The 16 best jazz bars and jazz clubs in Manchester

I came back to Matt and Phreds the other night for the first time in about 10 years, and it did not disappoint. An absolute stalwart independent music venue putting on superb acts from across the country and from around the world. They host weekly open jam nights for a range of different styles of music too where local musicians can meet and play together making this bar an vital part of Manchester's musical community. On top of this they make a mean pizza and have a sophisticated bar serving nice beers and wines and an impressive cocktail selection. A great place for a date or night out for music lovers and jazz fans!

i had seen a few things online about this place and finally went in after hearing distant jazz music whilst walking through northern quarter. i went in with a friend on a late saturday afternoon. it was happy hour with a great selection of cocktails and they had a free pizza with every two cocktails! we ordered the cocktail special (a refreshing twist on a prn star martini) and a spiced rum cocktail - both were delicious. we had the vegan pizza which went great with the drinks. the performer was brilliant and created a great atmosphere with everyone signing and clapping along to some jazzed up classics. great venue, will definitely be back again!

Deby does amazing cocktails, especially wiskysour. You have to try. The atmosphere is really good. Seat down and relax. Well recommended. And you can get happy hour deals.

Amazing deal you just pay for the drinks and get a free pizza alongside; atmosphere is always good there just the night I went it was a bit too loud, been a regular :)

Great first experience in a Jazz club, recommend by a friend and i couldn’t fault it! Nova Quartet were amazing, such bubbly fun vibes and great performance! Pizza was delicious and the cocktails were reasonably priced and yummy!

First time visit and an absolutely fabulous evening for my OH and me listening to The Swing Commanders. Brilliant foot-tapping stuff. It was a Friday night so we paid £10 each to have a reserved table near the front (rather than stools further back). We tucked into two tasty pizzas - around £9.50 each - while we waited for the music to start and enjoyed a bottle of red wine (£22 though others cost more) for the evening. Three sets starting at 9:30 and finishing at 12:30. A great night out. The band is back early next year, I believe.

Looking for some live music, we came across Matt & Phreads and a Friday evening jazz night. Drinks and jazz were both great. Get there early for a seat.

A decent-sized music venue in a very nice area of Manchester. Lots of surrounding bars and restaurants to go to before your gig. The venue was well-run, clean and the sound quality was good. Some of the upstairs area is quite awkward to find a good view from but the layout is quirky. Plenty of nearby parking options make it accessible to those travelling to the concert too.

An Unforgettable Jazz Experience! What a fantastic show! The performance by this talented Jazz ensemble was nothing short of extraordinary. From the very first note, they had the entire audience captivated. Each musician brought their own unique energy and skill to the stage, blending seamlessly to create a soulful, vibrant, and deeply moving performance. The improvisation was masterful, the rhythm tight, and the solos—absolutely stunning. You could feel the passion and joy in every piece they played. It wasn’t just a concert—it was an experience. The chemistry between the performers was palpable, and their love for the music truly shone through. Thank you for such a memorable evening. This was Jazz at its finest, and I can’t wait to see them perform again!

Two rooms to watch artists from. Big rooms that can fit quite a number of people. Loved the place and the vibe. Didn’t quite like the difficulty in getting a drink. I stood at the bar for a good 20-30 minutes. I probably wouldn’t have gotten a drink if I didn’t have my friends with me and we blocked off a little area in the bar for the bartender to notice us. Definitely understaffed on weekends.

Black Uhuru were well on top form, it really was a fantastic gig & the venue is great too, small & intimate & so much better than the big arenas, it makes you feel like you’re really part of something. I can’t recommend the venue enough & I’ll look out for more gigs there. Thank you for a great night

Great venue, great vibe and a great intimate venue. Loved it 😎 Saw Eek a mouse there last night..absolutely brilliant night ❤️

Just watched the amazing We call it Jazz. Brilliant please go see these talented musicians and beautiful vocalist. Highly recommended to anyone who loves live music.

Excellent music venue. Lovely staff, great beer!

Quick things of note: Cashless Venue Vegan Beers Environmentally Friendly Live Music Local Artwork Huge Whiskey Selection (200+ When we went) In the Good Beer Guide 2019 Best Pub/Craft Beer Bar - Manchester Food and Drink festival awards Drink There was a good selection of cask with 6 available, offering varied styles – many of which were from local breweries. All were very well kept. The keg selection was excellent with at least 14 on offer, including an alcohol-free option. There were over 200 whiskeys on offer, as well as an array of cocktails and spirits. Food The main food available was Pizza (with varied toppings), along with options of fries and some sandwiches. There were multiple vegetarian and vegan choices available. The pricing was pretty standard for pizza in the town centre, but the quality was great with fresh ingredients being used. Facilities There was a good amount of seating available as well as a variety of table sizes, able to accommodate party sizes from 2 people up to 8 (comfortably). There was an outside smoking area but no real beer garden – although there was seating outside in the main street. There weren’t any dart boards or pool tables The Atmosphere The atmosphere of Sandbar was friendly and welcoming. The general vibe was laid back and appeared very much a place for socialising with friends, with the main demographic being students. It had stages of being busy but never to a point where anyone was standing. Service Service was friendly, quick and the staff were helpful throughout the night. They were happy to answer any questions we had, and their knowledge of the menu was good. The Final Scores Here are our combined scores for the different aspects of the bar. We each gave a rating out of 10, which were added together to give us a score out of 50 for each category. The final scores were then averaged out to give us an overall score out of 50 for Sandbar. The scores: Service - 43 Facilities - 37 Food & Drink - 42 Atmosphere - 35 Our overall score for Sandbar is . . . 39 / 50 Check out @BarHoppersOfficial for our video review

