Fancy a bite to eat with a side of music? Well luckily for diners in Manchester you can have both as the city is filled with restaurants offering live music most nights of the week (if not every night) to keep us both full and entertained. From intimate eateries to restaurants roaring with atmosphere, here are the best spots in Manchester for food, drink and live music.
1. Albert’s Schloss
If you’re after atmosphere alongside Alpine-inspired dishes then Albert’s Schloss is the place to go. Offering a weekly schedule of live music and entertainment, this spot on Peter Street is the perfect escapism.We’re talking Sunday roasts with a side of jazz, duelling piano nights, a fun haus band, drag queens, and Schloss’ famous promenaders keeping the party going. The Cook Haus is also serving up their tasty menu serving schnitzels, bratwurst and more, with plenty of cocktails and biers on offer at the bar.
📍 Albert’s Schloss, 27 Peter St, M2 5QR.
2. The Blues Kitchen
Bringing blues, bourbon and BBQ to Manchester, The Blues Kitchen is one of the restaurants with live music that is hard not to resist getting up and dancing or sway in your seat whilst you eat. Consisting of a New Orleans-style bar and restaurant and a fantastic concert hall, The Blues Kitchen is the place for live music lovers – with plenty of shows booked in for the coming months. The programme features not only special sets taking place in the concert hall, but a number of bar-side shows where guests can enjoy beautiful blues, jazz, soul and rock and roll while tucking into their menu of tasty BBQ grub.
📍 The Blues Kitchen, 13 Quay St, M3 3HN.
3. YES
Situated near the student district of Manchester, YES is one of the most popular live music venues in the city and there is an ever-changing roster of acts on their gigs calendar for you to enjoy. There’s a whole array of genres to listen to including rock ‘n’ roll and live DJs all of which take place in YES’ iconic pink room.
📍 YES, 38 Charles Street, M1 7DB.
4. Wilson’s Social
Adding to the Manchester restaurants with live music that serve up brunch is Wilson’s Social in the Northern Quarter. Once you’ve fuelled up on their brunch and lunch dishes like shakshuka and cheeseburgers, head downstairs for a night of singing and dancing in their basement club. Wilson’s Social hosts a number of weekly club nights and live DJ sets, with everything from vinyl-only playlists to drag parties, funk tunes to live bands. The restaurant, bar and club also hosts a monthly event known as Juicy Bits Jam featuring all instruments and genres, which takes place every last Sunday of the month.
📍 Wilson’s Social, 42-44 Oldham Street, M4 1LE.
5. The Oast House
When it comes to both a feast and live music in Spinningfields, The Oast House is one of the only restaurants in the Manchester area to offer the two. Not only does the venue host a free music festival across multiple bank holiday weekends known as ManiFest, but it is also a hub for musicians to perform at. Tuck into hanging kebabs, pies and street food favourites both in their unique roofed restaurant and bar as well as outside on their terrace.
📍 The Oast House, The Avenue Courtyard, M3 3AY.
6. Bouzouki by Night
This cosy Greek taverna found on Princess Street comes to life every weekend – bringing a slice of Aegean entertainment to the rainy city. Beloved by locals for over 30 years for its delicious Greek grub, Bouzouki‘s ‘By Night’ element is also what draws people in to visit. After filling up on pita and houmous, halloumi, kofta, chicken skewers and mousaka, guests are invited to get up and join the “big fat Greek good time”, withtons of dancing and singing to get involved in on the DIY dancefloor. It’s a little bit like the fun escapades you’d expect from a Mamma Mia! film, except so much better (given this is in real life).
📍 Bouzouki by Night, 88 Princess Street, M1 6NG.
7. Freight Island
This street food destination is not just bursting with bites to eat but also showcases a wide selection of comedy and music acts on a regular basis. Freight Island brings some of the best street food traders and top acts all to one place with weekly live music and entertainment programmes and plenty of refreshments. Tuck into the likes of lasagne slabs, fried fish, sushi, arepas and gyros as well as sweet treats like cheesecake on a stick as well as sip on seasonal cocktails and craft beers at either Freight Island’s outdoor and indoor seating and listen to funky beats from the DJs on the decks.
📍 Freight Island, 11 Baring St, M1 2PZ.
8. Gorilla
Manchester spot Gorilla hosts a number of artists and bands from a range of different genres for gigs– anything from rock to soul, drum and bass to indie. Located under the railway arches right by Manchester Oxford Road station, the industrial live music venue serves up tunes and a solid food and drink menu. For brunch, choose from the likes of steak and eggs to waffles loaded with the likes of fried chicken, fruit or syrup. Later in the day you can indulge in a selection of small plates, burgers or three tacos for £13 and on Sundays there’s a roast on the menu where you can pick from either beef, pork, chicken or a mushroom, spinach and butternut squash wellington with all the trimmings.
📍 Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth St, M1 5WW.
9. Impossible
Another Peter Street venue for eats and beats is Impossible. Home to a bunch of themed bottomless brunches, Impossible also hosts lively shows and DJs on the decks, all of which are sure to keep you entertained throughout the day and night. From burgers to tapas to continental breakfasts, Impossible has pretty much got it all. Book yourself in for an afternoon tea, brunch or a Sunday roast fondue and be blessed with a show or live music at the same time.
📍 Impossible, 36 Peter St, M2 5QR.