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THE GREAT BRITISH BEAR BASH 2027

England’s biggest annual bear event returns from hibernation for a Spring edition in Manchester.

  • Event Dates

    From: Thursday, April 29, 2027
    To: Monday, May 3, 2027

  • Key Higlights

    • Hot Bears
    • Bearoke
    • Sauna Parties
    • After Parties at the Eagle
    • Bear BBQ
    • Pool Parties & Market

THE GREAT BRITISH BEAR BASH 2027

The Great British Bear Bash brings hundreds of bears, cubs, chubs, otters and admirers to Manchester for five days of parties, cruising, cabaret and social events over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Organised by ManBears, the annual celebration takes over the city’s Gay Village, combining late-night club events with bear markets, sauna sessions, daytime gatherings and plenty of opportunities to meet new friends.

Unlike a conventional circuit weekend, the Great British Bear Bash puts as much emphasis on community as partying. Visitors can spend the afternoon exploring Manchester, meet other bears over drinks and head to a different event each evening.

  • Stay at Leven Manchester, a contemporary boutique hotel at 40 Chorlton Street, just off Canal Street. Its spacious rooms and kitchen facilities make it an excellent base for the five-day celebration.

The Event

  • Next Edition: Thursday, April 29, 2027 To Monday, May 3, 2027.
  • Location: Manchester Gay Village, centred on Canal Street, Sackville Street and Bloom Street.
  • Organiser: ManBears Manchester, established in 1995.
  • Duration: Five days over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
  • Programme: Bear socials, club nights, cabaret, karaoke, market stalls, sauna sessions and community events.
  • 2027 Theme: Awaiting announcement.
  • Tickets: Weekend wristbands and individual event arrangements.
  • Check out the 10 best hotels in Manchester.

What to Expect

The Great British Bear Bash is one of the UK’s established bear gatherings, drawing visitors from across Britain and overseas. The weekend offers a mixture of organised activities and informal gatherings, with most events concentrated around Manchester’s compact Gay Village.

  • Bear socials and pub gatherings provide an easy introduction to the weekend. ManBears also operates a Bear Buddy scheme, helping first-time visitors and those travelling alone meet other guests.
  • The Bear Bazaar brings together independent traders and community organisations selling clothing, accessories, gifts and bear-related merchandise.
  • Evening entertainment traditionally includes themed club nights, cabaret, karaoke and men-only parties. Some events are social, while others have a more sexually charged atmosphere.
  • Daytime activities have previously included swimming pool sessions, sauna parties, brunches and community gatherings, offering alternatives to late-night clubbing.
  • The Mr ManBears competition is a recurring feature, with participants competing for the annual title and the opportunity to represent Manchester’s bear community.
  • Sunday is one of the best days for visitors who enjoy cabaret, with plenty happening outside the main dance floors.

Before the Party – Manchester’s Gay Village

Manchester’s Gay Village is the centre of Bear Bash weekend, with bars, clubs and cafés close together around Canal Street. The venues below featured in the 2026 programme, followed by a few extra places to explore. The 2027 venue programme is still to be confirmed.

  • The Eagle Manchester – 15 Bloom Street. A men-only basement bar with bear socials, fetish nights and late parties. Membership is required.
  • REM Bar – 33 Sackville Street. A relaxed community pub with canalside seating and a sociable crowd. The 2026 bear crawls started here.
  • The Cockatoo Club – 20 Richmond Street. Cocktails, drag and live cabaret in an intimate bar just behind Canal Street.
  • Cruz 101 – 101 Princess Street. A late-night Gay Village club with a main dancefloor and the Sub 101 basement space. Both are listed together here to avoid duplication.
  • The Brewers – 4 Canal Street. Canal-side drinks upstairs and a downstairs club space for late-night parties.
  • Basement Manchester – 18 Tariff Street. A gay sauna that hosted the Bear Sauna during the 2026 weekend.
  • The Molly House – 26 Richmond Street. A relaxed choice for tapas and drinks before heading out.
  • New Union – 111 Princess Street. A long-running show bar with karaoke, drag cabaret and DJs.

