The best Canal Street and Manchester gay village restaurants, clubs, hotels and bars to visit – Manchester Evening News
Manchester’s gay village is one of the best places to visit, whether you’re planning a night out or just fancy exploring the legendary Canal Street area.
The gay village was ‘willed into existence’ in the late 1980s in response to amendments to section 28 laws that had previously prohibited the promotion of homosexuality in schools.
The area situated around Canal Street organically grew into a place where the LGBT+ community could socialise and feel safe after the opening of bar Manto in 1990.
Read more: Hundreds descend on Wigan town centre for annual Pride festival
While business was quiet at the beginning, with owners loosing money, the bar represented the start of things to come.
Thirty years on and Canal Street is one of the most recognisable gay districts in the world thanks to its prominent appearances in shows like Queer As Folk and Coronation Street.
Known by both the LGBT+ community and allies, the gay village is full of bars, restaurants, cafés and clubs that are perfect for any gathering.
There are even a few hidden secrets that only those in the know will really know about.
It can be a little bit daunting if you’re visiting the village for the first time, so we wanted to give you a head start and give you some ideas on where to head whether you’re looking for an after-work drink, a weekend of Pride celebrations, or just looking for somewhere to relax and unwind.
Here’s our pick of the best, whatever you’re after.
The best places for nights out
Cruz 101
If you’re looking for a late night out, then Cruz 101 is the place to go as it stays open until the early hours six days a week.
Set in a former shipping warehouse, Cruz has been hosting late night parties since 1992 and even doubled up as the Babylon bar in TV show Queer as Folk.
Regular club nights include the Disco Inferno 70s and 80s night on Mondays which has been running since 1993 and the always-popular Saturday night party which runs until 7am.
Entry fee varies depending on time of entry. Check website for details.
101 Princess St, M1 6DD | http://www.cruz101.com | 0161 950 0101
Bar Pop
Described as being ‘the heart of the Village’, Bar Pop offers a number of shows and themed nights to keep you entertained.
There’s regular drag shows, quizzes and bingo nights throughout the week alongside a selection of drink specials and good vibes.
Be sure to get there early in order to get a seat.
10 Canal St, M1 3EZ | https://www.barpop.co.uk | 0161 236 0446
(Image: ABNM Photography)
New York New York
Nicknamed the Party Palace, NYNY is one of the longest-standing bars in Canal Street and is a popular spot for parties and anyone looking for a good time.
With resident DJs each night, alongside special drag, karaoke and cabaret nights, there’s always something going on.
They’ve also recently installed a gazebo area that allows you to continue the party outside, while there’s also a coffee and cocktail bar offering a quieter atmosphere for those wanting to knuckle down and work.
94-98 Bloom St, M1 3LY | https://www.newyorknewyorkbar.com | 0161 236 6556
Vanilla
It’s been described as the “lesbian mecca of the north”, and if that doesn’t sound like good fun then we’re not really sure what is.
Vanilla is Manchester’s leading lesbian bar but accepts everyone. Regular events focus on house and club music, and there’s a vast cocktail menu to keep your thirst quenched.
39-41 Richmond St, M1 3WB | http://www.vanillagirls.co.uk | 0161 637 6258
Oscars
Who doesn’t love a little bit of razzle dazzle? Hidden in a small basement, Oscars is a theatre-style bar that pays homage to all things musicals.
If a big, old singalong to My Fair Lady is your idea of a perfect night out, Oscars is the place for you.
The red carpet greeting you upon arrival also adds to proceedings and makes for a perfect selfie spot.
34 Canal St, M1 3WD | http://www.oscarsbarcanalstreet.co.uk | 0161 237 9201
The Eagle
Fancy something a bit different? The Eagle is a private members bar for anyone identifying as male and the industrial basement setting makes for a unique spot for a cheeky pint or hangout with friends.
In the evening, drag shows, themed events, and fetish nights take place so it’s not the place for someone easily offended. But for everyone else, it’s great fun and a night to remember.
15 Bloom St, M1 3HZ | https://www.eaglemanchester.com | 0161 697 4483
G-A-Y
One of the most popular venues on canal street, G-A-Y stems across two floors and a balcony area.
There’s drag shows, bingo nights, drinks specials and plenty of music to keep you going throughout the night.
On a sunny day, the balcony and outdoor areas are perfect for a catchup with friends.
63 Richmond St, M1 3WB | http://www.g-a-y.co.uk | 0161 228 6200
(Image: MEN Media)
The best pubs and bars
The Molly House
If you’re looking for a cosy spot on Canal Street then look no further than the classically charming and subtly eccentric Molly House.
