The best bars in Manchester's Gay Village

The New Union was one of Manchester's first openly-gay venues and has a lengthy history behind it. This showbar, club, and hotel has a traditional exterior and an inclusive atmosphere. There's lots of room for dancing and lively parties take place every night of the week including karaoke nights and cabaret events - no wonder it's a mainstay on Manchester's gay scene.

Located in the Gay Village, Rem Bar is one of Manchester's award-winning gay venues. It's known for its friendly and cheeky staff, welcoming atmosphere, and bustling crowds both indoors and outside. A variety of drinks are on offer to cater to every preference and tapas dishes are also served at the weekends.

Via has been open in Canal Street since 1995. This red brick venue has various eclectic areas inside, as well as outdoor tables. A varied choice of drinks are available, plus street eats like pizza, burgers, and tacos. Live shows are on here regularly too, making it a popular place to hang out both by day and by night.

On Bar is an energetic and award-winning LGBTQ+ bar. It's a comfortable venue decorated in natural colours, plus it has a spacious outside area. Guests can enjoy a wide range of drinks as well as food like wraps and fish and chips. Events such as drag brunches, live performances, and themed parties are on regularly.

At G-A-Y you'll discover a fun and inclusive venue with a vibrant aesthetic and its own rooftop terrace. Pop classics are typically on the playlist here but exciting live entertainment takes place too like performances, drag acts, and games. The bar serves a wide range of drinks, with special offers available throughout the week.

Located in Canal Street, Bar Pop is an LGBTQ+ owned and operated independent venue. This bright, colourful, and lively bar is committed to making everybody feel welcome. Visit for drinks, watch glamorous drag stars strut their stuff, and enjoy fun events like drag brunches and live performances every week.

Visit The Cockatoo Club for cocktails and cabaret in the Gay Village. This gay venue is luxe, welcoming, and has lots of exciting events taking place. You can visit just for drinks or enjoy activities like cabaret shows, drag bottomless brunches, and a queer book club that meets here monthly.

A well-established bar and nightclub in the Gay Village, The Brewers is known for lively entertainment and parties with live bands, DJs, and drag stars. A varied range of drinks for all tastes are served here. This venue is cheerful and friendly, illuminated with coloured lights that add to the atmosphere.

New York New York stays open from afternoon until late at night. This welcoming spot serves coffee and cocktails by day but things really come alive as night falls. Lots of events take place at this bustling establishment including drag performances, charity events, and themed parties. This venue sits right in the heart of Manchester's Gay Village.

Everyone gets a warm welcome at The Goose, a friendly gay pub and bar. A choice of drinks including wine and various beers are served here in a traditional pub setting. Guests can also enjoy lively entertainment here such as drag shows, cabaret, karaoke, and quizzes that are sure to get everyone in the party mood.

Located in a Gay Village side street, Centre Stage is a theatrical venue for cabaret and nostalgic music. Indoor and outdoor tables are available, and the interior is decorated with deep colours that add to the atmosphere. Visit for cocktails and enjoy entertainment like games, karaoke, DJ sets, and drag performances.

A gay pub rather than a bar, The Molly House gets its name from the 19th century equivalent of a gay bar. This award-winning venue has a traditional interior and a cosy outside area. A broad range of drinks are on offer including craft beer, cask ales, and wine, plus tapas dishes are available if you're hungry.

Men-only venue Eagle Bar is a fixture of the city's gay scene. This members bar and fetish venue is located in a low-lit basement space with comfortable drawing room-style decor. The bar has a busy schedule of performances and parties that'll keep you entertained throughout the night.

Iconic Bar might be compact but it remains a popular venue in the Gay Village. The bar has the second largest collection of gins in the city but a range of other drinks are also available. The space is bright and comfortable with a friendly atmosphere. Events like quizzes take place here regularly too.

Company Bar is a low-lit venue housed beneath The Molly House. The music policy at this men-only bar is broad, but it's particularly popular for its 80s nights. The venue is intimate and sociable, staying open until late. Enjoy a drink and check out the jukebox, featuring a wide array of music genres.

Located at the edge of the Gay Village near Kampus, Red Light is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar in a historic building. This LGBTQ+ bar welcomes everyone and has an interior that's modern, sleek, and intimate. There's regular music from DJs. Well-crafted cocktails are the speciality here but a variety of different drinks are on offer.