The Village Gaymes 2012

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. 

One of the many reasons that I fell in love with Manchester when I first visited the city at seventeen is that it never ceases to amaze people. This year, Manchester has made me take an active interest in sports. This is what I would call making the impossible possible.

This summer, the whole of Manchester – and our LGBT community in particular – is in sports overdrive.

Over the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Weekend, the sixth Bingham Cup took place. The tournament is the world’s gay (and inclusive) rugby championship, and also stands as the second biggest amateur 15-a-side rugby tournament in the world. More information on the Bingham Cup can be found here: http://www.binghamcup.com/.

In addition to hosting the Bingham Cup, it won’t be long until the city begins to gear up for the Pride Games, which will take place in the city between July 14 and July 21. The annual multi sports festival for LGBT people includes the likes of squash, track and tennis. For more information on Pride Games, see: http://www.pridesports.org.uk/#!pridegames/c14tm.

Leading the group of these activities is of course the London 2012 Olympics, which will impact our city in a number of ways. Manchester will welcome the Australian Swimming and Brazilian Paralympics teams for training, whilst we will host some of the integral Olympic football games at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, Old Trafford.

For those who are less interested in the sporting element of what’s taking place, the Cultural Olympiad taking place within Manchester has something on offer for those who are more into arts, history and all things Africa. ‘We Face Forward’ is a celebration of West African arts that will showcase paintings, live performance and fashion across numerous Manchester venues.

In a sort of ‘sports homage’ – two words I thought I would never actively pull together – we have decided to take an Olympic-styled look at what Team MCR has to offer visitors to Canal Street and beyond this summer, and in general…

So if you’re new to the village, or know someone who is, then this is for you.

The Gaymes: A Guide for Gay Village Virgins

Sailing

1. G-A-Y Bar
2. The Thompson’s Arms
3. New York New York

As trained as our Olympic sailors may be, this is a sport that is extremely weather dependent; in this sense, teams could well end up ‘wherever the wind takes them’… Similarly to Manchester’s gay village, both locals and visitors often face that same situation: you turn to your friends to decide that you’ll “come for one, and then play it by ear”… These nights often turn out to be the wildest…

Representing Manchester in this category include G-A-Y, with its low-priced drinks and plasma VJ (video DJ) screens, The Thompson’s Arms – perfect for a few evening drinks before it fills with punters late into the night, and old school favourite, New York New York.

Gymnastics

1. Poptastic (Tuesdays and Saturdays at Alter Ego)
2. Cruz 101
3. Legends

Unlike sailing, most of this year’s Olympic sports can only be affected by your own actions and preparation. In gymnastics, it is down to precision, choice of routine and the ability to make sure that you’re able to land on your feet. Sound familiar?

Let’s not beat around the bush – sometimes what we need most to forget our troubles involves a good group of friends, an even greater measure of your poison of choice and a lot of bad dancing. Just like gymnastics, this involves a lot of shape-throwing, and trying your hardest not to fall flat on your face. If this sounds like you, do not fear: Team MCR’s got your back.

Poptastic (Tuesdays and Saturdays at hetero venue Alter Ego), Cruz 101 and Legends – all village veterans and all good for practising your best vault – with stage areas for the more daring gymnasts out there…

Fencing

1. The Molly House
2. Richmond Tea Rooms
3. Icon

If you’re looking for something more low-key than dance floor acrobatics, we’ve got that for you too. Whilst gymnastics is a more show-stopping, sight-grabbing sport we see in the Olympics – fencing is far more formal, traditional and perhaps not something you’re a part of everyday.

To draw comparison to that, Manchester’s gay scene has some real gems that offer something a little different. The Molly House is a wonderful bar/pub in the village, offering a wide range of traditional ales in a gorgeous vintage ‘lodge’ style feel. Nearby to Molly’s is Icon, a fantastic new cocktail bar, often with themed evenings and never too overcrowded. Joining these two is the opulent Richmond Tea Rooms – which does what it says on the tin (and then some). The Tea Rooms are beautifully decorated throughout, with Alice in Wonderland styled furniture and aesthetics and an exquisite menu of teas and cakes. In addition to this, it also has a mean cocktail. For the fencer in you – make sure to check out these fierce competitors this summer.

Women’s 100 metre sprint

1. Vanilla
2. Coyotes

Many of the sports in the Olympics are seen as male dominated, which is why it is always important for female competitors to have their own leagues which they can choose to compete in. If you are a female in the village, and you feel as though you might be in the minority, then there is no need to worry. Women’s venues Coyotes and Vanilla are within running distance for when you’re feeling at your most womanly – and that is why they represent Manchester’s gay village women’s 100 metre sprint.

Equestrian

1. New Union
2. The Rembrandt
3. Eagle

As many equestrian competitors find, their sporting horse only gets better as it grows with age, which can definitely be said about a good old British pub. This is no different in Manchester’s gay village. If you’re looking for a quiet pint - no frills – then New Union, The Rembrandt and Eagle are your best venues to head towards. All staple parts of the village, ever popular and long-standing, you probably won’t find a Gaga t-shirt or Cherry WKD in sight. If you’re a self-proclaimed alcopop-guzzling Little Monster, you may want to try elsewhere…

Water-polo

1. Tribeca
2. Eden
3. Velvet

Just like water-polo, where you need to be both good with the ball and fairly nifty in the water, sometimes you want your village venue to be a pony of more than one trick. Village hot-spots Tribeca, Eden and Velvet are great both as watering holes whilst at the same time, are the perfect places to grab a light lunch, mid-afternoon coffee or even a dinner – each boasting fantastic menus with diverse atmospheres and friendly staff.

Triathlon

1. Taurus

And finally, an honorary mention must go to Taurus – the ‘triathlete’ of Canal Street and Manchester’s gay village. One of the longest standing and best loved bars in the area – often known as the ‘community’s venue’ of the street – Taurus is a place for quiet drinks, mouth-watering meals (whether breakfast, lunch or dinner) and is renowned as being a fabulous place to party!

And there you have it, an Olympic themed run-through of some of your Manchester gay village ‘must-sees’ whilst you visit our wonderful city!

For even more information visit the official Visit Manchester LGBT website.

Where to stay:

Abode Hotel

Britannia Hotels 
Radisson Edwardian Manchester 

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