You’ll be able to spot the Molly House from the multi-coloured mural on the side of its wall featuring LGBT+ icons including Quentin Crisp, Emmeline Pankhurst, Alan Turing and local drag queen Anna Phylactic.
The Molly House is the perfect after-work drink spot with a wide selection of beers, ales and wines, and even a menu featuring brunch and delectable Spanish tapas.
26 Richmond St, M1 3NB | http://www.themollyhouse.com | 0161 237 9329
Thompsons Arms
If you fancy a night bumping shoulders with your social bubble while dancing to Beyonce, it’s safe to say that Thompsons should be at the top of your list.
At the weekend, Thompsons is a great vibe full of music and people.
It’s also a great spot during the week when it feels more like a pub than a bar.
23 Sackville St, M1 3NJ | 0161 228 3012
The Goose
A traditional pub right on the edge of Canal Street, The Goose is the perfect place for an afternoon pint or a casual catch-up with mates.
There’s also the occasional quiz night too which makes it the perfect place for a mid-week treat.
29 Bloom St, M1 3JE | 0161 236 8158
Napoleons
If you’re coming to Canal Street for the first time, then it’s worth noting that Napoleons is one of the longest-running pubs in the area.
The bar has been open since 1941, way before the area organically became a safe spot for LGBT+ people, and regularly hosts events and quiz nights.
35 Bloom St, M1 3LY | 0161 236 1360
Churchills
Another Canal Street institution, Churchills has become known over the years for its karaoke nights and fun atmosphere.
In the late 1800’s, the pub was called the Mechanic Arms and stayed that way until the 1980’s when it changed names to Churchills.
37 Chorlton St, M1 3HN | 0161 236 5529
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The best places to eat
No. 1 Canal Street
Winner of Best Restaurant in Manchester 2019 at the British Restaurant Awards, No. 1 Canal Street is the second venture from couple Lisa Kettle and Danielle Condron, who also run The Bridge Pub and Dining in Sale.
As the name suggests, the restaurant is located right on Canal Street and regularly hosts wine and cheese nights as well as gin and tonic club specials.
With a menu including seafood risotto, Yasai Katsu curry and cheese & onion pie, it’s the perfect location for a midweek date night or large groups who all like different things.
1 Canal St, M1 3HE | http://www.no1canalst.co.uk | 0161 228 7772
Richmond Tea Rooms
Taking you on a journey into Wonderland, Richmond Tea Rooms is a traditional English-style tea room with a vast array of weird and exotic teas from around the world joining the classic teas you would expect.
If you’ve never been before, then you’ll want to stop by for afternoon tea which includes handmade fruit scones, sandwiches and, of course, your choice of tea.
Be sure to book in advance as this is one place that is always in demand.
46 Sackville St, M1 3WF | https://www.richmondtearooms.com | 0161 697 4474
Peru Perdu
A stone’s throw from Manchester’s Gay Village, Peru Perdu is a South American-inspired restaurant with a menu featuring Uruguayan Wet Aged steaks, plant-based dishes and grilled fish.
Prior to lockdown, the restaurant hosted a number of events including bottomless cocktail brunches, drag queen carols, and masterclasses in Ceviche, Peru’s most famous dish.
Be sure to save room for some Peruvian cocktails – the coffee and watermelon pisco sours are a real energy boost.
The Cotton Factory, 74 Princess St, M1 6JD | https://www.peruperdu.com | 0161 549 0005
Arnero
Ran by Renu and Sanjeev, who have been friends for over 40 years, Arnero has brought a selection of Indian street food and traditional tandoori dishes together since it opened in the village in 2015.
Reasonably priced while also offering a wider selection than your usual curry house, Arnero’s standout dishes are the lamb shank sultani, the vegetable kofta and the chana bhatura.
25 Sackville St, M1 3LZ | https://arnero.co.uk | 0161 236 1364
Things to do during the day
Sackville Gardens
It might not be the biggest patch of grass in the world, but it has plenty of personality and history.
Sackville Gardens is perfect for a picnic with friends, or to just sit and and read in the afternoon.
Tourists and LGBT+ history fans will appreciate the LGBTQ+ community bee from the Bee In The City project while the Alan Turing bench statue offers a chance to appreciate the ‘father of modern computing’.
There’s also the Beacon of Hope, the UK’s only permanent memorial for people living with HIV or AIDS, designed by and Warren Chapman and Jess Boyn-Daniel.
Sackville Gardens, M1 3HB
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Walking Tours
Manchester is full of history and not all of it can be appreciated on the surface. To dig a little deeper, we suggest going on one of Manchester’s great walking tours.