The decoration is terrible and shabby. The pizza was burnt and tasted bitter. To be honest, burnt food is carcinogenic.

Great spot for always having at least one gluten free beer on tap, usually a couple. I'm a big fan of when they've got locals like Brightside. Generally a good atmosphere whenever I come. Sometimes a lot busier than others, probably event related as it's very close to a number of live venues. That said, I can often find a seat in the second, quieter room pictured below. I would appreciate GF food options, but I understand this is exceptionally difficult considering they do pizzas. The music is almost never particularly loud, which means you can always converse. The only setback would be that some of the beers can be pricey, but this is absolutely to be expected given they are quality craft beers rather than mass products, and I say this is one of the few spots where it's worth it

Quirky and cool pub with lots of character, entertainment and amazing pizza! Dog friendly and with live music. Perfect place for a get-together!

Another great spot and another good cider. Farmhouse Scrumpy is good, but so far Strongbow is the winner out of 3. However, the spot is pretty cool and the Truffle & Sea Salt Crisps aka chips were tasty. Loved the guy behind the bar jumped into the pic.

Great friendly atmosphere. Excellent pizzas. Original beers. Perfect night out.

A real find. First time in Manchester are stumbled upon this great bar. Excellent beer, very friendly staff and possibly the best freshest pizza I've ever had. 😋

We visited as part of the Beyond The Music festival. Acoustics are pretty decent given the awkward long-and-thin shape of the venue and pillars that block the view. There’s stage height is good for a small venue, and probably a necessity given the room shape to allow those at the back to see the acts. There’s some bench seating at the edges and then full seating at the bar/cafe behind. Drinks are reasonable, and the atmosphere is decent resulting in a space that’s great both in the day and night

We were there for The New Christs last night. Loved it. A proper live music venue. The acoustics were superb. We travelled from Teesside. Last time we were there The Blue Orchids & The Groundhogs were playing a John Peel Festival. We managed to get parked up in Euro Park which cost us £10 and it was a 15 minute walk from there.

We have been here a few times over the years and either we pick the right shows or it is actually awesome here every night. An ideal size for a band on the rise, great sound system, nice staff and atmosphere and reasonable price for drinks and admission. Will no doubt be back in the future, pump up the volume.

Visit as a gig with three bands playing. So for me the criteria for a good night was the beer and sound stage for the metal music. All of which the venue delivered with aplomb cosy ground floor easy access setting within walking distance of train stations.

Absolutely beautiful little bar with such a friendly team and is fantastic for an intimate show. The venue has a good selection of non-alcoholic drinks if you're driving (we were) and a great selection of spirits. The coffee is seriously good as well and we will definitely be back to here again.

Great place for a beer, quick bite to eat with excellent music

Fantastic venue, famous for its love music. Saw Eric Paslay here lady night, and he didn't disappoint. Great venue. Lost a star as, for some reason, they don't sell 0% alcohol. This is the first place I've been to in a long time that doesn't. N&D, sort this out, please!!

Really cosy place, felt really relaxed here. Quite busy even for a weekday which is great for business. A menu is definitely needed for this place, not knowing what the prices of somethings are is quite a gamble. Recent update, Saturday supposed to open at 2pm, ended up turning up at 1:45 and was told 15 minutes, ended up staying outside for an hour before actually being allowed to go in, it’s a Saturday, you should be ready before the opening

Never disappointed when I come here. Staff are great, so much whisky knowledge and take time to talk to every customer and Khanya made me one of the best Old fashioneds. Great vibe and live music will definitely be returning. Incredible bar.

Amazing whisky selection and outstanding service. An Irish bartender (together with the manager on duty) gave us one of the best experiences I’ve had in a bar – passionate, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring. Friendly, attentive, and with a true love for whisky. Highly recommended! (Roger, form Chile)

Had my 30th in the basement downstairs which was amazing. Such a great room for a private function, the staff working on the bar were all fab and helped make the night run smoothly. Would definitely recommend as a venue for private hire. Some issues with a few people coming into the room after visiting the toilets as they’re situated right next it so did have to ask people to leave a few times. Had to chase email responses a lot but appreciate they are a busy bar with lots of different events on. Overall a great experience!

