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The Ritz

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The Ritz, Manchester
Photograph: Rob MartinThe xx during MIF13
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Time Out says

A Grade II listed spot making a triumph return as one of the best live music venues in the city


Manchester seems to be full of Grade II listed buildings, and The Ritz is one of the best.

True, it doesn't look like much from the outside but once you're inside you can easily imagine it in its dance hall former glory. Its famous sprung wooden floor and viewing balcony have survived the many changes the building has endured over the years.

For a long time it was a club. Indie student nights on Mondays, a downmarket 'hit man and her' on Friday, and just about everything in between. It was often the scene of massive drunken brawls spilling out into the street.

However, recent changes have seen The Ritz become one of the best live music venues in the city. From The Horrors to Martha Wainwright and Public Enemy to PJ Harvey, the live music programme now reflects the quality of the venue's yesteryears, where bands such as The Smiths, The Stone Roses, R.E.M and even The Beatles and Frank Sinatra graced its stage. Investment in the sound equipment has really paid off.  

Though there's little that can be done about it, the venue's bars are located around the main hall which means that the crash of empty bottles can sometimes interrupt a special moment. On the plus side, an outstanding new security policy sees staff inside and outside the building, managing the queue for the benefit of local residents and restricting the brawls to the pretty much non existent.

Plenty of reasons to put a spring in your step.

Written by Rob Martin

Details

Address:
Whitworth Street West
Manchester
M1 5WY
Transport:
BR: Oxford Road
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