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Band on the Wall

4.3 (26 reviews)
Open 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM

Band on the Wall Photos

BAND ON THE WALL ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Live music
Very loud
Classy
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - Band on the Wall

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Reviews With Photos

Lawrence C.

One of my favorite live music venues, Band on the Wall is pretty famous for its shows. It is a great place that does venture out from jazz to offer a decent variety (folk and even some reggae and soul). The poor comments I have heard about it are usually concerning employee dress - I couldn't care less about that- or being unable to hear to carry on a conversation? That's ridiculous- you don't go to see live music and expect to have an intimate conversation during the show... Just know that if you go - it gets crowded (as any live music venue tends to) and even more so with it being a big tourist draw. None-the-less, if you are a music-lover - GO!

Dead Skeletons at Band On The Wall, November 2013
Mark R.

I went to this place many years ago but I'm told it has had a major refurbishment quite recently. It's an excellent venue. I wish more places were like this - compare Manchester's awful Sound Control as a contrast. The venue is essentially 2 rooms. One is a bar with a decent range of drinks, nice staff (both bar staff and bouncers) with plenty of room. Next door is the main venue room which is small to medium size but with a deceptive amount of space to the rear where there is a bar, and upstairs on the balcony. Some may grumble about the pillars which are dotted about but I found you could move around the place easily enough although the show I saw wasn't packed. The sound system was really good. Readers of my reviews may know how fussy I am about sound, but it worked a treat for the Dead Skeletons last night, and they produced quite a noise. Conveniently situated slightly to the north of the city centre it's easy for public transport, and we even managed to park without much difficulty. Lots of fast food and eateries around so good for grabbing a snack after. Recommended!

From website
Emma Louise M.

If there's one thing I love, it's old buildings converted into something new, and while I mourn the loss of every ancient cinema in Manchester and Salford I'm glad to see them being used for something. Especially if the something involves booze. Such is the case with Picturehouse, located cosily right next to Band on the Wall and a Grade 2 listed building which just tells you in a sentence how pretty it is. Having lived as a cinema in the early 1900s, when Band on the Wall reopened Picturehouse was a space where gig-goers could nab their tickets from the box office and socialise with a few beverages. A perfect meet n' greet spot. Now, however, it's actually a standalone venue for live music, music-related screenings and events. It's open from 5pm with free wifi and some nights even connects to the main venue as a calmer, quieter café bar and additional space for revellers to chill out. Band on the Wall's great on its own, but the fact that it has the gorgeous Picturehouse in residence is a bonus and a half.

Irish musician playing some really neat songs!
Shrimoyee C.

This definitely has turned out to be my favorite venue for watching live performances. I have been to several jazz clubs and bars across UK and Europe but I cant help but give a 5 star review to Band on the Wall. They don't just have live performances but they have some real good quality bands playing from across the globe. I would much rather pay 15 quid entry here than pay the same for any club where you can barely enjoy yourself (Probably I am getting old). Let me start with my experience last night where Jenn Bostic played with her band, I had no idea who she was (Wasn't even that keen on going) but when I heard her sing I was bowled over. I looked her up later when I got back (yes she was that good) and realized that she is a pretty big deal out there. She is a country and blues singer/songwriter and some of her songs specially the one about her father actually got a tiny drop of tear rolling down my cheek (doesn't happen very often, I can assure you). The venue is big with a seating area outside where you can get a drink and chill if you are tired of standing. The crowd was very sophisticated, mostly working professionals with the exception of a few tamed down students (who like good music). Having said that they definitely made a good audience and kept cheering, clapping and singing along. Jenn kept mentioning how much she loved the audience that even though it was a Monday night they were full of enthusiasm and if i must say the venue was quite packed (Surprised to see that). Verdict: If you like music, this is a place you MUST visit. I am definitely going to be a regular here!

james b.

Newly reopened and remodelled to within an inch of its life. Traditionalists might not like the nouveau swankiness but traditionalist is just another word for 'please don't ever change, it frightens me and makes me question my place on the planet' so, you know... Not only is this bar apparently on the Wall, it has also jumped on the fairly recent bandwagon of mixing band and club nights- which if you're nights are like mine, is awesome as it stops all the moaning, whilst I do love my little band of pals for being individuals some Saturdays I could quite easily hurt them with the wrong end of a spoon. Turn up, watch a band do it properly till around 11, then do it really wrong yourselves till 3. Perfectico.

alexandra s.

