Not eaten here, but plenty of drink and great music. This is a real jazz club, been a few times when get to Manchester… every town should have one, fantastic atmosphere, hope it keeps going for many more years. Spoke to a musician I’d seen there a when they were playing in London, he said M and Ph was one of his favourite venues!!

While (good) pizza is the only food available here, it really is the atmosphere and music that you should come to Matt and Phred’s.

Booking is essential to guarantee a table on a weekend, and it is worth it to ensure you can appreciate the live music which can be missing from so many bars these days.

The staff are exceptional here too - really attentive and friendly sharing personal recommendations on the food and cocktail menu.

Drinks a touch on the more expensive side, but you should forget all about this as the music totally makes up for it.

Manchester needs lots more of this. Live music is a must in the Northern Quarter to make it a really good place to be. You get a good mix of stuff at Matt and Phreds and the acts are usually up to a pretty high standard, even on open mic nights. Drinks are as standard in Manchester.

In a dingy yet trendy part of town, where better to have this small, dark smokey jazz bar? It's got bigger in recent years though. It's still always busy and has a distinct, if not unique, character.

I'm not a jazz expert but the live music has always been very pleasing. Indeed I've seen some fantastic performances here by some probably quite renowned musicians.

The food is good quality - freshly made pizza, hoummous, olives, that sort of thing. Small portions though and the kitchen is tiny so you have to wait quite a long time, especially if it's busy and lots of people are ordering food.

The cocktails are as sophisticated as the music and go for the sort of price you might expect at a trendy place like this.

I don't think you're allowed to wear trainers in here... but then... who in their right mind would wear trainers to a jazz bar? Try wetherspoons...

The bouncers will not, repeat NOT, let you take in bottles or drinks from outside... UNLESS you bribe them with a quid, as my friend did (After that though, they were just looking for any excuse to throw him out... when he came back from the toilets, drunkenly fumbled past the stage and then collapsed across a table, taking down several drinks and a pizza... they jumped at their chance and he was gone).

If you’re a fan of unsigned bands or you love Jazz then this is a place to visit. This intimate venue in the heart of the Northern Quarter has a variety of artists playing every night. Thursdays and Fridays are pure Jazz and can have one or more sets, often students jamming until the early hours. A very relaxed atmosphere and tickets are reasonable. There is no dress code, anyone is welcome and often audience members who can play instruments are invited to join in if they wish. It’s certainly unique and it really takes you back to the routes of Jazz and Blues without the glamour and glitz bigger venues bring.

Cracking pocket of Jazz Bar right slap bang middle of the Northern Quarter (club sandwiched between Tibb Street and Oldham Street).
This place seems to get mixed reviews either for arrogant staff or overpriced ale. Never personally experienced that (ale is expensive everywhere you outside of tescoburys et al).
Many of the performing musicians I'm told have descended from the Royal Northern College of Music and when I've been in they've never put a digit or larynx wrong. There's occasionally a hint that not all the people in there are genuine lovers of Jazz, but if they're merely pretending I doubt they'd come back. Once you're inside for a while (and have managed to secure a table – which you can pre book) the you feel as though you've been transported from Manchester and you've ended up in New York, Chicago or San Francisco.

Accordingly the place has been overhauled recently (and I believe Matt and Phred have parted company), more to iron out creases and generally smarten the place up that very little (plus new kitchen).
Admittedly I'm no Jazz Purist; I own the obvious (like many I guess) records by John Coltrane/Miles Davis/Dizzie Gillespie but then also appreciate the likes of Charles Mingus, Oscar Peterson Trio, Vince Guaraldi but also the 70's fusion fella's like Chick Corea, Weather Report, Jaco Pastorius. But then my knowledge on the subject falls flat on it's sax. Still it's great to watch live Jazz musicians in this kind of environment (the smoking ban somewhat alleviates a little of the aura but this dark, fascinating club easily manages to serve you a very pleasant illusion).

I play the piano on occasion but would've loved to reach a standard whereby I could let loose on the ebony and ivory's in places like this.

They serve cracking food (fresh pizza as an example) and a decent selection of cocktails...if cocktails are your thing I suppose. I'll stick with a beer, 'margherita con bufala' and the confluence of poly rhythmic and swung syncopated swing beats singing 3/4 bits into my ear ends.

If you've enjoyed sitting in a chain coffee bar listening to piped jazz music then you'll love the real thing.

Matt and Phredds occupies no small amount of affection in the hearts of those who know of its charms. Even if you are not a massive fan of jazz, and I cannot purport to be myself, you will still have an enjoyable time here. Primarily, it’s the atmosphere that has given Matt and Phredds its reputation as being choice bar. It is lit to perfection, dark enough to retain a certain mystique, though not so dark as to make it only suitable for bats, or those with their own night vision goggles. The cocktails are well prepared, a bonus being that they don’t take forever to be made. An excellent night, though I would advise you look it up and check what night is on before you go. It is jazz after all.

This is a Jazz Club of the old kind. The anti-smoking laws have done away with the dingy smoky atmosphere and now we have live music in a dark and comfortable environment which attracts everyone from indie kids to mature Jazz fans.
They premiere quite a few big acts and play a large part in the Jazz Festival that happens every year in Manchester.
One secret that few people know about this place is the lush food! Head down early evening and you can choose between pasta, pizza and other offerings of the day which are pocket-friendly and TASTY too!! This is a perfect place to chill after hours, and I'd especially recommend the Wednesday evening Jam night for a chill-out with wine (better if you're attempting to feel a little cultured!)

For a guaranteed top night out, with delicious food and drink, friendly service, a cool crowd and fantastic entertainment then look no further than here! It’s a perfect jazz venue; dark, small and narrow and filled with an assortment of real characters. The drinks here include good spirits measurements, nice cocktails and a decent wine list. The food is also great for sharing with friends, delicious pizzas and tasty tapas… perfect finger food to pick at as you drink and immerse yourself in the this slightly surreal world.

The entertainment here is fantastic and varies so much that you never seem to see the same band or musician twice. They’ve even started experimenting with some non-jazz nights which are worth trying out too for something a little different. Check out their website for a comprehensive diary of what’s coming up and any special events. One thing to note is that booking seems to be increasingly necessary, so make sure you call early to avoid disappointment.

Oh and if i’m honest it could probably do with a bit of a refurbishment, especially in the toilets but if it was too polished then this place wouldn’t be what it is!

Matt 'N' Phreds Jazz club is a real gem, that's really pretty well hidden in central Manchester. Nowadays they don't even have a front door, so you have to walk down the alley at the back to get in.

It is however the best jazz club in Manchester. It's a little pricey, but the entertainment is free, so it evens itself out. They have live music 7 nights a week. If you arrive later than 9-10 you may have to pay a cover charge of £5 or so, depending upon the day.

They have a good selection of continental beers, and do great bar snacks and pizza (the food is reasonably priced). It's pretty small, but the crowd is cool.

Matt and Phredd's is a really cool little jazz club. The music is excellent - Wynton Marsalis even played there once! The place is just so cool. It's the perfect size for a jazz club. Dark and full of a very cool clientele. The bar is great - loads of different drinks and olives etc. Also, the food is really good - middle eastern style, and also reasonably priced. Matt and Phredd are often around. Once I asked Phredd if his name was really spelt with a Ph and he said it was! Amazing...