Drag Queen Ego Sinz’s Guide to Manchester

Ego describes Manchester’s drag community as “super welcoming and friendly,” like most of the city’s residents. Her favorite places to catch queens in action include ON Bar, famous for its drag brunches and bingo events, and Via, where you can witness talented performers “singing live rather than just lip-syncing,” according to her. This well-known LGBTQ+ cabaret venue calls itself “the grand dame of Canal Street” and guarantees a sensational experience.

Ego was excited that her exquisite drag event “Night of Sinz” returned to Cruz 101—where she performed amid ample glitz and glamor alongside her drag sisters, whom she describes as “the best drag performers I’ve ever seen in my life.” In the meantime, you can find Ego sashaying around Cruz’s weekend Sub 101 techno night that she hosts.

Ego says that “one of the best things about Canal Street, where 90 percent of Manchester’s gay bars are, is that they’re all next to each other in one straight line along the canal. Nearly all of them are free entry, so you can go into one, see if you like the vibe, and if not ... walk into another—there’s nearly always a drag host or DJ on.” There’s also the huge G-A-Y nightclub, which hosts fewer drag events but offers a high-octane clubbing experience and a range of different nights playing pop, techno, and R&B.

Always on the UK’s best Pride celebration lists, Manchester Pride sees the city erupt into rainbow-colored celebrations toward the end of August. Ego states it’s “one of the best Prides I've ever been to. Canal Street transforms into a Pride village and everyone spills out onto the streets and there’s a massive sense of community. All of the different groups within the LGBTQ+ category are intertwined on the streets and there’s a real lack of separation.” And lest we forget Sparkle Weekend in July, the world’s largest celebration of gender non-conforming people.

In addition to these LGBTQ+ events, Ego also loves the Queer Media Festival, which she says “champions queer people in the media and has a similar vibe to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with a range of creative performances.”

What and where to eat in Manchester

Manchester boasts a burgeoning food scene inspired by its cultural diversity. For a social media–worthy combo of stunning decor and in-dining entertainment, Ego recommends Menagerie: “They have a runway in the middle of their restaurant (which serves beautifully presented Mediterranean fare), where performers range from circus acts and fire breathers to dancers and drag queens.” She also loves Firehouse, an open-fire dining concept with shows focusing on “queer POC [people of color] artists, with nights such as House of Black and House of Ghetto. There’s a runway on which people vogue, and it’s the ideal place to go for dinner and cocktails.”

What to see and do in Manchester

To delve deeper into Manchester’s queer history and culture, Ego recommends visiting Sackville Gardens, next to Canal Street. “It’s home to the Alan Turing Memorial and the Tree of Life, planted in 1993 for World Aids Day,” she says about this green space, a staple of Manchester walking tours. “There’s also the Beacon of Hope, a metallic structure with loads of hearts cut into it to commemorate AIDs victims, plus the National Trans Remembrance memorial.” You can see all of these and other significant sights, such as The Molly House and Manchester’s oldest gay pub, on a walking tour of Manchester’s LGBTQ+ history.

Where to stay in Manchester

“If you want a queer safe space with a lot of hotels, bars, and restaurants to choose from,” Ego recommends staying in the heart of it all in Canal Street. She loves Velvet Hotel for a luxurious, boutique experience, and New Union Hotel for a slice of history—it’s above the oldest gay bar in Manchester. Northern Quarter and Anchotes are also great picks, for their wealth of queer-owned bars and restaurants.