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 Classic Architecture |
Victoria Square Manchester BL1 1YZ United Kingdom +44 120 433 4433 |
Although the current building on this property was heavily renovated in the 1980s, this location has served as a concert hall for over 100 years. Albert Halls feature some of the most talented performers in an elegant, classic setting. Check their website for details on upcoming events and ticketing information. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Off the wall live music |
25 Swan Street Manchester M4 5JQ United Kingdom +44 161 834 1786 |
Situated out beyond the Northern Quarter, this is a 240-capacity venue with a character and niche of its own. The interior is dark and atmospheric with burgundy-painted fittings and a fantastic little balcony offering an eagle-eye view of the stage. Its strength lies in the diversity of the live music it puts on. There is a continual programme of non-mainstream specialist music including jazz, reggae, dub, African, folk and Latin, attracting a multicultural audience of all ages. As a club venue at weekends, it hosts a selection of genuinely inventive club nights that attract an eclectic crowd. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: hellabella |
 Photo: J.C.Rojo |
 Home of the Halle orchestra |
Lower Mosley Street Manchester M2 3WS United Kingdom +44 161 950 0000 |
This fabulous £42 million building is one of the major landmarks of Manchester's economic and cultural regeneration. It boasts a state-of-the-art 2340 seat auditorium; home to the world-famous Halle Orchestra and the Manchester Philharmonic. The interior is starkly modern, with an enormous glass facade, high ceilings, brushed metal and chrome details. There is also a superb restaurant and some of the best corporate entertainment facilities in the city. Stop by the stylish gift shop if you're looking to buy greetings cards, music, jewelery or gifts. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Huzhead  |
 Photo: Tom Li |
 Photo: Paul Holloway |
 Photo: vicki crolla |
 Photo: flat.eric2001 |
 Photo: Eddie Lister |
 Photo: G77 |
 Photo: Ian Gregory |
 Photo: Brian Browne |
 Photo: Adam Byron |
 Photo: Sarah Louise Lewis |
 Photo: Chris Harrison |
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Rocking Venue |
Stockport Road/Ardwick Green Manchester M12 6AP United Kingdom +44 870 401 8000 / ++44 61 242 2560 |
The Manchester Apollo was opened in 1930s by the thirties siren Margaret Lockwood. This venue has 2,693 seats, and 3,500 can stand downstairs. Designed by Peter Cummings, Alex Irvine and Gillespie Williams, this venue has seen all the bigwigs of the music industry perform for several decades. Everyone from Snoop Dogg to Geri Halliwell to Daniel Bedingfield to Judas Priest, The Beatles and Bob Dylan have entralled a live audience here. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jenni Graham |
 Where it Started |
28-30 Oldham Street Manchester M1 1JN United Kingdom +44 161 236 9840 |
This bar has carved a niche in Manchester folklore. It was originally opened by the owners of the legendary Hacienda Club and is widely recognized as being the birthplace of the city's now thriving cafe-bar culture. The original bar has spawned many imitators, but it still remains one of the best. Modern in a minimalist sense, the decor is sweeping lines, brushed metal surfaces and wooden floors. Always busy, with an emphasis on the music, there are regular live band nights and DJ sessions on the weekends. Draft beers include Stella Artois and Boddingtons along with a wide range of bottled beers. A basic food menu, including burgers and a small range of tapas, is served all day. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Chris Gregory |
 Photo: Taniya Mitra |
 Hosts Manchester's biggest events |
Windmill Street Manchester M2 3GX United Kingdom +44 161 834 2700 |
This was once the old Central Railway Station. Today, it is not only an impressive exhibition and events center, it's also a local landmark that mixes modern architectural flair with Victorian elegance. Designed for versatility, it makes an ideal venue for sporting events and concerts. The retractable acoustic sails make it so that several events can go on at the same time. The Seminar Center is also frequently used as a totally separate venue. It even has its own bar-restaurant. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Raymond Hau |
 Photo: Dave Arquati |
 Photo: Gary Leeming |
 Photo: Sarah Magee |
 Photo: Luke Logan |
