CATEGORY · RAINY DAY APPROVED
Live Music & Gigs in Manchester
Manchester does live music properly, and most of it is packed into a few streets in the centre. Night & Day Cafe on Oldham Street mixes gig nights with DJ sets and art on the walls, often free to get in. Band on the Wall in the Northern Quarter lets under-16s come along with an adult, tickets from £13. Round the corner, Castle Hotel has everything from all-ages theatre nights to strictly 18+ evenings, from £9. For families, Band on the Wall and RNCM are the safer bets, with RNCM also running themed days like Saxophone Day where kids can try an instrument. The Yard Manchester suits older teens, though some gigs there are 18 plus. Keep the youngest ones away from Matt & Phreds Jazz Club and The Blues Kitchen's bar and stage, both adults-only. If you fancy a trip out, The Witchwood in Ashton-under-Lyne has gigs from £5, and Empire Rochdale in Rochdale is free entry and stays open past 4am at weekends.
13 places 14 upcoming events 2 free to visit
What's on: live music & gigs
WED 7 OCT, 12:30
The Cultural Welcome: Words from the Willow
Manchester Museum
Free
FRI 9 OCT, 17:00 · +16 MORE DATES
Free Friday Night Jazz
Stoller Hall
Free
FRI 9 OCT, 19:30
10cc's Graham Gouldman & Heart Full of Songs
Stoller Hall
SAT 17 OCT, 19:30
Scottish Ensemble and Brìghde Chaimbeul
Stoller Hall
From £27.50
SAT 24 OCT
The Killaz UK
The Witchwood
From £12.50
THU 12 NOV
Journey to the Dark Side of the UNE
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
From £27
SAT 14 NOV, 20:30
The Beatles Revolution
The Witchwood
From £14
SAT 21 NOV
UB40 Tribute
The Witchwood
From £14
SAT 28 NOV
Lucy Spraggan
Peak Cavern
SAT 28 NOV, 20:30
Oasiz (Oasis Tribute)
The Witchwood
From £14
SAT 12 DEC
U2 Vs Simple Minds
The Witchwood
From £14
SUN 13 DEC
Calderdale Big Band Concert
National Coal Mining Museum for England
MON 28 DEC
The Jam Restart
The Witchwood
From £14
SAT 9 JAN
Fleetwood Shack
The Witchwood
From £14
Places for live music & gigs
from £13Band on the Wall
Manchester · ages 10+
Live gigs in Manchester's Northern Quarter that under-16s can come to, as long as they've got an adult with them.
Accessible toiletCaféLockersFood on site+3 more
from £9Castle Hotel
Manchester
A live music pub with gig nights that range from all-ages theatre shows to strictly 18+ evenings.
FreeEmpire Rochdale
Rochdale
Live bands, Sunday karaoke and free entry events at a Rochdale venue that stays open past 4am on weekends.
Accessible toiletFood on site
Matt & Phreds Jazz Club
Manchester · adults only (18+)
This one's for the grown-ups' night out list, not the kids: an adults-only jazz bar with live music, cocktails and a free pizza deal.
Night & Day Cafe
Manchester
A gig venue and gallery on Oldham Street with live bands, DJ sets and art on the walls, and a fair few free-entry nights.
Food on site
O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester
Manchester
A big industrial gig venue in Manchester where you book a specific show rather than just turning up.
Accessible toiletPublic transport nearbyToiletsWheelchair accessible
FreeRevolución de Cuba Manchester
Manchester
Cuban tapas, cocktails and salsa lessons, with kids eating for £1 during half term.
Birthday partiesBooking requiredFood on siteParty rooms+4 more
RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music)
Manchester
Live classical and contemporary concerts plus themed days like Saxophone Day and Day of Percussion for kids to get stuck into an instrument.
Accessible toiletBike parkingBlue badge parkingCafé+2 more
The Blues Kitchen Manchester
Manchester
A restaurant with live music where kids can eat with you, but the bar and stage areas are strictly over-18s.
The Oast House - Manchester
Manchester
A big beer garden and street food spot with live music every night, dog friendly until 8pm for the family sitting.
Dog friendlyIndoor seatingParty roomsRestaurant
from £5The Witchwood
Ashton-under-Lyne
Live gigs with tickets from a fiver, though age checks mean under-25s need photo ID on the door.
The Yard Manchester
Manchester · ages 14+
A live music venue for older teens, with some gigs strictly 18 plus and under 16s needing an adult with them.
Accessible toiletDog friendlyWheelchair accessible
YES
Manchester
A live music bar with indoor seating, an outdoor bit and food on site, open from midday most days.
Indoor seatingFood on siteOutdoor play
Good to know: live music & gigs in Manchester
Are any of them free?
Yes, Empire Rochdale and Revolución de Cuba Manchester are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £5 at The Witchwood. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find live music & gigs in Manchester, Rochdale and Ashton-under-Lyne. Every place we list is in or around Manchester, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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