Soup

Clubs come and go. So do gig venues. And boozy hangouts spots. Soup feels like it’s always been here, and long may that continue. A two-floor destination for music, drinks and good times, the Northern Quarter institution first welcomed dancers and debauchers back in 2011 and quickly established itself as one of the most forward-thinking addresses in the city when it comes to events programming. Post-pandemic, it doubled down in terms of its longstanding reputation as a stronghold for local talent and the kind of place that tries to swerve getting involved in the toxic culture of putting everything on overpriced headliners — ethics we have a lot of respect for. 

Of course, this is Manchester, meaning there’s no shortage of homegrown heads with serious music status. And there’s also a healthy number of highly respected national and international names that come through this hallowed spot. But a quick look through the listings tells you this place operates a world away from the corporate machinery of “the industry”. Whether you’re here for a banging techno party, rolling drum & bass, high tempo punk or experimental moods, Soup has always been known for valuing high quality over high profile. And the impact of this is evident in more ways than one. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re chilling in the upstairs canteen-style bar, with its well-appointed booths and broad selection of drinks, or heading down to the intimate basement, where the ticketed sessions unfold, Soup feels first and foremost like somewhere with a strong sense of community behind it. Free DJ sets are common on the ground floor, while the subterranean level is as loose as they come once the midnight hour passes into early hours. So if this is your first time, expect a proper Manchester atmosphere to greet you at the door, and continue long after the inevitable cries for “one more tune”.