This bar has really got it right since reopening. The music could not get better, the crowd is just the right type of people I want to spend my Saturday nights with and the prices are fairly decent! When a club closes you expect it to reopen with fresh ideas but more than that you can tell the owners of this bar wanted to complete reinvent it and I applaud them for all there hard work and effort. It paid of guys.....ROCK ON!

Sophie C.

Where I work they have Xfm playing most days and so constantly for over a week all I heard about was Athlete playing Band on the Wall. Literally. Oh wow, they aren't selling tickets. You have to enter competitions on the radio. La dee da. But it got me wondering about this newly reopened music venue slash club so went along for a few drinks. And it was really cool. I couldn't actually stay that long as we were meeting some people somewhere else but for the brief drink that I managed here I got a good feel for what they are trying to do with this place. Its all about the music here at this not for profit venue run by Inner City Music so I was gutted not to see a band whilst I was there but I will definitely be returning. Plus Mr Scruff's Keep It Unreal club night is here from this month on and there is such a variety of live music - from Polar Bear, soul and jazz to The Magic Numbers.

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15 years ago

Good to see that B O T W has re-opened and I look forward to listening to some quality music in the near future

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Review Highlights - Band on the Wall

Craig Charles really knows how to get the crowd going the whole place had a real party atmosphere.

Mentioned in 3 reviews

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The Crown and Kettle

The Crown and Kettle

4.3(20 reviews)
0.1 miAncoats, Petersfield
£

So I'm here tonight to see Jason get North Manc CAMRA pub of the year - you can probably tell I…read moreagree. It's aesthetically unique, cosy and inviting. The beer is kept in superb condition, rotated every day and it has some of the best bottles in town. It's just one of the best pubs in Manchester for beer and atmosphere!

Reopened about four years ago now, this Grade Two listed pub is really intriguing in many ways. The…read moreCrown and Kettle used to be a courthouse in the 19th century and rumours still circulate that it is haunted; its that kind of place you see. An absolute must for real ale lovers, there is no brewery attached. Instead, they have up to eight pumps (a minimum of four) of both real ales and more mainstream beers like Fosters. Both these and drinks that I myself actually drink are very reasonably priced for a pub just on the outskirts of the Northern Quarter. If you're not familiar with the area just walk all the way down Oldham Street then cross over the main road- its right in front of you. It is very quiet during the day but that is what some people want after all. No, where the Crown and Kettle really could do with improvement is the food. I think it really lets itself down as it just isn't good pub food- maybe if they perked up the menu more people would straggle in during the day. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they don't want trade to be roaring at all hours - just a thought.

Photos
The Crown and Kettle
The Crown and Kettle
The Crown and Kettle

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Hold Fast - Saturday night in Hold Fast

Hold Fast

4.4(24 reviews)
0.3 miNorthern Quarter
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2 words guys : DOING THYME…read more If its cocktail time, those are only words you'll need to remember. Now if you're looking to be economical about the whole affair do indulge in their "Deckhand" cocktails which are just 2 for £9 during happy hour. Free popcorn, vintage gaming, a cinema, a smoking deck, smiling bartenders and lots of elbow room? Well, I'm doing time with DOING THYME whenever I'm in Manchester.

Hello new favourite NQ bar!…read more Popped here for a few drinks on Weds night and have to say I was really impressed - what a hidden gem and great new addition to the Northern Quarter. Housed in the Hatters Hostel basement, you're talking about a cavernous speakeasy style bar that's been nautically/fashionably revamped without trying too hard, which is refreshing. It's similar to the Gas Lamp in decor but with a grittier edge that makes it seem pretty relaxed and a place for any time of the day. A great selection of craft beer on tap and in bottles, classic video games on free play in the back and a very cool special cinema (the Kino room) showing classic movies each night (Fear and Loathing was on when I came in) for patrons. Friendly staff, beer slightly cheaper than neighbouring bars and because it's tucked away maybe a haven from some of the 'nobbier' elements making the NQ a shadow of it's former self on a weekend evening. Can't wait to go back! (Fast free wifi too - with no need for a password - sweet!)

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Hold Fast
Hold Fast - Smoking room - amazingly!

Smoking room - amazingly!

Hold Fast

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Port Street Beer House - Tri-colour.

