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    The Bridgewater Hall

    4.5 (39 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    The Bridgewater Hall Photos

    THE BRIDGEWATER HALL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Classy
    Very loud
    Live music

    Recommended Reviews - The Bridgewater Hall

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    Music Baby session
    Hannah Q.

    My review of Bridgewater Hall is based solely on the recent 'Baby Music' session I attended with my daughter recently. Baby Music is a free baby sensory class that is offered here every Wednesday at 11.15am, 12.30pm and 1.45pm. It's an informal session that takes place over an hour with a different theme every week and music based activities set up accordingly. The idea is you rock up with your baby and spend an hour playing and generally having fun! The class doesn't have any particular structure and is not led but there are several members of staff on hand who are happy to offer ideas, impart their knowledge of how music can help development or just sit and have a chat with you and your baby. It's a really nice way to spend an hour with your baby and my 6.5 month old loved it. There were a few people there with very young babies (just a month or 2 old) but I'm not sure how much you'd get out of it at that age and as it can get quite noisy it's maybe more suitable for babies ever so slightly older. As I said before, this is a free session and as such is hugely popular. Bookings are currently taken from 8.30am on the Thursday before the following Wednesday's group and if you want to get a place you really do need to be there at 8.30am on the dot and be prepared to hit the redial button several times!

    Sophie C.

    Duh-duh-duh- duh-duh-duh DUH DUH Duh-duh-duh- duh-duh-duh DUH DUH Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture sang by yours truly after an evening at the Bridgewater Hall. I am civilised, I am refined. I promise. And its not my fault that I had first reactions to some pieces such as 'Theme from the Apprentice?' and 'Ice Age 3 soundtrack'. For that I blame TV and film. The building is stunning and that organ just looks amazing - I've heard it too: at a Masters graduation ceremony held there. If you visit and don't here the organ, its understandable if you're a little upset. Nonetheless, the concert hall somehow lets you feel the energy of the orchestra even if you're up at the top, peering underneath the railing. Seeing the precision and timing of the string section for yourself really does bring the music alive and the Bridgewater Hall only has the creme de la creme of orchestras. Perhaps one of the reasons you'll leave the Hall singing.

    Alfie B.

    Currently on at The Bridgewater Hall is an entire season of German composer Mahler, running almost every week from January to June. The Bridgewater Hall is a wonderful classical music venue with an exquisitely beautiful main theatre. This current Mahler season is wonderfully done, with performances from the Manchester Cameratera and, as its in conjunction with the BCC, their wonderful Philharmonic Orchestra. Tickets for these wonderful events start from only £9. Also, there've often got radio programs being recorded in front of a live audience between 5 and 6pm. These are completely free to go to, you just need to get tickets for the box office. They're really good, and even if you are going to the main evening performance as well, they are probably worth going to as they often include interesting commentary on the performances. If you like classical music then Bridgewater Hall is a wonderful place, and if you don't like classical music, you probably will after a visit to a live performance here.

    Big cafe, but it gets booked up fast!
    Bekki G.

    Great venue for a wide variety of musical genres. It has the main concert hall but some smaller spaces for performances as well. Good cafes and bars (although it can take ages to get served!) and there's always a good range of ticket prices depending on your seats. Car parking, bus and tram links make it really easy to get to - well worth a visit! Hallé and BBC philharmonic are resident so there's always a good variety of immense talent on show!

    taken from: mayflex.com
    Rachel W.

    I have wanted to play here since I can remember. So a trip here to me is the way to my heart. I love this place! The building is breathtaking to start off with so before you even get inside (if you are lucky to get taken) just take a look at this genius building. Jaw-droppingly handsome and exquisite is the only way I can describe it. This rejuvenated city of Manchester deserves a smack on the back for this piece of work. What a show. I have been a few times now and everytime I go it is like I have never been! Inside is perfection. The organ is beautiful and the hall itself makes you feel like you are royalty. It is immaculate. The sound is incredible too. Please go. Even if you do not like the music, just try it. Honestly, it will blow your head off. Better than your sub-woofer, i promise!

    BBC Philharmonic.
    Thomas M.

