Manchester is a music city through and through, especially when it comes to the live scene, but one question we hear time and time again is ‘Where should I go before and/or after a gig?’
In fairness, if you’re from the area or have lived here long enough then you’ll have your answer or certainly a few tried and tested go-to places but, for anyone still new to Manchester, there’s some serious concerted effort that goes into planning these things. Get it?
Seriously though, you’ll be pleased to know that not only do we boast some of the best acts to have ever come out of the UK and some of the best venues to watch live music in the country, but we also have some of the best spots to enjoy yourself before and after seeing your favourite artists.
You’ll never need to wonder where to go before or after a gig in Manchester again.
10 of the best pre and post-gig bars and venues in Manchester
1. Big Hands
A top-tier choice either before or after any Manchester gig. (Credit: The Manc Group)
First up on our list is a long-standing favourite among students and gig-goers alike: Big Hands, a.k.a. one of the coolest little boozers you’ll find anywhere in the city centre. It also happens to be right near all the Manchester Academy venues, which is handy.
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With decent prices catering to those gigging on a budget along the busy university strip of Oxford Road, a lovely dimly-lit aesthetic complete with gig posters galore; a rooftop garden terrace adorned with twinkly lights and plenty of plants, it’s a pure vibe in here.
They also hold live music and DJ set nights of their own, as well as currently serving up great Italian street food from Rizzo’s – formerly T’arricrii) – like pizza by the slice and their famous arancini, it’s quite simply one of our happy places.
In a number two is a twofer of sorts because we love them both as much as each other really, but if you’re looking for some solid scran and pre-gig fuel on the cheap, then Bunny Jackson’s is the answer.
Comfortably the best dive bar on the planet, the playlist in here is literally undefeated if you like rock, pop-punk, emo and some good old-fashioned Americana. They also regularly host afterparties following live shows and even the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, The 1975 and more have sampled the goods.
The only thing it has over its sister site Junior Jackson’s or the new country-style karaoke bar (both in Northern Quarter) is the 25p wings. In fact, we’ve got the perfect plan: Bunny’s before the gig, karaoke after and Junior’s well into the small hours.
In at number three is another Manc music institution and arguably one of the most important venues of the past two decades or so that has given so many big names their start. It also happens to be a great place for before and after a gig in Manchester.
Should you be starting your pre-concert ritual super early, you can grab breakfast, brunch or pizza all the way up until 2pm, as well as some pretty darn good coffee too, but the reason to head here is to soak up the history and culture literally dripping from the walls – oh, and boogie until 2am, of course.
With artwork and Stanley Chow prints to be studied, as well as that warm red, orange and yellow paint scheme, we always feel welcome walking in here. It may have had a tough time keeping the doors open over the past couple of years, but live music lovers have kept it alive and will continue to do so.
4. New Century
What’s better than a bar right near the venue you’re going to? How about one big bar within an even bigger food hall that’s already inside the same building as the concert?
New Century Hall only opened back in 2022 but it’s fast become not only one of our favourite live music spaces in the entire city – with that spring floor, top-notch sound system and stunning psychedelic illuminated disco ceiling – but it’s also the perfect place to go beforehand too.
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With so many independent vendors inside serving up everything from pizza, parmos; Japanese, Vietnamese and plenty of other cuisines on offer, not to mention a great beer, wine and cocktail selection, this stylish 60s-inspired room is right below the venue itself and we love it from top to bottom.
5. Stage and Radio
Similar to fellow Northern Quarter fave Night and Day, Stage and Radio on the other side of the district feels like the equivalent for fans of electronic, dance music and DJ in general.
It acts as a bar in the afternoon and early evening, perfect for pre-drinks especially come happy hour, but by nighttime it hosts a wide range of its own shows, welcoming up-and-coming artists.
The star of the show, however, is the club room in the basement which serves up some seriously good late-night shows, so whether you’re just heading downstairs after a chiller on the ground floor or looking to rave into well into the next day, you won’t go far wrong with this gaff.
From EDM and clubbing to the old-school rock and roll haunt that is The Salisbury, which is arguably one of the very places that comes to mind when we think of where we like to go before and/or after the game, a gig and pretty much any other event to be honest. We’re big fans.
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Full of rockers of all ages all either queuing up for the bar or the jukebox, Little Ireland’s little gem of a boozer is much more than just a pub, it’s one of the most well-trodden haunts on Oxford Rd to be found nearby and for very good reason: it’s mint.