Well, this might be my new favourite pub in the centre of Manchester. They have an abundance of sofas, twinkly lighting, a suoer friendly atmosphere, and a great music playlist. I left just before the live music act started, but that is a thing here, too.

We booked The Whiskey Jar’s basement bar for our wedding celebration party, we paid extra for DJ equipment and setup… only to arrive and find nothing set up at all. I had to locate and connect everything myself, then the cartridges for the decks were missing, the bar manager ran all over the northern quarter trying to looking some, came back with one working one and one faulty one. Our poor DJ had to limp through on one deck for 2.5 hours before they sorted it. Hardly ideal for wedding party vibes! For over 100 guests, they staffed the bar with one inexperienced barman for the majority of the 7 hour night— who openly admitted he didn’t know how to make even an Aperol Spritz (cocktails are apparently a specially in here!)— and the bar wasn’t even properly stocked (no Jack Daniels, really?). It ran out of glasses constantly, and guests were being told to go upstairs to get drinks… which conveniently helped the venue avoid hitting the £2000 spend target for free hire. We ended up paying over £500 on my wife’s card because the basement bar only made £1500 — yet guests were literally being redirected upstairs. The whole thing felt amateurish and poorly managed. For a venue that trades on a cool reputation, they should know how to run a private event. Sadly, I wouldn’t recommend The Whiskey Jar for any party you actually care about. To make matters worse, the customer service after the event was just as bad. My wife sent multiple emails outlining the problems and issues— and received very little response at all.

Great place for excellent cocktails Loved the smokey old fashioned and whiskey sours. Love music was excellent and the mood lighting and general atmosphere was amazing. With Dark and cool vibes. Normal wooden chairs inter mixed with large leather Chesterfields. Great for singles. Couples and groups. Stay very friendly and professional 👌 definetly recommended

RUBY, ALICE and all the team at Gorilla are fantastic. What a really welcoming, friendly and electric experience. We came to the City for a Gareth Emery set in the club and we had an amazing time which was partly made possibly by the experience with staff here. We came for a nosey before the gig and a quick drink in the bar area and were greeted with smiles in what was a really friendly and comfortable atmosphere. The doorstaff were all friendly enough and had some humour about them which is always a positive, and the night was an absolute belter. Visited again for breakfast the next day which was lovely and again with more cheerful and helpful staff. A venue that does it all and very well indeed. We didnt get any other names but all the staff we encountered were excellent. Thanks for a great experience and we wish your venue the best of success for the future. ❤️ ❤️🕺💃🎉🎉🎊🔉🔉

Gorilla is both a restaurant and music venue. We stayed for food, which was excellent, as was the service - thanks Ros. I'd have given it a 5⭐ review except we needed to use the accessible toilet, but it was broken. Other than that it's well worth the visit & I'd love to go again to try the Tacos. The gig venue is fantastic, well lit with an exciting animated backdrop for all the bands. Mainly standing, but there's a raised area at the back with seating for 12. If you need to sit, which we did, this was perfect. The most comfy gig I've ever been to and the only sitting gig I've not been annoyed by those around me. Amazing to see Dekaytah, Black Gold and the legendary Pitchshifter in such a cool venue.

Went with my wife to see Brigitte Calls Me Baby. Venue is great, only holds around 600 people so you're almost guaranteed a good view.

Horrible venue, bouncers are there for nothing. People could faint and genuinely get hurt because no one is breaking up mosh pits especially in that small enclosed space. People violently pushing each other and the DJ/MC dont announce on the mic that people should chill out. Honestly it's too dangerous to go and should be locked off. If you go to uni of Manchester and you were there tonight shame on you because the amount of guys especially elbowing people and just aggressively pushing people around is a joke. Bring your manners with you, just because you've left home and you're not under your parents guidance doesn't mean you can leave your home training. It's a club not a rave and not a festival, if you weren't aware you need to get to know. Hellnova presented by nova pick a better DJ who is responsible. He doesn't know how to DJ and refuses address the chaos in the crowd. Plays music he knows is going to make problems, advertised as rnb, pop and rap. But what was played was drill and rap commonly played to make mosh pits. Again it would be fine if the venue was bigger or if the other section was open but no you crammed people in there. Horrible event and in any way that I can this place/event will get reported.

I visited the music venue and not the bar. I went to watch White Lies. It was a great venue but way too crowded, uncomfortably so. People were stood in the entrance hallway as they physically couldn’t get in the venue. It was impossible to move around and get to the bar or the toilets. Security staff were getting annoyed at people being in the way although there was nowhere to move to. Other than that the sound quality was great and it’s a small enough venue that where ever you are able to squish into and stand you will have a good view.

Worst service ever. Ordered drinks which were expensive to begin with but I can get passed that, but their coke ran out of syrup making it taste like soda water, would not give any refunds or substitutes. Manager came over and started demanding we delete our pictures of them, even though we didnt take any in the first place. Awful lot, for a club night I dont recommend going.

