Thompsons Arms in Manchester

Been coming to Manchester for years, I've never been here walked passed thought I would give it a go quiet Friday afternoon, the fella behide the bar was friendly, very clean and welcoming and fantastic drinks promotions 100% recommend, I will back this evening 10/10

I was in this pub for the first time during the leather weekend in Manchester. They hosted the cigar social there. When I read the reviews before coming I was expecting the worst. But I'm glad it turned out to be the opposite. It's located in the heart of the gay village and has a nice outdoor seating for smoking. I had a great time there with my leather friends. The staff were nice and friendly and the prices were good for the drinks.. hopefully I'll be there again on my next visit to Manchester

Quiet Little Bar To Start Of The Night.

Where do I start? I attended the venue on Friday the 23rd of August with my friend only to be told by the manager Phil (the big guy who looks like Gru from Minions) that he has a "lifetime ban" and if we didn't leave he would contact security and have my friend removed from the event as a whole. What's the point in advocating for the rights of homosexuals only to mistreat some? Make it make sense. I've been attending this bar for several years on and off and I've stood and watched as this extremely bitter and power hungry individual has slowly driven it into the depths of no return. The people I speak to refuse point blank to go here anymore because of this particular person. He even let a bouncer go because he liked me >.< like, how pathetic. Manchester City Council need to oust him so the place can be revitalised. My advice would be to completely avoid the place all together.

If I could rate lower I would. As a female I have never felt so discriminated in my life. Whilst I was taking photos with my friend he rudely and aggressively approached myself and my friends and said “you’re not at home now love get off that sofa posing like you’re something”. Another a manager who had previously served us was very friendly and humble who seemed quite unsettled by his poor behaviour. Witnesses were present to this incident. We have proceeded to visit another bar and enjoy the night as it is my friends birthday where we will most certainly receive better treatment. Very poor management and interpersonal skills. I will not be returning to this bar. Avoid at all costs!!!

What a great night out! The music (DJ) was on point, busy with friendly customers and the bar staff had a joke with us too! We even had a "Goodnight, thanks for popping by" from the nice door staff. This is now one of my top 4 venues when visiting the gay-village. If you have been before, it's worth a visit.

Excellent customer service and positive atmosphere

They are very loud, playing music until 2 am, is it even legal?

Gave us the wrong drinks and refused to acknowledge they were wrong

Matt the security guard was really really nice, gave us advice on the area as we were not local, was a bit quiet inside but bar staff were nice and reasonable price.

its 2023 they discriminate people, redheads are not welcome !!

Always have a great time, good service and great atmosphere

Was in on a Saturday night. Psychotic owner of the bar who was drunk physically assaulted a female friend. Bouncers say “this happens all the time” when confronted about it. Nice evening out if you like intolerable cretins.

Awful experience was in the club 30 minutes previous. Then all of a sudden i need ID. apparently they have no knowledge of the law. Bad environment and bad for paying customers

Been a regular for a long long time. The music is amazing, the DJ plays everything going and is always open to requests, can’t fault him at all as everything is accommodated for. The bar staff are friendly and helpful and not matter how busy it gets they are always polite. The door staff are friendly and do their job amazingly and make sure everyone is safe in the venue. If you want a good night out with cheap drinks and lots of fun and dancing then this is the place to go

Iconic bangers, cheap drinks, iconic times.

Been here for many years and always enjoyed my evening. Tonight however I saw the same bouncer on numerous occasions go to the toilets and jump to look into the cubicles I appreciate he was doing his job and probably trying to catch customers taking drugs but surely this violates peoples privacy? I think there must be better ways to deal with drug usage in bars than to spy on them in the bathroom… It honestly makes me see the problem of bouncers in the village and the entitlement that goes with it

This has to be the best bar in Manchester your always made welcome the owners and great and bar staff are always happy and drinks are cheap this bar needs more than 5 stars

A tragic venue that you will love. It's unapologetic, and that's why everyone enjoys it. Go in with minimal expectations and you'll have a lovely time . Oh, but don't drink the vodka.

