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When you are in Manchester, don’t say how much you love Liverpool. Trust me. Just don’t.
Founded during Roman Britain as Mancunium, things really didn’t take off until the Victorian Age when “Manchester” became an industrial hub — and has been making up time at breakneck speed ever since to become the preeminent city of North West England. So naturally, this has set off a serious rivalry with Liverpool; the two cities go at it even more than New York and L.A. The most intense gay pride event in North West England usually goes to the Liverpudlians. But you can’t keep a good Mancunian down.
Unlike almost every other city in Europe (London included), there is an actual gayborhood in Manchester, which, needless to say, makes the city easy for the rainbow brigade. Gay in Manchester means the “Gay Village” in and around Canal Street, and you can’t miss it: the street signs, much to the chagrin of city officials, are often missing the “C” 😉
Forty-six gay establishments — pubs, clubs, saunas, and restaurants — cram into four-block community between Minshull and Princess Streets. Those of you from the 90s will remember Canal Street as the setting for the original “Queer as Folk” TV series. And just to say I’ve said it, Cruz 101 is considered the best gay club in Manchester — at least for now. It’s a hotly contested crown.
Also unlike almost every other city in Europe, Manchester does not burst onto the gay radar with its pride (August) only to fizzle away into obscurity for the rest of the year. Being gay is a year-round experience: Sparkle the Trans Festival, the Bears Bash, and The Skins Weekend are just three events the Gay Village regularly throws in order to keep the juices flowing. If that’s the phrase.
Even better, go to the Gay Village website and you can score a VIP card for discounts aimed specifically at the LGBTQ crowd. Talk about novel.
FYI, there is more to Manchester than men. In a country famous for rain, the Mancunians have snow — indoors. Chill Factore is the UK’s longest indoor ski run. And despite its blue-collar beginnings, the city art scene is as lively as any in Britain; the Lowry is particularly dazzling.
But remember: ixnay on the Iverpool-lay.
For more information, go to canal-st.co.ukand visitmanchester.com. Be sure to contact Steele Luxury Travel for all of your travel needs to Manchester and beyond! https://steeletravel.com