    This time around not only visited the hall for two concerts (one was a replica of Leonard Bernstein's final concert, with Tasmin Little and the BBCPO), the other John Williams: A Life in the Cinema with the Hallé under Stephen Bell - both great) but also took the "public" tour of the building, which will cost you a 5-er for a 1+ hour look behind the back of that is certainly the greatest-sounding concert hall I know (a tie with the Cologne Philharmonic Hall). Very nice tour, which was guided by the guy who normally runs their CD and souvenirs shop on concert evenings. The Hallé were rehearsing the Williams concert while we were in the auditorium, being told about sound-proofing and how the architects kept the vibrations coming from the nearby traffic away from the auditorium. So I recommend Bridgewater Hall for ALL classical concerts, and the tour for those who want to have a peek behind the scenes.

    James C.

    A wonderful facility belonging to Manchester. Bridgwater Hall hosts many events including both classical and contemporary music. Both the Hallé and BBC Philharmonic play here regularly, and ticket prices are reasonable. There are sometimes free tickets for Manchester residents if you're on their mailing list. My only reason not to award the venue 5 stars is that I find the seats a little uncomfortable, especially when you're there for a few hours.

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    15 years ago

    A great venue. the stylish exterior is matched by the acoustics inside. a handy location too.

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    11 years ago

    I've been there twice so far and I must admit that this place is absolutely amazing. It's unbelievable how good is acustics there!

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    Review Highlights - The Bridgewater Hall

    Having heard so much about this concert hall I finally had the pleasure of going to a concert here the other night.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

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    Palace Theatre - Avenue Q set

    Palace Theatre

    4.0(42 reviews)
    0.2 miOxford Road Corridor
    £££

    Booked in December 2 tickets for Moulin Rouge in September 2025…read more Was feeling very ill, dizzy, losing consciousness so went to doctors and was rushed to hospital London. A mass has been found on the left side of my brain and is spreading. I have had treatment, but at this point I have been told its a life limiting condition. I contacted to cancel my tickets, because well, and I can use that money now to help with home costs. They replied to me that I needed to get them proof that I was 'not going to be here'. They then said that they can swap my tickets for another performance so I don't get to miss it. I am in Derby. They want me to go to London to get a sick note from my surgeon, or to download a form from ATG and then send it to my busy surgeon, get him to fill it out and send it back to me to prove it. As a last ditch attempt, the Palace Theatre Box Office was approached, and they turned around and said that if I am unwilling to follow the process with ATG, there is nothing they can do. Or alternatively I could sell my tickets on Twickets, because I am obviously well enough for that! I.am absolutely flabbergasted. Sickened. Disgusting service. This is the first review, but my family are going to leave a review on every review site, all media sites. They have the transcripts of the conversation. The low down dirty sick thing about it all though is that I paid for refund protection. Which means absolutely NOTHING. HORRIBLE INSENSITIVE PEOPLE. Never been so sickened!

    Based on my last experience I'd give it 1 star but overall I know that would be super unfair. For a…read morelong time I think I romanticised the idea of this venue, it could do no wrong but the reality is it's not actually all that. The building is stunning and steeped in history, that itself is profoundly beautiful but reflecting on the actual experience of seeing a show here, it can be hit or miss. Pros: Many, many amazing shows passing through The building itself The history The stage Location Cloak room Concession prices on tickets Merchandise stall for those that want a souvenir Cons: Can be very noisy during a show (can hear the dryers from the toilets, mobile phone interference affecting the speakers, ushers don't really tell noisy customers off) Limited leg room Certain areas have very restricted views e.g. mid/back of the stalls Expensive drinks and snacks Tickets can be overpriced I'm an avid theatre goer and have seen so many classics here, I will not stop going but I think things needs to be tightened up. Going to the theatre is a real treat, anything that brings the experience down needs addressing.

