Manchester Pride 2020: Your Alternative Way to Celebrate!

August Bank Holiday weekend in Manchester will have a little less colour in 2020 – Pride, one of the biggest event’s in the city’s calendar, is being postponed for 12 months this year. For Manchester’s LGBT+ community, and indeed the many that travel from far and wide to attend every summer, it was a huge blow to lose one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year.

 

But forget the disappointment. Dig out your Pride colours. Get those party bangers turned up. Because all is not lost! There are still lots of things you can do this Bank Holiday in Manchester to celebrate Pride in your own way:

Alternative Manchester Pride 2020

It’s Pride in your living room or garden! The organisers of the annual festival are hosting the Alternative Manchester Pride 2020 festival online between 29th and 31st August. A completely online event, you can sit back and enjoy DJ sets and live music from a number of special guests, along with highlights of some of the best performances at previous Pride events.

There will also be a specially commissioned culture and arts programme on YouTube on Sunday, curated by Superbia and Youth Pride MCR. As always, Monday will close the festival with a moment of reflection, which will be broadcast online, on BBC Radio Manchester and Gaydio. Find out more about Alternative Manchester Pride 2020 here.

Enjoy Some Amazing Food at These Canal Street Eateries

Get yourself down to Canal Street. Sure, it might be a little quieter than it would be over Pride weekend. But there’s still plenty to enjoy – not least some amazing food.

Village Brasserie by Velvet has an incredible selection of British and Mediterranean inspired dishes, with its restaurant offering a stylish, yet relaxed setting. The gastropub vibes continue at No.1 Canal Street. These guys have some fantastic TripAdvisor reviews for the quality of their dishes, particularly for their amazing Sunday roast dinner! Or, if you’re a fan of tapas, then you’ll love The Molly House. Set across three Latin American-inspired rooms, sample some of the finest and freshest Spanish and South American tapas. The perfect place to get together with friends to kick-start your evening.

And Enjoy A Few Drinks, Too

Now you’ve had a bite to eat, it’s time to enjoy the night at some Canal Street’s most popular bars and clubs. And the great news is that most of Canal Street’s establishments have outdoor seating areas, so you can enjoy your evening while staying safe.

Via is always one of the liveliest venues in the Gay Village. And while its famous cabaret acts may not be on at the moment, it’s sure to be a great atmosphere throughout the weekend. Velvet Bar is the place for cocktails in the Village. Its surroundings are as decadent as its drinks selection, with an extensive range of classic and modern cocktails. Oscars’ movie-themed bar is another favourite in the neighbourhood. It’s a truly unique experience and you’re sure to feel in the party mood here.

Sign Up for The Canal Street VIP Card

This could also be the ideal time for you to sign up for a Canal Street VIP Card! It’s your way of unlocking the best deals at venues throughout the Gay Village, all for just £16 a year via the app. Support over 150 local venues and bag yourself some amazing bargains and benefits that will keep you coming back again and again.

Support Some of Manchester’s LGBT+ Charities

There are some amazing charities in Manchester that do incredible work for the gay community, and they need your support more than ever.

The Manchester Pride Charity is one of the largest in the UK, working tirelessly to campaign for greater LGBT+ equality and to challenge discrimination against the whole community.

The Proud Trust also works on behalf of the young LGBT+ community. Right now, they’re looking for donors to support them by buying a brick to help rebuild Manchester’s LGBT+ Centre. The only venue of its kind in Europe, it will support over 50,000 vulnerable people every year.