Matt & Phreds Jazz Club, Manchester

A few people had told me about this place, speaking reverentially of it as the one place I really had to get to in the Northern Quarter. Maybe I was there on an off night but I wasn’t overly impressed (or maybe I shouldn’t listen to people who work in PR).

Everything just felt slightly overpriced and the people in there seemed to be trying too hard. All I could think of was the jazz sketches from the Fast Show (nice). Might be a great venue for the music and I will give it a go, but for a port of call and a couple of drinks it really didn’t do much for me.

OK, I have just arrived home after a night at this fantastic place and let me tell you now that you can forget all other reviews and just read this.
The staff are brilliant from the door to the bar to the service at the table. You will not get any finer!
The food is excellent! We all had pizza and garlic bread and again you will not be dissapointed.
The bar staff. Great! Helpful and efficient and MOST IMPORTANTLY F R I E N D L Y ! Infact this goes for all the staff friendly, friendly, friendly! No pretentious wannabees or sullen “I dont want to really serve you” types at all. just normal cool friendly people! This goes for all the people that generally go there. A great night out in all areas and the music was good too. It was jazz last night but I am sure that any night would be good. Just get down there and let yourself go.Feel the atmosphere and mood and go with it there are no rules just ENJOY Age range?............NONE young,old and in between!The worst thing about the place is….........................................closing time

Is this a jazz venue or a Hen night function room for noisy Cheshire pubescents?! I booked to see a great jazz saxophonist (not commercially well known) 6 weeks in advance and asked for a table near the front, and that we would be eating. We arrived on time and were sat at the back behind a table of 18 girls on a hen night. They made so much noise the band had to keep shushing them and there were notices on the wall above where they were sat that said 'Please keep your voice down and give respect to the musicians’ - some difference that made. They did not have any respect for the music and were placed right at the front, down the side. There is also much noise from the bar later too - chatter chatter they can’t possibly see the band so they may as well be piping canned music. The sound system is crap and I struggled to hear the music, let alone subtleties of tone. (and I have been back a couple of times it wasn’t the hen night brigade stopping me hear on other occasions). I have visited Ronnie Scotts in London, The Village Vanguard in New York, and many other places (like Leeds Jazz at the Irish Centre) and have to say overall the experience was not enjoyable. The pizzas too were mediocre (think of something out of date you’d find crammed into a dustbin round the back of your nearest Iceland the manager tried to hide after a stock-take) even though they made a hoo-haa about them on the little plastic laminated menus on the tables. “If Music Is The Food Of Love, I’ve got indigestion” next time I’ll take my own iPod and sit in the bogs, farting in time to Keith Jarrett’s Vienna Concert….that would be more fun.

This is a very special city centre experience that is not to be missed folks.

I know most of the points have already been covered by other reviewers, but I felt it may be useful to have another view. This is my favourite pub. Unknown in my early drinking days, it has come to prominence in the last few years, mainly because of the excellence of its real ale.

It is regularly seen in various CAMRA publications and has won awards for the quality of the beer served here - a huge part of this has been due to the Cains beer always on tap. The Raisin Beer is to die for!
I also like the no nonsense decor. Wooden floors can be good, if looked after like this.
Another plus point is that, when you get an attack of the munchies, Tso’s is almost next door - an “all-you-can-eat” chinese at ridiculously low prices, then back into “the Doc’s”!

Matt and Phreds is one of my favourite places in Manchester, the perfect place to sit back and relax with a bottle of red and listen to the live, extremely talented musicians.

If you want a table make sure you book well in advance, you’ll only be given one if you’re eating a meal and even then you’ll need to specify that you want one at the front, we once got given a table at the back which meant people stood in front of our table and we couldn’t see.

This place gets busier as the night goes on with people crwoding in to stand at the back and watch the acts so a table at the front is a really good place to be.

The food in here is just average, pizzas and tapas sometimes, it’s nothing to shout about and the service is slow but it’s decently priced and the food isn’t the reason anyone comes to Matt and Phreds.

You’ll find a mix of ages and people in here which adds to the quirkiness of the night. If you like Jazz music it’s pretty hard to beat Matt & Phreds.

I really really wanted to love this place and I came away from it only liking it. But like it I did. I think we chose the wrong night and I just didn’t like the music that night. It does attract a rather eclectic crowd, which I quite liked.

We didn’t try the food, although it looked LOVELY - I’d recently eaten - next time I’ll make sure I go hungry.

The drinks are great, some gorgeous cocktails - I particularly liked the lemon one, can’t quite remember the name, but tasted like lemon bonbons!

Will definitely be back and hopefully will be able to give it the full five stars and i really want to!

This jazz club in the heart of Manchester’s trendy Northern Quarter, altough small in size is big on passion for music. The atmosphere in the club is really laid back and “cool” as they say in jazz circles. I went here on a Saturday night and the musical talent on show was very good. The band playing had an exceptional trumpet player, which really brought the place to life! The audience in the club seemed really laid back, while the bar staff worked quickly to tend to all the customers. Their was a good selection of beer available and reasonably priced to. With a pint of beer being about £2.70. A really good night out with friends if your looking a relaxed, fun environment

Matt & Phreds is an excellent night out if you want a chilled and relaxed evening. The music has always been of an excellent standard every time I’ve been. It is sometimes hard to get a seat there but it seems like tables can be booked in advance. The small menu available means that it caters for your whole evening out.

Excellent little place. Even better if you arrive early (usually free entry and you stand a chance of getting a table). Always busy.