Starting off in Canal Street and meeting at the Alan Turing memorial every day at 11am, a 3.5 hour walking tour shows you some of the city’s finest attractions and hidden gems.
Best of all, no booking is required and the tours are free – although we highly recommend tipping your tour guide for their time and expert knowledge.
Sackville Gardens, M1 3HB | https://www.freemanchesterwalkingtours.com
Nearby attractions
If you want to venture out of Canal Street, there’s plenty of places to visit nearby.
Manchester Art Gallery is a short walk away, as is Chinatown and Manchester Town Hall (currently closed to the public).
Explore the city even further and you could visit Manchester Museum, HOME, The People’s History Museum, or the Northern Quarter.
Annual Events
Manchester Pride
Of course, the standout event on Manchester’s LGBT+ calendar is Manchester Pride which takes place every August.
This year, Manchester Pride will take place from Friday, August 27 – Monday, August 30.
Due to pandemic, the annual Pride parade will not take place in its usual format in 2021. Instead, a ‘participant-only’ Equality March will take place, which is set to be much smaller in scale but will hopefully still have the same powerful impact.
The Gay Village will once again host the Village party, with bars and venues providing fun entertainment throughout the day and night.
MCR Pride Live on the Saturday and Sunday will feature a host of headline performers including Annie Mac, Zara Larsson, Gabrielle, Sigala, Eve and Jodie Harsh.
The Superbia Weekend, which celebrates diverse creative LGBTQ+ projects across Greater Manchester, will feature a wide schedule of free music, dance, film, poetry and performance events. Yvy Deluca, Joshua Hubbard, Finley Letchford-Dobbs and Arie Scere-Jacobs are all set to feature.
Youth Pride, Family Pride and the Human Rights Forum will also take place across the August bank holiday weekend.
Manchester Pride | https://www.manchesterpride.com
(Image: ABNM Photography)
Sparkle Weekend
Organised by the local trans community, Sparkle is an absolute treat of a weekend.
Designed with families and party goers in mind, the celebrational event features stalls, music, DJs and plenty of food and drink.
Held every year in July, Sparkle takes place at Sackville Gardens and is free to attend although a donation to the Sparkle charity is highly advised.
Sackville Gardens, M1 3HB | https://www.sparkle.org.uk/thesparkleweekend
Other events
There’s plenty of events catering to all types of interests and crowds that we can’t possibly include them all.
Some highlights to the annual calendar include The Bears Bash, The Village Weekender, and the Manchester Rubber Weekend.
The best places to spend the night
Velvet
Combined with a restaurant, bar and hotel, Velvet offers everything you could possibly need for a short stay in the village.
Rated four stars on Booking.com, contemporary décor, elegant furnishings and luxury toiletries make for a memorable visit.
2 Canal St, M1 3HE | https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/velvet.en-gb.html | 0161 236 9003
Le Ville
Also situated in the heart of the village is the Le Ville Hotel, offering colourful and contemporary rooms.
Offering four different types of rooms, chances are there’ll be something here to match what you’re looking for.
42 Canal St, M1 3WD | https://app.thebookingbutton.com/properties/LEVILLEDIRECT | 0161 234 0909
The Rembrandt
The REM Hotel is situated above REM bar, which is another of Canal Street’s long-standing bars.
Also offering a variety of room types, the hotel caters to groups and individuals. It’s worth noting that some of the rooms have shared bathroom facilities.
33 Sackville St, M1 3LZ | https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/rem.en-gb.html | 0161 211 3931
New Union
Another heritage location of Canal Street, the The Union Hotel building was built in 1865 and was later renamed the New Union in the 1970’s.
With a pub and showbar below, New Union offers something cheap and cheerful but with plenty of character. The guest house has 12 rooms with some sleeping up to six people.
111 Princess St, M1 6JB | https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/the-new-union.en-gb.html | 0161 228 1492
Britannia Hotel Manchester
If you don’t fancy spending the night in the village, the Britannia is just one of the many hotels situated nearby.
Located on Portland Street, the hotel has four bars, its own pizzeria, and a 24-hour reception.
Portland St, M1 3LA | https://www.britanniahotels.com/hotels/the-britannia-hotel-manchester | 0871 222 0017
Hotel Brooklyn
Also situated on Portland Street is the four-star Hotel Brooklyn.
The hotel offers ‘rooms of all shapes and sizes’ from studios up to skyline suites – all equipped with Wi-Fi, air con, USB charge-points and a flat screen TVs.
There’s even ‘pooch palaces’ for those who are looking for somewhere to stay with their canine companions.
59 Portland St, M1 3HP | https://www.hotelbrooklyn.co.uk | 0161 518 2936
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