Manchester’s Collection of
Queer Spaces
Discover queer-owned businesses, affirming spaces, and inclusive events across the city — all in one place.
About MCQ
More Than Just Bars.
McQ is your guide to the full spectrum of queer life in Manchester.
Founded by Heather — a queer woman born and raised in the city — McQ was created out of frustration with lifeless “queer guides” written by people outside our community. The result? A curated, community-first platform built by queers, for queers.
Whether you’re looking for a queer bookshop, inclusive barber, affirming therapist, local art market, or hiking group — we’ve got you covered.
Explore Queer Manchester:
Safe Spaces, Events & Community-Run Gems
Discover Manchester’s vibrant queer scene — from inclusive cafés and trans-affirming barbers to grassroots events, creative collectives, and LGBTQIA+ social groups.
Art & Creatives
Queer photographers, tattooists, illustrators, and designers making magic in Manchester.
Books & Culture
Independent bookshops, exhibitions, literature fests, drag shows, and more.
Events
Club nights, open mics, queer cabaret, workshops, and festivals.
Food, Drink & Cafés
Queer-run coffee shops, bars, and date spots that feel like home.
Hairdressers | Tattoos
Barbers, salons, tattoo shops and self-care spots that get it.
Mind & Body
Community hubs, wellness studios, sober meetups, and affirming spaces run by and for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Outdoors & Socials
Hiking groups, queer sports, creative meetups, and events that build real connection.
Retail
Independent shops, vintage gems, makers’ markets, and queer-owned brands.
Get Involved with McQ – Uplift Queer Manchester
McQ is powered by the community — and that means you. Whether you’re a business owner, artist, writer, activist, or just full of love for this city, there’s a space for you here.
Run a queer-owned business, collective or safe space?
Reach thousands looking for LGBTQIA+ spaces in Manchester. Cafés, therapists, studios, pop-ups, and more — all welcome.
Running a queer event in Manchester?
Whether it’s a zine fair, drag night, book launch, or community meetup — help more queers find and support your event through McQ.
Have a story to tell about queer life in Manchester?
Share your experience, spotlight your work, or celebrate queer joy, art, activism and identity.
MCQ Blog…
Celebrating Queer Manchester, One Story at a Time
Here you’ll find posts about the people, places, and projects that make Manchester’s queer community so powerful, creative, and diverse. From spotlights on queer-owned businesses and inclusive events, to guides on safe spaces and reflections on queer joy—we’re here to document the culture, celebrate the everyday, and uplift the voices that make this city shine.
Whether you’re looking for your next favourite hangout, a queer-led workshop, or just want to feel more connected to the community—this blog is for you.
Expect features, interviews, reviews, and community updates. And if you’ve got a story or space worth sharing, we’d love to hear from you.
Sunspace Interiors
What to Expect Sunspace Interiors: Bringing Nature to the City Terrarium Workshops in ManchesterIn a city that thrives on creativity, self-expression, and…
