Via Manchester
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Quick info
About Via Manchester
Via Manchester is a cabaret bar, restaurant and nightclub at 28-30 Canal St in Manchester's Gay Village, combining entertainment and hospitality in one venue since 1995. Live cabaret, drag shows, live DJs and themed party nights run across multiple floors, so a show, a meal and a late night can all happen under one roof. The kitchen serves fajitas and tapas alongside food made to share, and a lunch deal pairs a chicken goujon wrap with a fizzy drink. A main bar anchors the ground level, with alcoves set aside for sitting over a drink and nooks and crannies spread through the building. The venue dresses its rooms for Halloween and Christmas.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention outdoor canal-side seating, drag show entertainment, halloween decorations and orange cruzcampo.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention outdoor canal-side seating, drag show entertainment, halloween decorations and orange cruzcampo.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often praise the buzzing atmosphere and the evening entertainment, with the drag show and the crowd's vibe singled out by visitors. Close behind is the outdoor seating by the canal, where afternoon drinks in the sun and the Halloween decorations drew praise. Others mention a good range of drinks, with orange Cruzcampo a favourite, and the building's nooks and crannies for getting away from the crowds. The main complaint is the manner of bar staff. One reviewer found the person serving unfriendly and reluctant to walk to the other end of the bar, another called a bartender rude, a third found some bartenders serious, and one noted a pushy staff member pressing extra drinks and food on nearby tables. One family said that at 6pm they were told children had to leave by 7pm, which felt unwelcoming, and another visitor noted sticky floors. One diner loved the chicken goujon wrap but was disappointed they could not swap the fizzy drink for a pot of tea with the lunch deal.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often praise the buzzing atmosphere and the evening entertainment, with the drag show and the crowd's vibe singled out by visitors. Close behind is the outdoor seating by the canal, where afternoon drinks in the sun and the Halloween decorations drew praise. Others mention a good range of drinks, with orange Cruzcampo a favourite, and the building's nooks and crannies for getting away from the crowds. The main complaint is the manner of bar staff. One reviewer found the person serving unfriendly and reluctant to walk to the other end of the bar, another called a bartender rude, a third found some bartenders serious, and one noted a pushy staff member pressing extra drinks and food on nearby tables. One family said that at 6pm they were told children had to leave by 7pm, which felt unwelcoming, and another visitor noted sticky floors. One diner loved the chicken goujon wrap but was disappointed they could not swap the fizzy drink for a pot of tea with the lunch deal.
Featured reviews
- Paul Harper
“I love this bar in the heart of the Gay Village. A great choice of drinks - orange Cruzcampo is a firm favourite, friendly and efficient staff, a reasonable food menu and no end of entertainment in the evening. The building itself is a real character with all manner of nooks and crannies if you want to get away from the crowds. Love it here.”
- James Wilkinson
“Good range of drinks, cool bar with a pleasant outside seating area. One very pushy staff member trying to pressure additional drinks and food to surrounding tables.”
- Bethan Edwards
“Have had great times here before, but tonight a man got shoved by the bouncers into me in the queue. I got flung on the floor, and it was very painful, and I struggled to get back up. The bouncers apologised and gave me water. They did acknowledge that they didn't realise how hard they had pushed the other customer, but I think they should be careful with how they deal with people and make sure other people are not injured by their actions. It is a few days later and I am still in pain due to the injury.”
- Carl & Brett Rutter
“We’ve been visiting for years, but unfortunately we won’t be returning. We visited today with my little girl, my partner and my mum. At 6pm we were told that children had to leave by 7pm. It felt strange to be given an hour’s notice, and it left us feeling as though families with children weren’t particularly welcome. The overall atmosphere felt unwelcoming rather than inclusive, which was disappointing given our previous experiences. It would be much better if this policy was made clear in advance, so families know what to expect before visiting.”
- Kresha Monzon
“We loved the vibe of the crowd! The drag show was also great. Just noticed that some of the bartenders are so serious. I'm used to friendly/chatty ones in the US. But nevertheless, we had fun. Will surely comeback when we're in Manchester.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“Via Manchester is an iconic cabaret bar, restaurant and nightclub on Canal Street in the heart of the Gay Village, offering entertainment and hospitality since 1995. Home to some of the best live cabaret in Manchester, live DJs, and themed party nights across multiple floors. The venue features a stylish main bar, intimate alcoves for relaxed drinks, accessible toilets, and freshly served burgers, fajitas, tapas and food made to share. Our outdoor space provides the perfect spot for private hire, birthdays, hen and stag parties in Manchester, or even just a casual evening catch-up with friends. There's something for everyone. We go beyond live entertainment in Manchester, known for our inclusive crowd atmosphere; no one misses out at Via.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible toilet · Wheelchair-accessible car park
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Location
Night clubs near Via Manchester
- The Brewers Manchester4.02990.1 mi
denied entry at door, drag show performance, free entry on saturdays
- FAC251 - Factory Manchester4.21,9270.2 mi
three floors with different music, disgusting toilets, pop and rock floor
- The Flour and Flagon4.48620.5 mi
pool table, quiz night, music bingo
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Via Manchester | 4.2982 | — | outdoor canal-side seating, drag show entertainment, halloween decorations |
| The Brewers Manchester | 4.0299 | 0.1 mi | denied entry at door, drag show performance, free entry on saturdays |
| FAC251 - Factory Manchester | 4.21,927 | 0.2 mi | three floors with different music, disgusting toilets, pop and rock floor |
| The Flour and Flagon | 4.4862 | 0.5 mi | pool table, quiz night, music bingo |
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