Grand Central is a long-running rock and metal pub and live music venue at 80 Oxford Street in central Manchester, England. Located only a few steps from Manchester Oxford Road railway station, the pub has become a familiar meeting place for the city’s rock and metal crowd. Live bands and DJs feature throughout the week, with metal, hard rock, punk, alternative and indie music forming the core of the soundtrack.
The building forms part of a 19th-century terrace that originally contained several separate houses. The premises have operated under a number of names over the years, including The Oxford, Beef & Barley, Cork & Screw and The Shady Lady, before eventually becoming Grand Central. The current name refers to its location beside Oxford Road railway station. A refurbishment in 2004 helped establish the layout and rock-oriented character associated with the modern pub.
Grand Central was closely connected with Manchester’s legendary Jilly’s Rockworld, which stood nearby on Oxford Street. Before Jilly’s closed in 2010, Grand Central was a popular meeting place for people heading to the club, creating a natural link between the two venues. Following the loss of Jilly’s, Grand Central remained one of the established city-centre pubs catering specifically to Manchester’s rock and metal community.
Live music is held on a small stage inside the pub, with local and touring bands appearing alongside regular DJ nights. Grand Central has also hosted Manchester heats of Metal to the Masses, the competition that gives unsigned metal bands the opportunity to earn a place at Bloodstock Open Air. The programme continues to include dedicated metal nights as well as rock, alternative and independent music.
The interior is long and narrow, with the main bar at the centre, a stage towards one side and a larger seating area beyond it. A jukebox, pool table, band photography and rock memorabilia add to the traditional rock-pub atmosphere. Iron Maiden’s Trooper has also been among the beers regularly served at the bar.
ADDRESS:
The Grand Central – Alt Bar & Live Music Venue, 80 Oxford St, Manchester M1 5NH, United Kingdom
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