-------------------------------------

From a small Roman fort at Mamucium or Mancunium in 79 AD, Manchester has grown to become Britain's second largest metro area, with a population of over 2 million. Once dubbed “Cottonopolis” during the heyday of textile manufacturing when 65% of the world's cotton was processed in this area, Manchester became the world's first industrial city during the early-19th century.

"What Manchester does today, the rest of the world does tomorrow" was a 19th century saying, and the first train station was built here. Later the first programmable computer was built at the Victoria University of Manchester, and scientists at the Manchester College of Technology are credited with first "splitting the atom" in 1932. The atomic trio were Irish, English and a New Zealander, illustrating the long-time cosmopolitan character of this city, the commercial center of a far-flung empire. Even earlier, 14th century Flemish weaver immigrants made their contribution to the genesis of the textile industry to come.

Today, with the factories gone, Mancunians have moved decisively into the post-industrial age, retaining the best industrial architecture, recycling buildings that survived the war, and creating new urban models - especially since the late-1980s. The famous stretch of Canal Street in the Village is arguably the finest remaining example of a Victorian commercial district in England. Now, instead of transporting coal and cloth, the old canals serve as backdrop for chic to funky boutiques, thronged bars, and renowned dance clubs with top DJs who create cutting-edge music trends - one of the world's most vibrant gay villages.

It took the TV series Queer as Folk (original British version) to put this city in England's northwest on the gay map for most Americans, but area pubs have welcomed a gay clientele since at least 1940. Manchester Pride events take place over ten days in August, attracting visitors from around Britain and the world.

As befits a city with such a history of industry, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Museum of Transport have major collections of steam locomotives, machinery, aircraft, buses and trams. The Manchester Museum has Egyptology and natural history departments of note, the Manchester Art Gallery is known for European paintings, and the Whitworth Art Gallery has displays of modern art, sculpture and textiles. At Chetham's Library, the oldest public library in the English-speaking world, the economics books read by Karl Marx can be seen on the shelf, as can the window seat where Marx met Friedrich Engels. In his book, The Condition of the Working Class in England in 1844, Engles drew on the period he lived here to critique rising inequalities of wealth and the poor living conditions of many workers in this early industrial society.

Alan Turing, widely considered to be the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence, saved millions of lives helping in WWII allied war efforts to break German ciphers (the Enigma machine). Convicted in 1952 for homosexual acts, he accepted chemical castration treatment as an alternative to prison, and died two years later of cyanide poisoning, a presumed suicide. His memorial statue is seated in Sackville Park, between the Gay Village of today and buildings, formerly of the Victoria University of Manchester, where in the 1940s he helped develop the Manchester computers, and where he had turned his attention to AI and morphogenesis in later few years. A half-eaten poison apple was found near his body, and the Manchester statue has the fruit in its hand. The bitten Apple logo has been interpreted by some as an unofficial symbol of commemoration. Another statue to Turing is at Bletchley Park, the World War II Allied codebreakers' center in Milton Keynes.

The Hallé Orchestra, founded in 1857, is the fourth oldest symphony orchestra in the world, with concerts at Bridgewater Hall. The Manchester Opera House, featuring large-scale touring shows, dance, opera and West End theater productions, is just one of several large stage venues. The Manchester Arena is one of the world's largest and busiest indoor arenas, and Manchester United and Manchester City are the famous local football (soccer) teams.

 

Getting here

Manchester Airport has direct flights from major North American and Caribbean airports, cities around Europe, and others from Africa and Asia. On arrival there is fast and frequent Trans Pennine Express train service linking the airport with over 100 destinations across the North of England and beyond. Their website has links for services to Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the Midlands, and the South of England. There is also 24-hour bus service from the airport into downtown Manchester. For details see TFGM, the Transport for Greater Manchester website.