 Photo: hoolebronx |
 Photo: Alex G |
 Photo: Robert D. Innes |
 Photo: Valentina Lo Savio |
 Photo: Maria Adamian |
 Photo: Lesley Heptinstall |
 Photo: Philip Richards |
 Photo: THEGINGERPRINCE |
 Photo: RoninKengo |
 Photo: Christopher Petty |
 Photo: Jorge-11 |
 Photo: Dave Pendlebury |
 Photo: Daniel Biddle |
 Photo: Ollie Bulman |
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Eight nights of popular classical music |
The Bridgewater Hall Lower Mosley Street Manchester M2 3WS United Kingdom +44 161 907 9000 |
The Halle Pops season is eight separate nights of the best in classical and popular music with the legendary Carl Davis as conductor, taking the Halle Orchestra through a wide repertoire at the Bridgewater Hall. Evenings include Easter Parade with works from Handel, Vivaldi and more in March, The Great Escape, highlighting the Second World War through composers such as Walton and Bernstein during April, through to a live orchestral accompaniment to a showing of the silent movie epic - Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse at the end of May.Unsure of Dates Check Website Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Purpose-built university music venue |
Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PR United Kingdom +44 161 275 2930 |
The Academy is a modern, purpose-built, mid-sized music venue linked to Manchester University. Located close to both the student union and the Contact Theatre, it is a central hub of the entertainment scene in the area.Somewhat resembling a dark aircraft hangar inside, it has a capacity of approximately 1,800 people plus a large bar and chill-out area where you can relax or just enjoy a drink. Popular as a tour venue with many established contemporary rock and indie bands, on occasion it is also home to some of the larger national club nights. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Dan Fleming |
 Photo: andrewdisley.com |
 Photo: becki fox |
 Photo: Kengo Iwamoto |
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Europe's largest indoor entertainment arena |
Victoria Station Corner of Trinity Way, Hunts Bank and Great Ducie Street Manchester M3 1AR United Kingdom +44 161 950 5000 / +44 (0)871 226 5000 |
Previously known as the Nynex Arena, Europe's largest multi-purpose indoor entertainment and sport facility first opened in September 1995 when a UK box office record created by the popularity of ice dance supremos Torvill and Dean. Now the 21,000 capacity MEN Arena is home to both the Manchester Giants basketball team and ice hockey's Manchester Storm. In addition, the arena regularly plays host to some of the biggest names in music and showbiz such as Tom Jones and Robbie Williams. There are also good disabled facilities as well as a fully licensed café-bar and a restaurant on site. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Gabriele |
 Photo: Daniel Mortell |
 Photo: Vicky Sorsby |
 Photo: Shirlaine Forrest |
 Photo: Alex Hannon |
 Photo: Nick Barber |
 Photo: drous75 |
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A massively popular Gaelic celebration |
Various venues Manchester M1 United Kingdom +44 (0)161 234 3999 |
This now well established annual festival - held during the middle of March - allows Manchester to celebrate its large Irish population and their cultural impact on the area, with a wide range of special events, concerts and exhibitions. There is always lots of music from world renowned artists such as Van Morrison, comedy nights, Gaelic art displays, dancing, theatre, craft markets and of course the now legendary city centre St Patrick's Day Parade. It is definitely an event that is fun for all the family. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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All the best live indie bands |
8 Newton Street Piccadilly Manchester M1 2AN United Kingdom +44 161 237 9789 |
The Manchester Roadhouse has achieved legendary status thanks to the amazing selection of bands from The Chemical Brothers to Texas that have played here on the route to fame and fortune. Add the many excellent club nights that call it home and it is easy to see why it is busy every night of the week. The low ceiling, dark, sweaty basement feel and cramped dancefloor only add to the electric atmosphere. Unusually for a city centre venue, they offer decent draught beer at reasonable prices. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Premasagar |
 Photo: Ryan Muir |
 Photo: Pat Read |
 Photo: el fox |
 Photo: adam cunningham |
