New Union Hotel

Clean, hotel has had a makeover since when I used to stay, adequate for a nice stay, great location for going out around the area, lovely staff, attentive, grabbed a nice hot shower whilst there — would stay again when I can get a bargain price :)

Not a fan of this place. We had to pay £1 entry and the beer was overpriced, flat, and served in plastic «glasses». Why anybody goes here is beyond me — if you want to slum it go to GAY next door where the flat beer there is over £1 a pint cheaper. plus you get frisked by the doorman and don’t get charged entry

Too
loud, no ale. just a local keg bitter. Really didn’t enjoy the place.

the queen vic of gay pubs!!! fab

It sounds very much like a tough-​as-​nails local bar, but the fact that it’s situated on Canal Street may clue you in as to its real nature. It is, of course, a wonderfully over-​the-​top gay and lesbian bar offering all the cheesy music and atmosphere you’d expect from the street.
If you do go you will hear the same tracks repeating ad infinitum, but if you do go you probably love said tracks so it becomes a moot point. Like many places on Canal Street they don’t really care if you’re gay or straight, everyone’s just partying the night away in all the glitzy ways they can.

New Union is a great night out, simple as that. Prices are cheap, the crowd is cheerful (mainly) and the cabaret show on a Sunday night is legendary.
It’s gloriously unpretentious and attracts a very different crowd to many of the ‘trendier’ Canal Street bars. The staff are friendly, the DJs are hilariously bitchy and the music is loud, cheesy and predictable. But that’s why I love it.

Yes indeed, New Union. From the outside it looks like a Royal British Legion or a small town Conservative club full of old codgers lamenting multi-​culturalism and the fact that the price of their Fosters has risen because of immigration.
But once you step through the doors, you realize its actually pretty much the opposite, a huge gay, lesbian and queer haven full of fun! Fun music, even if they do play the same 5 songs on repeat, great drinks, and great people.
They even have the occasional hilarious performance, such as regulars dancing and miming to classic songs or even karaōke. These take place on a kind of stage area at the back of the bar. These performances are nothing short of hilarious. Having said that, some performers display some alarming talent (go and see for yourself!). Its also open very late.
Drinks are about £3, but once you realize its more of a club than a pub, that doesn’t seem so bad, though there are cheaper drinks on canal street. Its got a huge space for dancing, which doesn’t seem to fit in the building if you look from the outside.
The best thing about the place is that its completely unassuming, everyone is welcome, gay or straight, and you’re guaranteed a laugh, at the very least.

The New Union seems to the type of place people either love or hate. I’ve only been a couple of times but I’ve liked it as a place to start a night out. The atmosphere of the place is friendly and there’s often some entertainment on in the form of a drag queen. Much less pretentious than some of the other bars on Cabal Street.

an institution
been going since madchesterdays when it was really up and popular
seems to have lost its mojo over the years as times change and the punters demand more upmarket canal street bars. then again maybe its us thats changed and left an old freind behind who served us so well in the past. indeed there are always some ropey characters that flit around bus station and paddys goose on the blaglong live the union x

Ah yes, found it. The New Union. The first-​ranked trashiest gay magnet on Canal Street, but I friggin’ loved it. Think heading inland from Barstow with a toothless gal you picked up from the mall, all the way to where the hags, scallies, and husbears of the North gather.
I would say the largest portion of the clientele would be blue collar gays and hags that head in from distant miserable towns via train to stay at that one hook-​up motel, to wear their trackies and gold for one loud night of Kylie.
My friend got me into malt liquor here. And one can never understand the DJ because he turns his microphone so high that the buzz takes over. All I know is that I must’ve heard «Can’t Get You Out of My Head» at least 100 times an hour, and seen many a gold chain ripped from a neck, and many a passionate throat-​tonguing before heading back to the train.
Ahh, paychecks gone, good times.

I love the New U, its one of the least pretentious gay bars in the village.
I remember the nights dancing away on the sticky dance floor with an excellent transvestite drag queen on stage.
If you are visiting the village then do drop in as its well worth the visit

One of the most down to earth places on Canal Street. Drinks are a bit pricy compared to elsewhere, but you couldn’t bottle the atmosphere. Resident drag queens always make me chuckle.

I‘ve spent many a great night in here, brilliant place. Definately not upmarket so don‘t dress up too much ! Great mix of all kinds of people, as said by lisagold some wronguns go in here so watch your drink, and your wallet!

I’ve been going to the Union ever since my first visit to Manchester when I was 16, back in 1989. I think it’s had its best days but is still a great place to visit on a weekday.
Back in the late 90s when Roxy Hart was in charge with Terry Knight a regular artist and also regular visits from the likes of David Dale and Lizzie Drip, there wasn’t a better place to be but those days have gone and people have moved on.
I don’t go very often these days preferring other places along Canal Street but when I do it’s like visiting an old friend and I always have a good time.

The New Union in the Gay Village is a pub/​night-​club on the edge of Canal Street and is recommended if you want a stereotypical taste of ‘gay life’. It plays the most cheesy music you have heard and the dance floor is big and always packed. The drinks are cheap and atmosphere is friendly however you can get some dodgy people in there so keep an eye on your drink. If you want to get drunk and are up for a laugh then the New Union is great but you will have to leave your dignity behind!

manchesters oldest gay bar on the edge of the famous gay village. sunday night entertainment includes fabulous drag acts & cabaret & thursday night has karaōke fun.