National Express coaches make up to 14 trips a day from London Victoria Station to Manchester Central Coach Station, Chorlton Street - a three-hour journey. National also operates C2C trains from London to Manchester Oxford Road & Piccadilly Station. The Virgin Train brings party people from London Euston to Manchester in a little over two hours, with departures every half hour or so -- from Paris too, connecting with Eurostar trains that arrive at London St Pancras. They also offer WiFi access. For more rail connections into Manchester see National Rail.

Getting around

Within the city, Manchester's train, bus and tram system is excellent. See TFGM for info on all public transport in the city, including a section on cycling. Manchester Bike Hire will deliver a rental bike to your door, then collect it later - for about £20/ day, with 9-5 service hours.

Currency and Money

The British pound is the currency of the United Kingdom. ATMs are sprinkled throughout the downtown area, in all the usual places. Contact your local bank for possible UK partners to save on withdrawal fees. A smart chip credit card with a pin number, now required by some ticket machines on this side of the pond, can also be useful.

 

Media & Resources

Canal Street, GayLife Manchester, and the Discover/LGBT section of Visit Manchester are good online sources for what's happening around town. Manchester Bars covers over 500 pubs and bars of all kinds in Manchester, plus restaurant and hotel listings.

Gaydio can be heard locally in Manchester at 88.4FM, and everywhere live online. The station gets news feeds from Gay Times, the largest UK gay magazine.

Attitude covers what’s happening around the country, including Manchester. Boyz and QX, two more national gay periodicals, focus mainly on London. The Pink News website has LGBT news of Britain, the US and the world.

Manchester Pride, with August events such as the The Big Weekend Pride Festival, and The Superbia Weekend, also sponsors The Manchester Pride Spring Benefit in May, along with OUT!, their online resource charting the LGBT history of Greater Manchester.

In 2019 there will be changes for Pride as property development in the Gay Village continues to take spaces used in the past. Consultations on future plans will take place in October 2018 - see Have Your Say.

The LGBT Foundation offers community advice, support and information services. See their events listings.

Besides their gay listings, Visit Manchester also has more good local tips on where to stay and eat, and what to do around town. Their Manchester Visitor Information Centre is in the Mercure Manchester Hotel foyer, Piccadilly Plaza, Portland Street. The Manchester Travel Guide is another online tourist site.

The Manbears Manchester website will keep you up to date on what's happening with area bears, cubs and friends, including GBBB, the Great British Bear Bash in late April/ early May.

Manchester Rubbermen and other fans of leather/fetish gear may also be found at the monthly Club Alert at club Alter Ego.

For a good restaurant guide see ManchesterRestaurants. Their sister site ManchesterTheatres covers all the arts and entertainment listings.

Skiddle has listings and ticket sales for club nights, concerts, performances and other events around town.

Manchester is the second largest European center of creative and digital industries. MediaCityUK in Salford is home to many BBC and ITV Granada productions, along with facilities for Dock 10, Ericsson UK, SIS Live TV, The Landing and The University of Salford. On-air since 1960, Coronation Street, the world's oldest, most watched TV soap opera, is produced here. BBC tours, the Coronation Street Tour, restaurants, bars and a hotel make this a destination attraction on the MetroLink tram.

The Guardian newspaper was founded in Manchester as the Manchester Guardian, launched after police closed the more radical Manchester Observer - which had championed the cause of protesters in the Peterloo Massacre (the subject of the new Mike Leigh movie).

ManchesterOnline combines Metro and the Manchester Evening News, the second most popular regional newspaper in the UK. The Manchester Gazette website is another local news source.

Based in Altrincham, just outside Manchester, the Vegetarian Society continues the 1807-1816 work of Reverend William Cowherd, who led his Salford, Manchester congregation to abstain from meat, and of Joseph Brotherton, a local MP during early years of the Industrial Revolution. Members have since included George Bernard Shaw, Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy.

The  Edward Carpenter Community (ECC), a group of gay men of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, offers alternatives to the commercial scene, with gatherings across the country, from Scotland to the Lake District. Regular groups meet in Manchester, Brighton, and in Scotland.