My wife and I ate here yesterday for a Sunday roast. I had the beef, she had the chicken pie. We loved it and the staff were lovely too, we will definitely be visiting again.

There's a great soundtrack that continues to play in this place. Popped in for a quick afternoon bite on a trip into town so no live music at the time. Had the ox cheek nuggets... Damn they were good. Little explosions of tender pulled meat in crispy coating. Fries were good - hot and crispy but perhaps portion a little small for a fiver! Really friendly service! Perhaps a few more choices for draught beer wouldn't hurt. Camden Hells but not Camden Pale?! Need to come back during live music - can imagine has a great atmosphere.

Came here last year April for a late lunch with a friend. We ordered the chicken burger and cheeseburger and did halves. Both were delicious and came with a portion of fries. I really liked the interior of the restaurant too. They have live music playing most nights I believe but the night we went it was just normal music. Would visit again.

The famed London based live music venue's base in the North West. The best bit about this bar is the building fit out, it's a wonder to look at and must have cost an unbelievable amount to decorate. Judging by the setting, a lot of the features were not original but retrofitted in at fit out stage. Worth going in an having a quick look round at what they have done. This must have cost a lot! I was there on a Friday, and it was full (needed a booking). The live band were tight and very accomplished. Would say that the downside to the rather disparate layout of the venue, was it perhaps lacks a bit of atmosphere. The stage is positioned to the side where not everyone can see it and engage with the musicians... it doesn't quite have the buzz of the Camden or Old Street venues. Food menu was a bit different, more out there than other places in the City that stick to the classics. Some will love it, others may not- so check in advance if you're eating. Loads and loads of staff, very attentive. They definitely go for the upsell and can be on the pushy side of friendly (if you get me) Would perhaps recommend a week day evening - for a chill look at fit out and a relaxed drink. Then save your off the hook Fridays for somewhere a bit more pumping. Or if you want a suave and classy lounge bar vibe, there are other places in the City that cater for this a bit better.

We had a fantastic time at The Blues Kitchen Manchester! Our server Emily was absolutely wonderful — so friendly, full of energy, and really attentive throughout the evening. She even gave us the discount even though we forgot our keyring, which was so kind of her! The food and drinks were amazing too. Great vibes, great service, and such a lovely atmosphere. We’ll definitely be back!

Niiiice! The staff was great, friendly and helpful. The atmosphere lovely, clean and very cute. The food I would give a 8: nothing bad with it and it was good! Would defo return and spend an evening with friends.

This place is just amazing ! The food and service was top tier. Would highly recommend and will definitely be returning when I'm back in Manchester ! Both ordered the peppers ,vegan curry and vegan chocolate mouse which were all amazing. Well done !

What a great place! Every table was taken, so shows its popularity. Even though it was busy it was well staffed and run really well by attentive and friendly staff . The decor and the feel of the place was a definite vibe. We ate there but there was also seating at the front for drinks only. The food was nice enough. ( We had chicken sandwich and a cheeseburger)No complaints. Would definitely recommend and would return as we just loved the feel of the place. We weren’t there when the live music was on but there was a stage where they regularly have people playing.

A great cocktail bar tucked away upstairs on a side street. The waiter provided cocktail recommendations and brought the drinks to our table. We didn't eat, so I'm unable to review the food. The atmosphere was nice - dim lighting with candles on the tables, with the addition of great live music which complimented the ambience perfectly.

Best bottomless brunch in town!! The burlesque show was fantastic!! I've also been there for the new year's eve burlesque show, and for a comedy gig on a Friday night, I just love this place they have fabulous entertainment!!

I visited on Wednesday for the Women in Comedy Festival with the amazing Ladies Who Improv performing. I was a bit confused about the entrance, but found the way Google maps highlight which side of the building the entrance is on very useful. He Fitz decor and atmosphere are amazing. The booths are bad - not comfortable and realistically fit 3 people or 4 children - but the rest was great, including the cute stage. They stock Ting. I love Ting.

This was really disappointing. It should have been such an excellent night, it still was in fact. However, the attitude of the woman running a comedy night was so poor. It put most of the audience in a bad mood before the comedy started. She kept insisting nobody used the booths because it would ruin the show as the audience would feel empty. I said okay. If it gets full can we move into a booth? She said no, they were closed. However there was plenty of people in booths by the end. Not sure if she gave up fighting with everyone, however she created such an atmosphere that she really ruined the enjoyment. I spoke to her after with an asked why people were saw the boots and she said they were comedians. They were not. Some of the people weren't even paying to be there for the show and to just stayed on from being in the bar beforehand. Wine choice was terrible... Three different cheap red wines available. We shared a bottle and add a terrible headache the next day. Toilets are pretty dirty and often had long queues and no toilet roll. The acts were pretty good. Cocktails were good. Service at the bar was very good and the singer who came on after the women in comedy was brilliant. Paramored I think?? Made out evening... 20/10

An incredible venue, great music, fantastic singers, and wonderfully friendly staff. Will come here again as soon as I can. If you like stylish, atmospheric bars with genuinely lovely staff, then come here.