    Photos
    Palace Theatre
    Palace Theatre
    Palace Theatre

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    The Lowry - Yachts, 1959 (watercolour) by LS Lowry

    The Lowry

    4.2(53 reviews)
    1.9 miSalford Quays
    ££

    This is the outlet at the Lowry. We hadn't been here in a few years certainly long before wu flu…read morestruck. I'd guess it's now half empty store wise. Key shops like M&S Clothing, Black & Decker, Tefal and many more all long gone. Harry Ramsden's fish & chips still there along with subway. A chicken shack of sorts, an independent Indian and a BK. The Indian has most food pre cooked and heated on order so no thanks. When there's a Harry's I'm afraid this sort of competition has no chance with me. They used to have a spud u like but it's gone as has an ice cream parlour. The Cadbury alleged chocolate shop is still there but prices are rip off with supermarkets offering identical products much cheaper. Costa coffee is still there and they are now advertising the fact that they are selling M&S food so at least that's quality food. I'm not sure I'd make another trip back here but they still do the artisan market days so that would bring me back.

    A wonderful modern theatre in Salford at the Lowry Centre. The Lyric Theatre is the biggest of the…read moretwo theatres inside of the huge Lowry Centre. It hosts many amazing plays, musicals and many other entertainment options. I have been to see two National Theatre productions here which include the amazing War Horse and recently the Curious incident of the dog in the nighttime. It also has a couple of restaurants and cafes and amazing views to go with it. I have sat in many places in the Lyric theatre and there really isn't one bad seat plus the seats are really comfortable! All the staff who work here are really friendly and they seem to love there job. So take a look at the Lowry website to see if theres a show coming your way soon. Even if you're not sure that you might like the theatre, give it a go you may love it! The Lowry also hosts many art exhibitions which currently has Behind the Mask, the biggest collection of BAFTA-winning actor portraiture ever assembled, which has come to The Lowry for its first time out of London which is worth the trip out of town alone! You can easily get to the Lowry from the city centre of Manchester on one of the Metrolink trams which head towards Media City UK!

    Photos
    The Lowry - Image courtesy of The Lowry website

    Image courtesy of The Lowry website

    The Lowry - Interior, Lowry Gallery by Ben Blackall

    Interior, Lowry Gallery by Ben Blackall

    The Lowry - The artist, LS Lowry, drinking a cup of tea

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    The artist, LS Lowry, drinking a cup of tea

    Royal Exchange Theatre - King Lear on until 7th May 2016

    Royal Exchange Theatre

    4.7(55 reviews)
    0.4 miCity Centre

    My sis and I were walking around looking for things to do in Manchester and Royal Exchange was on…read morethe list of things to do! So we stopped by and we learned this: High Yield: If you go at 9:30 am you can pick up front row tickets for the featuring performance later in the day for 10 pounds! Details Interior: Beautiful modern modern theater. So when you come into the building, the theater is contained within a cool glass looking structure and there are different tiers for viewing. We went at 9:30 am to pick up the 10 pound tickets and then came back at 2:30 to watch our show. The colors of the modern theater are purples and blues. Inside interior is beautiful Play Watched: We watched Sweet Charity- without giving away details and the ending, it is certainly such a well performed play. The cast put their heart and soul, the dancing numbers were clean, and the vocals were solid. Very solid performance, and because it is a smaller theater than like Broadway, it felt very intimate and cozy watching this from the front row. This is rated PG 13 in my opinion, no dirty or inappropriate stuff but if you want the true nuances and understanding of this play, be prepared for talks of brothels and purity. The front seats are like coahces btw, so if you're a tall person, your legs may feel awkward. But if you're a shorty like me, it's totally nice. Refreshments: You can purchase drinks, snacks and pastries from outside- not the cheap popcorn and like soft drinks but like actually baked goods, wines, and stuff Audience: Generally an older audience, middle to upper class, mostly caucasian population

    This venue certainly has the wow factor.. I walked in expecting a typical old & majestic theatre…read morebuilding, which it is BUT it also has a huge modern twist, with a scaffolding type looking auditorium in the middle. It took me a while to like this, being the traditionalist that I am, but once the musical (Little Shop of Horrors) was in full swing I fully appreciated the set up they had going on, with the audience sitting in a round and the stage in the centre. The acoustics were absolutely fantastic and the space created a really intimate feel. My only gripe is that the seats really are packed in, I felt quite claustrophobic and if I had needed to leave for any reason during the show at least three other people would had to leave their seats and move into the aisle so that I could pass. I will just need to bare this in mind next time I book...