For map locations and website links to the businesses below, and more, see our gay Manchester listings pages. Also see our gallery and events pages.

 

Accommodations:

Doubletree Hilton Hotel Manchester (One Piccadilly Place, 1 Auburn St. 44-0161-242-1000), centrally located, beautifully appointed, comprehensive amenities including iMacs and complimentary WiFi access

Hotel ibis Manchester Centre (Portland St), 127 modern rooms near Gay Village, moderate rates, restaurant/bar, WiFi throughout.

Le Villé Hotel (38-42 Canal St), small modern hotel on the canal at Gay Village central; moderate prices, free WiFi, satellite TV channels.

Malmaison Hotel Piccadilly (Piccadilly Manchester M1) 167 rooms. 44-0161-278-1000, centrally located, comprehensive amenities, Smoak Bar & Grill.

New Union Hotel (111 Princess St; 44-0161-228-1492), value for money, friendly and knowledgeable staff, lively pub, dance area, canal-side seating.

Rembrandt Hotel (33 Sackville St; 44-0161-236-1311), spacious hotel and bar, center of Canal Street action, six newly renovated rooms above gay men's pub, some overlook canal, TV, free WiFi.

Velvet Hotel (2 Canal St), Gay Village central rooms, digital TV, DVD/CD player, free WiFi, restaurant breakfast, clubbing and Pride weekend packages; bar/lounge, DJ sets.

See another dozen hotel suggestions at our map and listings pages.

 

Going out
Canal Street, at the center of the Manchester Gay Village, runs along the west side of the Rochdale Canal. Lined with gay bars and restaurants, this street and others nearby, fill at night and on warm afternoons with locals and visiting gay and lesbian tourists from all around the world

Alert (Club-Alert.com) at Night People (105 Princess St), members-only strict dress code leather/fetish/skins club, 1st Saturdays and special nights. Temporary memberships for visitors if accompanied by an existing member. Upstairs Alter Ego does Sunday 60s RnB/Soul nights.

Bar Pop (10 Canal St), Tuesday and Saturday Poptastic Parties at old Crunch location, comfy leather lounge sofas, gay students' alternative to gay mainstream, an "affordable night out with great entertainment."

Belinda Scandal's Show Bar (46 Canal Street, at Sackville), Friday/Saturday live shows, games, drag cabaret, male strippers, no cover charges, third floor aboveThe Rem.

Bloom (100 Bloom St), large, late, every-night pop/ commercial music, theme events, cabaret, guest DJs, dancing. Formerly AXM.

Centre Stage (51 Bloom St), intimate gay cabaret & showbar performances, diva stars, T-Girl Karaoke.

Churchills (37 Chorlton St), popular gay pub, drag show entertainment, karaoke nights,

Company (28 Richmond St), downstairs intimate spot, low-light atmosphere, sensual fun, packed and friendly, leather and fetish guys.

Cruz 101 (101 Princess St), behind Canal Street, large dance club, open late, big crowds, broad mix of pop, chart, R’nB, and commercial dance music Wednesdays through Sundays. Party On Fridays, and Apex Saturdays. AfterShock Saturdays go 'til 6am at SUB 101, the underground clubbing space in The Village - also home to Poptastic indie/ pop nights, 1st Friday Big Scrum sports fetish/ bears' nights and Qwerk mixed nights.

Eagle (15 Bloom St), basement men's club, industrial style with dash of plush Victorian, dress code leather/rubber/skin/uniform nights, bear events, progressive electro, funky house to chill-out tunes.

EVA Manchester (27 Sackville), drag cabaret shows, nightly karaoke; Friday/Saturday nightclub DJs play chart, pop, dance until 6am.

G.A.Y Manchester (63 Richmond St/ Canal at Abingdon), large multi-level cocktail lounge , space to sprawl, cushy sofas and beds to cuddle or chill out, rooftop garden for smokers, overview of Canal Street below. Big-name weekend DJs, former Spirit site.

