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Top Small Gig Venues in Manchester
Manchester's music scene is legendary, and finding the ideal small gig venues to show off your talent is easier than ever! With Tagvenue, you can effortlessly find outstanding venues for small gigs by using our search filters to narrow down options based on capacity, location, and amenities. We list top-rated small music venues throughout the city's coolest neighbourhoods, from an alternative pub in Ancoats to the energetic music club on Oxford Road. Make your booking on our platform and get ready to rock your audience!
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![Compass at The Lowry Salford Quays Venue in Near Manchester]()
from £2400
hire fee / per sessionCheck availabilityCompass
300 guestsThe Lowry Salford Quays VenueNear ManchesterA beautiful self-contained space which really does have the wow factor, with an impressive circular shape it is perfect for larger events. Floor-to-ceiling windows give panoramic waterside views. -
![Entire Venue at The Empty Space in Near Manchester]()
from £160
hire fee / per hourCheck availabilityEntire Venue
150 guestsThe Empty SpaceNear ManchesterThe Empty Space is a hidden gem, a black box theatre, offering substantial space for performers and audiences but retaining an intimate feel. Situated close to the MediaCityUK studios, with free parking and good transport -
![Pier Eight at The Lowry Salford Quays Venue in Near Manchester]()
from £990
hire fee / per sessionCheck availabilityPier Eight
120 guestsThe Lowry Salford Quays VenueNear ManchesterImpress your guests with sleek, modern decor and gorgeous waterside views. Use as one large space or easily divide into two. Popular for private dining and perfect for meetings or breakout spaces for conferences and seminars. -
![Green Room at The Empty Space in Near Manchester]()
from £100
hire fee / per hourCheck availabilityGreen Room
20 guestsThe Empty SpaceNear ManchesterThe Green Room is a medium sized rehearsal space upstairs which can also be used as a dressing room or rehearsal or up to 10 adults. We wanted to build a place that everyone could use, to attend and perform in without feeling -
![Theatre, event space at The Empty Space in Near Manchester]()
from £100
hire fee / per hourCheck availabilityTheatre, event space
180 guestsThe Empty SpaceNear ManchesterThe Theatre space at the Empty Space offers a spacious performance area for various kinds of events, shows, and productions. The space has been successful in hosting both professional and amateur performers, as well as in -
![Theatre at North West Theatre Arts Company in Manchester]()
from £30
hire fee / per hourCheck availabilityTheatre
84 guestsNorth West Theatre Arts CompanyManchesterSpacious theatre located in Moston, Manchester, with street parking and accessible via public transport just 25 minutes from the city centre . Two open spaces perfect for rehearsals, exercise classes and photography. -
![Stoller Hall at Stoller Hall in City Centre, Manchester]()
from £3850
hire fee / per dayCheck availabilityStoller Hall
399 guestsStoller HallCity Centre, ManchesterWWinky M.
“Great venue and helpful staffs ” -
![SITU at The Alan in Chinatown, Manchester]()
from £1000
minimum spend / per dayCheck availabilitySITU
200 guestsThe AlanChinatown, ManchesterBBobby R.
“Fast responses to all questions which was great as I was booking very late. ” -
![The Hall at GRUB in Cheetham Hill, Manchester]()
from £400
hire fee / per sessionCheck availabilityThe Hall
200 guestsGRUBCheetham Hill, ManchesterRRuth F.
“Jules who I communicated with about booking the space was so helpful and wonderful. Fab venue, fab staff ” -
![Basement Floor at Area Manchester in City Centre, Manchester]()
from £500
hire fee / per dayCheck availabilityBasement Floor
150 guestsArea ManchesterCity Centre, ManchesterBBeverley R.
“Sound technician and amenities were brilliant. Would recommend anyone to hire this venue ” -
![Whole Venue at Hard Rock Cafe Manchester in City Centre, Manchester]()
from £1000
minimum spend / per sessionCheck availabilityWhole Venue
450 guestsHard Rock Cafe ManchesterCity Centre, ManchesterDDebbie J.
“We are already looking at booking the next Member meet up drinks back there in Manchester. ” -
![Cultplex at GRUB in Cheetham Hill, Manchester]()
from £100
hire fee / per hourCheck availabilityCultplex
150 guestsGRUBCheetham Hill, ManchesterNNatalie .
