The Deaf Institute is one of Manchester's most iconic and intimate music venues, set in a Grade II listed Victorian Gothic building on Grosvenor Street, just off Oxford Road. Constructed in 1878 as the Manchester Adult Deaf and Dumb Institute, a place of worship and community for the city's deaf population, its history is still etched into the austere stone frontage that greets visitors today. After the institute moved out in 1975, the building passed through various uses, including a wine bar and an electronic arts centre, before falling into disuse. It was rescued and reopened as a music venue in 2008 by the team behind the Northern Quarter's Trof bars, who restored its three tiers into a striking destination, and it was later saved again by Tokyo Industries during the difficulties of 2020. The venue is spread across three floors, each with its own role. The former chapel upstairs has been transformed into an extravagant music hall, complete with a raised stage, an enormous disco ball and distinctive parrot-patterned wallpaper, while the ground floor houses an ample bar and kitchen, and the basement provides an atmospheric, club-style space, giving the building a true multi-purpose character. It is the upstairs music hall that has cemented the Deaf Institute's reputation as a must-play stop on the Manchester gig circuit. Over the years its stage has hosted countless artists early in their careers, including The 1975, Florence and the Machine, HAIM, Cigarettes After Sex and Kate Tempest, while Johnny Marr of The Smiths chose it to relaunch his solo career with a residency in 2011. By combining a richly historic setting, a beloved intimate music hall and the everyday warmth of a bar and kitchen, the Deaf Institute occupies a special place in Manchester's cultural fabric. Its blend of heritage, character and a consistent track record of showcasing breaking talent makes it a cherished venue for both artists and audiences in the city.

Type: Theater / Concert Hall

Address: 135 Grosvenor Street, Manchester, United Kingdom

Opening Date: 01/01/1878