The Goose (29 Bloom St), traditional pub, traditional ales, older and drag crowd, home cooked pub grub, jukebox, across from coach station.

Hidden Nightclub (16-18 Mary St/ 17 DownTex Mill), repurposed warehouse dance club, live music gigs, Blue Room and The Den spaces, renowned guest DJs; LGBT nights include High Hoops and Homoelectric non-stop exotic disco for homos, heteros, lesbos and don't knows, with disco, house, techno, garage, pop, dirt, glamour, and no pomp or pretension.

Iconic Bar (29 Sackville - enter on Richmond St), back alley gay bar, 60+ varieties of gin, DJs, live music/ performances, drag hosts, quiz nights, theme parties.

KIKI Manchester (4 Canal St), daily food, drinks and entertainment, breakfast from noon, burgers, nachos, deserts; theme parties, evening lounge and nightclub dancing, young gay mixed crowd.

Molly House (26 Richmond St), three-level cafe/bar, stylish, mixed crowd; ales, beers, wines and spirits plus burgers, Spanish/South American tapas, brunch Eggs Benedict and Florentine; teas and coffees, international newspapers, books and magazines, outdoor verandah.

Napoleons (33 Bloom St), two-level mixed crowd bar, oldest in the Village, events nights, drag diva favorite, open Wednesdays to Sundays, late.

New Union (111 Princess St), long-time favorite village show bar with DJs, karaoke, drag cabaret and theme nights; lively men/women mixed crowd.

New York New York (98 Bloom St), loyal regulars' gay party bar, cabaret entertainment; cocktail bar with jukebox open daily from 4pm, club room dancing to Motown, cheesy, pop, dance and RnB music.

ON Bar (46 Canal St), club on three floors by owners of Fire, London; comedy and drag shows, restaurant, Sunday brunch and roast. Former Manto site.

Oscars (34 Canal St), intimate, theatre-style bar, classic to modern musical film clips, show tune favorites, live vocalists, gay mix.

The Rem Bar (33 Sackville St), aka the Rembrandt below original Village gay B&B, men's bar; leather, bear, comedy, stripper and sports nights, and fetish events.

Soup Kitchen (31-33 Spear St), Northern Quarter canteen/bar, live music venue; queer house and techno nights include Kiss Me Again on first Saturdays).

Thompsons Arms (21 Sackville St), small, central bar, regular live entertainment on the schedule.

Tribeca Bar (50 Sackville St), burgers, appetizers, sandwiches - noon to 8:30pm, daily drinks specials, Quiz Nights, DJs, dance floors, gay/straight mix.

Vanilla (39 Richmond St), women-only club, considered among the best lesbian bars in Britain, WiFi, special holiday events.

Velvet (2 Canal St), hotel cocktail bar, lounge and restaurant, mixed crowd, canal-side seating, eclectic music style, DJ sets.

Via (28-30 Canal St), daily from 11am (Sunday noon), stunning venue, gay men/women straight-friendly mix; nice-price cocktails, good food, nightclub, drag diva entertainment into the early hours, comfy chairs.

Void (4 Richmond St), two-level nightclub, dancing, theme parties, young gay mix, drag divas, muscle boys, Saturday-Sunday afterhours 3-10am.

White Hotel (U3 Dickinson St, Salford), dive rave-style dance party and performance venue in old warehouse space; LGBT + friendly events include High Hoops, Homoelectric, and Meat Free.

CLOSED: Baa Bar (Deansgate Locks), gay/mixed cocktail bar; Essential and Queer (8 Minchull), gay dance clubs; Coyotes (14 Chorlton), nightly women's entertainment bar; Sackville Lounge (46 Sackville St), cocktail lounge/ restaurant; Taurus (1 Canal St), food/drinks, Sunday clubbing; View (40 Chorlton St), bar/club, mix, Pride pop-ups.

