If you love an exhibition as much as a trip to the pub, a new immersive experience at Aviva Studios is bringing the two together. Titled UTOPIA, this unique installation explores nostalgia, class, and the changing landscapes of Manchester and Glasgow through the lens of a traditional social club.
Created by artist Trackie McLeod alongside Factory International’s Young Curators, the project recreates the atmosphere of a classic working men’s club by building a fully functional pub inside the Warehouse space. It serves as a tribute to the community hubs that are increasingly disappearing from our modern cities.
What is UTOPIA?
During the day, UTOPIA operates as a hybrid pub and gallery. Visitors can pull up a stool to view McLeod’s latest prints, sculptures, and video works, all set among rescued pub furniture and salvaged decor. You might even spot the artist himself working a shift behind the bar. It’s a space designed for conversation, workshops, and reflection on working-class identity.
Once the sun goes down, the atmosphere shifts. The “pub” turns into a lively venue for late-night gatherings and live performances. Designed to be inclusive and safe, UTOPIA reimagines the traditional social club as a platform for Manchester’s modern creative scene, giving local talent a place to connect and showcase their work.
At its heart, the installation is about reclaiming physical community spaces in a digital age. Everyone is invited to grab a drink and get involved before the project concludes.
Which events are taking place at UTOPIA?
- A Night of Bailey J Mills: Feb 19, 7:30pm
- Trackie’s Happy Hour: Daily, 3pm–6:30pm
- Rainy Miller + mamba.exe + Sharari: Feb 20, 8:30pm–11pm
- Roundtable (A Public House or the Public’s Home?): Feb 20, 7pm–8pm
- DBA Takeover: Feb 21, 8pm–midnight
- T-Shirt Customisation Workshop: Feb 21, 12pm
When can I visit?
This is a strictly limited pop-up. UTOPIA will be open at Aviva Studios from Thursday, February 19 to Saturday, February 21, 2026.
How to get tickets
Admission to all UTOPIA events is free, though some specific sessions require advance booking via the Factory International website.
📍 North Warehouse, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ.