Band on the Wall
Band on the Wall, Manchester: Hours, Address, Band on the Wall Reviews: 4.5/5
Band on the Wall
Band on the Wall
4.5
5:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Tuesday
5:00 PM - 2:30 AM
Wednesday
5:00 PM - 2:30 AM
Thursday
5:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Friday
5:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Saturday
5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
About
Band on the Wall is located on Swan Street, nestled between Manchester City centre’s bustling Northern Quarter and Ancoats districts. Our award-winning live music venue comes to life each night with a global programme of live music and DJ led clubnights by artists from around the world. Our bar is open to the public throughout, with no gig ticket needed. Band on the Wall is fully wheelchair accessible.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Band on the Wall and nearby attractions
The area
Address
How to get there
- Shudehill • 3 min walk
- Market St • 7 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2,002 within 5 kms

Street Urchin
175
0.4 km££ - £££ • Seafood • British • Vegetarian Friendly

Federal Cafe & Bar
1,358
0.3 km££ - £££ • Quick Bites • British • Healthy

Turtle Bay - Manchester Northern Quarter
2,290
0.2 km££ - £££ • Caribbean • Healthy • Jamaican

The Counter House
325
0.4 km££ - £££ • European • British • Grill

Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
1,144
0.3 km£ • American • Fast food • Diner

Rudy's Neapolitan Pizza - Ancoats
1,170
0.3 km£ • Italian • Pizza • Neapolitan

Kabana
272
0.2 km£ • Indian • Asian • Balti

The Hip Hop Chip Shop
184
0.4 km£ • Seafood • Fast food • British

19 Cafe Bar
295
0.4 km£ • Dessert • Cafe • British

Yard And Coop Manchester
1,590
0.2 km££ - £££ • American • Bar • Diner
Attractions
367 within 10 kms

Northern-Scapes Gallery
4
0.1 kmArt Galleries

Greater Manchester Police Museum
622
0.3 kmSpeciality Museums

Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art
37
0.2 kmArt Galleries • Art Museums

The Hive
7
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks

richard goodall gallery
1
0.2 kmArt Galleries

Richard Goodall Gallery
4
0.2 kmArt Galleries
Northern Quarter
2
0.3 kmNeighbourhoods