“The staff were incredibly helpful throughout booking and on the day. ”
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Capacity
Budget
Area type
Venue type
Catering and drinks
Accessibility features
Make an Impression at Remarkable Bars for Gigs
from £2000
minimum spend / per session
minimum spend / per session
1st Floor Bar Area
100
150
The Washhouse
City Centre, Manchester
Manchester's best hidden bar and entertainment venue, disguised as an old laundrette. Pick up the phone in the lobby, use the secret password, and enter through a door hidden in a vending machine.
from £1500
hire fee / per session
hire fee / per session
The Bar
30
60
fivefourstudios
Near Manchester
Based on a members club lounge, the Bar is a communal space for anyone visiting fivefourstudios, whether it be a daytime coffee, a beer or glass of wine after your shoot, the doors are always open.
from £20
per person / per session
per person / per session
The Bar Room
25
40
Common
Northern Quarter, Manchester
#Supervenue
Available for private hire, the bar room comprises a mix of high and low tables, with a couple of sofas. The furniture can be moved according to your preference.
from £500
minimum spend / per day
minimum spend / per day
The Vault
100
200
Mother Mary’s Irish Bar
City Centre, Manchester
The space can hold up to 200 standing and features its own bar, club and soft lighting, bespoke KV2 audio sound-system and stage. Here you can enjoy live music, programme in a DJ or select from our roster of recommendeded
from £1500
minimum spend / per session
minimum spend / per session
Side Bar
80
200
Side Street
Castlefield, Manchester
The space features a huge bar space to pour up signature cocktails, a DJ booth with decks to entertain guests and a concept kitchen from our friends at Tartuffe for unbeatable bites & plates.
from £500
minimum spend / per day
minimum spend / per day
Shuffleboard
36
50
Box Deansgate
City Centre, Manchester
#Supervenue
Split over 2 floors and 2 bars, Box on Deansgate, has multiple areas available for private hire. With over 35 TVs in venue, whether your are looking for a meeting room or you are hosting a company party, we have space for
FAQs about Top Small Gig Venues in Manchester
In Manchester, prices of small gig venues average £1750 minimum spend per event. Costs vary depending on guest capacity, popularity, location, and amenities like sound systems or bar services. Extra charges may apply for custom catering, decor, or event planning services. Packages with add-ons, such as DJs, photo booths, or other entertainment services, can also increase the overall cost. Check out the typical price ranges in Manchester, based on Tagvenue data:
| From £1000 | to £2000 | minimum spend per event |
| From £800 | to £3850 | hire fee per day |
| From £500 | to £3240 | hire fee per event |
- Live Music - The most classic option for small gig spots in Manchester is live music performance, featuring local bands or solo artists.
- Acoustic Sessions - These venues are ideal for intimate, unplugged performances that highlight raw talent and stripped-down arrangements, making them perfect for folk, jazz, and blues musicians.
- Comedy Shows - You can organise stand-up comedy nights that bring local and touring comedians together, creating a cosy atmosphere for laughter and entertainment.
- Spoken Word Events - Small gig spaces are also suitable for poetry slams, storytelling nights, and literary readings that engage audiences with the power of words.
- Theatre Productions - Host small plays, monologues, and dramatic readings, offering an up-close-and-personal theatrical experience.
- DJ Sets and Dance Parties - You can set up DJ sets and small dance parties, as some gig venues are equipped with sound systems and dance floors.
- Art Performances - Arrange experimental art performances and multimedia shows that combine visual art, music, and live performance for a unique artistic experience.
Many small gig venues in Manchester are equipped with bars. Small music venues like The Talleyrand, a bar in Levenshulme with vintage decor and a space for live performances, offer a selection of cocktails and craft beer for your audience to enjoy while watching the show. Additionally, some venues may also offer snacks or light bites to complement the drinks available at the bar. We recommended contacting the venue directly to ensure your specific needs are met. This can also help you understand if there are any minimum spend requirements or if drink packages can be arranged for your gig or event!
- Common - This bar with gig space for 100 guests in Ancoats, featuring exposed brick walls and vividly-coloured decor, hosts intimate live music performances and art-related events. It features a projector with a screen for visual displays during gigs, as well as a DJ set suitable for after parties.
- Deaf Institute - Housed in a historic 19th-century building in Piccadilly, this live music venue offers several different spaces for gigs. It has a music hall with a capacity of 500 standing, a small theatre that holds up to 140 standing, and a compact space for around 50 standing guests.
- Boogalú - This underground small gig spot in the Northern Quarter, accommodates up to 60 guests. This intimate setting guarantees a close connection between the artist and the audience!
