EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

Manchester has one of Britain's most vibrant gay scenes, centred on the Rochdale Canal between Princess and Sackville streets, in the so-called Gay Village . Although the annual Mardi Gras carnival bit the dust a while back, it's been replaced by a smaller scale Gayfest , held every August bank holiday in and around the village. Other events, including an annual arts festival every May/June, are co-ordinated by queerupnorth (information on 0161/833 2288, ).

Out on the town, early evenings kick off at one of the café-bars along Canal Street - Manto, Metz, Bar 38, Spirit , or Velvet - at the extravagant Via Fossa pub or at the more macho New Union , 111 Princess St, just off Canal Street. An older crowd drinks in the Rembrandt Hotel; Vanilla on Richmond Street is a women's café-bar with club nights. Clubs include Essential , 8 Minshull St (tel 0161/237 5445); Cruz , 101 Princess St (tel 0161/237 1554); the Hollywood Showbar , 100 Bloom Street (tel 0161/236 6151); and Follies , 6 Whitworth St (tel 0161/236 8149), a lesbian favourite. And the Paradise Factory , 112-116 Princess St (tel 0161/273 5422) can always be counted on, too.

For further information , call the Lesbian and Gay Foundation (daily 4-10pm; tel 0161/235 8000, ).