Manchester has been christened Europe's Dance Capital, as they really do know how to party. The city boasts
more gay households per capita than anywhere else in the UK apart from London - way over the national average.
OutUK correspondent Adrian Gillan hits Manchester and can't resist where else but Canal Street,
arguably the gayest street on Earth - amidst arguably Earth’s most perfectly-proportioned queer quarter!
SIGHTSBut first, on arrival - before all-things-gay - do take a quick look around! Browse Manchester Cathedral, Manchester Town Hall and the City Art Gallery; or jump a tram to renovated Salford Quays for The Lowry arts centre and Imperial War Museum North. | |
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Catch a play or show at the Royal Exchange Theatre or Palace Theatre. Definitely hear a concert at the state-of-the-art Bridgewater Hall, home to the world-renowned Halle Orchestra, oft under the baton of Sir Mark Elder, and offering an eclectic programme to suit all tastes, all year round. Shop at the mammoth Arndale Centre; or eat well in China Town. |
Imperial War Museum North at Salford Quays. Courtesy: Marketing Manchester |
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Enjoy the Manchester United Museum & Tour and National Football Museum).
Then, wait for it boys: that world-famous scene!
MANCHESTER PRIDE | |
| Manchester Pride is an LGBT+ charity which campaigns for equality; challenges discrimination; creates opportunity for engagement & participation; celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life; and fundraises to enrich and empower LGBT+ organisations, charities and communities throughout Greater Manchester. |
Pride Contributors drive a Highway Patrol Police Car Photo: ilbusca |
| They regularly distributed grants to local LGBT+ community groups, organisations, events and initiatives in Greater Manchester including The George House Trust Welfare Fund, Queer Media Festival, LGBT Foundation, Black Gold Arts Festival, Trafford Carers Service, Village Manchester Football F.C., Mancunian Way, Biphoria, plus many more. | |
Manchester Pride in all its glory Photo: wernerimages |
The Manchester Pride Festival takes place in the heart of Manchester's city centre and is an award winning four day event celebrating LGBT+ life. The Festival
is Manchester Pride's flagship event and consists of four elements. The Big Weekend takes is staged in Manchester's world famous Gay Village over the August Bank Holiday Weekend. They also have a Parade, Superbia and Vigil. |
| Manchester Pride is famous for tens of thousands of people coming together to celebrate, with pride, some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. The Parade on Saturday has close to 150 entries, and over 4000 colourful participants and is for many, the highlight of The Manchester Pride Festival. The city is turned into a kaleidoscope of colour, as floats and marchers weave their way throughout the city centre in front of tens of thousands of spectators who are out to show their support to the LGBT+ communities. Superbia aims to support, curate, fund and celebrate LGBT life across Greater Manchester with debate, film, comedy, literature, music, sport, theatre, family and community-led projects. | |
| The culmination of The Manchester Pride Festival and one of its most poignant events is The Candlelit Vigil on Bank Holiday Monday evening. Sackville Gardens is turned into a sea of flickering candles as the whole community takes a moment to remember those lost to the HIV virus and they join together to fight the epidemic worldwide and the stigma that still exists. |
Manchester Metro's Pride Tram Photo: Michael McNiven |
The vigil provides a space to remember those close to us who may no longer be alive and presents an opportunity to stand together in a united front as we recognise the many
challenges that still exist and on an everyday basis face LGBT communities from Manchester and around the world.
SCENEWhether you are in Manchester for Pride or there at any other time of the year there's always lots to enjoy. Here are some of our top tips to check-out, although there's a lot else besides!The New Union in Princess Street, of Queer As Folk fame, is an earthy punters’ pub which has strived more recently to revert to its former gay glory days, so crowds of come-and-be-cool hens aren’t bumping the froth off your beer! An equally established option is the Rem Bar in nearby Sackville Street, just along the canal – now all modern with a spacious bar. Those happiest to just sip-and-stare-and-sip in a comfy local can safely hang out in The Goose. Catering to more dragged-up glitzy, cheesy tastes, check out friendly New York, New York in Bloom Street. Via boasts a busy, sprawling Gothic-themed wooden interior. | |
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On Bar is an all day venue from lunch food and drinks to early hours of the morning, with up to the minute sounds & a bespoke cocktail menu.
It's operated by the gay club promotion company Orange Nation. If you are out to eat then try the nearby bohemian and rather swish Velvet which is both a restaurant and hotel - it's great food and their rooms are wonderfully decorated in different styles. |
Canal Street. Courtesy: Marketing Manchester |
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G-A-Y Manchester is the main gay nightclub in the Canal Street area, with good dance music, live acts and special drink offers. It's based on the success
of its London counterpart and attracts a Mixed/LGBT crowd. They have strict door codes and are open with a late licence every night until 4am.
Napoleons is a very established venue in Manchester's Gay Village. It is open five nights every week (Wednesday to Sunday) until very late, with a host of nights to suit everyone. The Eagle Bar offers a unique experience for MEN from all over the UK and beyond. Each of the different segments of this incomparable venue aims to explore the depths of your mind, and promises to deliver a diverse night out in a relaxed enviroment. In a lighter vein, Company Bar is designed for gay men to visit after work for a relaxing drink before the trip back home with a happy hour drink offer going on late into the evening. Within the same building The Molly House serves up real ales, beers, wines and spirits alongside fresh, authentic Spanish and South American tapas. | |
Cruz 101. Courtesy: Apex - Cruz 101 |
All that's enough to set you dancing? Cruz 101 in Princess Street is Manchester's longest-running gay club - a real stalwart,
arts ‘n all, busy all-week-round.
It's a wonderful place to go dancing and frankly what Queer As Folk was really all about.
It's open from Wednesday to Sunday and offers a range of Gay clubbing nights with music policies from Pop & Chart to Vocal & Commercial House.
Bar Pop right in the heart if the village on Canal Street is a classic bar food & a full drink menu, dancing, & live shows, in a buzzy space with coloured lights. Close by on Sackville Street is The Thompsons Arms which boasts an array of classic cocktails with moody lighting, lounge seating and events. |
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Across the village many other tastes are catered for with gay bars such as:
Churchills on Chorlton Street,
Centre Stage which is halfway down Bloom Street, and
back on Sackville Street where you'll find EVA & Lounge by EVA.
For all your shopping needs there's Clone Zone which opened its first shop right here! For something even more steamy don't forget to check out the Basement Sauna in Tarriff Street, it's just a short distance away. PLACES TO STAYAdrian stayed at the stylish, modern 4-star Novotel Manchester Centre, slap-bang in the middle of Manchester, near all scene and sights. There is a wide choice of accommodation including both hotels and apartments in the city centre.
For general info on Manchester: visitmanchester.com Revised July 2024. |