Manchester Buddhist Centre
38
0.3 kmReligious Sites

Arndale Market
182
0.4 kmFlea & Street Markets

The City of Manchester Distillery
588
0.7 kmDistilleries
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
218 reviews
Excellent
172
Very good
32
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
10
IAN D
Wigan, UK18,888 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
My first visit on a Tuesday evening to watch Robert Jon and the Wreck. Nice intimate standing venue with a really good sound system. Excellent band and excellent venue. Good choice of beers and reasonable prices
Written 18 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ric
3 contributions
Mar 2022
a good venue i like that you have a linked but seperate bar and a concert room so can enjoy a pint and cross to the show without having to stand in the rain ,nice beer ,nice staff except the grumpy manageress ( i think) who did her best to spoil my night but failed
Written 31 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
richard g
1 contribution
Mar 2022
Firstly, in order to obtain a membership discount a lengthy code is required. But this is absolutely pointless, given that you still have to show the membership card at the door. Why not just tick a box for member discount.
Secondly in addition to a compulsory booking fee they also charge a compulsory delivery fee .... for an electronic ticket sent by email.
Secondly in addition to a compulsory booking fee they also charge a compulsory delivery fee .... for an electronic ticket sent by email.
Written 14 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hi,
The membership code is used so members prices are only visible to members when booking, so non-members don't accidentally book members rate tickets.
Members are asked to show their cards on the night to verify they have a valid members card. This isa system we've had in place for many years and has so far served us, and our customers well.
Regarding fees, all fees are charged by our ticket agent Ticketline, and not by us. Tickets for all shows are available in-person from our box office at face value.
Many thanks,
Band on the Wall
Written 15 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
John E
1 contribution
Mar 2022 • Couples
We went to the first Twisted Wheel Sunday at the Band On the Wall.
It was totally over subscribed 500 people in a place that was only fit for about 300.
We went in as a group of six, the ladies got a spot in the public bar, and the guys went to the bar.
The queue was horrendous so after 40 minutes we got to the corner of the bar when the manager came up and said " have you ever been in a bar before?".
I said "what do you mean? and she said "you don't know how to queue you are blocking the fire exits".
I said that we have been queuing for 40 minutes and that there should be more bar staff. There were only two behind the bar.
She said we gave covid issues with staff and I said we'll why have you let in too many people?
At that point she said "you are being abusive" and asked the security staff to have a word with us.
We are in our seventies and we have never been treated with such disgusting behavior,absolutely clueless management with no respect for their customers. We will never go there again and everyone we spoke to said the same.
It was totally over subscribed 500 people in a place that was only fit for about 300.
We went in as a group of six, the ladies got a spot in the public bar, and the guys went to the bar.
The queue was horrendous so after 40 minutes we got to the corner of the bar when the manager came up and said " have you ever been in a bar before?".
I said "what do you mean? and she said "you don't know how to queue you are blocking the fire exits".
I said that we have been queuing for 40 minutes and that there should be more bar staff. There were only two behind the bar.
She said we gave covid issues with staff and I said we'll why have you let in too many people?
At that point she said "you are being abusive" and asked the security staff to have a word with us.
We are in our seventies and we have never been treated with such disgusting behavior,absolutely clueless management with no respect for their customers. We will never go there again and everyone we spoke to said the same.
Written 13 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hi - on the day in question we were a number of staff down due to illness, which combined with our front of house team being new recruits due to our closure for two years meant that service was a little slower than usual. We can only apologise if service was a little slow and thank people for their patience.
During busy periods we will ask customers to avoid blocking the fire exits while queuing at the bar, this is a health and safety requirement.
Regarding capacity, we were categorically not over subscribed, on this or any other event. This event however was sold out hence it was busy.
Many thanks
Written 16 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Emma L
2 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
I've lived in Manchester for over 20 years and Band on the Wall has always been one of my favourite venues and a place I hold close to my heart. So many amazing gigs and nights. Last night I was let down by this venue and its door staff who quite frankly are a joke. 1st night out with my best mates since before lockdown. Stayed sensible on the drinking side in order to enjoy a good dance at the Huey Morgan and Don Letts night only to be turned away by the idiot door woman who stated that myself and a friend had drank too much. It was humiliating and totally uncalled for. As a longstanding Manchester club scene veteran I understand club eticate and know fully that neither myself or my friend were in any sort of state to have been given this treatmemt. We weren't inebriated, could talk completely straight and hold ousrelves together. We were absolutely no risk to anyone. No refund for our tickets either. The power hungry door staff need a talking too. Sad and disappointed by their very bad judgement. Also sad to say I won't be returning to this much loved venue. Do not recommend. Discriminate door staff. Saw this happen to other friendly not drunk revellers too. Hope they put a complaint on here and persue a refund. Still reeling.
Written 6 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hi,
We have investigated your complaint and spoken to our staff who were working on that evening.
Unfortunately our staff deemed you far too intoxicated on the door to allow entry. This is a licensing condition - it's against the law for us, or any licensed premises for that matter, to permit entry to people who are too drunk.
We did offer you the opportunity to sober up and come back later, which you declined. We also offered you a refund, and you were then threatening and abusive to our staff.
We pride ourselves on being an open, friendly and inclusive space for everyone, as outlined on our Core Values policy here: https://bandonthewall.org/visit/core-values/
I hope that in the cold light of day you understand why we couldn't let you in on that night, and you give us another try in the future.