Where to Stay

Manchester’s Gay Village is the best base for the Great British Bear Bash. Staying near Canal Street means most evening events are within walking distance, while Piccadilly station provides convenient connections for visitors arriving by train or from Manchester Airport.

  • Velvet Hotel Manchester – Best for Gay Village nightlife. A boutique hotel directly on Canal Street, with individually designed rooms and immediate access to the bars. Its central location means some street noise is possible during busy weekends.
  • Dakota Manchester – Best for a luxury stay. A contemporary hotel on Ducie Street with stylish rooms, a cocktail bar and a restaurant, approximately a 10-minute walk from the Gay Village.
  • Native Manchester – Best for groups and longer stays. Apartment-style accommodation in a converted warehouse near Piccadilly station, with spacious rooms and kitchen facilities.
  • Kimpton Clocktower Manchester – Best for a grand hotel experience. A landmark Victorian hotel on Oxford Street, with impressive public spaces and a convenient location for exploring the city.

Getting Around Manchester

The Gay Village is approximately a 10-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly station, making the city easy to reach by train.

  • From Manchester Airport, trains run to Piccadilly station, with a typical journey of around 15-20 minutes.
  • Most Gay Village venues are within a 5-10 minute walk of one another.
  • Oxford Road, the Northern Quarter and the city centre are also within walking distance.

Other Manchester Bear and Fetish Events

Gay Map of Manchester

Address: 100 King Street, Manchester M2 4WU, United Kingdom

  • Luxury boutique hotel in a landmark Art Deco building
  • Bold, theatrical interiors with strong design identity
  • Rooftop bar and private club with city-view cocktails
  • Popular with couples and weekend city-break guests
  • Central base for shopping, dining, and nightlife
  • Statement stay with a private-club, indulgent feel
  • Website

Address: 107 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2DB, United Kingdom

  • Boutique hotel in a Grade II-listed Victorian building
  • Original period features mixed with modern interiors
  • Well known for monsoon showers and plush rooms
  • On-site bar and restaurant with local following
  • Steps from Piccadilly Station and Piccadilly Gardens
  • Easy base for Canal Street and Northern Quarter
  • Website

Address: 2 Canal Street, Manchester M1 3HE, United Kingdom

  • Boutique hotel directly on Canal Street in the Gay Village
  • Converted Victorian building with bold, modern interiors
  • Balcony rooms with views over Village nightlife
  • Popular bar and restaurant with cocktail focus
  • Strong choice for Pride, nightlife, and weekend stays
  • One of Manchester’s most LGBTQ+-friendly hotels
  • Website

Address: 34 London Road, Manchester M1 2PF, United Kingdom

  • Design-led budget hotel opposite Piccadilly Station
  • Modern, compact rooms with strong value pricing
  • One Lounge bar for drinks, breakfast, and socialising
  • Easy walk to Canal Street and Northern Quarter
  • Popular with weekend city-break and Pride guests
  • Practical central base for nightlife and transport
  • Website

Address: 46 Sackville Street, Manchester M1 3WF, United Kingdom

  • Alice in Wonderland themed tearoom near Canal Street
  • Popular with gay visitors and Pride crowds
  • Cosy rooms mixed with theatrical decor
  • Large tea menu, cakes, and classic afternoon tea
  • Great daytime stop before Gay Village drinks
  • Open: Mon-Thu 9am-7pm, Fri-Sun 9am-8pm
  • Website

Address: 111 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6JB, United Kingdom

  • Long-running gay bar and showbar on Canal Street
  • Mix of pub vibes, drag shows, and late-night clubbing
  • Popular for karaoke, cabaret, and DJ-led pop nights
  • Draws a broad, mixed-age Gay Village crowd
  • One of the Village’s latest-closing venues
  • Open: Mon 12pm-10pm, Tue-Thu 12pm-2am, Fri 12pm-6am,
  • Sat 11am-6am, Sun 11am-4am
  • Facebook