Great bar in Manchester's Gay Village. Well worth visiting if you're from out of town or live in Manchester. It gets busy at a weekend but not until later. The music is great, the DJ really good and the drinks are a good price and cheaper than a lot of the other places

Wow dint look like that in early 80s .when tried as normal pub .yes still gay but anybody wandered in like me no bouncers when I went early 80s maybe that shows now

Was a great place and I had a really good night

Wow! What more can I say… The floor is sticky, the staff surely and the toilets are straight out of trainspotting! However, a finer spot for cheap boozing you will not find. To Thompson’s boys I shout! Last one buys the £2.79 pints xxx

Went to The Thompson’s arms with some friends recently had a great time. Staff were friendly, happy hour until 6 meaning we got doubles for £3! Owner Phil was a great laugh and even sent over a free round of shots. Will definitely return here!

When we arrived we were seated and told b a member if staff (bald man with a white shirt on an ego trip) we must remain seated unless going to the ar or toilet. General chit chat amongst a few friends and we were threatened we would be told to leave x 2. One member of the group stood up to go to the bar, a scottish glass collecter immediately started ranting that she shouldnt be stood up etc. He was utterly rude. We actually left in favour of not spending any more money there. Staff utterly rude oh and the drinks were disgusting to top it off

El barman grosero y descarado me arrojó una toalla de té a la cara cuando cortésmente pedí una servilleta para limpiar el trozo de tiro derramado de mi mano. ¡LANZÓ un paño de cocina en mi cara! ! ¡Imagínese ir a cualquier restaurante o cualquier lugar y eso sucedió! Inmediatamente le pedí a otro barman que hablara con el gerente y él se negó y dijo: "Solo quería insultar a sus colegas". Cuando finalmente llegó el gerente, se negó a hablar en un lugar tranquilo, así que cuando le expliqué qué hacía uno de sus empleados, le pedí que mirara el circuito cerrado de televisión porque no me creía. Dijo que lo haría, y que volvería en breve, pero nunca volvió. ¡Lo atrapé caminando en el bar y me ignoró! Thompsons - ¡por favor, deme un mecanismo oficial de quejas!

Why is there a yellow man with bras trying to kiss me run so I get to beer bottle to swim aaaaaahhhhhhh refreshing

Came here for our staff night out to play pool. Absolutely fab place. Happy hour in full swing! Clean and decent bar Staff! Dead friendly. Always sit at bar and have a chat!

The nonsense about discrimination is just that. There is no discrimination against LGBT in this venue. It is super tolerant and also so good. The DJ is fabulous and the drinks so reasonably priced. The boss Phil is so welcoming and all the regulars I drink here with love the place. That’s why it’s been going 18 years. Such an amazing venue and full of LGBT community including many other venue owners. 5*

A cracking night out. Always a friendly atmosphere, great drinks prices. Keep the place free from drunks and have fantastic music.

Es inaceptable rechazar a dos hombres homosexuales sin ningún motivo en este día. Hemos luchado tanto tiempo por un lugar seguro para reunirnos y ser rechazado sin ninguna razón. No solo habíamos salido. No es de extrañar que se cierren bares en todo Manchester. Vergüenza para el personal de su puerta por su mala actitud.

run of mill Tuesday night, nothing special going on, place a bit dated but acceptable. I already know not to use the toilets but its ok, seen better days and its great at weekend.

Came for drinks on my trip to my old haunt in the gay village in Manchester. Staff lovely cheap drinks. However it’s dirty . Toilets disgusting human feces filled up In all loos, urine on the floor. Tables in the pub not clean. NOT acceptable

Sucio, dingey y muy sombreado. Personal grosero pero el gerente fue el más grosero de todos. Luego hice una queja formal que, por supuesto, nunca fue respondida.Hay muchos lugares excelentes para comer, beber y divertirse en esta área. ¡Por favor, evita este lugar!