Port Street Beer House

4.3(49 reviews)
0.2 miNorthern Quarter
££

I'm pretty sure I'd be here every weekend if I lived in this part of Manchester…read more Port Street Beer House is an unassuming little pub with a fantastic (and massive) list of brews, both local and international. Service is friendly and efficient, and even the stronger stuff on the menu won't set you back too much: a pint of most beers will run £4-5. I grabbed a pint of a super-fresh saison from Blackjack (a Manchester-based brewery) and enjoyed it in the small-ish garden out back. The only drawbacks? It get can very packed---and it's cash only.

Port Street should be high on any lover of craft beers hit list, whether living in Manchester or…read morejust in town visiting it's perfect place to pop in for 1 or 2 (and see what their amazing list of guest beers is offering this week) or spend a long afternoon in warmth working your way through their extensive range while catching up with friends. That extensive list includes around 20 beers on tap, with at least 100 bottles on offer - mainly sourced from some of the finest USA, UK and Scandinavian breweries around. Prices are fairly high but no more than you'd pay in any other city for the same craft beer - it is though always worth checking the price (and strength) before you order a pint of that rare, one barrel produced collaboration between 2 of your favourite breweries - it could be time to get a new mortgage! There's a large lounge room upstairs and beer garden out the back with ample seating for around 40. Capacity is one problem with this place and it can get very very busy at the weekends so try to get in early or go offpeak. Don't miss out on their regular "meet the brewers" nights on a Monday evening. What usually starts off as a civilised tasting of a few very good beers turns into a bit of a Monday night session - something that's no good for anyone. These monthly events have been known to make Tuesday's very hard work in the past :-) They also run nearby Common and Chorlton's The Beagle - plus Indy Man Beer con so make sure you check these out to complete the full set!

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Port Street Beer House - Post last call drunkness

Post last call drunkness

Port Street Beer House - Yin and Yang

Yin and Yang

Port Street Beer House

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Mother Mac's

Mother Mac's

4.0(8 reviews)
0.3 miNorthern Quarter
£

In all of my time living in the Northern Quarter, I would often see the old-and-slightly-decrepid…read morepub sign for Mother Macs, whenever I happened to glance down Back Piccadilly. For years I kept making a mental note to check this place out on my next pub crawl. I never did until about a month ago. Shame on me. I love drinking with older people as I love to hear their stories of Manchester days gone by - and this is that type of place. If you can hold a convo with people from all walks of life, you will enjoy the vibe in here. There are people who have been drinking in here for thirty years! Yeah you probably won't meet the man/woman of your dreams in here but there are no chavs either. I'm also currently on a mission to find other places outside of the main NQ drag, far from the maddening crowd. I can't imagine the NQ hipsters and trendies wouldn't be seen dead in a place like this (good). A hidden drinking den two minutes from Piccadilly Gardens, with cheap Jagerbombs (I dragged a large group of us here and we drank them dry of Jager) and more interestingly - quite a chilling history. Newspaper cuttings (and unfortunately MCFC memorabilia) adorn the smoke-stained walls, the former describing how a previous landlord murdered his whole family and the cleaner, before setting fire to the place. Not sure if anyone wants the gory details but I'll tell you anyway. The pub had a dumb waiter for moving food from one floor to the next. When the dumb waiter was inspected by the fire brigade (1976 this was) the cut up bodies of the landlord's wife and children, plus the cleaner were found inside. Grisly eh? One of my favourite films is The Shining and I can say that The Overlook has nothing on Mother Macs!

What a weird little pub. Small, dingy without being dirty, but a really good atmosphere. Been here…read morea couple of times over the last month and you're always made to feel welcome. It is what I would imagine a city centre 'locals' pub to be. People seemed to know one another and yet despite its location, tucked away on a back street off Piccadilly Gardens it is also often found by 'out of towners' and none regulars. All seem to have a good time. Becks Vier on draft, good range of spirits and, from what I could gather, the bitter is well kept too. If you're after somewhere to have a drink off the beaten track in Manchester city centre, away from the buzz and noise of more obvious bars and pubs, then this is it. Interesting, if not genuine (we couldn't find out, even with Google's help), newspaper articles about the history of the pub (mainly a murder/arson event!) adorn the walls along with other memorabilia, making for an interesting visit every time and a talking point should you need one!

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Mother Mac's - Two spiced Morgans and cokes £6...love it

Two spiced Morgans and cokes £6...love it

Mother Mac's

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Band on the Wall - bars - Updated May 2026

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