Travel
Last visited:- 15 November 2004
Last updated:- 16 November 2004
I’m a regular visitor to Manchester, probably up there at least once every couple of months. The scene is very friendly, though rather ghetto-ised on Canal Street and its immediate environs. Years ago, I could go up there and have a whole weekend out for the price of one decent night out in London, but recently prices of alcohol and other mind-chemistry-altering substances have caught up…
I always stay with friends so I can’t speak for accommodation prices and quality, though the two city-centre Ibis hotels seem popular with others on “event weekends” such as Pride or the Bear Bash
As with London’s Kings Arms, Manchester’s “bear bar”, The Rembrandt Hotel (known as the Rem), has actually become quite crap recently, having seemingly made a conscious effort to attract the non-bear fraternity, and is increasingly popular with women. Not that I have a problem with the odd fag hag (in fact, I have a bigger problem with the overall chauvinism of the Bear scene in general, but that’s another story…), but I do object to gay bars being taken over by straight hen parties. Surely that’s what Via Fossa’s for? However, the Rem is still the place to meet, being easy to find for people unfamiliar with the area, and it is very central for everything else. Word of warning – drink cans or bottles. The “own brand” keg beers are shit of the highest order.
The Outpost (formerly Wells Fargo) is much more beary, but apart from Friday and Saturday nights, bar staff outnumber the patrons 2 to 1.
I’d hesitate to go so far as to call Company Bar a sleaze bar, but it’s definitely a lot… earthier than most gay bars. Not for the faint hearted, especially if you think the hanky code has something to do with Morris dancing. Men only, decent beer (for England anyway), and prepare to queue if you want to actually use the loos for a piss. It’s also open later than the other bars, so if you want to continue drinking beyond England’s laughable licensing hours and don’t fancy a club, it’s the only place to go.
And if you must meet your twink friends… away from the Bear scene, the Thompson’s Arms has always been OK from what I can remember, pretty attitude-free and a good mix of people, as is Churchill’s. Queer’s good for the free Internet access but not much else. Manto’s is OK for an afternoon quiet drink, but avoid at night. The Hollywood Showbar used to be excellent, but I haven’t been in a year or more, so I’d hesitate to recommend it until I’ve been again.
The only place to go really is Legends. The club consists of three main areas (four if you count the chill-out area known as the Piano Bar), all of which play different styles of music, and are sometimes even hosting different events – so be careful you don’t accidentally wander into a Goth night! On a general night, the policy seems to have the harder stuff in the Mineshaft, with camp ‘n’ cheesy and more commercial sounds spread across the Tunnel and Legends itself. The Mineshaft also hosts regular foam parties – a firm favourite, and don’t forget your LGF free condom packs to keep your money, ciggies and coke/K bullets dry(!)
I can’t really speak for other clubs. The Manhattan closed some time ago, and I’ve never actually ventured into Cruz 101 (at £10 entry, can you blame me?) or Essential. I have been in Cruz’s sister club Sub 101 but it was for a particular night… and it was dead anyway.
Skipping over all the regulars (McD’s, BK, KFC, Pizza Hut…) and straight into what Manchester does best… the eat-as-much-as-you-want buffets. They’re dotted about all over the place, but the closest ones to the Village are among the best anyway.
The Chinese on Whitworth Street is very good, but also very popular. Be prepared to queue on a weekend, but it’s usually worth it. Prices range upwards of a tenner a head.
The Indian is directly above it, and I actually prefer it. It’s slightly cheaper, and usually much quieter. You can fill yourself with starters and appetisers before even getting near a main course dish! And the ice cream is included. And they’ve got Irn Bru! However, the service is very hit or miss, and the food selection can be very poor outside of peak hours.
The Mongolian Barbecue buffet is very annoying. The food is excellent, and cooked to order in front of you… but the waitress “service” needs a huge kick up the arse. We’d finished our starters and were on our main course by the time our drinks arrived, they cocked up what little part of the order they had to deal with (remember, this is a serve yourself buffet!), and we waited ages for the bill at the end. And, to top it all, it was rather a rip off at £30 a head, including the drinks. Finally, be aware that if you pay by credit card they’ll add the tip on automatically, which for me (who hates tipping with a vengeance – don’t get me started!) was the final insult.
For post-intoxication food, you can’t go far wrong with Maxwell’s chippy for burgers, the Istanbul for kebabs and the Pizza place whose name I can never remember next to Village cars for, well, pizza. McTucky’s is unfeasibly popular, but I’ve personally never really seen the attraction of over-salted, under-cooked chicken burgers myself.
And if you must do fast food (other than to spill all over the taxi on the way home), there are the usual McDonald’s, Burger King, etc to be found. Subway has taken over Manchester, as it has everywhere, like Starbuck’s on speed and is to be recommended, for their oat and raisin cookies if nothing else.
If you’re staying outwith the city centre, you’ll need a taxi home. Prices seem to vary from night to night, but are pretty much the same across the different firms. Black cabs are much more expensive, but you’ll never get one at night anyway. And minicab or black cab, never let on if you’re a visitor – they’ll drive you round the houses on a scenic route via Oldham if you’re not on the ball.
There are three main minicab firms in the Village. Manchester Cabs (formerly Yellow Cabs) is right next door to Legends so is often very busy – expect an hour’s wait on a Saturday night at closing time. There’re also no food outlets nearby so if you’ve got the munchies you’re better off heading up into the Village proper anyway.
Village Cars is the most reliable, and seem to have the most drivers as well. Waits are never usually more than half an hour, despite being very popular (it’s just across from Cruz 101). On the down side, I’ve found myself directing the driver more than once before, so they’re obviously not very picky about the local “knowledge” tests.
And Street Cars is right opposite Company Bar, so best to leave a few minutes early to avoid the rush. They tend to know their regular clients so watch out for local queue jumpers, although, conversely, once your name’s on the list they’re more than happy for you to nip off and get some food if the wait’s long enough. Which can be very long – last time I was quoted a two hour wait…
Night Buses
Exist but only on a very few routes. And at £2.50 you’re
almost undoubtedly cheaper getting a cab if there’s more than one of you.
Getting There
Trains from
Coaches (National Express from