The Peer Hat is a well-regarded nightclub and live music venue situated in the heart of Manchester, United Kingdom. Housed within the Northern Quarter—a district renowned for its vibrant arts scene—the club has carved out a significant role in supporting Manchester’s grassroots music and alternative culture. Opened in 2017 on Faraday Street, The Peer Hat was founded with a mission to serve as both a bar and a creative hub, hosting everything from underground gigs and club nights to poetry readings and art happenings.

Its atmosphere is distinctly bohemian, channeling Manchester’s tradition of fostering artistic communities, which resonates in its inclusive programming and reputation for embracing new talent. The venue’s name itself takes inspiration from medieval and literary allusions, underlining its whimsical and intellectual aesthetic. The Peer Hat quickly established a reputation as a safe haven for experimental and avant-garde musical acts, as well as DIY collectives and grassroots promoters.

While its physical structure—a two-storey building with an intimate bar area upstairs and a dark, atmospheric basement performance space—has remained largely unchanged since its opening, the club has continually adapted its facilities to accommodate a growing and increasingly diverse audience. The Peer Hat’s role in the local music ecosystem became especially prominent during Manchester’s post-pandemic nightlife recovery, as it became a nucleus for underground scenes and new subcultures forming in the city. Its cultural significance extends beyond music into the wider artistic and literary worlds, making it a key node in Manchester’s creative infrastructure.

Notable artists who have performed at The Peer Hat include international acts such as Jeffrey Lewis, Black Midi (in their early days), and The Rebel, as well as celebrated local and regional bands and performers such as ILL, The Starlight Magic Hour, The Pagans S.O.H, and The Smears.

The venue is also well known for fostering emerging talent, frequently featuring acts from the local DIY, post-punk, electronic, and experimental scenes, and hosting showcases for collectives like Deco Records and The Beauty Witch, further cementing its reputation as a launchpad for both local and touring artists.