POP ‘til we drop

Matt, 23, has been living in and loving Manchester for five years, since moving up to study from London. He is into live music, creative writing, politics and all things Manchester. He works in communications and previously at Manchester Pride. In his spare time Matt writes for SoSoGay & VIVA Manchester & Cheshire magazine. 

 

I arrived in Manchester over five years ago now, and I haven’t looked back since. People had always said “home is where the heart is” – which sounds so cheesy – but I think now more than ever I’d have to agree. Although a lot of people, especially younger people or those studying, think of ‘home’ as being where their parents or guardians live. For me, home has been Manchester ever since I sat my luggage down in the exciting and yet scary surroundings of the converted city centre hotel I called my "first year halls"...

A degree, Masters, three relationships, six different houses/flats/halls and even four parrot fish later – and I’m still here. Although my passion for Manchester has always been consistent, the people, places and things that have surrounded me over the past five years have changed with time. One thing that seems to have stuck however – and I’m not afraid to say it – is a night out and a half in Manchester’s Gay Village.

I first experienced Canal Street on a ‘road trip’ during my A-Levels, when G-A-Y Bar was Spirit, the Holiday Inn seemed like miles away and the Northern accent was intriguing and mysterious. It was one amazing, carefree party – and everyone was invited. My best friend Kat found love – well, sort of – and a fellow Matt and I danced into the daylight of Sunday.

Although I am a gay man, I don’t think that defines me (or dictates my interest). I’ve tried out all the clubs in and around Manchester since getting here, and there are some great ones. There’s something about the Gay Village that continues to draw my friends and I back though – and half of them aren’t even gay…

In a bid to save up some money towards the summer, now I’ve finished my Masters and am working full-time, I have given up clubbing for lent. The response of disbelief was shocking and made me wonder – am I addicted? And, if I am, is it such a bad thing? I’m not a big clothes shopper, I don’t cook with expensive ingredients and I don’t have a car to keep up payments with. For me, I unashamedly like using my disposable income being out, letting my hair down and having fun with my friends. For me – Canal Street and the Gay Village is the best place for this.

Now that the days of “which days shall we go out this week?” are as behind me as my 19^th birthday, we’re all living for the weekend, which for us means one thing: Poptastic.

Poptastic has graced Manchester for over fifteen years, and is run by John Hamilton, a favourite and friendly face in the gay village. Mr. Hamilton makes regular appearances at the club night, as well as at its 'Back 2 Back' Thursday night where it is remixed at venue Cruz 101. The Tuesday and Saturday night extravaganzas feature fantastic sets from Phil Perry and Si (in the 'indie room') and the fabulous Miss Penny Crayon keeping the crowd jumping over in the 'pop room'. We are absolutely spoiled for choice.

For us, we just can't get enough of the Saturday night on Princess Street.

We’ll POP ‘til we drop each weekend, and I don’t think we’re alone. One of the things I love so much about the club night is that – whilst it welcomes absolutely everyone (I was a virgin to Club Alter Ego once) – there are so   many groups of regulars there each and every Saturday.

The music in the main ‘pop’ room could be current or pre-historic – but is always unashamedly fun – whilst the ‘indie’ room may as well rename itself the ‘wait and see’ room, as it could play anything from Pendulum to System of A Down to M.I.A and Busy P. Again - a salute to both Penny, Phil, Si and co. for keeping a good pick n' mix in Alter Ego's best nights of the week!

Of course – the drinks prices are also a perk. It also can't help that, as fate would have it, I now live on the same street as the night's Tuesday and Saturday night venue...

This is not to purposely single out Mr. Hamilton’s bi-weekly night as the only good spot in the village – in fact, far from it. Each venue seems to hit the spot for its own reasons – whether it’s lunch at Taurus, an after work cocktail at Tribeca or some cheap Sunday night drinks at G-A-Y (where the doors always seem to be open) – we are just extremely lucky to have the village here in Manchester. However, we all have our favourite haunts and Alter Ego is most definitely mine.

Whilst boyfriends come and go,105 – 107 Princess Street
has always been a faithful little gem. From Halloween circa 2011 to fancy dress flat-warming parties, birthdays and most recently New Year’s Eve – there is never a moment that couldn’t use a little ‘Pop’.

I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted lent to be over more than I do in 2012.

See you soon POP.

www.poptastic.co.uk

Poptastic takes place at Club Alter Ego, 105-107 Princess Street Manchester every Tuesday and Saturday night.  You can also catch Poptastic’s Back2Back night at Cruz 101 each and every Thursday.

For even more information visit the official Visit Manchester LGBT website: www.visitmanchester.com/lgbt

How to get to Manchester
Manchester is only 2 hours and 7 minutes from London by train. Virgin Trains operate three trains an hour from London Euston.

Fly to Manchester in 60 minutes from London with British Airways and BMI.
Fly non-stop from over 200 destinations worldwide to Manchester Airport.  

Where to stay
Radisson Edwardian Manchester

Abode Hotel

Britannia Hotel Manchester

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