Manc Sound

Daniel Ashworth

@ashworth_mcr

8Items

Right, this is the list I keep in my back pocket when someone asks where to catch a proper gig in this city — or just needs pointing to the nearest decent pint after. I work sound for a living out near the Northern Quarter so I've spent more nights than I care to admit in these rooms testing mixes and dodging feedback. These are the ones that actually matter, not the ones that just look good on a flyer.

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The list

Showing 1–8 of 8

Manc Sound — 8 items
Name	Address	City	Why I rate it
1Band on the Wall	25 Swan Street, Manchester M4 5JZ	Manchester	Sound in here is proper, always has been. Jazz, funk, whatever — the room just works. Pint after at the bar's not bad either.
2Night and Day Cafe	26 Oldham Street, Manchester M1 1JN	Manchester	Northern Quarter staple, been going since I were a kid practically. Small room, big noise, always someone worth watching.
3The Deaf Institute	135 Grosvenor Street, Manchester M1 7HE	Manchester	Gorgeous old building, upstairs venue's tiny but sounds mint. Downstairs bar does a proper ale too, sorted.
4Gorilla	54-56 Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5WW	Manchester	Under the railway arches, decent sized room, sound desk here doesn't fight you. Solid mid-size gig spot.
5YES	38 Charles Street, Manchester M1 7DB	Manchester	Basement room does heavier stuff well, top floor's more chilled. Good rooftop for a breather and a can.
6The Castle Hotel	66 Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LE	Manchester	Back room's tiny but the ale selection out front makes up for it. Proper pub gig atmosphere, no airs about it.
8The Peer Hat	20 Faraday Street, Manchester M1 1BE	Manchester	Scruffy in the best way, always something loud and new on. Bar's cheap enough to not wince.
9O2 Ritz	Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5NQ	Manchester	Sprung dance floor's a novelty, sound's been sorted properly since the refit. Good one for a bigger night out.