerly the Smoke Room), commemorating the first forty years of her tenure. The pub, like its landlady, is a great survivor. It stands as a small triangular island of civilised drinking, shorn of the rest of the original terrace but surrounded by much taller office and apartment blocks of both 19th and 21st century origin. The glorious green tiled exterior hides an even more splendid interior, full of polished wood, stained glass and traditional bench seating along the walls – much of it with the original bell pushes that once summoned bar staff to take customers' orders. There are four distinct drinking areas. Entering from the street you find yourself in a long and twisting drinking lobby surrounding the island bar. Behind the bar, in the V of the pub's wedge shape, is the public bar, featuring an unusual and antique “table football” machine. In the opposite direction are another wedge-shaped room (the afore-mentioned cosy snug, often the venue for folk groups) and the L-shaped rear room. The pub is now open all Satudays, no longer just when Manchester United are at home.

Salisbury Ale House

2 Wakefield Street, Manchester M1 5NE

Re-opened on 08.07.2020. The Salisbury is a rock pub in every sense of the word. There are fewer students than most pubs at this end of town, but it is a very friendly place with a live-and-let-live view on life. The exterior is brown glazed tiles, while the interior suffered a pub-co refurbishment a few years ago. A large room is sectoned by pillars and booths, with additional rooms either side of the main entrance, creating an intimate feel. The beer range has two beers from the Theakston's range but it does stand our for being a rare pub where Old Peculiar is permanently available.

Sir Ralph Abercromby

35 Bootle Street, Manchester M2 5GU

Re-opening on 06.07.2020. For details of any changes to opening times, please contact the pub. A traditional back street local, located next door to the city's main police station. It was under threat of demolition from 2014 to 2017 due to a new development but was saved after a determined battle by friends of the pub assisted by CAMRA. It is close to the site of the Peterloo massacre and is believed to be the only pub remaining from that period. A mural has been painted commemorating the massacre and adorns one of the walls. Decoration places the emphasis on light colours, polished wood, and all neat and tidy with plenty of drinking space. Catering for the young and older crowds alike, it has a central bar serving all areas of the pub, the former games room now being converted into a function room. Soft, piped music is broadcast, to match the furnishings. The food servery with a new fresh menu is towards the rear, near the entrance to the beer garden, which spans an L-shaped area, ideal for the summer months.