Best University Cities For LGBTQ+ Nightlife & How To Celebrate Pride Month 2023

This Pride month, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top UK university cities for LGBTQ+ nightlife to help you celebrate in the best way possible!

Whether you’re new to your uni city or you’re approaching the end of your studies, you may be looking for some popular LGBTQ+ clubs and bars to mark Pride month and make the most of any events and parades local to you. 

London

The capital city is renowned for being one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the world and has countless bars and clubs for you to choose from. Whether you like to keep things casual with a quiet pint at The Yard or want to immerse yourself in the glorious drag scene, you’ll find a bar or club to suit you in London. 

All time favourites amongst the LGBTQ+ community include the likes of G-A-Y, Ku and Heaven, with newer popular additions to the scene including Zodiac and Retro Bar.  

London’s Pride parade will take place on 1st July this year, starting at noon at Hyde Park Corner. But if you’re looking for LGBTQ+ events in London throughout June, there are a number to choose from, including:

• 17th June: Bitchin’ Brunch at Savage Garden from 12pm-3pm

• 24th June: Pride Drag Brunch at Hilton London Bankside from 12pm-4pm

• 27th June: Pride Picnic at London Met from 2pm-4pm

• 30th June: Pride film screening at London Art Bar, Holborn at 8pm

Manchester 

Manchester undoubtedly rivals London when it comes to LGBTQ+ nightlife, with its Gay Village comprising of a number of incredible cafes, bars and restaurants. 

Located around Canal Street, you’ll find everything from the iconic G-A-Y bar to the relaxing B Lounge and can indulge in all sorts of fun, from karaoke nights to cabaret. 

Manchester’s Pride parade falls on 27th August this year, but you can kickstart your celebrations early with the following events throughout June:

• 17th June: The Pink Picnic 2023 at Peel Park, Salford from 1pm-8pm

• 22nd June: Queer Family Tea at Milk & Honey cafe from 5pm-9pm

• 22nd June: LGBTQ Salsa Class at Studio25 from 8.30pm-9.30pm

• 22nd June: Pride Poetry Perform at The Whitworth from 2pm-5pm

Brighton 

The beautiful seaside city of Brighton is another firm favourite for its LGBTQ+ nightlife and it’s no surprise given it has long been hailed the country’s unofficial gay capital, with one in 10 people aged over 16 in the city identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or ‘other sexual orientation’ in the 2021 census.

Some of the city’s most beloved LGBTQ+ bars and clubs include Club Revenge, Arcobaleno, Proud Cabaret and Affinity Bar. 

Brighton Pride parade is always one of the biggest in the country, and this year it will take place on Saturday 5th August. 

But before that, you can enjoy the following events in June to celebrate Pride month: 

• 17th June: Drag Bus - The Brunch Tour, 11pm-1pm

• 24th June: Sapphics Singles Night at R-Bar from 7pm-11pm

• 24th June: A Slice of Pride at Cafe Domenica, from 10am-12pm

Birmingham

Birmingham is another British city with a large and lively LGBTQ+ community, boasting a wide range of bars and clubs which guarantee a fun night out.

The city’s oldest gay venue, Nightingale, is at the heart of the LGBTQ+ clubbing scene and has long been a favourite for locals and visitors alike. 

Birmingham’s Pride parade took place on 27th May this year, however there are still plenty of events for you to look forward to this month, including: 

• 19th June: Queer As A Joke Stand Up Comedy Night at The Loft, from 7pm-10pm

• 20th June: Supernova Screening at the LGBT Centre from 6.30pm-8.30pm

• 29th June: Let’s Get Quizzical for Pride at Bond Street Distillery & Social from 7.30pm-10.30pm

Bristol 

Last but not least, Bristol is known for its progressive and open-minded nature, embracing its LGBTQ+ community and boasting a number of LGBTQ+-friendly bars, clubs and venues. 

From high energy disco nights to cosy and intimate spots perfect for dating, Bristol’s LGBTQ+ nightlife is consistently rated as one of the best in the UK. 

From Bristol Bear Bar and The Queenshilling to The Old Market Assembly and OMG Bar, there’s something for everyone and all are welcome! 

Bristol’s Pride parade takes place on 8th July and will see the Scissor Sisters’ frontman Jake Shears headline the event. 

Until then, you can enjoy the following events for Pride month:

• 20th June: QueerTech Bristol Summer Picnic at Castle Park from 6pm-11.30pm

• 24th June-10th July: Queer Vision Film Festival at Watershed 

• 26th June: Queering The City Open Mic & Social at Old Market Assembly from 7.30pm-9.30pm

• 30th June: Our People: A Celebration of Black and LGBTQ Voices Through Song and Vogue at St George’s from 7.30pm-11.30pm

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