Address: 33 Sackville Street, Manchester M1 3LZ, United Kingdom

  • Original Canal Street gay pub with long local history
  • Relaxed, traditional pub atmosphere
  • Canal-side outdoor seating for people-watching
  • Popular daytime and early-evening stop
  • Strong regular and community crowd
  • Open: Mon-Thu 12pm-12am, Fri 12pm-2am, Sat 11am-2am,
  • Sun 11am-12am
  • Facebook

Address: 29 Bloom Street, Manchester M1 3JE, United Kingdom

  • Long-standing gay bar just off Canal Street on Bloom Street
  • Traditional pub energy mixed with regular drag and cabaret shows
  • Strong local following with a friendly, familiar crowd
  • Karaoke and themed nights keep it busy across the week
  • Relaxed, social spot away from the main Canal Street strip
  • Open: Wed-Thu 4pm-2am, Fri-Sat 12pm-2am, Sun 12pm-12am
  • Facebook

Address: 4 Canal Street, Manchester M1 3HE, United Kingdom

  • Two-floor gay bar and club on Canal Street
  • Retro dancefloor with DJ-led party nights
  • Regular drag and themed event programming
  • Busy mix of locals, students, and Pride visitors
  • Solid all-rounder for late-night Village energy
  • Open: Mon 3pm-11pm, Tue 3pm-4am, Wed-Thu 3pm-2am,
  • Fri-Sat 2pm-4am, Sun 3pm-1am
  • Website

Address: 51 Bloom Street, Manchester M1 3LY, United Kingdom

  • Cabaret-led gay bar just off Canal Street on Bloom Street
  • Strong focus on drag, musical theatre, and live vocals
  • Intimate room with a close performer-to-crowd feel
  • Loyal regulars mixed with Village visitors
  • Reliable stop for camp, sing-along, and classic show nights
  • Open: Mon-Wed 5pm-2am, Thu 5pm-3am,
  • Fri-Sat 3pm-4am, Sun 3pm-2am
  • Facebook

Address: 27 Sackville Street, Manchester M1 3LZ, United Kingdom

  • Gay lounge bar linked to EVA Nightclub on Sackville Street
  • Calmer upstairs space for cocktails and social drinks
  • Regular drag hosts and DJ-led entertainment
  • Popular pre-drinks stop for groups and meetups
  • Easy flow into late-night karaoke and club downstairs
  • Open: Mon-Sun 4pm-late
  • Facebook

Address: 26 Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3NB, United Kingdom

  • Gay bar and tapas venue just behind Canal Street
  • Strong focus on Spanish-style tapas and casual dining
  • Relaxed, grown-up atmosphere across two floors
  • Popular for early evening drinks and pre-theatre meals
  • Calmer alternative to high-energy Village party bars
  • Open: Mon-Thu 1pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 1pm-1:30am, Sun 1pm-11pm
  • Website

Address: 63 Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3WB, United Kingdom

  • High-energy gay bar and club just off Canal Street
  • Strong focus on pop anthems and drinks deals
  • DJ-led party nights with themed and drag events
  • Popular with students, visitors, and younger crowds
  • Reliable stop for loud, late-night Gay Village energy
  • Open: Mon-Sun 12pm-4am
  • Facebook

Address: 101 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6DD, United Kingdom

  • Iconic late-night gay nightclub near Canal Street
  • Two-floor layout with main room and Sub 101 basement
  • Pop, chart, and commercial dance upstairs
  • House and underground sounds in Sub 101
  • Major destination for all-night Gay Village clubbing
  • Open: Wed-Thu 11:30pm-5am, Fri-Sat 11pm-6:30am,
  • Sun 11pm-5am
  • Instagram

