Gorilla

Trying to list the most famous venues in Manchester is a tall order. It’s not just hype and legacy that have created the mythology of a city obsessed with music. Despite the plight of live spaces, we’re still blessed with a thriving scene, and some truly remarkable and revered small-mid-sized spots for touring bands and artists. Gorilla, which hides away in one of the arches beneath Manchester Oxford Road railway station, is up there with the most significant. An address known for regularly pulling big acts into its intimate room.

At the time of writing, then, Gorilla’s calendar included everyone from rap sensation Mike to alternative rockers Slow Readers Club, electronic outsider Machine Girl to Bloc Party frontman Kele’s solo show. But enough name dropping, you get the gist — there are plenty of tickets worth buying here, and the production is on point, with excellent sound quality, a well-positioned bar, and clear views of the stage no matter where you are in the crowd. Action doesn’t stop at curfew, either — this place is also used for club nights most Fridays and Saturdays, although it’s reputation was definitely built on the gig side of programming.

All that said, there’s more happening here than just the ticketed stuff alone. Gorilla is also a bar for casual drinking and walk-in dining, and operates a gin club on the mezzanine floor. Food menus comprise Smaller and Bigger Plates, ranging from British staples done proper like Sausage & Mash and Fish & Chips, to Wild Mushrooms, Tandoori Chicken Thighs, and Spiced Lamb Flatbread. It’s also definitely worth remembering there’s an excellent roast here every Sunday, too, and weekends introduce some great Brunch options served throughout the day. Definitely one of the hangouts in the Oxford Road Corridor neighbourhood, few other places can claim to do all this so well.