Manchester for fans of The Smiths

The first iconic spot in the city for fans of the British 80s band The Smiths (both locals and tourists) is the Salford Lads Club - an absolutely iconic place, because it was the backdrop for the 1986 album cover of 'The Queen Is Dead'. It became world-famous thanks to this photo.
The photographer Stephen Wright, who also took the picture of The Smiths at their concerts from 1984 to 1987, took it. The legendary picture was taken by Wright in November 1986. His photographs of The Smiths musicians were later included in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery in London, Manchester Art Gallery and the Salford Art Gallery.
In 2008 they opened The Smiths Museum, a small room dedicated to the Smiths. According to Salford Lads Club secretary Brian Ball, Morrissey has never visited the club, but he made a generous $22,500 donation to the club. The money went towards the renovation of the 118-year-old building.

We suggest taking a short tour and going to places from the band's songs. For example, in the north of Manchester, to the Strangeways area, where Southall Street is now a high-security men's prison. The building opened back in 1868, and used to be called Strangeways Prison. It was under this name that the Manchester prison was immortalized in the title of The Smiths' last album in 1987, Strangeways Here We Come.

And here's the Manchester club, remembered primarily for the fact that The Smiths played their first gig there. The O2 Ritz, built in 1927, is located on Whitworth Street West and features live music and DJ sets.

The next hotspot is a pub in Manchester, with space for club nights and concerts, popular with Brit-pop fans. It's located on 18-20 Fairfield St, Manchester M1 2QF, behind Manchester Picadilly train station. The Star and Garter traditionally hosts the Smiths & Morrissey disco party on the first Friday of every month - from 9pm until half past three in the morning.

Let's go to the church, known to Morrissey fans for the lyrics of the song Vicar in a Tutu from the 1986 "The Queen is Dead" album. The Holy Name Church is located on the corner of Oxford Road and Dover Street in Manchester.

If you have time, there is an area in the suburbs of Manchester called Rusholme. The name was immortalized in the Rusholme Ruffians song from The Smiths' 1985 album Meat is Murder. The area is notably home to Platt Fields Park, where periodic fairs are held.

The last stop is the house where Morrissey himself grew up. Of course, the building can only be viewed from the outside, as it is private property. The house is located near Longford Park.