Whether you like heavier stuff or just want a good boozer to get ready for a night of tunes, it’s well worth a go. They also have a somewhat secret outdoor area out back that not everyone stumbles across and their in-house New York pizza, Dough161 (fantastic name), isn’t just decent – it’s genuinely up there.
7. Grand Central
In a very similar vein to The Salisbury, next door or rather right in front of one rock pub is another recently renovated bar popular among students, those who enjoy the alternative scene and loved by a fair few of us here at The Manc.
No, we’re not asking you to imagine NYC or turn back to before Manchester Central was even called the GMEX, Grand Central is the name of the longstanding bar that promises a few things: cheap drinks, great music and now plenty of live performances too.
The name is fitting too given the central location for anyone travelling in the city, hence why it’s often heaving. We’ve also got a soft spot for another neighbour known for its Northern Soul nights, so if either or both of the last two suggestions are too busy you can always try Thirsty Scholar.
If you cross the road and make your way to Charles Street, just a few short minutes away you’ll find a multi-purpose venue that YES, with food, drink, music and more sprawling across four storeys.
You can do it all here. There are gigs in the Pink Room on the first floor, official artist afterparties and club nights down in the basement; bloody good butties from Micky’s and booze as well as dancing, pizza and tonnes more on the ground floor, plus a beautiful rooftop terrace. Something for everyone.
Students regularly pack this place out too but don’t worry, the various deals are available to everyone and you’ll find it busy with people pretty much all day and night – including our very own Will.
9. Rebellion
This is another one that we’d probably put in the post-gig column but Rebellion just opposite Deansgate Locks is arguably one of the most underrated music-related venues in Manchester.
It’s another city centre venue that (not so) quietly hosts some of the rowdiest nights you’ll come across; you’ll sometimes hear the noise booming from the walls on a walk home from a night out and we’ll admit it’s drawn us in on more than one occasion.
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We always remember bumping into local alt-rock and indie icons Everything Everything in here and losing our minds, so it gets bonus points for that interaction alone.
And finally, it’s possibly the very first shout we make on where to go most certainly AFTER a proper rock show, Satan’s Hollow is a haven for metalheads emos, goths – whatever arbitrary label you want to throw our way.
All we know is that if you like heavy music, we’re not telling you to go here, we’re considering it a Manc rockers rite of passage if you’ve still got the energy to headbang post-gig.
Tucked away behind Gay Village and strictly cash-only entry, what goes on behind these tall, demonic-looking gates stays behind them and we promise it’s better to leave it to your imagination and just enjoy the carnage once you’re in there.
Lord of the Rings live in concert is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The fellowship is not lost: JRR Tolkien fans are being invited to come along to see the beloved first film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy live in concert here in Manchester.
Undoubtedly, some of the most beautifully shot and, crucially, rousingly scored Hollywood blockbusters in history, the LotR movie soundtracks still remain among the most iconic to this day.
So just imagine how incredible they must be to witness it in the flesh…
Well, that opportunity is just on the horizon, as a live performance of The Fellowship of the Ring by a fully-fledged live band is coming to the city centre’s biggest indoor arena later this year.
Available either as an evening or matinee show, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring – In Concert’ arrives this winter at Co-op Live.
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the iconic Academy Award-winning film, which kick-started a mega franchise both on the big and the small screen nowadays, what better way to toast the date than by rewatching it like never before?
Teaming up with the one and only Hallé – Manchester’s premier orchestra since 1858 – the production will be bringing Howard Shore’s legendary original scores to life in person as they soundtrack the epic motion picture playing behind them.
We’ve got chills just thinking about some of those scenes: the council of Elrond in Rivendell; the ‘Argonath’ passing, that first stunning New Zealand vista as Middle-Earth, and SO many more.
Here’s a sample of what it’s like to hear those instantly recognisable sounds live:
Come on, how incredible is this?
For those looking to attend the Manchester showings of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring – In Concert, as always, official Co-op members will be granted early access through the venue’s presale window.
This will open at 10am on Wednesday, 25 March; meanwhile, general admission tickets will then be available from the same time the following Friday (27 Mar).
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)/New Line Cinema (screenshots)
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The MOBO Awards in Manchester – everything you need to know
Thomas Melia
It’s official, the MOBOs are coming to Manchester for a night of live music performances and international artists, all at Co-op Live.
This award show, dedicated to music created by black creatives and musicians, has been hosted in cities nationwide, most recently in Newcastle, but 2026 marks its first time ever in the music capital of the North: Manchester.