Very cool upstairs bar. Nice seating for just chilling. We sat most the night enjoying the atmosphere and live band they had on. Drinks were 2 for £10. So not bad. Normally would set u back 8 or 10 but deals are always the way for. Staff were friendly and nice. Nice place.

Went to see Jennifer’s body there. The man behind the bar was amazing - polite, friendly, warm energy. Credit to the Fitzgerald. And what a beautiful bar too!!

I always love coming to the Hillary Step - great service, cosy lovely atmosphere, always a great selection of drinks on offer and the music isn’t too loud. My go-to spot to catch up with friends

Chill vibe Not too many people there when I arrive at 9pm The waitress is friendly. Good spot for nearby neighbourhood P.s you can ask for WiFi

Our new local, such a great atmosphere and selection of drinks

Pricey but cozy little boozer. Yes, it's a lovely place to go with a friend or a small group. But the fork-tongued voice that tells me I could just sack it all off and spend half my paycheck getting really drunk on fancy microbrewery pints by myself instead of whatever it is I ought to be doing - that voice is telling me to go to THIS pub. I'm just saying.

Called in for a few ales and they were spot on! Very quirky little bar. The staff were very friendly and talkative, I can see it having a great atmosphere later on but it was fairly early when we went. The location isn't nice but it's definitely worth a visit on the way to watch a gig at the old trafford cricket ground like we did 👍🏻

Great selection of key and cask beers, changed regularly. Great local vibe, a great catch-up spot.

Great bar, good rotation of beers cask and keg. Plenty of seats outside and in. Dog friendly - always a bowl of water on offer as well as great beers for humans!

I went there last night for the first time , and to be honest, it was an amazing experience, The staff's very friendly, and welcoming, a brilliant DJ mixing non-stop Kizomba, Semba, Zouk, he knows his stuff. At the end of my night out at La Gitane ,I realised that I was missing a lot from the place. I felt like I was back home dancing 🕺 the music of my origins. Bravo , muito ben La Gitane 👏, keep it up, definitely recommend it 1000%.

Needs better Lighting... Nice place to have Fun... Great Staff 👏🏿👏🏿

Great food and staff thoroughly enjoyed my evening. The atmosphere was fantastic Thanks guys!

Lovely interiors ! Nice space went to private party ideal size!

Amazing place and friendly staff..

Good good vibe

Great

Albert's Schloss brings a real taste of Oktoberfest to Manchester, and it's hard not to get swept up in the lively yet relaxed atmosphere. We went in the evening and the place was absolutely buzzing with people - it felt festive without being overwhelming. The live performance kicked off around 8pm, adding great energy to the night and making it feel more like an event than just dinner. Food-wise, we shared a platter for four that came piled high with pork knuckles, a variety of sausages, schnitzels, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and sauerkraut. The portion was generous and everything was cooked really well - hearty, comforting food that suited the setting perfectly. Drinks were another highlight, with an extensive selection of beers, wines, and cocktails to choose from. The beer in particular was spot on for the theme. Overall, Albert's Schloss is a great choice if you're after good food, plenty to drink, and a lively night out with a Bavarian twist.

Albert’s Schloss in Manchester never disappoints. I visited on 24th August for Sunday lunch with my Nan, Aunt and two friends for a birthday celebration, and, as usual, it was beautiful. The portions are generous, the pork knuckle was so huge it was impossible to finish, and all the accompaniments were cooked to perfection. From start to finish, the food and service were amazing. I especially want to highlight our waitress, who went absolutely above and beyond when my friend was taken ill and had to leave dinner early. She was outstanding and really tried to make everything better. A huge thank you to her and kudos to the staff. 🙏🏻

​Having recently fallen in love with the food, drink, and atmosphere of Bavaria itself, I was lucky enough to stumble across this restaurant in Manchester via Google Maps. My timing must have been perfect, as the Oktoberfest specials were still running. I must emphasize that this was, without question, the best meal I have ever had at any restaurant, ever. ​The moment I approached, the curb appeal filled me with confidence. The place looked as though it had been lifted straight out of Bavaria and perfectly placed in Manchester. Upon entry, I was blown away. The interior featured a nicely laid-out dining area to the left, a cozy open fire with surrounding seating directly ahead, and large, long wooden tables and benches to the right, all backed by an impressive bar stocked with real German draft beers and a separate cocktail bar to the left. The setting was truly stunning. ​I was seated in a booth and immediately ordered the Schweinshaxe—the Crispy Bavarian roasted pork knuckle. The menu described it perfectly: "brined for 12 hours before being rubbed in spices and roasted for 3 hours. Served with braised red cabbage and apple and a rich red wine gravy." I paired it with a real Bavarian Weißbier (wheat beer), it was simply divine. The pork nuckle was huge and mainly meat which was fork tender and not too fatty, it had the most perfect crackling too. The braised red cabbage and red wine gravy paid beautifully and cut through the richness of the meat, all that for £19.50. This dish is too good to be seasonal; they absolutely need to add it to the menu all year round! ​The staff were brilliant throughout the meal. I was served by Alexandro, who was exceptionally polite and attentive. The combination of incredible food, authentic atmosphere, and excellent service made for an unforgettable dining experience

Had a great night out! The food was spot on, and the drinks were perfect—definitely no complaints there. The team really made the experience special with their warm welcomes and checking in on us throughout the night. Only downside was the music was a bit too loud to have a decent chat, but everything else was a solid 10/10. Looking forward to coming back!

