Barbelow

Located in the heart of Manchester’s Canal Street, It is good, small but can be fun when you have the right company! Honestly I had a great time dancing there (might be the effect of the 4 pints I had before that: p).

Hey. It’s not just a clever name. This is a basement, people.
While I attempt to get the Electric 6 song ‘Gay Bar’ out of my head as it seems to haunt me every time I review a gay bar, let me just tell you that Barbelow is far from as ostentatious, overbearing and over-​the-​top (and I’m pretty sure those three O’s mean the same thing) as a lot of the places in the Village. This bar wears its cuteness on its sleeve and draws you in with a fantastic cocktail menu (I will say, as much as I enjoy the alcopop-​esque cocktails at Baa Bar, they aren’t for when I’m feeling discerning) and some super tunes.
The basement setting provides novelty and thanks to the careful bouncers the clientele are friendly. Barbelow’s certainly one of my favourite spots in the Village.

I love a good cocktail, and living near the gay village pretty much ensures you’re gonna get a decent cocktail, right? If you go to Baa Bar, not so much. If you go to Barbelow, yes!
This weeeee basement bar is super cute an pretty cool. Sophie’s right about the bouncers, they seem scary, but they’re just making sure the bar isn’t overrun with chavs or shrieking hen nights.
The cocktails here are solidly good. My margarita coulda done with a bit more lime, but it was still super scrummy. The wines and beers on offer are also good, though why you’d order something so dull with cocktails on offer is beyond me! Occasionally there are free shots on offer with purchase. Not one for me (I hate doing shots) but great if you do.
The ambience here is great, because it’s usually packed (because it’s so tiny!) It’s a great place to while away a couple of hours, with a cocktail and some decent music.

This tiny basement bar is a great night out even if you’re straight. Don’t let the bouncers put you off — they just keep the madheads out.
Fantastic little place for drinking cocktails, if you can get a seat that is — there are few. The good cocktail list should keep you happy enough though. The clientele is varied between regulars and those who the regulars see as ruining the place/​the Gay Village in general.
Prices are ok, music varies but later on weekends you’re guaranteed a bit of house. Bar below, on the corner of Sackville and Canal, is definitely worth a stop off if you’re bar crawling it around the village.

I remember sitting curled up on one of the cushy stylus benches waiting for a friend with another friend.
This cute little place probably seats about 20 or less comfortably. It was here that the friend we were waiting for started to get me to drink, in life.
When men would use the urinals, we would see their faces from the bar. The fish tank window was about 5 feet off the ground, and we could see them straining and blushing all arranged neatly in rows.