See also: Manchester Gay friendly hotel accommodation.

Manchester has a thriving gay scene brought into the national awareness in recent years by Channel 4 television's superb drama "Queer as Folk". We wonder how many weekend's trips where planned to Manchester with people looking for the fictional club Babylon featured in the series.

Manchester's gay scene is concentrated around the so-called "Gay Village" which centres on Canal Street and surrounding roads. There are many gay friendly bars, clubs and restaurants in the area, many of which the breweries have invested heavily in. Although overall smaller than the London gay scene, Manchester's gay village is impressive because all the bars are so closely located.

In fact the quality of the bars themselves compare very favourably with anything London has to offer, with the only downside being that at weekends the area can become 'very mixed' which can take the edge off the friendly gay atmosphere. Fortunately a number of the bars now adopt a majority gay and lesbian policy ensuring the atmosphere remains sufficiently homo friendly. We've put together a directory of gay friendly bars and clubs in Manchester gay village on UK Gay Guide. The Cruz 101 club is still going strong you'll be pleased to know.

Regardless of the gay scene, Manchester itself has gone under a fairly major transformation over the last decade with many new shopping developments, exhibition venues and impressive property developments taken place including the new Media City development. Situated on the waterside at the heart of The Quays, The Lowry is a stunning, award winning building housing two vibrant theatres, a studio space, relaxing art galleries, cafés, bars, a restaurant, souvenir gift shop and Salford’s Tourist Information Centre.

Manchester Pride 2019
Manchester Pride is the city's annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) festival that is held over the August bank holiday weekend. In the past Manchester Pride had been called many names including Gayfest and Mardi Gras. Manchester Pride has traditionally been a fundraiser for the LGBT and AIDS/HIV communities and is the only Pride event in the UK that has consistently done so. Along with London and Brighton, it is definitely in top 3 pride events in the UK.

Pride events have been taking place in Manchester for over 20 years. The main goal of Manchester Pride is to raise money for a variety of LGBT organisations and groups within Greater Manchester and we thank you for your ongoing support.

This year's Pride festival runs from the 23rd - 26th August with the main parade of Saturday 24th.

The parade normally starts around at 13:00 and is usually based around a theme celebrating Equality and Diversity). As usual there will be a week of events in the run up to the main weekend. See website for full details of the week's events and how to participate.

See www.manchesterpride.com for further details about the 2019 event, the arts festival etc and to buy wristbands.

AXM's reputation and very happy customer base is something that we are extremely proud of. Our philosophy is simple... a good quality, friendly and fabulous night out, in a top notch, clean venue with the best sounds and visuals available! More importantly, a safe night out.

Opening times: Sun - Thu: 11pm - 4.30am, Fri: 10pm - 5.30am, Sat: 10pm - 5.30am

Website, Map

Hugely popular gay venue. The gay village's largest venue and only remaining nightclub. Cruz has been established for over 20 years and welcomes everyone. Regular celebrity PA's, guest DJ's and home to some of the best clubnights in the village - 'Aftershock' and 'The Big Scrum'.

Website, Map

Open six nights a week, Napoleons is Manchester's oldest gay venue and has been open for over six hundred years. Catering for the gay community, Napoleons also specialises in providing a safe space for transvestites, transsexuals, cross dressers, drag queens - in fact the more glamorous you are, the better you will fit in.

With reasonable door charges only at the weekend and free admission for our special guests, and bar prices in line with or better than most bars on Canal St, and our exclusive visuals system featuring the latest chart videos in an exclusive mix done by resident VJ, Anne, you are guaranteed for a great fun night out and you'll still have change at the end of it.

The bar is open five days a week (Wednesday to Sunday) and features a video lounge and private basement with an exclusive lounge area.

Website, Map

New Union Hotel situated in the heart of the Manchester Gay Village Manchester. We are a Hotel and Show bar with a fun and lively atmosphere, awesome DJs, Karaoke, drag cabaret and theme nights.

Check hopel room availability and special offers with

Opening times: Mon 12 noon - 10pm, Tues - Thurs 12 noon - 2am
Friday 12 noon - 3am, Sat 12 noon - 4am, Sunday 12 noon - 2am.

Website, Map

Complimenting Manchester's industrial history, with a nod towards a plush Victorian style, The Eagle has been designed by a team who have taken time to consider the needs and requirements of you the customer, paying extensive attention to detail, maximising the potential for an unforgettable night out.

Opening hours: Monday - Wednesday 5pm - 2.30am
Thursday 5pm - 3am, Friday 5pm - 5am, Saturday 5pm - 6am, Sunday 5pm - 3am

Website, Facebook, Map

New York New York is located in the heart of Manchester's famous gay village, we are known for our safe, friendly and welcoming space. It is very much a party venue, with great entertainment every night of the week.

With our friendly staff, great atmosphere and great entertainment. every nights a party night at New York New York.

Opening times:-Mon - Thu: 20:00 - 03:00
Fri: 19:00 - 04:00, Sat: 18:00 - 04:00, Sun: 16:00 - 03:00

Website, Map

Website, Facebook, Map

The DJ stand is now more open so you can see Lee Star Via's resident drag DJ in full glory and not as though she was peeking out of a glory hole Lee Star is here every Weds Thursday night.

Valentino King is still there on the last Sunday of the month with the Drag Kings of Manchester
Dean Jones is still resident DJ Saturday and now Friday Nights
Smilie Steve is still the cheesy karaoke king every Mon and Tues. Via looks a lot more open now and with a new menu and both high level dining and booth seating lunch times are busier than ever. Website, Map