From sweaty basements to cosy backrooms, independent venues are the heart of the UK’s music scene – and we’re very proud of ours in Manchester. They champion new talent and deliver unforgettable experiences, but rising costs and closures threaten their future. Now more than ever, we must celebrate the places keeping live music alive, so which of these are the nation’s favourites?
To find out, the team at Betway has analysed social media and Google review data, along with Google search volume, revealing which venues stand out above the rest.
Manchester’s best independent venue
Our very own Band on the Wall takes the fifth spot among the UK’s most popular independent music venues outside of London, taking seventh place overall. The Manchester venue boasts over 16,300 Instagram hashtag mentions, 547 and a Google review rating of 4.7.
Known the country-over, Band on the Wall is a true jewel in Manchester’s crown, hosting bands, solo acts and DJs throughout the week to this day. Band on the Wall isn’t just a live music spot, though, as the team is committed to giving back to the industry, keeping grassroots venues alive and showcasing music from around the world.
The Band on the Wall mission states: “Looking beyond our borders we want to be a truly inclusive and international facing music venue, and through that prism we believe we are best placed to celebrate Manchester’s rich heritage by confidently celebrating the whole worlds creative diversity.
“As well as promoting great live music and producing national tours with international ‘cultural’ artists, we are committed to providing opportunities for our local communities to get involved in music making and producing accessible digital content to inform and educate people who a keen to engage with us online.”
After six years of fundraising and planning and finally re-building, Band on the Wall has been truly reborn after a £3.5m physical transformation. The unusual name harks back to the building’s days as The George and Dragon pub in the early 20th Century. Regulars would affectionately refer to the ‘Band on the Wall’ as the place where house musicians quite literally played on a stage halfway up the back wall to make room in the busy pub – and we feel so lucky to still have it around in its current iteration.
Best independent music venues in the UK
The uber-famous Ronnie Scott’s in London ranks as the UK’s most popular indie music venue. The iconic Soho jazz club has the highest number of annual searches in the ranking, attracting 1.6 million per year, highlighting its enduring appeal and cultural significance – unsurprisingly.
SWG3, a vibrant cultural hub in Glasgow, ranks as the UK’s second most popular independent music venue, with our neighbouring Liverpool‘s iconic Cavern Club, best known as the birthplace of The Beatles, coming in third. It boasts the second-highest number of Instagram hashtag mentions among the top 10 independent music venues, with over 45,000 posts showcasing its legendary stage and vibrant atmosphere.
Keeping with the northern theme, in fifth place is Brudenell Social Club, an iconic venue in Leeds. Originally a working men’s club, Brudenell has gained legendary status in the indie and alternative music scenes, holding a near-perfect 4.8 Google rating and has an impressive 325,200 TikTok posts.
The top 10 most popular independent music venues in the UK:
- Ronnie Scotts, London
- SWG3, Glasgow
- The Cavern Club, Liverpool
- Troxy, London
- Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
- King Tut’s, Glasgow
- Band on the Wall, Manchester
- The Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow
- Cafe Oto, London
- MOTH Club, London
You can find the full study here.
📍 Band on the Wall is located at