PINS’ Guide to Manchester

You know what they say: Time flies when you’re busy killing it in music. OK, maybe that’s not how the saying goes, but it sure holds true for PINS, the Manchester foursome who’s been soundtracking our house parties, chill-out sessions, and even our daily commutes ever since the band started back in 2011. We first fell in love with these ladies on their 2013 debut album Girls Like Us, which fuses fuzzy guitar riffs, garage pop melodies and no-holds-barred lyrics for a sound that practically requires you to crank the volume all the way up.

Now they’re gearing up to release their sophomore record Wild Nights, out this summer. Somehow in between prepping for their new tour with Sleater-Kinney and releasing their new music video for “Too Little Too Late” (in which they wear exclusively Saint Laurent, no big deal), the girls managed to pull together the ultimate guide to their hometown.

Hopefully you already know all about Manchester’s musical history — it was home to bands like The Bee Gees, The Smiths, New Order and Joy Division– but chances are you didn’t know about the English city’s coolest furniture shop and the best late-night drinking spot. Let PINS enlighten you here.

Temple: “It’s a tiny underground spot on Oxford Road– it used to be public toilets! It’s particularly grimy but you’ll probably make some new friends.”

The Deaf Institute: “We have played the upstairs venue room a few time. A standout one was opening for Veronica Falls, one of our first shows back in 2012. Downstairs hosts a quiz night, acoustic shows, DJ’s, and it has a delicious food and cocktail menu.”

Mustard Tree: “This is a charity shop on Oldham Road in Ancoats. It’s part of a project to get homeless people back working. It always has cool old furniture for sale, and it’s super cheap.”

Castle: “Our favorite pub! We’ve had many late nights here. It’s on Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter, and it has bands playing in the back room all the time. The last band we saw there was Hinds.”

Gullivers: “It’s straight over the road from the castle, and owned by the same people,  but definitely a different bar. It’s nice to wander over the road for a change of scenery then wander back again. It also has an amazing venue upstairs, where we saw King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. It’s also where we filmed the video for our single, “Waiting For The End.”

Dough Pizza Kitchen: “Tasty tasty pizza and wine.”

Sandinista: “This cocktail bar is named after The Clash album. It’s open until 3am in the week and 4am on Friday and Saturday nights.”

Preorder Wild Nights here.