At the premiere event for the new television series, Tip Toe, hosted by Channel 4 and Quay Street Productions, the cast and attendees took a moment to reflect on their time spent in Manchester’s Gay Village. Amidst the promotional activities, guests enthusiastically traded detailed memories of the local nightlife, highlighting the specific venues and experiences that have shaped their personal and professional lives in the city.
The new original drama, Tip Toe, from the multi-award-winning Russell T Davies (It’s A Sin, Queer as Folk, Doctor Who) uses Manchester as its backdrop, featuring parts of the Gay Village. The five-part series follows Leo (Alan Cumming) and Clive (David Morrissey), who live next door to each other in Manchester.
Classic bars and culinary memories
For several guests, the city’s historic and long-standing venues hold the strongest appeal. Velvet emerged as a frequent favourite on the carpet, with Denise Welch noting she spent all her “party days” at the establishment. She also fondly recalled frequenting a former local lesbian bar known as Pop, where she spent many happy hours during her time in the neighbourhood. Another cast member, Charlie Condou, describing his own nightlife tastes as “old school,” echoed the deep appreciation for Velvet while adding the bustling Via to his favourite list of spots.
The memories shared by the cast of Tip Toe extended beyond drinks and late-night dancing to include the Village’s specific culinary offerings. Iz Hesketh specifically praised the former Taurus Bar for its memorable menu. She singled out the venue’s fish and chip sandwich as a personal favourite from the days before she transitioned to a strictly vegan and gluten-free diet. Today, she noted, The Brewers stands as her ultimate top destination when visiting the Gay Village.
“I would never have gone into everything I have been able to do if it weren’t for that village.”
Beyond its enduring status as a nightlife destination, Manchester’s Gay Village frequently serves as a direct creative backdrop for the television industry. Shakeel Kimotho highlighted the unique atmosphere of The Church, pointing out its “good vibration” and noting that the venue served as the lively filming site for their recent “Spit & Polish” scenes in the Tip Toe series.
Rather than choosing a single favourite spot, some attendees fully embrace the dense, highly walkable nature of the neighbourhood. Some premiere attendees admitted to a much more exhaustive approach to their nights out. Pete Caulfield noted he is “very inclusive” with his itinerary, preferring to visit every single venue in the Gay Village over the course of the same night.
These conversations consistently pointed to the area’s broader significance well beyond simple weekend entertainment. Wrapping up the reflections, Danny Beard emphasised the neighbourhood’s foundational role in their career and personal development, stating directly that they would never have been able to achieve everything they have done if it were not for the community found within Manchester’s Gay Village.