Gay Village - Manchester

Centred around Canal Street, the Gay Village is home to numerous gay bars, shops, restaurants and clubs. Each year the area plays host to Manchester Pride, an annual gay and lesbian Mardi Gras.

Hotels

Name Online Booking
Atrium Apartments
Britannia Hotel
Princess on Portland Hotel

Restaurants, Pubs, Bars & Cafés

Name Type Location Map Notes
AXM Bar Canal Street [View Map] Stylish gay bar. No hen parties/stag nights allowed. Offers free wireless internet access and terminals.
Brasserie on Portland Restaurant (European) Princess on Portland [View Map] Intimate restaurant at the Princess on Portland hotel.
Coyotes Bar 14 Chorlton Street [View Map] Lesbian bar. Regular events – Tuesdays – karaoke, Wednesday – student night (‘Detention’), DJs at weekends. Premiership football.
Eden Bar/Restaurant 3 Brazil Street [View Map] Restaurant by day, bar by night.
Gastro's Restaurant/Deli Sackville Street [View Map] Restaurant and delicatessen focusing on organic, ethically-sourced produce.
Manto Bar 46 Canal Street [View Map] Founder member of the Canal Street scene. Frequent 2 for 1 drink promotions.
Queer Bar 4 Canal Street [View Map] Split-level gay bar with dance floor and internet café. Food served until closing. Popular meeting spot for Essential.
Taurus Bar 1 Canal Street [View Map] Relaxing atmosphere, wonderful food and good service. Gay.
Vanilla Bar 39 – 41 Richmond Street [View Map] Lesbian bar established in 1998. Resident DJ’s, premiership football, parties in Blackpool and Manchester, pool competitions.

Reviews / Comments / Additional Information

jan1c1210
I think the line up for the Pride Festival makes it not worth going to. There's no one really famous or worth watching. It's a waste of money as per usual.
Editor
Manchester Pride has announced the line-up for the 2007 Big Weekend in the Gay Village. Acts appearing at the 4-day event include Belinda Carlisle, Gareth Gates, Betty Boo, Nicki French, Four Poofs and a Piano from the Jonathan Ross TV show.
Phil
I agree Chris and Matt. Essential is ridiculous. They promote a gay-only or members club, but how do you get membership if you can't get in? I know of a lot of people who look at the club as a bit of a dive. It has gone downhill, the door policy is useless. My advice would be go to somewhere respectable and leave well alone!
Matt
I agree with chris even though I regularly attend Essential.
chris
It's so obvious that Essential has a gay only policy, but they'll never admit it because what they are doing is illegal. I've tried many times to get in, only to be told that it's regulars or members only. I think it's very hypocritical of the gay community to let this happen. How would they feel if straight pubs started to refuse entry to gays?
Herman
The gay village really starts to get nice in the Spring. As the weather warms up the bar and restaurant owners start to put their tables and chairs out on Canal Street. It's a really good people watching spot.
VV
If you want a real gay club with few straights, I suggest Essential. Their strict door policy ensures this.

Add Review

Why? / Rules




image verification



Enjoy a high, tax-free salary in the sun

Qualified accountants, banking, IT, construction, and insurance professionals urgently required in Dubai, Bermuda, and Grand Cayman [more]

Search For Accommodation

Prices returned are per ROOM

Town/City

Arrival Date

Number of Nights

Room Sleeps