 Photo: Sinéad McCarron |
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Open up this eclectic musical box |
65 Oxford Street Manchester M1 6FT United Kingdom +44 161 236 9971 |
The alter-ego of sister club Rock World, the Music Box takes the spacious basement floor of this eclectic club complex and fills it with a mixture of dance music and live bands. Although the standard matt black decor is basic and the main room is more reminiscent of an aircraft hangar, the addition of lighting, projections and coloured drapes soon transforms the atmosphere. From mid-week onwards you can catch a diverse and popular mixture of nights and sounds from pure techno and break-beat through to samba and world dance. There are even occasional forays into live music and contemporary arts, with alternative theatre groups and events from such Manchester iconoclasts as The Divine David. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Matt Cox |
 Photo: Jutta Hendry |
 Photo: Jessica Higgins |
 Photo: Daisy |
 Photo: Al de Perez |
 Photo: Macky |
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Enjoy this uniquely diverse event |
Oldham Street Manchester M1 United Kingdom +44 161 834 5143 |
Over the last few years, Manchester's Northern Quarter - Oldham Street and its environs - has seen an explosion in cultural and creative talent which this annual street party celebrates in style. It's a free one day music event - on the first Sunday of August - that highlights this huge diversity, from live bands in Stevenson Square to DJs on Tib Street plus sound systems, skate boarding and breakdancing. Don't worry if all that isn't your scene. All the cafes, shops and businesses in the area are encouraged to get involved so there is always something for everyone. Dates are subject to change. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Laurie treasures |
 Photo: Fouad Bechwati |
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Home of traditional opera and drama |
Quay Street Manchester M3 3HP United Kingdom +44 870 401 9000 |
This grand old 2000-capacity theatre was first opened on Boxing Day 1912 and through the intervening decades has played host to many of the biggest stars of British theatre including Noel Coward, Ivor Novello and Ralph Richardson. The lavish, opulent decor in rich reds and golds still evokes the atmosphere of that classic, bygone age. Although the Opera House was closed due to financial constraints in 1979, it was resurrected and re-opened in 1986, and has become the successful home of modern West End musicals, operas, plays and other large-scale shows. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Thomas Williams |
 Photo: manchesterhall |
 Photo: Paul Israel |
 Photo: Julia Houghton |
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From ballroom dance to indie bands |
Whitworth Street West Manchester M1 5WD United Kingdom +44 161 236 4355 |
Although the Ritz was built as a traditional ballroom (with a properly sprung floor for ballroom dancing), it has moved with the times to add club, dance and live music to its ample repertoire. The interior is deceptively spacious, with 2 floors linked by sweeping stairways and decorated with unusual tapestry designs in rich reds and browns. Monday night has been Student Night for nearly 20 years and offers a cheap and cheerful alternative to some of the newer clubs in the city. A mix of indie, dance, and hip hop nights along with occasional live bands are held on weekdays, while weekends tend to attract an older crowd. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: richlander |
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A famous musical institution |
124 Oxford Road Manchester M13 9RD United Kingdom +44 161 907 5555 |
Although this nationally famous Manchester institution has only been in existence since 1973, its roots lie in the late 19th century. It is a place where top young musicians and opera singers from across the country train and refine their talents - many go on to become great stars of the stage.Regular concerts and recitals (by both students and trained musicians) are also held here at the state-of-the-art 450-capacity Brown Shipley concert hall, and there is also a regular programme of jazz, left-field and avant-garde performances on offer. Recent visitors have included such contemporary luminaries as Courtney Pine, Ivor Cutler and Yo La Tengo. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: pit-yacker |
 Photo: Paul Carruthers |
 Photo: Simon White |
 Photo: Zach Rathore |