Manchester is one of the world’s best cities for LGBTQ travellers. There’s no shortage of fascinating history, fun clubs, and chill bars. Whether you’re travelling solo, sightseeing with friends, or visiting for a romantic getaway, Manchester has plenty to offer. (If you are looking for a romantic getaway, check out our guide to couples spa breaks in Manchester. If you’re a gay traveller in Manchester, the famous Canal Street will be your first port of call, with a range of venues to suit all types of travellers. Read on to discover everything Manchester has to offer LGBTQ visitors. For a broader look at the best things to do in the city, check out our guide for things to do in Manchester.
Gay in Manchester: Is Manchester gay friendly?
Manchester is a very inclusive city and has the second-largest LGBTQ population in the UK (behind London). In fact, in 2011, Expogays named Manchester the most gay-friendly city in the world, even ahead of cities such as San Francisco and Amsterdam. You’ll find the most welcoming environment around the Gay Village on Canal Street, but Manchester’s gay population has spread across the city in recent years and you should feel safe everywhere. If you do need any assistance while you’re visiting, consider getting in touch with the LGBT Foundation.
Manchester’s gay area
The Gay Village in Manchester is concentrated around Canal Street, which runs along the west bank of the Rochdale Canal. By the 1950s, the New Union Pub (at the end of Canal Street) had become a popular meetup spot for LGBTQ people. With Britain laws prohibiting the “promotion of homosexuality” in the 80s, Canal Street became one of the few places in Manchester where queer people could feel comfortable being themselves. The street was thrust into mainstream popularity when it was used as the primary setting for the iconic 2000s TV show Queer As Folk. You’ll find lots of gay bars, clubs, and restaurants along Canal Street and on the surrounding avenues.
Manchester’s gay bars
Most of Manchester’s gay nightlife is located on Canal Street. There are cocktail lounges, performance venues, clubs, and similar establishments in Manchester’s Gay Village. One downside of the mainstreaming of Canal Street has been an influx of straight visitors. This has led to some concerns about maintaining The Gay Village’s position as a truly gay neighbourhood. While these concerns are understandable, in practice, they have led to policies at some establishments that have adversely affected trans people, bisexual people, and those who identify as queer. The venues we’ve chosen to highlight are known for being welcoming to all visitors, and if you experience problems at any of the bars, you can be sure that an excellent alternative is just around the corner.
G-A-Y
London’s iconic nightclub also has a branch in Manchester. G-A-Y, at the heart of the gay scene in Manchester, is one of the most popular bars on Canal Street, so it’s one of the best places to go to meet new people. It sits right at the centre of Canal Street, and with the large, lit-up marquee out front, it’s impossible to miss it. G-A-Y stretches across three storeys and most of the space is reserved for dancefloors. You will find a few seating areas on the corners, but it’s definitely limited, so grab seats early in the night if you want them. There is also a rooftop area with seating available. G-A-Y is also one of the only bars in the area with a rooftop terrace that’s smoking friendly. The music is pop, the drinks are affordable, and the atmosphere is incredible.
Velvet
The Velvet Hotel, Bar & Brasserie is one of the more luxurious options on Canal Street. It’s known for its excellent selection of cocktails and exquisite dining options. It offers the usual classic cocktails as well as a few signature recipes, including the Velvet Passion Berry (featuring raspberry vodka) and the Sweet Tennessee, which blends whisky and Chambord with flavours of lime, vanilla, and blackberries. The interiors are a pleasing mix of calm, moody walls, warm lighting, and gold accents. You can choose between cosy booths indoors and the terrace that overlooks the canal. It offers a range of specials throughout the week, such as £35 Sunday Roasts and £50 Steak Wednesdays.
Molly House
Molly House is a great venue in Manchester’s gay scene if you’re looking for a break from the alcohol-driven bars and clubs. While it serves lovely ales, wines, and other alcoholic beverages, many people head here for tea and coffee or to try a few dishes from their delicious tapas menu. It also serves low- or non-alcoholic alternatives. It’s tucked away on Richmond Street in the Gay Village, and it’s a cosy spot to recover from a night out, to prepare for your next spot, or to just chill out. Molly House bills itself as “a place for the discerning, eccentric and alternative” and everyone is always welcome.
New Union Hotel
New Union Hotel was one of Manchester’s first openly gay bars, and today it’s one of the only independent bars in the Village. It’s a charming place for a chill hangout in the afternoon, maybe with a game of pool and a glass of beer. In the evenings, it’s one of Canal Street’s best bars for a night of dancing and merrymaking. Drag queen DJs keep the music going throughout the week, and on Sundays it hosts cabaret performances with some of Manchester’s best queer artists. The New Union Hotel is one of the best all-rounder bars in the city. If you’re only visiting Manchester for a weekend and don’t have time to visit all the bars, make sure this one is at the top of your list.
The Lounge By EVA
The Lounge By EVA hosts drag shows, cabarets, and other live performances in a cosy, comfortable setting. Upstairs you’ll find the lounge bar, serving a range of cocktails and other drinks, and the stage where performers show off their talents. If you’re visiting with friends, be sure to head downstairs and try your hand at karaoke. This is one of the smaller gay bars in Manchester, so it’s the perfect place to visit after a night out at the larger gay clubs in Manchester like G-A-Y.
The Manto
The Manto was one of Manchester’s most iconic and important gay bars. Its unshielded, large windows were unusual and defiant for a gay bar in the city back in the late 80s and early 90s. Its large windows and open patio area upstairs helped bring visibility to Manchester’s queer community. Initially, the bar didn’t turn a profit, as people avoided it out of fear of being seen there, but soon after it became one of the most popular venues on Canal Street. Unfortunately, The Manto had to close its doors in 2013, but it has been replaced by On Bar and has been thriving ever since.