I just celebrated my birthday and book release ("Sun-Kissed and Sidetracked") here, and I couldn’t be happier! The service was top-notch; the team greeted me warmly and made me feel really special. The food and drinks were delicious, and everything came out super fast. A lovely complementary dessert plate made my day. I can’t recommend this place enough for anyone wanting a memorable meal! Looking forward to our next visit!

We visited for a birthday lunch, joined by my wife and daughter. We ordered three drinks – a Long Island Iced Tea, a Virgin Mojito, and a Forest Fruit Sour – all of which were well presented and enjoyable. For food, we had the Schweinshaxe, Schnitzel Cordon Bleu, and Mushroom & Spinach Mafalde. The Schweinshaxe came with a side of sauerkraut which was slightly on the sweet side – quite different from what I’ve had in Germany. While the sweetness might have been intended to balance the richness of the pork knuckle, it didn’t quite cut through the fattiness as expected. The crackling was perfectly crisp and the fatty layer underneath was soft and flavourful, but the lean meat was a little overcooked and therefore slightly tough. The Schnitzel Cordon Bleu was nicely prepared overall, though the texture of the meat was on the firm side – perhaps due to the cut used. The highlight of the meal was definitely the Mushroom & Spinach Mafalde. The pasta had a delightful chewiness, and the sauce was rich, creamy and full of flavour. Overall, the food was quite good, though the seasoning leaned a little heavy for my taste. The service, however, was excellent – Greg was polite, friendly and had a great sense of humour, and the other male waiter, though he didn’t mention his name, was equally courteous.

Had a fantastic experience here tonight. One of my favourite dishes when I go to Germany is Schweinhaxe. As it is Oktoberfest season, this was on the menu as a special... so I had to didnt I? Started with a warm pretzel served with a sweet sticky mustard sauce and pickled sliced cucumber. Delish!!! I ordered the afore mentioned main with roasted potatoes. I didn't really need them, as the portion was huge, but they were also delicious as was the spiced red cabbage the knuckle sat on. Tender pork with crunchy and chewy crackling, all washed down with superb beer. A grand meal! I hadnt booked, but was accommodated with my dog. Overall, a great atmosphere, beer and food. But what was OUTSTANDING was the service from Afi, my server, who was incredibly friendly and attentive. Great service makes such a difference. I wont hesitate to return when I'm next in Manchester!

Full bellies and banging headaches! Food was absolutely divine as you'd expect for the price. The staff were all relatively helpful and attentive given how busy it was. The restaurant itself is beautiful, but please, someone sack the DJ! Given it's such a beautiful place for fine dining, why on Earth have you turned it into a nightclub?! We could barely hear ourselves talk and think, and it was not pleasant eating to such loud music. We won't be returning for this reason which is a shame as the food was wonderful.

We were really looking forward to trying Rosso and saved it for a special occasion. Unfortunately, it did not meet our expectations.. The food was average. The quality of ingredients was good, i.e., the fresh bread and pasta. Personally, we found the chicken tasted hard, and the lamb cutlet was awful. It had no flavour and didn't taste nice. The steak was generally nice and cooked well, which accompanied the peppercorn sauce. I didn't feel like the price point reflected the taste of the food. The desserts, however, were great and were thoroughly enjoyed! The atmosphere was pleasant. Though it was quite cold inside, which was understandable due to the large venue. It was clean and pleasant. The service was definitely a letdown. Our server did not smile and was not pleasant. They didn't make any sort of conversation, even when asked about halal options, it was one word answers - like we were so inconvenient for asking them questions about the menu instead of just ordering. We haven't really had a lot of Italian food before, so a lot of the items were new to us, and we were offered no explanation or assistance. We thought maybe the server was tired and excused it, however, literally 15 minutes later another table was seated directly next to us and the server went above and beyond to talk to them about the menu options, good drink accompaniments and general chitchat. We felt a little upset as our initial experience had already dampened the evening on what was a special occasion for us. We are generally very friendly people and were in no way rude to the server that warranted that type of behaviour. Whenever our next item of food was brought, it was brought in silence, and not even a simple "enjoy your food" was said.