The people complaining about the sticky floors honestly, get yourself in the bin. This is an ICONIC venue. Never change - don’t even renovate those ghastly toilets, they’re fab! 🏳️‍🌈

Visited this absolute dive on a Thursday night - doormen only ID’d straight people and acted as though they were somehow above us?Sorry but you’re the one stood out in the cold at night to earn minimum wage.The floor was sticky, the music was dire, the bar was literally EMPTY. Really this should have spoken volumes but we decided to try and have fun.My friend had a few too many & stood on a table to dance - not the first and not the last person to stand on a table on a night out.I would understand the staff being upset if this place was classy but honestly it is a dump who serve drinks in dirty plastic cups.Well the reaction from the owner Phillip Brian Roger Hughes was disgusting. Screaming vile insults in my friends face, dragged her down, screaming and shouting and just being an absolute embarrassment.He then waddled off outside to get the same “bouncer” to kick her out on her own. Why act the big I am to a young girl but then get someone else to throw her out? Short man syndrome springs to mind.Perhaps just asking her not to and then seeing if she did it again would be a normal human beings first port of call?Anyone visiting for Pride in August please AVOID this place - do NOT let their attitude taint your whole opinion of Canal Street or the Gay Village. No wonder they’re so low down on their Trip Advisor rating as it seems we aren’t the first ones to be treated in a disgusting manner by this absolute mess of a “bar”.

Pasé una buena noche en Thompson y bebí mucho jajaja. El lugar era tranquilo más que probable debido a que era y el personal del bar era genial Charlie, creo que su nombre era fantástico. El único problema que tuve fue con un tipo que estaba muy borracho cuando se le permitió la entrada, así que creo que la seguridad debería incrementarse un poco.

Visité anoche Nunca más. Personal grosero inútil. Se negó a ayudarme con un viejo que necesitaba ayuda para ir al baño y luego volver a casa. No llamarían un taxi. A regañadientes me dieron un número de taxi y le llamé. El pobre viejo se había mojado y no estaban ayudando. Más preocupado por dónde había ido el wee. Durrrrr. Obviamente sobre él y sus pantalones.

I wish someone would get some really hot water and a clean mop and wash the floors so that you don't stick to them. Horrible sensation when you walk on them. Pity because seems like a nice local friendly bar

We only called in for one drink but found the atmosphere and buzz of the place so vibrant we ended up staying till closing time happy staff and interesting customers made for a great night

Friendly staff and great drink prices!

Terrible refused entry because door staff didn't recognise us! Group of girls from Leeds! Won't visit again

terrible ..near an area wher national coach station is and lots of tramps and homeless people outside ..inside isnt much better ..its full of low lifes...

Normalmente si no encuentro nada bueno que decir sobre algo que suele decir nada. Con ese telón de fondo, tengo que decir que la Thompsons armas está en su propia clase. Algunos amigos de América eran más y querían experimentar "El Gay Village". En la contienda fue una experiencia - era como si estuviéramos en otro universo.

Great place great prices great staff.

I love this place. Really fun atmosphere. Cheap drinks and friendly staff. An excellent night out on a weekend. Its an essential place to go on a night out in the village and even better - no hen parties allowed !!!!

The music is the best in town, the drinks are ... drinkable. To be honest there is no better place to start/end/continue your night.

No estoy diciendo que he visto el mundo. No pretenda que tengo. Fui a Turquía un par de veces, y Nueva York en un viaje de la escuela, donde mi propia 17 años estaba limitada a los confines de la 'crecer campo de visión ups".

Siempre he preferido este pub como un lugar para visitar si me encuentro en la parte de Canal Street de Manchester durante el día. Tiene un ambiente tranquilo y relajado que me gusta y hace un buen lugar para encontrarse con amigos o simplemente parar a recargar como parte de un día ajetreado.