On Bar
On Bar has a little bit of everything, with fun cocktails, hearty pub food, late-night dancing, and excellent drag performances. It’s run by Orange Nation, one of the UK’s biggest gay club promoters, so it knows how to put on a show. If you’re after a fun night of entertainment or you’re interested in the history of Manchester’s queer scene, then be sure to pay a visit to On Bar.
Via Manchester
Via is one of Manchester’s most exciting LGBTQ performance venues. The cabaret theatre hosts a range of over-the-top, dramatic, and explosive performances by some of the country’s best cabaret artists. Like On Bar, it’s got something for everyone. You can relax with a drink by the bar, grab a meal from its restaurant, or sit upfront and enjoy the on-stage performances. The staff are friendly, the drinks and dishes are delicious, and the performers are exceptional. You won’t regret coming here.
The Manchester LGBT Heritage Trail
This walking trail can be done on your own or via a series of guided tours. It takes you throughout Manchester, from the bars of Canal Street to the Alan Turing Memorial to the Manchester Art Gallery. Interesting highlights include the site of the 1880 Manchester Drag Ball and the Church House, where the first meeting of the organisation Campaign for Homosexual Equality was held. Each point on the tour is marked by a mosaic rainbow flag set into the pavement. You can explore the locations yourself or go on one of the tours offered by the City of Manchester throughout the year. Guided tours are free, but you will need to book a spot. Keep an eye on their website for details of upcoming tours.
Gay events in Manchester
Manchester hosts many LGBTQ-oriented events throughout the year. These festivals, parties, and parades celebrate queer identities, cultures, and communities in Manchester. Most are held in the summer months, but there are also options for those visiting outside of summer. Most events take place within the day or on weekends.
Manchester Pride
The Manchester Pride Festival takes place every year on the August Bank Holiday weekend. Most of the festivities are organised in the Gay Village, on and around Canal Street, but the Pride March itself heads through Manchester’s city centre. Gay Village Party is easily one of the highlights of the weekend. This street party brings Manchester’s LGBTQ community together and has featured programming from Black Pride MCR, Queer Women’s Takeover, Fat Pride, and HUSK’s “Trans Filth and Joy.” The event has its roots in the 1988 protest against Section 28 and the queer fundraising events that often occurred on Canal Street over the bank holiday weekend in the 80s. The first official Manchester Pride event was held in 1985, and today it is the biggest and most attended parade in Manchester.
Queer Media
Queer Media celebrates queer creativity in cinema, animation, virtual reality, podcasting, and similar arts media. It encourages innovative storytelling using modern-day digital tools. It has previously organised the Queer Media Festival in November, bringing in entries from all around the world. It has produced queer films, news shows, and documentaries, with works entered into both the Queer Media Festival and other film and media festivals in Manchester and internationally. If you get the chance to attend the festival when you’re in Manchester, you’ll get to experience cutting-edge creative works that speak to a multitude of queer experiences.
Homobloc
Homobloc is a queer block party that welcomes everyone. Its first party, held in 2019, saw 10,000 visitors from around the world arrive to celebrate queer expression and party to great music. Hosted at The Depot on Fairfield Street, Homobloc’s lineup has included a wide range of incredible singers and DJs over the years. Singer-songwriter Roisin Murphy, DJ The Blessed Madonna, and indie band Tokky Horror are just a few of the acts that have performed in previous years. Homobloc also partners with charities, including the LGBT Foundation and the Proud Trust. The event usually takes place in November and runs on a Saturday from 2 pm to 3 am.
Sparkle in the Park
Sparkle in the Park, or Sparkle Weekend, is a festival run by the charity Sparkle. It aims to provide a safe space for anyone who’s gender non-conforming along with their friends, families, and allies. It has live music and other entertainment, workshops, and wonderful guests. It also offers attendees the chance to engage with local charities and businesses run by transgender people. Historically, it’s been the world’s largest event celebrating gender diversity that’s also free to attend, with over 22,000 visitors in 2019. It’s usually held in early July, so it’s a perfect mid-summer event where you can soak up some sun. Sparkle also hosts a Transgender Day of Remembrance service in Manchester, held on the 20th of November every year.
Gay hotels in Manchester
While most hotels in Manchester are friendly and inclusive, these places are chosen specially for LGBTQ visitors because of their excellent qualities. Some are close to Manchester’s Gay Village and some are even connected to Manchester’s most popular gay bars.
New Union Hotel
This popular and historic venue isn’t just a bar. The New Union Hotel also offers guest rooms, so you can stay out all night and still be close to your bed afterwards. Obviously, its prime location is one of the main reasons that keeps satisfied visitors returning, but the comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and games room are also worth the compliments. Remember, your rooms will be right next to the bar, so if you don’t plan on staying out late, you might want to choose one of the other hotels to avoid the noise.
Velvet Hotel
This is another excellent option for those who want to be seconds away from the bar when they’re in their hotels and seconds away from their bed when they’re at the bar. The Velvet Hotel Bar & Brasserie has multiple guest rooms with unique, individual decorations. Visitors love the comfortable beds and luxurious bathtubs in particular.
Britannia Hotel Manchester
Britannia Hotel Manchester is a great option in Manchester’s Gay Village, just a short walk from Canal Street. You can grab a sumptuous breakfast in the hotel before heading out and exploring the city. It’s also very close to the Manchester Piccadilly Station, which makes it ideal for getting around and for travellers arriving by train or plane.
Motel One
Motel One Manchester-Piccadilly is a lovely budget-friendly option that’s close to Canal Street. It’s also located near the train station, and many of Manchester’s finest landmarks, such as the Town Hall and Piccadilly Gardens, are within walking distance.
