A new ‘Beat Network’ map has launched celebrating Greater Manchester’s grassroots music venues and showing how easy it is for people to connect to live music by using the Bee Network.

One month since the launch of five new night buses, the Bee Network is now serving every borough of Greater Manchester in a major boost to the city region’s thriving night-time economy.

The map, launched by Greater Manchester Music Commission (GMMC), the Music Venue Trust (MVT) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), shows how to get to venues in the Music Venue Alliance by using Bee Network buses and trams.

It highlights how integrated, affordable public transport makes it easier and safer for people to get to gigs across the city-region. With fares capped at £2 per journey, the Bee Network is the most convenient way to travel, supporting workers, businesses and Greater Manchester's thriving night-time economy.

The map is being shared this week with 52 venues across Greater Manchester, all of which are members of the Music Venue Alliance (see notes for full list) and will be going up at these in the coming weeks.

With buses running around the clock every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night and trams running until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, midnight the rest of the week, the Bee Network offers a safe and convenient way for people to get to and from nights out and for the 625,400 people who work late-night jobs across Greater Manchester.

With £2 capped fares and services running through the night, Bee Network night buses offer an affordable, safe and convenient way to travel, supporting workers, businesses and Greater Manchester's thriving night-time economy.

Greater Manchester has one of the strongest grassroots music scenes in the UK, with 52 venues in the Music Venue Alliance – the national network coordinated by MVT to champion small venues, provide expert support and strengthen local music infrastructure.

Grassroots music venues contribute more than £500 million a year to the UK economy and are key to nurturing emerging talent and supporting artists, promoters and cultural workers at the earliest stages of their careers.

Better late-night transport is critical to sustaining this ecosystem. The Music Fans Voice Survey (2025) found that 53% of respondents would attend more live music events if improved night buses and later trains were available.

Linking culture and connectivity directly supports Greater Manchester’s wider ambitions to deliver a worldclass transport system as set out in the Greater Manchester Strategy (2025). The Beat Network map is a practical step towards making live music more accessible to everyone.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Bev Craig, said:

“When you think of Greater Manchester, you think of music. Central to this success, is our independent and grassroot venues that do so much to support and promote new artists.

“Whether watching a favourite band or singer, or hearing something new, memories of a great gig stay with us long after the night has ended.

“That’s why it’s so important that we support the local music scene and this new map shows just how easily people can access dozens of music venues in a safe and affordable way with the Bee Network.”

Jay Taylor, Music Venue Trust and Chair of the Greater Manchester Music Commission, said:

“It’s been hugely rewarding to create the Beat Network map with our partners at TfGM and the Greater Manchester Music Commission. It shows just how robust, widespread and diverse our grassroots music venues are, while underlining the region’s commitment to an affordable, safe and integrated transport system that makes getting to your favourite venue easier than ever.”

Notes

The launch of The Beat Network map follows the introduction of five new night bus routes from Oldham, Stockport, Tameside, Salford and Trafford into Manchester city centre and back. They are:

· 50 – East Didsbury to Salford

83 – Manchester to Oldham
192 – Manchester to Stockport
216 – Manchester to Stalybridge via Ashton
263 – Manchester to Altrincham

These services build on existing late-night routes (V1 – Manchester to Leigh; 36 – Bolton via Salford; 135 - Manchester to Bury and 17 – Manchester to Rochdale).

Music Venue Alliance members where the map will be shared:

· Stoller Hall

· New Century Hall

· The Rose and Monkey

· Band on the Wall

· Gullivers

· The Castle Hotel

· Matt and Phred’s

· 33 Oldham Street

· Night and Day Cafe

· Soup

· The Rat and Pigeon

· Aatma

· The Peer Hat

· The Fitzgerald

· The Crown and Anchor

· Stage and Radio

· Star and Garter

· Yes

· Bread Shed

· Deaf Institute

· Manchester Academy

· XLR

· Grand Central

· Mother Mary’s

· Gorilla

· Niamos

· The Carlton Club

· Kamera Ballroom

· Rebellion

· Low Four Studio

· Albert Hall

· Blues Kitchen

· Islington Mill

· The Eagle Inn

· The White Hotel

· The Snug

· The Boulevard

· Fatbird Live Lounge

· The Old Courts

· The Ramp

· The DBA

· The Yard

· The Met

· The Bank Top Tavern

· Whittles at Tokyo

· The Railway

· The Vale

· The Talleyrand

· The Strines Nightingal

· Bag Factory

· Cafe Blah

The Greater Manchester Music Commission plays a central role in supporting the sector’s growth, sustainability and inclusivity, helping ensure the city region remains a thriving and accessible home for music creators and audiences alike.

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New ‘Beat Network’ map to support grassroots music venues and connect audiences with gigs

A new ‘Beat Network’ map has launched celebrating Greater Manchester’s grassroots music venues and showing how easy it is for people to connect to live music by using the Bee Network.