Difícil escribir un comentario aquí como no dejan entrar como "no regular", que es un poco extraño. Si quieres una barra de membresía, ¿por qué no comenzar un sistema de tarjeta de miembro. Está justo en el centro del pueblo, así que tienes que esperar para no residentes y a los visitantes para ver qué sucede.

The whole place smelt bad and just felt dirty. I'm guessing if you're drunk on the cheap booze their that wouldn't bother you though!

This place is right next to chorlton street bus station so really handy to get your national coach whilst waiting you can pop in

Ordered a double rum and coke, which was served in a small glass. Had two sips, decided it was too strong so asked for an extra splash of coke. Was told I'd "have to pay" for said splash. Advised the barman that doubles should be served in larger glasses. His flippant reply? "You should have ordered a single." Don't start with me, luvvie.

Had a terrible evening due to the rude staff and uneven flooring, had terrible trouble finding a sure footing, also smelled like a biffa truck. I'd rather go on The Smiler.

We popped in here on a Sunday night, it was quiet and chilled.Quick service at the bar, we ordered a couple of doubles and a lager. The doubles were served in smaller than average doubles glasses.One of our group felt his spirit was too strong for him so asked the bartender if he could add some more mixer and was declined. This was a bit of a shame, as the service had usually been good.We're hoping our next visit (if we go back) will be better.

Been coming here off and on for many years. Great night out

Last Saturday I was out with friends, but we got refused entry as we were not "Regulars" Been going in this bar for over 30 years. My question to the lady was "If you don't let people in, then how do they ever become a regular?" No reply! I goto Sunday service at Eagle bar a few times a month and Thompsons is where we meet. Obviously not any more. A real shame. Nice Bar and staff, but won't be going in again sadly.

Great place, firendly staff, down to earth and decent prices and good noise levels. Would recommend to others

Great music, a wonderful atmosphere with friendly bar staff providing good value for money. The cabaret is also highly recommended.

always like visiting this old school retro camp venue. cheapish drink with special offers. mixed age and mixed types of guys in here. always worth a visit or two while doing the circuit.

Lovely staff and customers a pleasure getting my willy out here.

old fashioned bar just a place for downing a pint with matesand guess what a decent pint too lol and reasonable prices too

Went to Thompson's Arms last night with my sister. I went to the toilet with my sister &amp; when we came out we were confronted by a bouncer at the bottom of the stairs. Bouncer aggressively said "no boys in the women's toilets" (beside the fact that I'm 40yrs old next year &amp; haven't been called a boy in many a year, also that he assumed he knew my gender identity without asking me, I could have been waiting outside the toilet &amp; never actually gone in for all he knew). The bouncer asked me no questions at all to establish the situation &amp; instead jumped to conclusions &amp; made assumptions &amp; accusations. More than that he physically wouldn't let us pass. It was really intimidating. Embarrassed, I quickly &amp; really quietly explained to him I was questioning my gender identity &amp; my sister had come out to support me emotionally on a night out, he reacted aggressively. I was told "you're not a girl your a boy"! I could see that he didn't like the fact that I'd talked back. I felt awkward &amp; embarrassed &amp; went quiet whilst he continued to tell me who I was &amp; who I wasn't, you could physically see his facial expression change, like he was winding himself up because I wasn't arguing back. Suddenly he grabbed my arm &amp; pushed me towards the door. I said "there's absolutely no need to grab me, just ask me to leave if you don't want me here". He didn't respond &amp; continued to drag me towards the door. The other bouncer (who to be fair to him, had no idea what was going on &amp; understandably just saw his colleague gripping my arm &amp; pushing me) approached us both, took over &amp; also took me by the arm &amp; pushed me outside! I was completely shamed, embarrassed &amp; in shock. My sister asked why they had done that &amp; told them that there was absolutely no need for that. I hadn't been aggressive or abusive. They ignored her. We left. I won't be going back to Thompson's, or the way I feel right now back down Canal Street for a while. I am totally embarrassed &amp; now ashamed of who I am.

