Manchester venue XLR is shaking up club culture with a first-of-its-kind concept: a fully licensed bring-your-own-booze nightclub. And the 200-capacity spot on Wilmslow Road, Withington, will be relaunching on September 24th with the new format in place.
The idea flips the standard model on its head. Instead of cheaper tickets and costly bar prices, XLR will charge £10–£20 for entry (depending on the line-up), then let punters bring their own drinks in. A small corkage-style fee is included in the ticket price, with lockers behind the bar for safe storage and staff pouring out cans or bottles on request.
Speaking in an interview with Mixmag, XLR Booking Manager Chris Hindle explained: “We’ve noticed a lot of venues these days are encouraging lower ticket pricing. Which is great, but then you get to the bar and it’s 12 quid for a double.”
“Whereas we’re going in the opposite direction: Once you’ve paid, the night is as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be,” he continued. “Club attendances are so low, and student loans are basically the same as they were years ago. We’re trying to encourage young people to come, experience a grassroots venue and check out some grassroots artists.”
To keep the licence watertight, three rules are in play: no glass, no backpacks, and no re-entry once you’ve left. Hindle added: “Obviously, as a lot of this has never been done before, we’re sort of writing the blueprint for it. But every night of the week will be this concept.”
Recent test runs have already hosted Main Phase and Frazer Ray, while upcoming lineups – for which you can grab tickets on Skiddle below – feature names like Yung Singh and Bushbaby.
Grab tickets for the upcoming shows with the BYOB concept below, or check out all upcoming shows at XLR – HERE
Warped x XLR presents: BUSHBABY ‘Every Time’ Tour – Thursday 25th September 2025
Buy tickets:
MANCHESTER: Yung Singh, LLEAHDAVIES, Sempa + more [CLUB Culture] – Saturday 4th October 2025
Buy tickets:
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Header image credit: XLR on Facebook