Address: 37 Chorlton Street, Manchester M1 3HN, United Kingdom

  • Established gay bar just off Canal Street on Chorlton Street
  • Formerly Churchills with long Gay Village history
  • Drag, DJs, bingo, and cabaret across the week
  • Busy mix of locals, tourists, and Pride crowds
  • Reliable late-night stop with classic Village energy
  • Open: Mon-Thu 12pm-2am, Fri-Sat 12pm-4am, Sun 12pm-2am
  • Website

Address: 34 Canal Street, Manchester M1 3WD, United Kingdom

  • Musical theatre and film-themed gay cocktail bar on Canal Street
  • Hollywood decor with screens playing show tunes all night
  • Live cabaret and sing-along energy shape the vibe
  • Popular stop for cocktails and early-to-mid evening drinks
  • Loyal crowd of theatre fans, regulars, and Village visitors
  • Open: Mon-Tue 6pm-12am, Wed 5pm-12:30am, Thu 6pm-12am,
  • Fri 4pm-2am, Sat 2pm-2am, Sun 2pm-12am
  • Facebook

Address: 28-30 Canal Street, Manchester M1 3EZ, United Kingdom

  • Flagship gay bar and cabaret venue on Canal Street
  • Large multi-room space with bar, food, and shows
  • Strong focus on drag, cabaret, and DJ-led nights
  • Busy mix of locals, visitors, and Pride crowds
  • All-day to late-night hub in the heart of the Village
  • Open: Mon 12pm-1am, Tue-Thu 12pm-2am,
  • Fri-Sat 12pm-3am, Sun 12pm-2am
  • Facebook

Address: 29 Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3NB, United Kingdom

  • Hidden-away gay bar just behind Canal Street
  • Cosy, intimate space with strong community feel
  • Huge gin selection that draws loyal regulars
  • Weekly quizzes, bingo, and themed local nights
  • Friendly crowd with a true neighbourhood-local vibe
  • Open: Mon-Wed 3pm-11:30pm, Thu 3pm-12am, Fri 3pm-1am,
  • Sat 2pm-1am, Sun 2pm-11pm
  • Website

Address: 23 Sackville Street, Manchester M1 3LZ, United Kingdom

  • Long-standing gay bar on Sackville Street near Canal Street
  • Traditional pub vibe with pool table and cheap drinks
  • More local and low-key than the main strip venues
  • Mixed crowd of regulars, travellers, and Village locals
  • Easygoing stop for relaxed drinks and social nights
  • Open: Mon-Wed 2pm-2am, Thu 2pm-3am,
  • Fri-Sat 2pm-4am, Sun 2pm-3am
  • Instagram

Address: 94-98 Bloom Street, Manchester M1 3LY, United Kingdom

  • Large late-night gay club on Bloom Street in the Gay Village
  • High-energy pop anthems and packed dance floors
  • Multiple bars with a true nightclub atmosphere
  • Popular with locals, tourists, and Pride crowds
  • Reliable destination for late-night Village clubbing
  • Open: Wed-Thu 4pm-4am, Fri-Sat 2pm-4am, Sun 2pm-4am
  • Website

Address: 15 Bloom Street, Manchester M1 3HZ, United Kingdom

  • Manchester’s main leather and fetish-focused gay venue
  • Men-only members club on Bloom Street
  • Themed fetish nights and late-night cruising energy
  • Strong loyal crowd from Manchester and beyond
  • Distinct alternative to mainstream Canal Street bars
  • Open: Wed-Thu 4pm-3am, Fri-Sat 4pm-6am, Sun 3pm-3am
  • Website

Address: 101 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6DD, United Kingdom

  • Manchester’s longest-running gay fetish and kink club
  • Members-only venue with themed fetish party nights
  • Darkrooms and cruising areas alongside dance floor
  • Strong national reputation within fetish communities
  • Destination venue for alternative gay nightlife
  • Open: Event-based only - open on selected party nights
  • Website

Address: 28 Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3NB, United Kingdom