A whole host of impressive musicians and acts take to the stage every year, with iconic moments throughout the award show’s history attributed to R&B royalty Lauryn Hill and Queen of Dancehall, Spice.
This award show is dedicated to celebrating Music of Black Origin but is recognised more widely as the MOBOs, with the aim of platforming as many genres as possible, from reggae and rap to soul, hip-hop and more.
Odeal and Spice performing at MOBOs 2025 in Newcastle / Credit: Nick Redman
The MOBOs first took place in 1996, and since then, founder Kanya King and her team have created a legacy – one now set to celebrate its 30th anniversary at 23,500 indoor venue Co-op Live.
MOBOs 2026 guide – all the key info
Are there still tickets left for the MOBO Awards ceremony at Co-op Live?
In a word, yes; there is still a healthy amount of tickets, both general admission and hospitality/VIP packages, if you fancy splashing out.
There’s still time to secure a seat, so grab yours HERE while you still can.
What time do the 2026 MOBOs start in Manchester and on TV?
This year, the MOBOs won’t be broadcast on mainstream TV channels; the award show has decided to collaborate with Amazon.
The show will be live-streamed via Amazon Music UK’s official Twitch account on Thursday, 26 March from 8pm – watch HERE.
There’s also an ‘Access All Areas’ programme hosted by DJ Target on BBC One with interviews and all the red carpet action on Friday 27 March, recapping all the action HERE.
All live streams and official channels have a finishing time of 10:30pm, meaning you can enjoy a night of huge performances while also getting a good quality kip.
Eve and Eddie Kadi are hosting this year’s MOBOs in Manchester / Credit: MOBO Organisation
2026 MOBO nominations
Obviously, the focus of this night isn’t just toasting 30 years of music with Black British culture and beyond, but recognising those pushing the industry forward in their field(s).
Lots of current and up-and-coming acts have found their way onto the list of nominees for the MOBOs this year – many for the very first time.
Shortlisted are the likes of the neo-soul singer-songwriting sensation, Olivia Dean, fellow female solo artists, PinkPantheress and Little Simz; Central Cee, Skepta, Kojey Radical, Raye, Myles Smith and FKA twigs, just to name a few excitinng few.
The MOBOs are known for some of the most insane live performances by some of the music industry’s biggest stars, this year with presenters Eve and Eddie Kadi.
Get ready for the Co-op Live crowd to chant “DEANO!” as the aforementioned Ms Dean will be performing on the night, and with the amount of hits this ‘Lady Lady’ has, we’re bound to know every word.
The ‘Queen of Afrobeats’, Tiwa Savage, is set to take to the stage and her album, This One Is Personal, helped soundtrack 2025, like the Skepta collaboration ‘On The Low’. With ‘Skeppy’ in attendance, anything is possible…
Dancehall diva Shenseea will be performing and has seen massive international success on MOLIY’s single ‘Shake It To The Max (Remix)’, Aya Nakamura duet ‘Dis-moi’, and solo hit ‘Time For Me’.
R&B trio FLO, Manchester rapper Aitch, Myles Smith, Slick Rick and Estelle, as well as a grime medley featuring Wiley, Chip, Nolay, Scorcher and D Double E curated by DJ Target, are also putting on a show – Co-op Live is in for a treat.
Tiwa Savage, FLO and Shenseea are just some of the acts taking to the Co-op Live stage / Credit: Press Shots via supplied
Who else is on the live music line-up in Manchester for MOBOs Fringe?
With the MOBO Awards heading to town for the very first time, there’s also a whole host of events taking place at various independent venues throughout the city.
Some may have already passed in the build-up to event week, such as a special partnered Manchester Basketball game for the MOBO Fringe festival, but if you time to go along to any of the ones still remaining, we strongly urge you to do so.
Get your MOBOs fix ahead of the show by attending some stellar upcoming acts as you gear up for the big event next Thursday night.
Fri 20 March – Shimrise Selects – The Deaf Institute
Sat 21 March – Mobørigins – Renae
Sat 21 March – Habitat x MOBO Fringe – Cupra City Garage
Sun 22 March – Manchester Made: Roots, Rhyme & The Future – Niamos Centre
Sun 22 March – Aarchive House – Side Street
Sun 22 March – Crib Sessions with Faro – Side Street
There are plenty of events ahead of the MOBOs that you can get involved with across Manchester / Credit: Nick Flynn via supplied
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live to watch the BRIT Awards shows in person, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s also worth noting that anyone with a valid BRITs ticket is granted FREE travel from all zones travelling to and from the venue.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
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Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Danny Jones -
15th November 2024 
