Manchester has a thriving LGBTQ+ scene, centred around the world famous Canal Street – home of “The Village”. A beacon of celebration in the city, the Gay Village is a must for any visitor to Manchester.
Located just south of Chinatown, the village is not only a thriving hub for nightlife, but living proof that Manchester is one of the world’s leading gay-friendly cities.
With a combination of bars, clubs, restaurants and green spaces set alongside a long stretch of the Rochdale Canal, Manchester’s Gay Village has something to suit all tastes. The Village is also famous for hosting a number of regular annual events and special community activities – perhaps most prominent is Manchester Pride. Standing as one of the biggest Pride events in the UK, Manchester Pride attracts a huge number of visitors to the city each year.
Manchester also proudly hosts Sparkle, the national transgender celebration weekend in July, whilst the Great British Bear Bash sees the gay village taken over by the larger, bearded, hairier chap over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
Gay culture has flourished into a village-like community with a combination of bars, clubs, restaurants and green spaces set alongside a long stretch of the Rochdale Canal, making it the perfect setting for alfresco drinking and dining.
