Top University Cities With the Best LGBTQ+ Nightlife

We’ve taken a look at some of the best scenes for LGBTQ+ community and allies moving to university.

June marks Pride month, and students across the country will be looking to celebrate the momentous occasion in style. Moving to a new city for university can be daunting and challenging, especially if you’re part of a marginalised group. Here's our top five cities across the UK offering a fun-filled night out for LGBTQ+ students and allies...

From loud and proud festivals and events across the year, to plenty of queer-friendly bars and clubs, UK cities known as ‘rainbow cities’ are jam-packed with a fantastic nightlife scene with lots of things to do and see, where everyone feels welcome.

London ❤️

Known as one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the world, London has an array of bars and nightclubs that celebrate the community. With a vibrant culture and social scene by day, and lively individual areas by night, students can experience some of the best nights out in areas including Soho, Covent Garden and Chinatown. G-A-Y Bar is one of the most popular places to be and caters to a younger crowd meaning it’s perfect for students, while Ku Bar and Club offers a slightly classier club experience.

Brighton 🧡

Renowned all over the world for its gay village and community feel, everyone can enjoy Brighton’s cultural scene and atmosphere. The Brighton Pride festival takes place in August and is recognised as one of the biggest celebrations in the world for the LGBT+ community. Revenge is Brighton’s main gay venue and is always completely packed, so you’re in for a fun night.

Manchester 💛

Frequently described as ‘the gay capital of the North’, Manchester boasts incredible daytime and nightlife scenes on Canal Street, the centre of the area’s gay scene since the 1960s. Not only does Manchester provide a great nightlife for the LGBTQ+ community, it has a host of services and community organisations to provide students and people of Manchester with further support. There really is something for everyone in Manchester, with lesbian bars such as Vanilla and Coyotes, the all-male Eagle Manchester, or the very mixed and cheap as chips G-A-Y Bar, which makes it the ideal night out for students.

Birmingham 💚

It might surprise students heading to Birmingham for university that is a great place to be for all. Home to a fantastic gay village that is constantly alive with day and nightlife, you can enjoy drag queens, questionable karaoke and join in with plenty of excitement. The Nightingale club remains as Birmingham’s biggest and best gay venue as well as Missing, which you definitely won’t miss with its giant building-sized rainbow flag that acts as the gate to the Village.

Edinburgh 💙

If you’re venturing north of the English boarder, you’ll discover that Edinburgh has the power to delight everyone with its concentration of gay bars and other LGBT-friendly businesses. Known as The Pink Triangle, it’s full of independent shops that give you an authentically Scottish experience. CC Blooms is the biggest gay hotspot in this area of Edinburgh, with a classy restaurant and club environment.