KOKO Manchester (YES)
YES opened in 2018 at 38 Charles Street as a multi-floor venue with four distinct levels. The basement is a club space and gig room with a capacity of 450. The ground floor, called The Pink Room, is a bar and pizza restaurant. The first floor hosts a second bar with a smaller stage for acoustic acts and DJs. The rooftop has an open-air terrace with views over the city. Each floor operates semi-independently, which means you can visit for a pizza and a drink without committing to the club downstairs. The basement hosts touring acts, DJ nights, and club events until 4 AM on weekends. Pizza costs GBP 8-14. Beer runs GBP 4.50-6.50. Cocktails are GBP 8-12. Gig tickets range from GBP 5-18.
Where to stay near KOKO Manchester (YES)
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A four-floor venue where each level offers something different. The rooftop is views and cocktails. The ground floor is pizza and casual drinks. The first floor is intimate live music. The basement is a proper club and gig space. The combination creates an evening's worth of entertainment without stepping outside.
Different on each floor. Rooftop: relaxed and scenic. Ground floor: casual and social. First floor: intimate and musical. Basement: loud, dark, and energetic. The venue's genius is packing all four atmospheres into one building.
Basement: indie, electronic, hip-hop, punk, and touring acts. First floor: acoustic, jazz, and low-key DJ sets. Rooftop: background music only.
Casual. Manchester casual across all floors. The rooftop crowd might be slightly more put-together on summer evenings.
Groups with mixed interests who want options without committing to one venue type. Solo travelers benefit from the multiple floors as natural conversation spaces.
Cards and contactless accepted on all floors.
Price Range
Gig tickets GBP 5-18, pizza GBP 8-14, cocktails GBP 8-12, pints GBP 4.50-6.50
GBP 4.50-18 ≈ USD 6-23 / EUR 5-21
Hours
Wed-Thu 4 PM to midnight, Fri 4 PM to 4 AM, Sat noon to 4 AM, Sun noon to 10 PM. Rooftop hours weather-dependent.
Insider Tip
Start on the rooftop if the weather cooperates, grab pizza on the ground floor, then head to the basement for whatever's on. Each floor works alone, but using all four in sequence makes for a complete evening. The basement gets hot; dress in layers you can shed.
Full Review
Charles Street sits between Oxford Road and Princess Street, a few minutes' walk from the main Deansgate strip. YES doesn't look like much from the outside. The building is a former furniture showroom with a plain facade. Inside, each floor has been designed with enough character to function as a standalone venue.
The Pink Room on the ground floor serves as the accessible entry point. Pizza from the stone oven is genuinely good, not just good for a music venue. The Margherita and the nduja are the standouts. The bar serves a mix of craft beer, cocktails, and natural wine. The room is bright and social, with large windows and communal tables.
The first floor is quieter, with a small stage for acoustic performances, spoken word, and low-key DJ sets. The atmosphere is closer to a listening room than a bar. It's the floor that most people overlook, but it consistently delivers intimate musical experiences.
The basement is where YES competes with the larger Manchester venues. The 450-capacity room has a good sound system, low ceilings, and the heat that comes from hundreds of people dancing in an enclosed space. Programming ranges from emerging indie bands to established electronic DJs. The room is large enough for a proper show but small enough that the energy stays concentrated.
The rooftop opens in warmer months and on clear evenings. Views stretch across Manchester's roofscape. It's a better sunset spot than a late-night destination, and it closes earlier than the lower floors.
YES works because of the progression. Start on the roof, eat pizza on the ground floor, catch an acoustic set on the first floor, then end in the basement. Four venues in one building. It's one of the smartest designs in Manchester's nightlife scene.
The Neighborhood
Charles Street connects Oxford Road to Princess Street, a block south of the main Peter Street nightlife zone. Oxford Road's student bars and the Palace Theatre are nearby. The Northern Quarter is a 10-minute walk north.
Getting There
Oxford Road station is a 4-minute walk. St Peter's Square tram stop is 6 minutes. Piccadilly station is 10 minutes east. Multiple bus routes run along Oxford Road.
Address
38 Charles Street, Manchester M1 7DB
Other Venues in Deansgate
The Warehouse Project
Manchester's flagship electronic music event series, running September to January in a 10,000-capacity venue at Depot Mayfield near Piccadilly. Hosts world-class DJs across multiple rooms.
Albert Hall Manchester
Grade II listed former Wesleyan chapel on Peter Street converted into a live music and club venue. Stained glass windows overlook the dance floor. Hosts club nights and concerts.
Gorilla
Railway arch venue on Whitworth Street West with a ground-floor bar and basement live music space. Hosts indie, electronic, and hip-hop acts.
The Alchemist Spinningfields
Theatrical cocktail bar in Spinningfields known for elaborate, science-themed drinks. Part of a UK chain that started in Manchester.
Dukes 92
Canal-side bar at the Castlefield basin with a large outdoor terrace. Relaxed daytime atmosphere that picks up on weekend evenings.
The Refuge
Grand bar and restaurant in the former Principal Hotel on Oxford Street. High ceilings, tiled floors, and a DJ booth that hosts weekend sessions.