Team vs team
Use your own phones and join a team. Any teammate’s answer advances everyone. Beat the other teams on the leaderboard.
City exploration game
Manchester Music: 80's & 90's Musical Tour
4.47Player rating
A DIFFERENT WAY TO SEE THE CITY
Play at your pace · usually 120 min 4.4 km Manchester, UK App-guided
Play in
English
The experience
About this quest
Come and explore the historical era of the 80's & 90's that put Manchester on the map for music.
Visit the location of the Sex Pistols gig in the 70's which was the inspiration for it all. With stories of kidnap, bankruptcy and Barbados this guide will give you the lowdown on bands like The Smiths, Happy Mondays, Oasis & even Madonna.
Is this for you?
Who it's for
Fans of The Smiths, Happy Mondays and Oasis, whether friends or couples on a weekend visit, spend about two hours hearing how 80s and 90s Manchester made its name in music, with stops at the Free Trade Hall, Afflecks Palace, the Hacienda Apartments and the O2 Ritz. If those bands mean little to you, or a 4.4 km walk is too far, pick another route.
What makes this quest special
Highlights
Find out where Oasis played their first gig and where they buy their shoes
Visit the site of the Hacienda MADchester's home of the acid house era
Explore the site where Joy Division filmed their greatest hit
Visit the bar where Elbow drink
See the site of the bar where Liam Gallagher and Shaun Ryder were famously banned from
From people who played this quest
Good times. In their words.
4.47 / 5
101 player ratings
Selected player reviews. Original words and ratings.
Most relevant starts with detailed five-star reviews. All ratings remain available.
From your phone to the streets
A walk that turns into an adventure.
- 1
Open the app. You’re on your way.
Choose your pass, then open your quest in the Questo app. It guides you from the starting point.
- 2
Get outside. Follow your curiosity.
Discover real places and their stories on foot. Stop for a coffee or a photo, then pick up where you left off.
- 3
Crack a clue. Share a little victory.
Look around for answers, solve puzzles and enjoy the “we got it!” moments.
CHOOSE YOUR PASS
How many are playing?
Get this questNo booking slot · play any dayFull refund until you start playing
BRING YOUR WHOLE GROUP
One city. Rival teams. Great stories together.
A school trip, a team day or friends out together. Turn your next outing into a little friendly competition.
Everyone for themselves
One player per phone. Solve clues on your own and race for the top spot on the final leaderboard.
Can a team share one phone?
Yes. Play together on one phone per team, or use your own phones and join the same team in the app. We recommend your own phones so everyone can take part.
Your walk, at a glance
Manchester, UK
A · Start
123 Oxford Rd, All Saints, Manchester M1 7DU, UK
B · Finish
52 Church St, Manchester M4 1PW, UK
Start and finish only. Discover the stops as you play.
Along the way
Landmarks & Hidden Gems Included
The people behind the adventure
Created by jody.
A route that brings places and playful storytelling together.
Made by jody
WHAT MAKES A QUEST DIFFERENT
Your adventure, with a playful twist.
1 / 4
Experience
- This quest
- Discover places through stories and clues in the app
- Guided walking tour
- Hear stories and ask a guide questions
2 / 4
Pace
- This quest
- Pause for a photo, a café or a longer look
- Guided walking tour
- Usually follows the guide’s schedule
3 / 4
Company
- This quest
- Explore with your own people or on your own
- Guided walking tour
- Private and shared group tours are available
4 / 4
Guidance
- This quest
- Directions and challenges in the Questo app
- Guided walking tour
- Live interpretation from a guide
Features and terms vary by experience. Check the details before booking.
Good to know before you play
- Kids under 12 should be guided by their parents
A little clarity before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is this a self-guided music walking tour of Manchester?
Yes. Your phone leads you on foot through 15 stops linked to the city's 80s and 90s music scene, telling the story of each place and setting a puzzle there. The route covers about 4.4 km and takes around two hours. It starts and finishes at Jonny Roadhouse Music.
Does the tour visit the Free Trade Hall?
Yes, the Free Trade Hall is one of the stops, along with the Theatre Royal, The Britons Protection, Afflecks Palace, The Hacienda Apartments and the O2 Ritz. The stories cover bands like The Smiths, Happy Mondays and Oasis, and the location of the 70s Sex Pistols gig that inspired it all.
Is it suitable for children?
Children under 12 should be guided by their parents. The stories include kidnap and bankruptcy, and the walk is about 4.4 km over roughly two hours, so it tends to suit teenagers and adults with an interest in the music more than young children.
Can we play as a group, and do we need to book a time?
One ticket covers your whole group, playing together on your phones. There is no time slot to book and no guide to meet, so you can start whenever suits you at Jonny Roadhouse Music.
Can we pause the tour and finish it later?
Yes. You can pause at any point, for example for a drink at one of the pubs or bars on the route, and pick up where you left off later. The full walk takes around two hours if done in one go.
Is Manchester Music: 80's & 90's Musical Tour self-guided?
Yes. The Questo app guides you between locations without a tour guide or fixed departure. You can start when it suits you and pause if needed.
Where does Manchester Music: 80's & 90's Musical Tour start and finish?
It starts at Jonny Roadhouse Music, 123 Oxford Rd, All Saints, Manchester M1 7DU, UK and finishes at Afflecks Palace, 52 Church St, Manchester M4 1PW, UK. The route is approximately 4.4 km and includes 15 location-based puzzles.
How many accesses does our group need?
This classic quest sells access per device and player. Each person who wants to solve clues on their own phone needs their own access.
Keep exploring
Every quest. One year.
Explore the annual passGive them a story
A day out, gifted.
Explore Questo giftsKeep exploring Manchester, UK
More adventures in Manchester, UK
Manchester music history
From punk’s shockwave to Factory and Madchester
The Sex Pistols’ 1976 Lesser Free Trade Hall performances became a catalyst for Manchester’s next musical generation. People connected with Joy Division, The Fall and The Smiths were among those inspired by the city’s punk moment; Factory Records and the Haçienda later helped define its post-punk and dance culture. This route continues through places associated with Manchester music into the Northern Quarter, placing bands such as The Smiths, Happy Mondays and Oasis within a connected local scene rather than treating them as an isolated playlist. Playable languages: English.