Xmas decor so dreamy. Nice staff even though the waiter said there was no candles available for my husbands cake that he brought out however 5 minutes later seen other waiters bring out candles with complimentary cakes for other guests. Apart from that nice food especially calamari & steak was cooked to perfection. decent ambiance

This is truly a gem of a place with great quality food in Manchester. Friendly staff, cool environment which was decorated both inside and outside and super quality food was all it took them to hook me into their restaurant. It was absolutely phenomenal. Service was exceptional and the food was sensational and the decor was quite elegant. This isn't the cheapest Italian restaurant, but you will definitely get what you pay for. The lobster crostini and the chocolate sphere deserts being particularly delicious! I also had the truffle sausage pasta dish and my mum chose the prawn one. The profiteroles are the best ones I’ve ever ever had, but the highlight was the banana creme brûlée - incredible! I can't wait to return to this restaurant on my next trip to Manchester. It is a restaurant which is a great value for money; Recommend 💯

Really great experience All the food was delicious and staff was always around ready to take drink and food orders even though the place was packed. Would definitely recommend to others however with great food and service comes a bill to match, but definitely worth it as a treat.

Had a fantastic 3 course meal on the Sunday menu, all 4 of us couldn’t fault the service or the food! The added bonus is the beautiful building which is simply stunning, highly recommended for £25…. You can not get better anywhere in Manchester for the quality we had.

Great place that I went to for my birthday. I had the steak (not sure which one though, it has been a while) and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was cooked perfectly, could not have asked for more. The staff/service were a bit flustered as it was a bit understaffed and abnormally busy. The staff themselves were very nice people, no complaints about them specifically. They always asked if we were ok, which I appreciate. Atmosphere, wow, some of the best I've seen. Great decor, huge chandeliers and just overall a very good atmosphere. It's very much of a thing where you'll understand once you enter. Would I come again? Absolutely. Should you? Absolutely.

We went for a gig at The Lowry and thought we could have a nice experience having a meal here. Bad choice. I ordered a steak pie and got nothing but a chopped teeth. The pastry was hard as a rock and completely empty, no a single piece of meat or even gravy! The best in that plate was the mushy peas and that is high compliment. Avoid eating here. It was highway robbery.

**5 stars - Absolutely brilliant!** Just had the most fantastic lunch at Pier Eight before catching "Dear England" (seriously, bring tissues - what a show!). We'd booked for 11:45 and honestly couldn't have asked for better timing or better food. The staff here are absolutely lovely - the kind of people who make you feel like you're dining with friends rather than just grabbing a quick pre-theatre bite. Genuinely warm, professional, and clearly love what they do. Went for the 3-course set menu and every single dish was spot on. The mackerel pate was a perfect starter, the lamb was cooked beautifully, and the Swiss roll? Well, let's just say I'm still thinking about it! Add in those gorgeous views over the Quays and you've got yourself a proper winner. If you're heading to The Lowry, do yourself a favor and book a table here. The whole team has got this place running like clockwork, and it shows. We'll definitely be back!

Staff are super friendly and helpful. Reasonable prices and delicious food. Especially like the lunch menu and meal of the day. Great feel and atmosphere also manages to feel cozy despite the size and openness of the place. Love the big windows also. Kids play kitchen Is super cute also but doesn't stop the place feeling very grown up friendly .

Delicious pre theater food that won't break the bank at £30 for two courses and £35 for three courses

Food was delicious and service was great with friendly staff. We went for a pre-theatre meal, it was served quickly, but you didn't feel rushed (so you were done in plenty of time to get to the show).

Fantastic pre show meal on the three courses for £35 offer. Delicious tasty food, excellent presentation and would come back.

We had a lovely two course dinner. The starters were lovely and a good portion size. The main courses were brilliant with lovely flavours and lots of choice for different dietary requirements. The dinner was delivered quickly with time for an extra drink before the show. The waiter was lovely and the service was quick with no complaints.

A great bar under the old railway arches in the heart of Manchester. A cool DJ with some great tunes creating a great atmosphere

Very much has the feel of a student bar. Located under the railway arches of Oxford Road with no outside light to brighten the gloomy interior.There is outdoor seating on the cobbles. Good real ale selection makes it worth the visit. Old people like me might wish to avoid busier evening sessions when loud music is likely to feature. DJ's and live bands. Good pub grub with vegan and veggie options. Min £5 spend on cards. Visited again in Oct 2024 on a day trip with Albrecht. Good pint of Beartown Kahuna.

Great pub to call into for a pint excellent bar staff good range of drinks friendly atmosphere gets busy around the night hours. Through the day there's still plenty of people about just a little quieter.

Amazing location in the center of Manchester! Underneath the beautiful industrial arches of Oxford Road you’ll find perfect cool shade in summer, shelter on a rainy day or cozy warmth in winter! Another unique aspect of this pub is the fact that it has been serving only vegetarian/vegan food for 11 years now! The perfect midday pit stop for an amazing and filling lunch (huge portions) at a very decent price!! Also open for dinner with live music! Also the chef is very kind and took the time to explain us about the place and the food! I would recommend this place to anyone wanting an authentic Manchester dining experience!

