Small Music Venues for Hire in Manchester

In Manchester, prices of small music venues average £1500 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 November 2025:

Based on the popularity and user ratings on Tagvenue (updated November 2025), the best options include:

• Main Floor at Area Manchester in Manchester City Centre - rated 4.9/5
  Our user said: ‘Would recommend anyone to hire this venue...’

• The Lodge at Deaf Institute in Manchester - rated 4.9/5
  Our user said: ‘The space was very nice, we liked the decor and the atmosphere.’

• The Concert Hall at The Blues Kitchen Manchester in Castlefield - rated 4.8/5
  Venue said: The Concert Hall is the perfect space for exclusive hire, no matter the occasion! The area can accommodate up to 500 guests and is made up of high-top poser tables, scattered across the room.

These are the venues within 0.3 mi from central Manchester, available to book on Tagvenue:

• Whole Venue at Slug & Lettuce, Manchester Piccadilly on Portland Street - 0.1 mi from centre.
  Venue said: From pre-booked areas for baby showers to private room hire for birthdays—or even bringing the entire office down for a boogie—oh honey, we’re here to help!
• SITU at The Alan on 18 Princess Street - 0.1 mi from centre.
  Our user said: ‘The night itself was amazing, bar staff were incredibly friendly and helpful!’
• Roby 1844 at Holiday Inn Manchester - City Centre on Aytoun Street - 0.3 mi from centre.
  Our user said: ‘Had the terrace space to ourselves and was very well looked after by the staff.’

Several small music venues in Manchester offer in-house sound engineers and lighting technicians for an additional fee. Others might have basic equipment you can operate yourself or might allow you to bring in your own crew. However, having technical staff on-site is a huge plus! Knowing that the technical details are in good hands allows you to concentrate more on the performance or presentation. So, when contacting venues, don't hesitate to ask about their standard inclusions in the hire fee and any additional technical support options.

Stage setups at Manchester's small music halls come in all shapes and sizes! Many gig venues, including Fusion Creative Studios in Altrincham, offer a basic raised platform stage, perfect for smaller bands or acoustic acts. Some might have more elaborate setups with lighting rigs and sound systems already in place. On the other hand, you can also find black box venues or studio-like spaces such as The Loft & Bar at fivefourstudios in Salford that allow for more flexibility in staging and production design. To have a better idea of the typical stage configuration of the venue, we recommend browsing its website or social media pages for pictures or videos of past events. If you have specific needs, like space for larger equipment or a projector screen, be sure to discuss them with the venue beforehand to ensure they can accommodate your vision!