    Photos
    Royal Exchange Theatre - Into The Woods

    Into The Woods

    Royal Exchange Theatre
    Royal Exchange Theatre - Around the world in 80 days

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    Around the world in 80 days

    Slippery Belle

    Slippery Belle

    4.7(3 reviews)
    0.6 miNorthern Quarter

    Slippery Belle is, without any doubt, one of the best night's out in Manchester…read more It's a burlesque affair, but instead of simply turning up and watching the acts, there's something slightly different about this. For starters, there's a vampish drag act that acts as compere for the evening who is worth your entrance fee alone. Then, girls who have been having burlesque lessons strut their stuff (often for the first time) in front of a very friendly crowd, all dressed to the nines in fascinators and sharp suits. That said, don't let the dressing up element put you off - if you turned up in any old gear no-one would mind. The fact that they have beginners on the bill makes the whole thing feel inclusive and warm, as opposed to lecherous and seedy. It's all good fun and by the time the professionals get up (both ladies and 'boy-lesque'), everyone is whooping and cheering, giving everyone grins so big that you feel like you may never stop smiling ever again. When the acts have finished, a DJ plays you out with saucy swing and hot rock'n'roll. It really is one of the best ways to spend an evening in Manchester. It's perfect in absolutely every way.

    Slippery Belle is one of Manchester's few Burlesque nights, arguably, the best. Organised and…read morehosted by the lovely Bella Besame. Bella teaches the art of tease in workshops across the country and has helped a number of starlets along the way, many of whom go on to titillate us at the Slippery Belle. Last Sunday's event was the last monthly show to be held at M2 on Peters Street (previously Royales). The venue added to the atmosphere and the witty transvestite compare - with fabulous legs that turned me green with envy, Lady J would have you crying with laughter. Sadly, Lady J will not be but Slippery Belle returns in September With acts ranging from 50's glamour and pin-up style, Neo-burlesque to hard rock anthems, ballet Kate Bush-esque acts and a Cello playing corseted vixen singing dark humoured self penned ditties you only wish she'd release on CD, Slippery Belle provided a night of good old fashioned caberet entertainment you really would be pushed to find anywhere else. At £8 entrance fee (which you can pay just to get into a bog standard bar) it was truly money well spent. Boy-burlesque by the lovely Miles Away (my personal favourite) - picture the body of an Adonis dressed as a cowboy stripping to reveal boy nipple pasties and shaking his perfect behind in frilly rumba knickers better than Shakira! As an audience you simply provide Hip-hip Hurrahs! and Whoop each item on its way as the acts do their routines. Fantastic costumes, excellent choreography, props and titties and tassels. It's tasteful, attracts a good and appreciative crowd and will fill you with both admiration for the performers and an urge to sign up on the next Burlesque course/workshop if not, go home, put on The Stripper full volume and put on your own private show. Slippery Belle starts again 19th September (with a Friday night slot) at a new venue, with a new compare and a new but just as energetic line up and with Burlesque accessories, jewellery and trinkets on sale from In All Her Finery. You've been warned so book the night off, sort your transport and baby sitters and await a show to remember. I can't wait!

    The Dancehouse Theatre - Courtesy of Dancehouse Theatre website

    The Dancehouse Theatre

    3.5(23 reviews)
    0.3 miOxford Road Corridor

    Throughout the 1960s to 1980s, the Dancehouse was a five screen cinema. Left derelict for several…read moreyears, it was obtained by the Northern Ballet School and the Dancehouse Theatre in the early nineties and restored to it's art deco roots. Unfortunately, the Dancehouse's location on the bustling and smoggy Oxford Road means it already looks quite tatty and neglected from the outside. Inside it's more impressive with an intimate theatre, old fashioned cafe bar and 5 dance studios. As my fellow yelpers have noted, the Dancehouse programme seems to revolve around comedy, drama and the occasional gig - which I find mystifying. I saw Kathryn Williams play a truly enchanting show here many years ago and can't understand why the Dancehouse don't book more musicians. The acoustics that night were great and the intimacy of the venue should lend itself well to jazz, soul, folk, country and world music musicians. The Dancehouse's biggest crime however, is that when you look at their current diary there's not a single ballet or dance performance scheduled! To paraphrase Marvin Gaye - what's going on?

