Top Picks in LGBTQ+ Bars and Cafes in Manchester

Canal Street and beyond, here are our favourite LGBTQ+ pubs, clubs and cafés in Manchester…

By Molly Court | Updated Aug 20 2024

Famed for its friendly, welcoming party scene, the Gay Village in Manchester is centred on a buzzing canal street lined with casual cafés and lively gay bars. With over 40 venues thriving with the best food, drink, green spaces and entertainment in the north, it’s a place that is good for the soul… and of course Pride is always a good idea.  

With over 40 venues thriving with the best food, drink, green spaces and entertainment in the north, it’s a place that’s good for the soul. Oh, and one more thing, Pride is always a good idea! When it comes to gay bars and cafes, Manchester has a lot to offer… here are a few of our favourites.  

The Molly House

26 Richmond St, Manchester, M1 3NB 

It’s shabby, it’s chic and Molly is most certainly calling your name to join her for a tipple or two. Located a few streets away from Canal Street, this three-story vintage pub won CAMRA’s Pub of the Year award in 2023. The owners’ dedication to creating a welcoming space is evident throughout, with the décor creating a cosy, golden lit haven with original wooden furnishings. Ever fancied drinking a pot of tea on a chaise lounge? Look no further. The Molly House offers a variety of beers to cocktails, Spanish tapas to brunch and specialty world teas to name a few. Indulge yourself (and friends) into Molly’s collection of worldwide newspapers, books and magazines whilst in the tea room, upstairs in the bordello or out on the verandah come rain or shine (most probably rain in Manchester). 

Top tip: donate your unwanted good reads to Molly’s bookshelf. 

Richmond Tea Rooms

6 Sackville St, Manchester, M1 3WF 

We’ve all wondered what it would be like to sit around the table at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, and although we can’t jump into Lewis Carroll’s novel, Richmond Tea Rooms comes close enough.  

An Alice in Wonderland-inspired afternoon tea is definitely on the table here (literally), including the finest china plates, extravagant cakes and milkshakes fit for a Queen of Hearts. Explore the whimsical and enchanting interior as you make your way down their incredible list of loose-leaf tea (they’re quite the expert). 

Once a month the Richmond Tea Rooms play host to High Tease Burlesque with Cherie Bebe, and you can also experience their very own (strictly 18+) Mad Hatter’s Tea Party - for one night every month you can go down the rabbit hole and immerse yourself into an evening of spectacular entertainment featuring Manchester’s hottest drag and cabaret acts, as they take you into the world of Wonderland. 

For more information about events at the Richmond tea Rooms, click here. 

Via

28-30 Canal St, Manchester, M1 3EZ 

Known as the ‘grand dame’ of Manchester’s world-famous Canal Street, Via is loud, proud and welcomes all; its unique interior gives it a charm that makes the bar/restaurant/club instantly stand out from the crowd. They say their food menu has something for everyone, and that’s no word of a lie. From a Sunday Roast to every pizza topping you could imagine, Via has it all (it even has a kids menu). With a weekly array of events and entertainment acts, their Lip Sync War seems quite the mouthy battle but until then, head on over to soak up their range of DJ’s, cabaret, live music and a good old dance.

New York, New York

94-98 Bloom Street, Manchester, M1 3LY 

A gay bar that has stood strong for over 30 years, New York, New York offers a great night out any night of the week. There’s a reason this venue earned itself the nickname ‘The Party Palace’, and it indeed lives up to its reputation. With hands-in-the-air nights that have you singing along at the top of your lungs and themed nights, there is heaps to enjoy about this renowned gay bar.  

Their main room opens every night at 8pm with resident DJ’s. However, if dancing isn’t your thing and you’ve got a more chilled vibe in mind, their coffee and cocktail bar is open from 1pm with comfortable seating and places to charge your phone and laptop. You can enjoy a different kind of work space and treat yourself to one of their many tasty cocktails when you’re done!