Went in the thompson arms orderd half a lager gave the barman £20 , he gave me my change put was £10 short when i told him he went in the back came out and said to leave my name and number and they would ring me . Wasn't happybso ask to speak to manager who said the same , put said he had seen me at 5 30pm in rembrant im plying i was drunk and was mistaken as i only had 2 pints of lager and 4 classes of coke al nigh and wasn't drunk . There was only one till open that night i said it should be closed and check he said it will be done when they closed that gave the barman plenty of time to rectify his mistake i wrote my name and number down the manager said can u make it ledgeable whick it was again makeing out i was drunk he said if it was up he would ring me ,i said ring me and let me know anyway which I am still waiting for that phone call that was 2 weeks ago .comeing up to Christmas how many more customers are they going to short change so the drinks aren't cheap hahaha i will not go there again and advise you to do the same if you do check your change

Went to The Thompson's with my husband and a few friends to celebrate my birthday. Our night was cruely cut short by your barman. When he refused to serve couple of my female guests. I then said to him will you serve my husband and I? His response - "We only serve regulars" I was totally shocked and annoyed. It is the only time I have ever been refused a drink and being a gay man to be refused a drink in a gay pub was beyond the pale! I live in Manchester and there are plenty of better places to go but because a large amount of our group wanted to go into your premises I agreed.Well two things happened! 1 You lost out on a lot of custom and 2 if you treat people in this way I for one will never set foot in your door again.Yours a very disgruntled young man!

The epitome of 90s and 00s provincial low brow gay bars. Cheap, dated atmosphere, terrible music and dull crowd. You go when you get dragged in. It's not a choice I'd ever make. It's inoffensive in its utter blandness and personality free vibe.

A "no attitude" place that'll let you have an enjoyable evening so long as YOU don't bring an "attitude" with you!

Value for money drinks, pleasant staff with good music and friendly atmosphere.

Cheap and cheerful, the music is good but always the same.

Great venue just on the outskirts of the gay village close to the bus station. A great welcome and service at this venue. Good drinks menus and offers. Clean and friendly.

Cheap drinks and friendly staff, an amazing night out, especially when there's an act on, only the best perform here, and those that don't drink here

Great atmosphere, lovely people and awesome music! Love the place, come here all the time! Must go to place on every night out :-)Go day hello to the owner (Phil) he is very nice too ;-)

The Thompsons Arms is a staple of the gay scene in Manchester and never fails to deliver. The booze is cheap, the music is camp and the staff are good eye candy. You must visit the Thompsons Arms if you're doing the scene in Manchester and want a fun time.

Friendly, leave you alone with no attitude. Always have a pleasant pint or two in here with no issues at all. Don't understand why is doesn't get more an afternoon trade as it's very price competitive.

I know it has a mixed rep, but have had so many fun nights in this place. Decent prices and music ormally Can be a little tacky at times, and gets v busy and ha

Our group was refused entry on the basis 'we were not regulars', According to the door person...my bf and i have been there plenty of times and despite not being recognised, door person identified a member of the group who has NEVER been before but still refused us entry...very strange

Was in on Friday 4th March with friends 2 had camouflage trousers on got in no problem Went back Saturday to be refused as door staff said no camouflage trousers I've been out in the village for 25 years and never been refused entry to a bar door staff very rude on the Saturday and homo phobic

I think thompsons can get a lot of stick with the snobby side of the village, however it's a great place, great music and very cheap drinks. Sometimes can be overcrowded so you could wait at the bar for a while, especially pay weekend! Defo worth going too for a cheap drink and a dance!