    I am surprised other people give this place a good rating despite many noting the total lack of leg…read moreroom, overly warm auditorium and lack of a decent bar. The first two are two of the most important things to get right if you are to enjoy a show. I was so uncomfortable the entire time - and even my much smaller friend next to me was struggling with the leg room issue (but I have to say as a tall person I don't recall having this problem in a theatre before, and I have been to a lot). We were both mega dehydrated by the end and desperate to leave for a drink. If people are excited to leave your venue, that's not good. Re the bar issue basically I didn't even get near it the queue was so big and while this normally would not be a big deal to me I was pretty thirsty due to the tropical climate in the main theatre. The downstairs vending machines were also so temperamental that a queue formed there as well as everybody's money kept getting spat out. Given that space is a cafe (in the day?) it would seem logical to hire some more staff and serve drinks there too. If they could take out a few rows of seats and sort the temperature situation this would be a great venue because the stadium seating means everyone has a good view. But given the reviews pointing out the same faults I have go back over 6 years it doesn't seem like this will be happening. As an aside, Josie Long, who I saw here, was brilliant. However I would have to be really keen on the performer to come back here (and if I did would check seating plan carefully because there's a few seats with nothing in front of them).

    Photos
    The Dancehouse Theatre - The view from row Q!

    The view from row Q!

    The Dancehouse Theatre
    The Dancehouse Theatre - Dancehouse theatre bar.

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    Dancehouse theatre bar.

    Royal Northern College of Music - www.rncm.ac.uk

    Royal Northern College of Music

    4.4(10 reviews)
    0.6 miOxford Road Corridor
    ££

    Royal Northern College of Music is a bit of a jewel in Manchester's crown…read more Situated inbetween university buildings on Oxford Road, it's a well respected college where amateur singers, musicians, composers and conductors study to become professionals. What distinguishes it from similar facilities across the country is there's a big research centre within the building where students can learn composition, musicology and practise-as-research. Though one of the courses is keyboard and piano orientated, most of them revolve around classical music, jazz and opera. Handily, RNCM also has a large auditorium which doubles as a music and performing arts venue for students and professionals. There's special seasons devoted to particular composers or styles and one off concerts from visiting orchestras, jazz, soul and world music artists. Occasionally, the RNCM also host excellent spoken word events. I saw Chuck D waxing lyrical here many moons ago and was involved in a reading Armistead Maupin did for The Big Gay Read / Queer Up North. Both were sold out and had the audience on the edge of their seats. Handily, the RNCM also has a cute cafe-bar on the ground floor where you can have coffee, tea and snacks in the day and wine and beer at night.

    So, you're a music buff. You want to watch important, intelligent music, or you want to become a…read moreBachelor of Music, a Master of Music, or become an instrumental or performing arts educator. Where else can you come but one of the most prestigious music colleges in the country? The college is divided into the schools of academic studies, composition, keyboard studies, strings, vocal and opera studies and wind, brass and percussion. There are also departments for conducting, jazz, period performance and an international chamber music studio. It's also a venue for some of the best music around, from recitals to operas, theatre to ensembles. Occasionally you get a non-music event though, and this was why I was at the Royal Northern College of Music. One of my most beloved authors, Bret Easton Ellis, was doing a reading, Q&A and signing here, and it was the perfect excuse for me to down a cocktail for Dutch courage but still end up giggling like an eleven year old schoolgirl. Oh well, you win some... you lose some. The theatre and space itself is more than impressive and I'd happily see any performance here.

    Photos
    Royal Northern College of Music
    Royal Northern College of Music - Www.rncm.ac.uk

    Www.rncm.ac.uk

    Royal Northern College of Music - Www.rncm.ac.uk

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    Www.rncm.ac.uk

    The Bridgewater Hall - musicvenues - Updated June 2026

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