[4] The Ritz was taken over by HMV in 2011 and given a £2 million refurbishment,[5] including a new sound and lighting system, as well as soundproofing while preserving its original Art Deco features.

In 1961, The Ritz featured beat groups on Sunday afternoons (later replaced by bingo) such as the Fourtones (which included Allan Clarke and Graham Nash, later of the Hollies).

[citation needed] Acts which have played at the venue include the Beatles, the Damned, R.E.M., the Stone Roses, Arctic Monkeys, the Smiths, Snow Patrol, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Magazine,[8] the Nosebleeds (fronted by Morrissey for the second and final time),[8] John Cooper Clarke,[8] Public Image Ltd, Happy Mondays, WARGASM, Adam Ant, New Order,[8] Dropkick Murphys, Bad Religion, Dead Kennedys, James Marriott, the Psychedelic Furs, Sublime with Rome, the Zangwills, Swans, A Certain Ratio,[10] Liam Gallagher, Peter Hook, Dodgy, Drain Gang, Hoodie Allen and Joshua Bassett.

On 4 October 1982, the Smiths played their first gig consisting of four songs, supporting Blue Rondo à la Turk.

[8][11] The venue also occasionally hosts events run by third-party entertainment brands such as Propaganda, GoGo, Voodoo and Erasmus Parties.