Thompson's is an unsafe cess pit in one of the most unglamorous buildings in the city. The smell emanating from the building on a Sunday morning should be enough to put people off but coupled with rude door staff, ignorant management and fickle bar staff, it doesn't make for the most inclusive evening that can be had in The Village. It might be cheap but I prefer to spend my money in places where I don't have to worry about wiping my feet on the way out.

Tried to get into this venue on Sat 27th Feb with 3 other gay mates but a stroppy bloke on the door told us to wait outside while he went off to do something. We looked through the window thinking it might be busy but it was very quiet so don't know what his problem was. I used to go here every week, not any more!! We took our money elsewhere.

Cheap drinks, lovely friendly staff. A great place to play pool and relax. prices dont change at weekend. Gets busy though at this time! Decent unique decor and a quaint smoking area. My favourite bar in the Village! easy access to public transport also.

Cheap drinks and pop music you can't go wrong really. One of the few places in the village that won't ask you to pay anything to get in

Cheap drinks but that's to be expected when they serve lighter fluid for vodka. Music is always good and cheesy. Atmosphere is always fun and a good place to end up at.

Was charged £5.10 for a pint of kronenburg, challenged it with the bar staff was told it was correct, then went look on for the bar tariff and found that to be almost hidden.Asked what looked like a 16 year pls pot collector for the manager and was answered by "I am the manager" oh my god !!!!Tariff sign showed a maximum of £4 for a pint ! Staff on the rob come to mind

Pleasant staff, cheep drink offers .

We tried to get in the thompson arms, we held up the que 'waiting for the manager' cause apparently they were only letting 'regular' customers in. Because we were female we were not allowed in this pub.. The males in the que behind us were let straight in with no problem. Extremely sexist.. Will be reporting this place purely for being sexist.

no no no. porn on the TVs? cash only? sticky floors...dark and dingey. dive bar.

Best bar in the village - not everyone's cup of tea and was better a few years ago when they played proper banging dance tunes but great staff cheap drinks and a good atmosphere - what more can you ask for? :-)

Bring back strangeways ! Again trying to relive my youth what happened to this bar ! Bar team with attituide it was actually funny informing us that triples are very expensive they then twigged that we was out of towners when tried to pay with a 50 all the staff checked the note then called I think the manager to check it was ok to take We told them how we used to party in this venue from Saturday night till Sunday sometimes Monday morning none stop. One very witty barman stated that was then this is now . They was all very rude and asking what we did and why we are here or maybe Chelsea is inpersonal ? I still left with fond memories of the 90's and how vague it all is !

This is a good bar, cheap drinks and decent music. It is busy on a friday and saturday night, as expected! But for me the best night is Thursdays, when the resident drag queen is on, She really IS the best drag queen performer I have seen. She has been there for a long time now and is still really funny. double spirits and mixer for £2.50!The only thing I dont like about this bar is the busyness of it on a fri and sat nights, sometimes its hard to dance!

I have gone to this bar for the last 9 years ever since i used to live up in Heywood and I use it a lot of the time at Mardi Gras. Phil ( the licensee } is always great fun and unless he is really busy always has time for a chat!!

So...Imagine the scene. A couple of gays wandering the unknown street of Manchester canal street. Rain pouring from the skies. Perchance we stumbled upon the Thomspon arms.It was empty. No one came in for an hour. We were asked to leave as we did not buy enough drinks (yes they were counting). Quote "it's a bar, you have to buy drinks" as he ushered 2 of the final 4 people in the barren bar.Unsure how this place is still in business. Avoid at all costs. They had a pool table which was nice... But was not available!?!?!?!?. Needs new management and competent staff. Ruined my month.

well i really enjoyed my night at the thompsons arms, friendly staff great drinks offers and a all round great atmosphere...if you like a gay bar with lots of good looking guys and hardly any girls this venue is the one for you!, seems to have a great crowd in every night of the week but i would say saturday is there busiest night with 2 floors of music. yes all in all a great bar!.

Its like having a drink in a garage. Horrible location and the most vile toilets in the village. (apart from Vias)