Top Gay-friendly hotels for a UK city break

Our favourite spots for romantic getaways and fun friends’ weekends 

What do Brighton, Blackpool, London and Manchester have in common? They’re all amazing nights out, with fantastic gay scenes and unrivalled Pride festivals. These destinations are the place to be during their Pride week or weekend, with colourful parades, great events and tons of live music. 

But they also make for a fab getaway any weekend of the year, with daytime sightseeing, great foodie spots and thriving nightlife. Whether you’re looking for a romantic break, a solo expedition, or a friends’ trip, we’ve got some of the hottest gay friendly hotels in the UK you simply have to try.

Brighton is the LGBT capital of the UK – a status its residents are fiercely proud of. Brighton Pride, held in August, is a destination in its own right. It’s the UK’s largest Pride festival, welcoming hundreds of thousands to the city for a long and sparkly weekend of partying. The vibrant parade wends its way through the city, finishing with a party in Kemptown and featuring live music, drag artists, cabaret and a dog show.

Blackpool is known as the gay capital of the north. It’s a welcoming and inclusive town packed with LGBT-friendly hotels, bars and celebratory events. Blackpool Pride Festival usually takes place in June, involving a parade with flamboyantly decorated floats, live music, and stalls run by local businesses. Blackpool is a fun place any night of the year though, with the main gay nightlife centring around Dickson Road and Queen Street. The Flying Handbag is an ever-popular spot with cabaret, a roof terrace and a dancefloor. Funny Girls hosts a brilliant and outrageous burlesque cabaret, while other well-loved venues include Peak-A-Booze, Tipsy Cow and multi-level nightclub Flamingo.

In the vibrant city of Manchester, everyone’s family, so it’s no surprise that it’s packed with fabulous gay-friendly hotels and diverse events all year round. You should definitely explore Canal Street, Manchester’s buzzing gay quarter, which is as lively and friendly during the day as it is raucous and party-mad at night. The street is packed with bars, pubs and takeaways, and party-goers enjoy the fairy-light-covered outdoor spaces along the canal until the wee hours. Manchester Pride, in August, is the highlight of the calendar, with a huge parade and an electric atmosphere. There are also several smaller events, including Queer Media Festival (November) and the rather outrageous, frolic-filled Great British Bear Bash (usually April/May).

Diversity is woven into the very fabric of London, and some of the top spots for a night (or day) out include Soho – the capital’s historical gay centre – Camden, Islington for a mixed and friendly crowd and a relaxed night, and Vauxhall Gay Village for wild, all-hours partying. Of course, even outside these areas, you’re likely to find dozens of LGBT-friendly hotels and bars.