G-A-Y

As the Manchester branch of the well-loved London nightclub, G-A-Y boasts a prime position within the city’s gay scene – both geographically, with its location in the centre of Canal Street, and in reputation, as one of the most popular bars of the area. That’s not to say it’s necessarily the best, but it’s certainly the king of the roost, enjoying a sturdy stream of trade throughout the week.

Spread across three floors, G-A-Y acts as the area’s loudest and proudest playground with a state-of-the- art video jukebox system, dazzling bright lights and a gaudy colour scheme. The main draw is the party atmosphere, meaning that seating inside is limited and intimate, reserved only for the bar’s corners to save the extra space for dancing.

Catering to more of a fun-loving, younger crowd with a music policy that sticks strictly within the bounds of pop and commercial, the vibe here is one that is playful, merry and loud; on busy nights the energy is unrivalled. Drinks are cheap – dangerously so – and served in no-fuss plastic cups that seem to magnify the luminosity factor of what lies within. It’s the kind of place where everyone’s expected to get at least one round of shots in, and upon doing so you can feel like the big spender without having to part with too much of your hard-earned cash.

G-A-Y’s biggest asset is its giant rooftop smoking terrace. This gives the bar its trump card, boasting something that so many other places in the area lack and making it perfect for moonlit flirting and alfresco drinking. There’s plenty of seating and, since it’s fully heated all year round, you can enjoy the space whatever the weather.