Manchester Academy — Local services in Manchester

We watched The Christies Charity 'Future Perfect' charity comedy night last night with headliner Russell Howard, it was an absolutely fantastic experience (in the most) it woz a small (approx 500 people I believe) seated event (unfortunately the chairs weren't too comfortable (but they do stand up events here so they have to use fold away chairs which for most people won't be a problem sitting in such a chair for nearly 4hrs but unfortunately we are disabled and wasn't aware that they would be able to accommodate for an electric wheelchair (I guess that's our fault for not doing better research) Anyway the fold away chairs were very hard and also extremely close together (but that aside, there was 2 bars serving alcohol (and I think there might have been a 3rd bar that wasn't open) there was a male/female and disabled toilets (the disabled requires a disabled persons key (RADAR key 🔑) which I take with me everywhere so I was able to use a bathroom with very little problem and very little waiting (Although there didn't seem to be much waiting for the regular bathrooms either

One thing we had to be careful of was there is like the sound stuff near the back of the main room but with seats next to it and it had a raised metal like grid thing sticking out (I'd advise that they put some sort of hi-vis tape on it as we wouldn't have seen it if the person infront of us hadn't tripped over it)

Overall a lovely, cosy lil place with a good...

Saw H.E.R last night and she was amazing but I couldn't stay til the end. I was so disappointed with waiting 2 hours for it to start👎They must know that people are going to wait in the queue outside before waiting to go inside so in total we waited 2.5hrs! Doors should have never opened so early and there was no info on the website to say what time she was starting. A heads up on the time would have made the whole experience better, even if they told us in the queue, not just a note on the wall as so many people missed it and Im ot a regular sorry, I came up especially with my daughter from Essex to see H.E.R 🙄

I was so uncomfortable in bed after standing for so long with hardly any movement (cos it was so cramped and hot) for nearly 4 hours. If the information was clearer it would have made a difference. It said ' H.E.R and Special Guests' so straight away you think that there's artists before her right, nope a couple of her band members singing solo's. They were amazing but again information is key, even if it spoils the surprise:

Dont have people standing for so long!! The venue was OK though, drinks service wasn't too bad either and enough toilets plus a lift to the balcony which was good for disabled access. A decent venue, just needs to be more detailed when giving information.

And Manchester Academy, please don't respond to this review with an explanation or try to justify it, no excuse for the wait regardless...

4 venues accross 2 buildings, in student's Union, are Club Academy, small, intimate basement, great sound system, gets hot! Academy 3, on top floor, again, intimate, small bar at rear, again gets sweaty when near to capacity! Academy 2 , on 2nd floor, has larger capacity, bigger stage, bar is outside the auditorium. Academy 1, is standalone, purpose built major venue, attracting major artists, often arena acts wanting to have intimate, warm up show, capable of big stage, special effects, lighting. Sometimes, the sound can be a bit off, needs disciplined engineering! All serve wheelchair access, cloakroom services, large, reasonably priced car park, nearby bus services into central Manchester. Wide variety of food and drink nearby too! 13/6/23, update, just been to see Puscifer, in Academy 1 (the main hall) Wow! No rude words! Getting a drink in here used to be a nightmare, now a much slicker operation! I couldn't access the main car parks, the machines were swathed in bin bags, tape! I know the streets around, so no probs, a pint is, match more expensive, £5+, but hey! Security and bar staff very courteous, or do I now qualify as a senior citizen?!?!🤪 Puscifer were just awesome, and Support, Nightclub very good, sound was fab, effects, stage, everything way in excess of my expectations, for...