Good nachos, that’s right good nachos, with good dip and plenty of cheese. While away a quieter afternoon in here with nachos and the sound of the rehearsing bands.

This place gets busy in the evening and the drinkss are expensive. I don’t rate the place much as a venue but the atmosphere is good. The toilets however are bad.

So come for the nachos and stay for the guacamole, but leave the jazz for those more dedicated as they will have to brave the cold stairway to the ammenities.

Following feedback I would like to say that I haven’t been there in a while.

The friendliest jazz bar you could hope to visit. The music is top class but the atmosphere manages to avoid being pretentious, so you really can relax and enjoy it. If you want to make a night of it you can arrive early and eat, as they do great pizzas and the entertainment tends to go on for a while. Getting a table near the front reall makes for a top night. Drinks are reasonable and the service is friendly. I’d highly recommend it.

The pizza at this place is amazing and very well priced.

The venue is busy, the toilets aren’t the best but somehow that all just seems to add to the laid back atmosphere of the place. Although it’s usually packed, its full of bodies sitting down or propping up the bar, whiling away a few chilled out hours listening to the eclectic, and always enjoyable, music on offer.

A great place to meet up with friends or just to spend a bit of quiet time on your own. Highly reccommended

I love Matt and Phreds!! The atmosphere is electric, the music is sublime and I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone with ears on their head! They have some amazing muscians playing and they have different people from all over the country on stage. One VERY important word of advice- book a table! Every table is reserved so if you turn up at 11 there will be nowhere to sit all night- you have to book a table. They serve pizza aswell which is great, drinking, eating pizza and listening to great jazz!! I would highly recommend Matt and Phreds.

Wow this is a fantastic night out even if you don’t like Jazz (like me). Matt and Phreds doesn’t really come to life until around 10pm when the music starts, but when it does the atmosphere is fantastic, very friendly and not at all threatening. There is a simple menu on offer and food is served till midnight, the drinks are also good and competitively priced. Depending on the night of the week and the act on stage you may have to pay on the door to get in, but it is well worth it.

I have never considered myself a Jazz fan but the music was superb, more like Ska than Jazz, I couldn’t get enough and will certainly be back for more!

Jonko, I’m not sure whether to think you are actually talking about somewhere else or are simply stupid. Same old music its had for years? Hardly! First, Matt Nickson doesn’t play an average of 3 nights per week. Second, the series of award winning [national and international] musicians that have appeared at the club over the last 18 months [not to mention the likes of Matt Halsall, Moss Freed et al] are testament to a much improved music programme. Your comments regarding our door policy and pricing are utterly absurd. First, our SIA registered door staff never take money from guests [we employ the lovely Holly and Ursula for that particular role]. Second, we rarely charge except on Friday and Saturday evenings [unless otherwise advertised]. Third, if you resent paying [for example] £3 to see Gilad Atzmon or £5 to see Liane Carroll [both of who would cost at least £10 to see anywhere else] you obviously have no interest in music whatsoever. Fourth, you may want to check out some of the other local bars and their pricing. We happen to be cheaper than most. Finally, in answer to your question about our pizza offers I am pleased to tell you that in fact between Monday and Thursday [5pm to 7:30pm] our pizzas are free to all customers purchasing 2 beverages. Not too expensive even for someone such as yourself one would think.

I sincerely hope you take the time to respond and, particularly, to thank me for wasting my valuable time responding to your vacuous, malicious and unfounded nonsense.

had an amazing night!!!! cant wait to go back! reasonable prices too! A**

Not been in Matt & Pred’s for years apart from on the odd occassion. Used to be a regular under Matt’s days and their predecessors, but since the current regime bought them out it’s not been the same. And surprised the place has still got shady bouncer wanna bees on the back door demanding a quid or two of you for the pleasure of entering to spend £3 for a drink on a Tuesday night huh!!!! What’s all that about? I can go up the road and drink in other bars for nowt. Get real!

Same ole Jazz music that it’s had for years. The place has lot it’s magic along with it’s jazz!

I wonder if they still do 2 pizzas for the price of one, weekdays before 7pm? Anyone know?

I love matt and phreds but very sad that matt and phreds is no longer matt and phred if ya get me? Anyways very lovely music and relaxed venue with gorgeous pizza!!!

There should be more places like this in manchester. Good mix of people and music and the best pizza in town.

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.

top place to go for entertaiment, i use to go when it was PJ Bells but can safetly say rhe place is much better. Whether it’s Jazz, Funk, Rock or Indie..always have some talent on and the pizza’s are to die for!!!

great entertainment calendar, loads of great local talent, food’s ok, drinks well priced.

Smooth with a capital SMOO (as the Cat would say), Matt and Phred’s is a refreshing alternative to other Northern Quarter bars and is the premier venue for jazz connoisseurs in Manchester.

Intimate, chilled and relaxed, it’s everything a jazz club should be and is a very pleasant way to spend an evening. They have live acts on most nights, often free entry (especially during the week).

The drink prices are a little steep (especially the cocktails) but they do offer annual memberships (currently £35 for adults and £25 for students) which give special offers on food and drink and priority booking for tables (it can be quite difficult to get a table anywhere the stage unless you’ve booked first….)

Well recommended ( :

Hip, chic club that offers live music and a dancefloor. Suitable dress attire is crucial.

Fantastic! Always have a good night at M&P’s. Really looking forward to the Carnival Divine in July

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.