Manchester has the most lively gay scene of the north of the UK. Most of the bars and clubs are located at the Gay Village, where Canal Street is the main drag. Last weekend of August, the city celebrates Manchester Gay Pride which attracts many UK residents and an increasing number of tourists.
The gay bars with a dark touch. You can go for just a beer or cruise a little more.
Gay cruise clubs
Curious about the local gay sauna? Check here for places, their facilities and best hours to go.
Gay saunas
After London and Edinburgh, Manchester is the 3rd largest destination for UK tourists. The gay scene is very large, there are many big gay bars, most of them located on Canal Street and it's side streets.
If you are visiting Manchester make sure you book a hotel in the center, close to Canal Street (map). Then you are close to all the gay bars and the shopping street is just around the corner.
Check out our hotel page for recommendations and map on where to stay.
Hotel recommendations and map
170+ rooms
Doubletree by Hilton
240+ rooms
Holiday Inn Express
310+ rooms
Motel One
390+ rooms
Leonardo Hotels
more hotels: booking.com
There are many big gay bars around Canal Street. In the weekend they are usually full with people. The crowds are usually quite mixed. Especially the young gay guys are always accompanied by some girls, and they sometimes bring in some shy boyfriend.
The gay bars are so big that there is not really a difference between bar and clubs. In many of the bars there is a dance floor. Some of the well known gay clubs have closed down.
Manchester has got a large gay sauna, the Basement Complex close to the railway station.
photo by NighttoursLiverpool is a popular city destination. The city has a musical vibe to it, because of its Beatles history. The gay scene is quite large.
50 km from Manchester
Liverpool guide
London’s gay scene is as sprawling as its Tube map, Soho for cocktails and cruising crowds, Vauxhall for late-night clubs, and East London for hipster drag and glitter. Pride marches through the West End each summer, but the city’s LGBTQ+ life thrives year-round. In London, the rainbow never really switches off.
260 km from Manchester
London guide
Dublin is small but a lovely city to visit. The LGBTQ+ scene is small but gets very busy in weekends.
270 km from Manchester
Dublin guide
After London, Edinburgh is the UK's second most popular tourist destination. Edinburgh is great for a weekend trip, there is a lot to see, nice restaurants and also a busy gay scene in the weekend.
280 km from Manchester
Edinburgh guide
Brighton is Britain’s unapologetic seaside queen - equal parts pebble beach, political edge, and rainbow sparkle. Just an hour from London, it’s famous for its Pride, Kemptown’s buzzing gay bars, and drag that can outshine the pier lights. Rain or shine, Brighton proves camp doesn’t need perfect weather to flourish.
330 km from Manchester
Brighton guide
