Manray Video Bar

While wondering around the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle on a trip me and my partner came across Manray. Instantly I became interested in going in to check it out because it had a sleek look to it both inside and out. We went ahead and went in and had a good time sipping on some alcoholic beverages and watching music videos. At this time this was my second experience at a video bar and I enjoyed immensely. I love music videos which is obvious for why Manray and I got along so well. I was very sad to hear the place close but glad that video bars are growing in popularity and even more happier to go to a newly opened one in Denver which is relatively close to where I live.

Manray has its lease until November, and then the bar must surrender to the evil empire of condo. Until that fateful day, make every moment count and patronize this place like your life depended on it! If your looks are decent and don’t offend the bartenders, expect your drinks to be as stiff as – you’ll have a good time here.
The videos playing on the screens can range from awesome to wtf. The VJs do take request, btw, fyi, so be sure to tip them afterward.

the drinks were stiff and it was straight friendly. at least that is what my newest ‘mo said to me when my sister and said hott mo decided to re-​introduce me to the world of gay clubs this past weekend.
i think i met, maybe five hot men-​but when you’re tipsy, everyone and everyplace is just a little bit more fun you know?
ALSO it helps with campy new ‘mos coquettish dance with you and tell you how beautiful they think you are. a girl can never be told enough times she is gorgeous.
so-​as far as the drinks and the drunk sarah goes, i give this place 4 out of 5 stars for fun conversations, clean bathrooms, stiff drinks, and a whole lotta digital pictures being taken (some even in the bathroom-don’t ask-​but thank god, i was not really involved)

i wore a cute school girl outfit when i went to manray and let me tell you, my outfit was like gold. they were trying to hoard me. (no pun intended). It was my first time at a gay bar, and i have to admit, i had a lot of fun. My instincts tell me that the reason for my lively night was due to the fact that I told every guy that was next to me: «This is my first time at a gay bar! Do you want to see my hot pink/​black laced bra?» that plus my hot school girl outfit and the fact that i’m pretty cute made me welcomed. seriously, if you want to feel like a little hottie go to man ray, gay guys tell it like it is, and if they say that «you are sooo cute» then «you are sooo cute» (and that reference will go to either a guy or girl)
plus they had sugar free red bull!
I’m giving it only 3 stars because it could have been a fluke that I had such a great time. But i’m crossing my fingers that that’s not the case. I guess i have to go again to answer this sphinxish question.

Oh Manray, my how we have shared many a good time. While it saddens me that you are no longer the «it» girl on Capitol Hill, I still love you. Mainly because many of your staff members have been dear friends to me for many years.
It is true that the days of wall to wall men are done, I find that I am OK with that. Increased age has found me still enjoying the Manray because it isn’t so crowed. And really, the world still needs video bars! What will we do once Manray it eaten up by the Capitol Hill construction gang? Sad Panda…
Go there while you still can, drink many a strong drink, eat some good food (who knew bar food could be good — try the hummus).
Be friendly with the staff, they are rock stars!

My friend booked this place for a private party. It was perfect. Not too big and not too small.
Great atmosphere, the lighting and music was pleasant and didn’t make me feel dizzy — no, I didn’t have any alcohol, I don’t tend to drink.
The service was excellent.

OK so it’s no secret that this used to be THE gay place on the hill. Unfortunately that’s not the case anymore BUT there are still plenty of reasons to spend a couple hours with the fun videos and boys at Manray. I have 3 words for you… Killer Azz Drinks! My favorite… Key Lime Martini on ice from the cutest bartender ever, Rich.
They’ve only got 1 year left before the block is flattened for the new commercial /​condo complex so go show ‘em some love!

I think it’s time to put a condo over this one. I’ll even help.
Update: I originally gave it 2 stars, but the snotty comment from management which I LOOOOVED and saved btw, just shows how ridiculous this place is. Eat me!

This place is a textbook example of why trendy design is a bad idea. I remembered when this place opened: the New Hot place that was packed full of the stand and model crowd. Now? It’s this sort of tired and anachronistic video bar that was totally empty at midnight on Friday night. Not a good sign.

Decent «scene» and beautiful but just not as fun as R Place (just up the street). A good pre-​dance destination to meet up with friends.
Seemingly long line for drinks (this was the first time I’ve ever seen a perfectly formed 2-​by-​2 line leading up to a non-​concert and non-​ball-​park bar)
Shocking.
Seattle, so civilized right now… Seattle.

What a dive. And not in a good way.
So I wasn’t in the best mood when I came here but the décor and patrons didn’t do anything to make my night any better.
It’s an out dated gay video bar. The idea is this trendy Capitol Hill hipster 60/​70s revival thing. Stark white walls, circles and vivid colors and televisions. However… the white walls merely show off the dirt and grim that has built up over the years. Making you feel like everything you touch is sticky and you don’t want to know why. The ambient wall changing lights do nothing to hide the fact that this place is run down. Someone needs some soap and water and a fresh coat of paint.
The videos running here are shallow mindless dribble that proves that with a good plastic surgeon and a computer program anyone can be a musician. I don’t understand why a gay bar would be showing some blond bimbo in a thong singing off-​key to a drum machine.
And yes, it’s a sausage fest. Old desperate men hitting on fresh young guys and people humping each other while you try to order a drink. Now that’s classy.
Just keep walking right by this place and leave it hidden behind that tacky fence.

Yes, this place is full of cute boys, and yes they can be clique. But the reason to go here is the décor, the ambiance, and the cute boys. Its a fairly small place, but it can pack the people in. This reminds me of the places I think my parents would have gone to back in the day. The music is pop, but since most gay (or strait) places don’t play that anymore its a good change. They have a full bar and its usually possible to find a seat as most people stand.
From reading some of the other reviews, this place is not full of old men (unless your 5yo) the boys that come here are all under 30, except for the few exceptions. You don’t have to be attractive to drink here or to flirt with the bartenders, you just have to be outgoing. Although I would agree that Manray is best to go with friends, else you could feel a bit left out.

Ambiance, Ambiance, Ambiance! The Manray has a lovely feel to it, two bars (one cash only) and no cover! YAY! I loved this little circular bar and basked in the feeling of cosmopolitan white and a stiff gin and tonic.

I love this place. It’s friggin’ gorgeous. from the lighting, to the artwork, to the overall friendliness of the patrons and workers — it’s definitly a hotspot. It kind of makes you feel as if you’ve fallen in to a mixture of deco and 80s, and of course it’s named after my favorite photographer ever. The drinks are awesome, and you’re sure to catch someone’s eye here. As for the comment from Max B. — it is a sausagefest usually, of course it’s in a gay district of town — so what do you expect? But don’t get me wrong, lots of straight people come here also!