Soup Kitchen

Soup Kitchen is a bar, canteen and club venue at 31-33 Spear Street in Manchester's Northern Quarter, England, a few minutes' walk from Piccadilly Gardens and Oldham Street. The venue has a stripped-back, industrial feel, with an exposed-brick ground floor that works as a daytime cafe and bar, and a basement space used for live music and club nights. The crowd is young and creative, mostly aged 20 to 35 and including students, musicians, record collectors and Northern Quarter regulars, with a relaxed approach to dress; casual clothing and trainers are standard. The atmosphere shifts through the day, with a laid-back drinking and eating setting from midday and a louder, more energetic mood once basement events begin. Programming mixes live bands, DJ sets and club nights, with electronic, indie, soul and left-field dance music featuring regularly, and the specialty is listed as live music and club nights. The drinks programme is straightforward and affordable, with draught beer, craft beer, wine and basic cocktails; beer typically costs £4-6. The ground floor offers a simple food menu with vegetarian and vegan-friendly options. Opening hours are listed as typically daily from midday, with club nights running until late, and the schedule varies by event, so current listings should be checked. Weeknights are generally quieter, with Friday and Saturday the main club nights. Entry to the ground floor bar is usually free, while club and gig entry varies by event, commonly in the £5-12 range, with tickets sold in advance or on the door depending on the night. Table reservations are not a major feature, and bottle service is not part of the format. Queues for popular basement nights can build after about 22:00, and the door team may check ID, so photo identification should be carried.