With the flamboyant juggernaut of Pride just around the corner, there are a wealth of options available for those wishing to party outside the boundary of the main event that shutters off Canal Street and the surrounding area. You don't need a wristband to get loose, as nobody sang, ever. Here's what's going down:
Friday:
It wouldn't be Pride without Bollox, and the unpretentious, genre spanning club night institution is hosting a special 'Bender Blender', featuring partners in crime Dandy and the 'The Power Ballad Disco: The Most Depressing Night Of Your Life', held in the surreal, 800 capacity Bangkok Bar on the edge of the Village. (1030PM- Late, £8 adv) Meanwhile, Cha Cha Boudoir take cover at Sub 101 celebrating gay marriage and trans rights with an unashamed bout of wild partying, all in the name of charity. (1030PM - Late, £7/£4 for 'the spectacularly dressed') For those in search of house and techno from the underground, the cult sweatbox known as Hot Space makes it's last appearance at Kraak off Stevenson Square, before finding a new home for the Autumn. (11PM-4AM, £5 all night)
Saturday:
Back at Kraak on Saturday, then, when Drunk at Vogue also kiss the venue goodbye in inimitable fashion, opting for a Disco Carnival Extravaganza theme to accompany their typically joyful soundtrack. (1030PM - Late, £6 adv). Meanwhile, at The Ruby Lounge, Pop-Curious host their Poll Winners Party 2014, complete with the requisite unpredictable pop soundtrack and live drag re-enactments of classic pop moments provide some extra spectacle along the way. (11PM - Late, £6). It's LGBT meets RnB, along with hip hop, dancehall and classics from the old skool, courtesy of Urban Heat, setting up shop in Bangkok Bar for a late one. (1030PM - 330AM, £6). Outside of the city centre, it's first of two 'Not So Secret Warehouse Parties' at Salford's Sovereign Business Park, with night #1 featuring London dons Horse Meat Disco spinning alongside Paper Recordings' boss Chris Massey, Sian Bennett, the girls from Meat Free, and another appearance from the Hot Space crew. (10PM-5AM, £12 adv, M50 3UP)
Sunday:
Licking up the last energy of the weekend, of which we're sure there will be plenty, another Not So Secret Warehouse Party features Australian edits king Late Nite Tuff Guy, alongside local heads such as Irfan Rainy, Stuart Richards, Cut Motion Cassette and Danny Phillips. (10PM - 5AM, £10/12/15, M50 3UP) Back in the city centre, and Homoelectric once again cosily occupies all three floors of Fac251 for it's annual Pride throwdown, this year headlined by cult house and disco selector and gay DJ icon, Prosumer, playing alongside Will Tramp, Mark Seven, Trash-O-Rama, Jamie Bull and many more. (10PM - 4AM, £13adv) And if it's all gotten a little 4/4 for you, there's a Bar Minogue Pride Special at Kraak, featuring non-stop Kylie and Danni, including the chance to win a genuine signed autograph care of Kylie herself! With Danni herself in town to headline the main Pride event, maybe she'll stick her head in too?!* (11PM - Late, £5)
If you catch a few minutes away from the dancefloor, cosy Oldham Street boozer Gullivers rounds off the weekend with the Queerchester Pride Film Party, running 7PM - 10PM, and featuring an expertly curated collection of short stories, documentaries and music videos from the local LGBT community.
*Time Out Manchester accept no responsibility for when this definitely doesn't happen.
For further comprehensive listings and news on Manchester's Alternative Pride and beyond, visit Queer Alt. Manchester.
See our guide to Pride.