Manchester gay scene

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REM is what faces the street, while Club Tropicana is an 1980s-themed dance club tucked behind. Nowadays, the crowd is typically very young and mixed.

There is also a rooftop area with seating available. 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.

Gay clubs in Manchester

When it comes to clubs in the gay village of Manchester, there is really only one choice…

Cruz 101

If you are planning to go ‘out, out’ so to speak, I can pretty much guarantee this is where you (and the rest of Canal St) will end up until the very early hours of the morning.

Cruz 101 gets going around 12:30/01:00 and is split across two levels.

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. Downstairs you will find a cheekier range of accessories.

Gay sauna in Manchester

Basement Sauna

Like most big cities with a thriving gay community, Manchester does have a gay sauna called Basement Sauna which can be found in Ancoats.

Here are the top choices, read more about these bars or click below to see listings of all gay venues in this city.

Manchester Gay Bars

Recommended gay friendly hotels in Manchester

GayMapper brings you a curated selection of accommodation gay destinations around the world, which are in preferred locations and are welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers.

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. Known as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has an abundance of cultural institutions and handsome 19th-century buildings that were funded by the tycoons of the industrial era.

On the opposite side of the park is Canal Street, Manchester’s Gay Village, which reminds us of Turing’s homosexuality and his prosecution for homosexual acts in 1952. Upstairs is open to all, but downstairs is a mens-only bar (inclusive of trans men). The bar is a nice meeting spot for a drink or coffee.

New Union Hotel (111 Princess St., Manchester).

The street was thrust into mainstream popularity when it was used as the primary setting for the iconic 2000s TV show Queer As Folk. The upper level is more pop, often with performances on stage, and the lower level is more intense with electronic music.

You haven’t truly done a night out in Manchester until you have partied to the early hours in Cruz 101.

The Manchester LGBT Heritage Trail

This walking trail can be done on your own or via a series of guided tours.

The 19th-century drinking establishment that established Canal Street as an LGBTQ+ space is still going strong. Facilities include a dry sauna, steam room, multiple spas, a licensed bar and of course some more private spaces.

Want to know the world better? This year, the city is bursting with a vibrant tapestry of events celebrating love, diversity, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Though the city defines 19 neighbourhoods that are of interest to visitors, some of them are a mere three blocks across.
Beyond the city itself, there are nine districts surrounding Manchester proper, each with its own character and history. In front of the statue, visitors will see a small rainbow flag embedded in the concrete, marking Turing as one of the stops on the Manchester LGBT Heritage Trail.
Manchester LGBT Heritage Trail (various locations around Manchester).

This large multi-room venue, Manchester’s biggest, gives patrons lots of options for taking in the drag show, having a yak with friends or manoeuvring onto the dancefloor. I highly recommend that you visit both venues listed below to slow down and take a minute while enjoying the city.

Feel Good Club

‘’The world is a better place with you in it’’.

The first Manchester Gay Pub and Club Olympics event took place in 1985, a festival event that eventually morphed into Pride. Like in other parts of the U.K., straight people, especially straight women, especially straight bridal parties, have taken a strong liking to gay culture. This season is the perfect time to dive into the…

The Proud Trust – Building a Sustainable Future for Manchester's Youth

The Proud Trust, a trailblazing LGBT+ youth charity, has made sustainability a key pillar of its operations.

Perfect for a slice and pint when you’re not sure how many people will be joining your party.

Tours & Experiences in Manchester