Two weeks ago, The Eagle Bar in Manchester was voted Boyz readers favourite venue outside of London in the Boyz Awards 2019. This much loved venue mixes men only events with some the biggest cabaret names in the UK. The venue is owned and run by Nick and Andrew and Dave Cross had a catch up with Nick to find out more.
Congratulations on winning the best venue outside London at the Boyz Awards, what does it mean to you?
To think that our customers along with guys from London like our venue enough to take time out of their day to vote, means the absolute world to us.
Can you tell us your history with the venue?
Andrew and I developed the once derelict basement back in 2009. It was a real struggle at first, from building and opening the bar on a shoestring to juggling our other jobs. We were so lucky to have a great group of friends and family helping us with the build.
For those who haven’t been, can you physically describe the venue?
Eagle has two main rooms. The Black Eagle at the back of the venue is the more traditional cruisier part, whilst the front bar has a dance floor and stage. We used lots of brick, copper, steel and leather in the construction. This is a nod to Manchester’s industrial past, and a more updated take on a modern men’s space.
You have some very different events, falling into to either adult themed or cabaret, how do you see the venue and how did that happen?
We try to keep things as current as possible and are continuously looking for new ideas, whilst embracing local fundraisers for the community and getting involved in larger LGBTQ+ events throughout the Village. We do have an eclectic mix of events and themed nights which often cross over each other. Watching 400 men kitted out in full leathers playing bingo with a drag queen can be a little surreal.
Can you talk us through the cabaret events, such as bingo and Sundays?
Sunday is the new Thursday! We didn’t actually start Sunday Service until we had already been open for four years. Since then we’ve started opening at the earlier time of 2pm on Sundays and are proud to say that we’ve hosted and continue to host some of the finest drag acts and comedians on the circuit every Sunday afternoon. You can see big names such as Mary Mac, Charlie Hides, Myra DuBois and more. Just this year we’ve expanded Sundays to include two extra hours of bingo and cabaret from our weekly hostess KY Kelly who won the Boyz Award for Best Cabaret newcomer last year.
And the more sexual events and nights?
The themed nights happen monthly or bi-monthly and are always listed well in advance on our Facebook page. We are the Manchester home of DILF and have six events with them this year, and we were chosen to host a brand new rubber themed night, Stretch, recently which will be returning next month. In addition, we’ve our own in-house events including Deviant – a fetish wear themed night and Brawn – a Saturday night party for bears with DJ Rick Parker.
What have you got coming up in the next few weeks?
We’ve a busy month coming up in April with DILF on 5 March and then annual Manchester Rubbermen Weekend the week after, when we’re so proud to host both their opening and closing parties, Stretch on 11 and Slick on 14 March. We also have Deviant and Sunday Service with Myra in-between too. We’re adding a chill-out zone to Eagle in the next few weeks. It’ll be upstairs and have its own bar and relaxed fixtures and fittings and will be with you all very shortly. Watch this space!
And, isn’t it the birthday soon?
Yes, most importantly it’s our 9th birthday party on Thursday 18 March, where we’ll be hosting a celebrity PA and giving cake and bubbly to all our regulars!
Information at eaglemanchester.com
The Eagle Bar, 15 Bloom Street, The Village, Manchester, M1 3HZ.
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