Skip to main content

Dates for the diary

Get to know Manchester

In the heart of the city’s Gay Village, Richmond Tea Rooms offers a luxurious, Alice in Wonderland-themed afternoon tea experience. Expect fabulous floral displays, an enchanted forest-themed room, a cosy Orangery and a selection of teas from around the world.

Manchester’s Sackville Gardens is home to a memorial celebrating the father of modern computing and World War II code breaking hero, Alan Turing, who carried out his world-defining studies in the city. Turing was an openly gay man who was convicted and punished in the 1950s for his sexuality, receiving an apology from the British Government in 2009 and posthumous royal pardon in 2013. Situated in a park between the University of Manchester and Canal Street, this sculpture is just one way that the city celebrates the achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Going out in Manchester

The heart of gay Manchester, this is a hotspot destination for the city’s queer scene.

Explore Canal Street

Photo by: VisitBritain/Jacob Niblett

Bar Pop, Canal Street
Canal Street

One of the oldest, largest and busiest gay bars on the strip today, offering tasty cocktails and live drag shows.

Get into the queer scene at Via

Photo by: Ben Ephgrave

A club night at Via Manchester, a top LGTBQ+ club
Via

The northern cousin of London’s G-A-Y appeals to a younger, student crowd with pop hits and cheap drinks deals.

Hit the dancefloor at G-A-Y Manchester

Photo by: VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Gay couple standing close together outside of night club.
G-A-Y Manchester

A popular queer hangout in the heart of the Gay Village, expect live DJ sets, drag queen takeovers and cocktails galore.

Discover Manchester's The Church

Photo by: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Drag Queen Getting Dressed Backstage before Performance in Dressing room
The Church

Join the party in one of the city’s old warehouses. Cruz 101 boasts Manchester’s Gay Village’s largest dance floor, so be sure to get into the groove.

Get into the party at Cruz 101

Photo by: Ben Ephgrave

A performer on stage at Manchester's Cruz 101 club
Cruz 101

With its inclusive bars, shops and clubs, the area around Canal Street is a hub for LGBTQIA+ nightlife and events.

What’s on at Manchester Gay Village

Location: Manchester

Crowds of people walking along Manchester's Canal Street
Manchester Gay Village

The heart of gay Manchester, this is a hotspot destination for the city’s queer scene.

Explore Canal Street

Photo by: VisitBritain/Jacob Niblett

Bar Pop, Canal Street
Canal Street

One of the oldest, largest and busiest gay bars on the strip today, offering tasty cocktails and live drag shows.

Get into the queer scene at Via

Photo by: Ben Ephgrave

A club night at Via Manchester, a top LGTBQ+ club
Via

The northern cousin of London’s G-A-Y appeals to a younger, student crowd with pop hits and cheap drinks deals.

Hit the dancefloor at G-A-Y Manchester

Photo by: VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Gay couple standing close together outside of night club.
G-A-Y Manchester

A popular queer hangout in the heart of the Gay Village, expect live DJ sets, drag queen takeovers and cocktails galore.

Discover Manchester's The Church

Photo by: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Drag Queen Getting Dressed Backstage before Performance in Dressing room
The Church

Join the party in one of the city’s old warehouses. Cruz 101 boasts Manchester’s Gay Village’s largest dance floor, so be sure to get into the groove.

Get into the party at Cruz 101

Photo by: Ben Ephgrave

A performer on stage at Manchester's Cruz 101 club
Cruz 101

With its inclusive bars, shops and clubs, the area around Canal Street is a hub for LGBTQIA+ nightlife and events.

What’s on at Manchester Gay Village

Location: Manchester

Crowds of people walking along Manchester's Canal Street
Manchester Gay Village

Stylish stays

Velvet Hotel

Keen party animals need look no further than Velvet Hotel. One of TripAdvisor’s top-ranked hotels in Manchester, it’s in the middle of the action. Its rooms, including penthouse suites, are individually decorated in an industrial boudoir style, with lavish king-size beds, chandeliers and exposed brick walls.

The Edwardian Manchester

Dating from 1853, Free Trade Hall is a grand colonnaded building revamped as a Radisson Hotel. There are 258 rooms and suites, two restaurants – one of which is found in the relaxing bar, destination spa and oodles of contemporary glamour.

ABode

A former warehouse located moments from Canal Street, ABode is a four-star hotel that retains many original Victorian features but gives them a modern British twist. There are 61 bedrooms, the best being the Fabulous On Fifth suites – five loft-style suites featuring stylish décor including work by renowned artists such as David Hockney and Yoko Ono. 

Getting here

Manchester is situated in north-west England, circa 208 miles (335km) north of London. Trains from London Euston depart for Manchester roughly every 20 minutes and take around two-and-a-quarter hours. Manchester Airport is just over 30 minutes from the city centre and is served by flights from destinations including Australia, Europe and North America.

Explore more

From loud and proud Pride festivals all over the country, to hundreds of queer pubs and gay-friendly hotels, Britain is one of the world’s most welcoming nations when it comes to LGBTQIA+ visitors.

Photo by: Dan Regan

Bristol Pride marches through the city centre

World-class football and a music scene that brought Oasis to centre stage – there’s lots to love about Manchester.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Manchester Craft Beer Festival

DJ playing to groups of people at Manchester Craft Beer Festival, in Depot Mayfield, Manchester

Pride parades, film festivals and bear parties: the UK’s LGBTQIA+ calendar is jam-packed with fun and flamboyant events.

Photo by: Dan Regan

Bristol Pride marches through the city centre

Not found what you were looking for?

Not found what you were looking for?