  • Basement men-focused gay bar just behind Canal Street
  • Darker, underground vibe with cruising energy
  • Popular pre- and post-fetish event meeting spot
  • Strong local following and loyal late-night crowd
  • Alternative to mainstream Village party bars
  • Open: Tue-Thu 7pm-3am, Fri-Sat 7pm-6am, Sun 7pm-3am
  • Facebook

Address: 46 Canal Street, Manchester M1 3WD, United Kingdom

  • Large multi-floor gay bar on Canal Street
  • Rooftop terrace popular for daytime and early drinks
  • DJ-led party energy later in the evening
  • Busy mix of locals, tourists, and Pride crowds
  • All-day to late-night hub in the heart of the Village
  • Open: Mon-Thu 2pm-3am, Fri 2pm-5am,
  • Sat 12pm-5am, Sun 12pm-3am
  • Facebook

Address: 10 Canal Street, Manchester M1 3EZ, United Kingdom

  • High-energy gay bar and dance venue on Canal Street
  • Strong focus on pop anthems and drag entertainment
  • Two-level layout with space for dancing and socialising
  • Popular for themed nights and drag brunch events
  • Busy mix of locals, tourists, and Pride visitors
  • Open: Sun-Thu 3pm-late, Fri-Sat 12pm-5am
  • Facebook

Recommended Hotels in Manchester By Booking

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We have chosen hotels in Manchester that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars

Hotel Gotham
5 Star, Luxury

Hotel Gotham
Booking.com
  • 5-star, rooftop terrace, central Manchester.
  • Close to the gay district.
  • Air-conditioned, bathrobes.
  • Luxurious and central, ideal for urban explorers seeking style and convenience.
Check Rates with Booking.com

Velvet Hotel
4 Star, Readers Choice

Velvet Hotel
Booking.com
  • 4-star, Canal Street, contemporary décor.
  • In the heart of the gay district.
  • Elegant furnishings.
  • Vibrant and stylish, perfect for experiencing Manchester’s lively Canal Street atmosphere.
Check Rates with Booking.com

ABode Manchester
4 Star, Great Value

Booking.com
  • 4-star, 19th-century building, free Wi-Fi.
  • A short walk to the gay bars.
  • Monsoon showers, luxury toiletries.
  • Historic charm meets modern luxury, centrally located near Piccadilly Station.
Check Rates with Booking.com

Motel One
3 Star, Location

Motel One Manchester-Piccadilly
Booking.com
  • 3-star, close to Manchester Piccadilly station.
  • A short walk to the gay bars.
  • En-suite shower, flat-screen TV.
  • Budget-friendly, convenient for rail travelers, with a comfortable and modern setting.
Check Rates with Booking.com

Video Of Great British Bears Bash

A taste of what to expect.

Radisson Hotel Blau

Top Gay Neighbourhoods in Manchester

Manchester has a rich and vibrant LGBTQ+ community and history. The city is known for being inclusive and welcoming to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Canal Street | Close to the city centre

Canal Street Manchester
Photo: Canal Street is home to some of Manchester’s most popular gay bars
  • Canal Street, often referred to as the Gay Village, is the epicenter of LGBTQ+ life in Manchester.
  • It’s a pedestrianized street lined with bars, clubs, restaurants, and shops that cater specifically to the LGBTQ+ community.
  • The area is known for its colorful decorations, rainbow flags, and a lively atmosphere.
  • It’s not only a nightlife hub but also hosts various events, parades, and celebrations throughout the year, including Manchester Pride.
  • Discover the best things to see and do in Manchester
Find the best hotels in Canal Street Tours

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Staying in the city center puts you close to many of Manchester’s attractions, shopping districts, restaurants, & nightlife.

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 If you’re interested in a more artsy & alternative atmosphere, with creative spaces, street art, & a good nightlife scene.
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This modern business & entertainment district offers upscale accommodations, trendy restaurants, & close to attractions.

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Salford Quays

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