Many thanks
Written 11 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
roddymorrison1
Manchester, UK2 contributions
Feb 2020
We were lucky enough to get tickets for the Sambroso All Stars Band on 14th February. The team at Band on the Wall very kindly sorted a table and seats for us because one of our group was on crutches.
We made the most of happy hour before the gig (excellent pizza!) and the gig itself was tremendous. I love BOTW - brilliant staff and atmosphere.
We made the most of happy hour before the gig (excellent pizza!) and the gig itself was tremendous. I love BOTW - brilliant staff and atmosphere.
Written 19 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Stephen W
1 contribution
Feb 2020 • Couples
The totally misleading advertising for this event says “ taking you on an uplifting journey filled with Funk Soul , Disco and Motown classics “ .
We arrived in anticipation of a great night and left ninety minutes later thoroughly disappointed . During that time the DJ failed to play one classic , but chose to indulge himself playing an obscure playlist - obviously thinking that was much more ‘ cool ‘ than playing the classics customers mistakenly came to dance to . As I left I mentioned this to the doormen and he replied they get lots of similar complaints . Time for action !
A terrible first visit to Band on the Wall . I suggest the powers that be replace the current DJs and find some that know what a Funk , Soul , Disco and Motown classic sounds like .
We arrived in anticipation of a great night and left ninety minutes later thoroughly disappointed . During that time the DJ failed to play one classic , but chose to indulge himself playing an obscure playlist - obviously thinking that was much more ‘ cool ‘ than playing the classics customers mistakenly came to dance to . As I left I mentioned this to the doormen and he replied they get lots of similar complaints . Time for action !
A terrible first visit to Band on the Wall . I suggest the powers that be replace the current DJs and find some that know what a Funk , Soul , Disco and Motown classic sounds like .
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hi - sorry to hear you did not enjoy the Soul Train night.
This event was not an in-house Band on the Wall event, but produced a third party promoter hiring the venue, and as such we were not in control of the music played.
We will speak to the event organiser with your feedback - Band on the Wall is a multiple award-winning venue rated #1 in Manchester on Tripadvisor, and we pride ourselves on providing the best experience we can for all visitors.
Written 12 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Karentoday
Manchester, UK40 contributions
Feb 2020
Great venue, friendly staff, good acoustics. I contacted the venue in advance as I was worried about standing as I have a bad back and painful knee. The venue were very understanding and reserved seats for me and my two friends. We saw Fatoumata Diawara, who was wonderful. Thank you BOTW, I've been enjoying live music with you over at least 30 years. Always excellent.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
andrew S
Greater Manchester, UK1 contribution
Feb 2020
Night was ok have to say I did expect to hear plenty of classic 70s soul ,but music was a bit obscure and not so much as a glitter ball ! only recognised about 2 songs .staff members were a bit miserable ,have to say it was not what I expected having read the advertisement .
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hi - sorry to hear you did not enjoy the Soul Train night.
This event was not an in-house Band on the Wall event, but produced a third party promoter hiring the venue, and as such we were not in control of the music played.
We will speak to the event organiser with your feedback - Band on the Wall is a multiple award-winning venue rated #1 in Manchester on Tripadvisor, and we pride ourselves on providing the best experience we can for all visitors.
Written 12 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Johnnyfstoke
Stoke-on-Trent, UK6 contributions
Jan 2020
A great evening watching upcoming artists in a friendly venue to see the superb Pieces of A Man @POAMmusic and @KikeAdennowo a superb Soul vocalist .
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lisa S
Stratford-upon-Avon, UK89 contributions
Hi We are thinking of going to the Craig Charles funk and soul night on 27th October but never been before and a bit worried about age group as we are late fifties. Don’t want to go if it’s a ‘young scene’. Thanks in advance. Lisa
Andrew G
Manchester, UK244 contributions
We went to a gig and we are 40s and had no issue... Would imagine each gig attracts the relevant crowd..
Merlinthemagicpup
Llandudno, UK33 contributions
Is there any cheap or free parking nearby? We would be needing about 6 hours - until 10pm roughly? Also is there any disabled parking?
Peter H
Ludlow, UK9 contributions
Sorry, I used the train and metro tram system to get to a friend's house afterwards. There are NCPs around but worth contacting the venue direct regarding disability access.
Ireland road trip
2 contributions
What time does the main act usually finish? were not sure whether to get the train or drive, and if they finish late we will drive.
Mike L
Huddersfield1,043 contributions
we had time for a pint on the way back to the station for a train back to Huddersfield at@11
Alwayspeckish
Cardiff, UK60 contributions
Hi, I have never been here before And I am travelling up from Wales next week. What sort of place is this, should I dress smartly or is it more casual? Karen
Gavin S
Morfa Nefyn, UK2 contributions
Hi Always
Dress as you like, the fact that you ask means you can be sure you will be fine! What gig are you attending? Please note our kitchen is closed at the moment, but plenty of restaurants around about. Parking if after 6pm is on road or plenty of car parks about. Best regards BotW team
Mel K
Manchester, UK12 contributions
What hours do they serve food at BOW. Last time I went I was disappointed they'd stopped serving food.
ManchesterWillH
Manchester166 contributions
Hi Mel, please see this blurb re: food service from their website:
The Picturehouse Bar is open to the public from 5pm on event nights.
Pop in for good beer, a handpicked selection of music from around the world and some of the finest home-cooked food the city has to offer. Open to the public, no gig ticket needed.
*times may vary on clubnights.
Frequently Asked Questions about Band on the Wall
- Band on the Wall is open:
- Tue - Wed 17:00 - 02:30
- Thu - Fri 17:00 - 03:00
- Sat - Sun 17:00 - 00:00
- We recommend booking Band on the Wall tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Band on the Wall tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Band on the Wall:
- (0.02 km) Smithfield Hotel
- (0.03 km) Shush Apartments
- (0.04 km) Swan Street Suite Slps 23
- (0.06 km) Swan Street Town House
- (0.08 km) Staycity Aparthotels Northern Quarter
- Restaurants near Band on the Wall:
- (0.03 km) Chilli's
- (0.04 km) Pico's Tacos
- (0.04 km) Tender Cow
- (0.04 km) Chilli B's
- (0.05 km) Mackie Mayor