 

Restaurants

The Alchemist (3 Hardman St, Spinningfields), gay-friendly cocktails or dining establishment, early morning coffee, lunch or weekend brunch. Check out their Cocktail Master Classes. Also with a new location at 1 New York Street, at Mosley.

Australasia (1 The Avenue, Spinningfields), straight but very stylish and gay-friendly spot with world-class dining. Ranks among the finest restaurants in the city.

The Brasserie (1-3 Piccadilly), upscale surf and turf steak house and burger joint at the Malmaison Hotel.

Chaophraya (Chapel Walks) Thai restaurant & bar offers award-winning food, plus cocktails and Saturday cooking classes, just off Cross Street. Look for their Tuk-Tuk at the Manchester Pride parade for meal discount vouchers.

El Rincon de Rafa (244 Deansgate), popular, authentic Spanish/Basque tapas & paellas, wines.

Gorilla (54 Whitworth St), full English breakfast until 4pm, bennies, veggie options, steak 'n eggs, chicken 'n waffles, granola/fuit bowls, avocado/feta/eggs on toast; burgers/dogs/sandwiches to mains, Sunday roasts. Nightclub, film, comedy and stage events.

Living Room (80 Deansgate), leisurely lunch, evening restaurant/bar, elegant comfort foods, meat pies, fish, steaks, burgers, wraps; Sunday traditional roast beef.

Mughli Restaurant + Charcoal Pit (30 Wilmslow Rd), open 'angithi' charcoal pit, 'tandoori' clay oven, authentic street food, char-grilled meats, rustic home-style Mughlai cuisine.

Ning Malaysian Restaurant (92 Oldham St), stylish and gay friendly restaurant and cookery school; fresh, authentic curries, tapas and Halal meats at reasonable prices.

Richmond Tea Rooms (15 Richmond St), traditional English tea room and cocktail lounge, Alice in Wonderland theme; full breakfast, afternoon tea sandwiches, rich desserts and cakes

Velvet (2 Canal St), hotel restaurant/bar, breakfast, soup, sandwiches, small-plates, pizza lunch, classic British comfort foods, Sunday roasts, canal-side seating, eclectic music style.

Zouk Tea Bar & Grill (3 Chester St), at The Quadrangle, healthy, alternative Indian and Pakistani dishes, open kitchen.

CLOSED: Villaggio (44 Canal St), northern Italian cuisine in the Village. Delicatezze (96a Canal St/ 3 Brazil St), foot bridge across the canal, pasta/risotto, pizza, burgers, steaks, fish, the former Eden.

See some more restaurant suggestions at our map and listings pages.

 

Saunas

Basement (18 Tariff St), sauna, wide array of facilities, wide mix of people,  spacious steam and sauna rooms, double jacuzzi, big TV screens, snacks and drinks, maze and relaxation areas, spa/massage treatments.

Base/ H2O Sauna (38 Sackville St), central-location sauna just off Canal Street, large Jacuzzi, communal relaxation room, private rooms, snacks.

Shopping

Clone Zone (36-38 Sackville St), newspapers, mags, DVDs, CDs, t-shirts, leather thongs, street wear, and accessories, as well as aromas and lubes in abundance.

Manwörx (17 China Lane), leather, fetish, sex-toys, lubes, accessories, full leather gear. T-shirts and vests, football socks, fetish gear, rubber and leather accessories. Formerly RoB Manchester.

For more businesses and area shopping malls see our map & listings tab.

Birmingham, Blackpool, Brighton, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool and London in England, Cardiff in Wales, Belfast in Northern Ireland, plus Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland, are the other UK cities we cover.

 

Articles of Interest

No fighting or ego biting! Homoelectric, Manchester's queer clubbing utopia - by Gabriel Szatan - Nov 14, 2019 - The Guardian.

Fears for Manchester's LGBT hub as cranes swing in - by Helen Pidd and Patrick O'Connell - Aug 25, 2018 - The Guardian.