The Ritz

The Ritz, now known as O₂ Ritz Manchester (January 2026), is one of Manchester’s most iconic music venues with a history stretching back nearly a century.

It opened in the late 1920s (built between 1927–28) as a stylish Art Deco dance hall complete with a famously springy dance floor and revolving stage, quickly becoming a popular social spot in the city.

The building was later designated a Grade II listed venue in 1994, recognising its architectural and cultural importance.

Over the decades, The Ritz has played many roles, from a dance hall and nightclub through to a live music venue. In the 1960s it became a stage for exciting live performances, welcoming legendary artists such as The Beatles and Frank Sinatra early on, and then later hosting influential acts linked to Manchester’s vibrant music scene like The Smiths (who played one of their earliest gigs there), Happy Mondays, R.E.M., The Stone Roses, and Arctic Monkeys.

The dance hall scene in the classic 1961 British film 'A Taste of Honey' was filmed in The Ritz. The band in the film is the Phil Moss Big Band. Phil Moss was a renowned Manchester bandleader known as the "King of the Ritz". He led the Phil Moss Big Band (or simply the Phil Moss Band), which was famous for playing at The Ritz, including the popular "Dancing in the Dark" nights, and he appeared as himself in the film.

In more recent years it has continued to attract big names across genres, from indie and rock to electronic and hip-hop.

Today, with a capacity of around 1,500, O₂ Ritz Manchester remains a beloved destination for both up-and-coming artists and established performers, mixing live shows with club nights and keeping the city’s rich musical heritage alive.

26.02.2026 written:
The Ritz is Manchester’s oldest surviving music venue. Initially being built as a dance hall in 1927, The Ritz has seen every phase of Manchester’s rich musical history. Famous for its sprung dance floor, an unusual but telling nod to its 1920’s origin, the club has adapted to host all sorts of music. The Ritz was a massively popular music venue with American GIs in WW2, and kept thriving post war.

Not only does its rich heritage attract artists, but fans alike. With legends including The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and R.E.M playing in the 1960s-70s.

During the 70’s and 80’s, The Ritz acted as a nightclub, popular for playing a range of music, from disco to funk and soul, all prior to the Hacienda opening on the same street, in 1982. The building became a Grade II listed building in 1994.

Due to this long history, many Mancunians have a soft spot for the Ritz in their hearts, and were thrilled to see HMV give it a £2 million refurbishment in 2011. This included a new soundproofing lighting and investment on future proofing it for years to come - all the while preserving that sprung dance floor, and its original Art Decor features.

After being acquired by Live Nation Entertainment, the venue was renamed to the O2 Ritz, and was adopted into the O2 Academy Group. Nowadays, O2 has done a great job keeping the venue going; with a capacity of 1,500, it continues to host music artists, and also occasionally serves as a nightclub for students.