Absolutely a special place, i would like to have more time to taste more beers, I can recommend 100%

Lovely place. Quite casual and right off of Oxford Road. They have jazz on usually every week or so. They do have outdoors seating too.

Loved this music venue. Very friendly atmosphere. The pub has a quirky design, affordable drinks and interesting events. We got to watch a local jazz band. Pretty cool.

It’s a lovely venue. Probably not a bad seat in the house view-wise. We were up in the gods, and had some issues. It was almost unbearably hot with people having to strip down to base-layers and t-shirts. There isn’t enough leg room. The gaps between seats is narrow, uncomfortable for those with knee or hip issues. We saw a folk artist and found the volume just barely adequate. Final complaint - two glasses of Prosecco for £25? You’re having a laugh, right?

Really nice building, went to see Elgar's cello concerto, the acoustics where sublime. Only 3 stars as a bottle of water (500ml) was £3.50, and the staff where quite curt and not very helpful. As such wouldn't return

Stunning concert hall. Acoustics are great in all the seats. You can normally get great deals on seats in the stalls. The attached photo is from about 2/3 of the way back in the stalls. They’re slightly tiered so you get a great view without anyone’s head in the way.

Great modern venue .massive hall. with great seating and clear views. Spacious bar areas on each floor. Downside drinks very expensive.

Saw Jason Mraz here. The view was great, seating comfy and acoustics top notch. Bar was very efficient and plenty of staff on hand.

Depending on your perspective, the Bridgewater Hall is a great place to connect with your sole and reflect on past heart-felt moments of your life. Visitors can transcend into those nostalgic moments with powerful effects. However, it also forms new such moments that carry you forward. It will immortalise your own preciousness and that of the people dear to you. Contemplate what's important in your existence.

Great concert venue with bar and cafe,other bars and restaurants on the doorstep. Easy to park and 2 minute walk to venue. Excellent staff all very friendly and helpful.

Albert Hall is one of my favourite venues. Quite intimate but it's not small. As a 6ft1in person, I can see the stage from anywhere within the venue. The building itself is beautiful but the toilets are a bit of a way away from the stage.

Loved this venue - the sound was really crisp and good lighting. It feels big with its huge balcony. The large stage is quite high but not too much of a problem if you are standing close. Only negative for me was the treck down quite a few set of steps to find the toilets and the signage wasn't too clear for first timers.

Great venue for music concerts. Upstairs seating is best, but you have to get there early. Gets pretty busy as most of these small venues do, but it's well managed, loads of bars. The toilets are in the basement, so a trek to get there.

Fantastic venue, seating upstairs standing ground floor. Good acoustics. 1800 person venue so when the band connects with the crowd it feels special and intimate. Will definitely be back

This is one of the best venue in Manchester in terms of accessibility, not because they're the most accessible but because they're the most attentive and caring. There's a lift, there are people bringing you drinks and merch to your seat, there's an accessible toilet (bring your radar key or you can ask the staff to borrow theirs), there are allocated seats to make sure everyone is sat somewhere that match their needs, and everyone is very welcoming and smiling which is fantastic ❤️ In terms of could be even better if: - real chairs. The cushions are very hard and not comfortable and the bleacher are too deep to use the back support and fold knees so I ended up seating with my legs crossed which caused pain the day after. - test the artists lighting beforehand. We saw Daði Freyr and one of his spotlight was pointing directly towards us the entire time, so we couldn't see him despite being quite close, and without risking a migraine. - similarly we couldn't see the screens behind the artist as they were angled to face towards the crowd and we were on the side, but that can't really be helped. But apart from that, it's my favourite place to go to. Each time there's an artist I like I hope they perform here rather than at another venue, so thank you for all your work!

Phenomenal venue. The location, setting, renovations and acoustics of the building are incredible. Can't comment on the bar but plenty of people seemed to enjoy it. My experience may be slightly biased due to the fact I was seeing my favourite artist, but even my rose-tinted glasses couldn't contain the power of the Albert hall. Would certainly go again for another concert. You may need to brush up on the stairmaster and bring your hiking boots to get to the toilets though.

One of My Favourite Venues Albert Hall is probably one of my favourite gig venues. It’s the perfect size big enough to feel like a proper night out, but still intimate enough that you’re not overwhelmed. I love the old church vibes, with the stained glass windows, church organ pipes, and the overall layout. It has a unique character that gives it something special. The space is really well designed, with bars on either side and an upstairs area if you need a bit of breathing room. I genuinely prefer gigs here because it never feels too busy just the right level of atmosphere without the chaos. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but I’ve found I enjoy these more intimate venues so much more than the huge ones. That said, the sound quality at Albert Hall is still excellent, and it manages to keep the energy without being overwhelming. It’s also in a great location, easy to get to and surrounded by plenty of good restaurants and bars for before or after the show. All in all, it’s a venue I always look forward to going back to.