Vanilla image

Vanilla

Bar Gay bar

Stylish, vibrant lesbian bar with contemporary photographic art, plus DJs, club nights and events. People often mention staff, door, music, night, woman, good,


Address

39-41 Richmond St, Manchester M1 3WB, United Kingdom

Contact

+44 7469 994711

Rating on Google Maps

2.80 (54 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: Closed
  • Friday: 8 pm to 5 am
  • Saturday: 8 pm to 5 am
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: staff (13) door (7) music (7) night (6) woman (6) good (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Hope 1 year ago on Google
    The bouncers on the door that look like their named Stacey and Mandy are rude and wouldn't let me in because apparently I had "drank too much" after I had 2 drinks. They were just mad because I said they look like Stacey and Mandy. I think I hurt their feelings and they wanted to demonstrate their big balls and power LOL
    16 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Andrei-Ionut C. 2 years ago on Google
    If I could rate 0 stars I would. Been there with my girl friend which was picked up from the crowd for no reason. The blonde security lady with dreads made up a scene on the spot just to display her "power". I was right behind them and I saw how it went on. She dragged my friend out aggresively and forbid that she came back in. Will never visit again. If you want to go there be prepared to be humiliated. Very unprofessional after we left too, the blonde lady coupled up with the outter security lady and waved sarcasticly at us.
    11 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 RebelzGamer Y. 1 year ago on Google
    The white cis gendered female door security racially profiled a POC trans women refusing entry due to being with a fellow POC man. While having allowed 2 white men to exit moments earlier AND having allowed several men in during the night. This level of racism is vile
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Alex S. 1 year ago on Google
    Myself and another trans woman were denied entry because there were enough "men" in this lesbian bar. So many cis men in trackies and never felt so misgendered in my life 0/10. Avoid.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Donna W. 2 years ago on Google
    Liars. Three non drinkers tried my diet coke and vodka but none of them tasted the vodka. Bar staff adamant drink contained vodka. If it did (which I doubt) then it was heavily wasted down. Will not be back.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Simon H. 9 years ago on Google
    good music and DJs. usually nice bar staff. not nice door staff like a lot of the village and also they don't accept cards...and charge in all the time even when it's dead. the ceiling is often leaking, the toilets don't lock, it smells a bit, not v clean and overall v small. generally an alright atmosphere though. if you were very drunk, carry cash, and like good music you'll have fun. i won't be going back while it's cash only though - pain in the bum.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Victoria B. 3 years ago on Google
    What can I say it’s got everything here!!! Booze, Bants & BIRDS! In my absolute element everytime love it, let’s get lairy ladies! xxx
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Dan B. 1 year ago on Google
    Girls, I've been in festival toilets more hygienic, and met sociopaths more welcoming. Avoid - truly shocking
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dean M. 1 year ago on Google
    Stand-out lesbian bar in the heart of Village. LGBT-friendly, has the best staff, great drinks variety, music is unbelievably good!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Joshua H. 1 year ago on Google
    It's like being at a sea food market stinks of tuna and everyone there fails to understand that trans woman are woman end of story turf
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David H. 1 year ago on Google
    All the staff and doorman are great and superb and awesome and I was there had a great night will visit again that’s why I gave it a five star should be a diamond star instead Superb and excellent atmosphere
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Carlos S. 2 years ago on Google
    Friendly security and bar staff. Always have great music.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Peter M. 1 year ago on Google
    Probably the best bar in canal street! Great music and drink selection, speedy service. Staff are extremely friendly and jade's always willing to share her chips n curry
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Emy P. 1 year ago on Google
    Completely run down venue. Was empty at 10pm on a Saturday night. Awful drinks, small plastic glasses and beer on tap tasted terrible. Do not recommend
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Sady M. 1 year ago on Google
    every other bar and club accepted my friends international ID - but vanilla would not let in either of my international friends, very rude about it too.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Nicola L. 2 years ago on Google
    Not happy with bar staff not willing to serve wanted to buy top shelf but the way the staff behaved was not going to my money in there, all so concerning I work for ITV and will not be recommended to any of my gay staff.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 olly w. 2 years ago on Google
    Extremely rude staff! Avoid at all costs , drinks barely contain alcohol.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Sami S. 1 year ago on Google
    Racist bouncers and trashy venue. Bouncers taking the name 'vanilla' a little too seriously and only letting white people in.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Jason L. 2 years ago on Google
    HORRIBLE PLACE
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Robin K. 9 months ago on Google
    Reach out if you really care to know about the experience at your door. But along similar comments in this thread already.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Josie D. 6 months ago on Google
    If I could leave a 0 review I would. The woman in the toilets is an absolute disgrace, she is a black woman who is middled aged. She does not deserve to be working in the gay quarter as she is now inclusive or welcoming. Do not enter this club
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Charlie L. 6 months ago on Google
    Az was amazing! Can never fault this place always a good time ! Made my night a great time

  • 1/5 Charlotte C. 6 months ago on Google
    It really isnt that deep that ‘bouncers’ in there need to assault someone just for stepping foot into the bathroom and not realising i had to stand and wait outside the toilets until they allowed me to enter. It also isnt that deep you need a ‘bouncer’ on the toilet door. Girlie this place is trash

  • 4/5 Emma 7 months ago on Google
    We went during Pride. My girlfriend and I were walking around the village looking for somewhere to hang out and decided to stay here because they were playing Black music unlike the other venues who focused more on dance and pop. It was free entry. Then realised we picked a lesbian bar although gay guys were present throughout the night. Music was a little bit poppy mainstream and dated but it did improve. It's fairly small with a downstairs bar and DJ booth and dance floor. There are loos (4 cubicles) and a small seating area upstairs. Bar staff were all women. They were down to earth and amiable and polite. Sometimes not the fastest at serving though. 3 women on the door. Two were really friendly one other just more focused. No trouble during the entire time 5 hours. Two little skirmishs. One between a gay guy and another woman which was over in 3 minutes. One other really minor incident between two women because one was drunk and walking into everyone I think she let herself out and wasn't to be seen again. 🤣 What did pick up on was that the clientele were extremely friendly. Maybe because it was Pride but I left that place feeling a sense of real satisfaction. Such a good night.

  • 5/5 Harvey M. 9 months ago on Google
    Best place best music. Big shout out to Az ♥️ always a good time here x

  • 4/5 Susan H. 2 years ago on Google
    Thnx for the Interesting food*_*

  • 1/5 Kaylia 2 years ago on Google
    Incredibly rude staff, particularly door staff/security. Clearly racist establishment, manhandling anyone they like without an explanation. PLEASE AVOID especially if you are black.


Call +44 7469 994711 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Dancing
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Service options
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✗ Takeaway

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