Five alt parties at Manchester Pride

One of the biggest highlights of the Mancunian summer calendar, Manchester Pride returns this month to celebrate the thriving LGBT community of the city and beyond, once again promising a parade, candlelit vigil, fringe events and, of course, a raft of parties. 

Above all else there's the notorious Pride Big Weekend, which this year features the likes of M People's Heather Small, Will Young, Katy B, Fleur East, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Tulisa, but it's important not to forget what's happening elsewhere in the city... 

Here are our top five alt parties taking place throughout the Pride weekend: 

[Unabombers]

Unabombers' Come as You Are party

Ahead of the highly anticipated opening of The Refuge by Volta, Unabombers Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford take to a hidden 250-capacity space behind the venue for a free two-day street party, joined by a right royal party brigade made up of Ruf Dug, Krysko, Aficionado, Jamie Bull, Trash-o-Rama, Meat Free, Jon Da Silva, Paulette, Now Wave, Gina Breeze, Will Tramp, JonJo Jury and Drunk at Vogue, along with Cha Cha Boudoir on hosting duties. Read our full preview here. 

Sat 27-Sun 28 Aug, The Refuge by Volta (accessible via Whitworth Street), 12pm, free

[HomoElectric, photo: Malc Stone & Lauren Jo Kelly]

HomoElectric

Time for HomoElectric’s annual Pride showdown, taking the last bank holiday of the year and filling it with off-kilter house and disco grooves. Residents will go head to head with special guests to form a bumper line-up including Krysko, Les Poppers and Shake Yer Dix, Jamie Bull, Will Tramp, Gina Breeze and Trash-o-Rama. High voltage fun absolutely guaranteed; prepare to sweat.

Sun 28 Aug, FAC251, 10pm, £13

[Drunk at Vogue, photo: Lee Baxter]

Drunk at Vogue Pride Boat Party

Manc disco maestros Drunk at Vogue return with their post-parade Pride boat party, sailing down the River Irwell on the Princess Katherine for an all-out cruise carouse. Being a popular one each year, the boat party itself has already sold out – you can keep an eye on any tickets being flogged here – but there’s also a pay-what-you-want after party at Retro bar from 6pm, which sees Good Afternoon join the Drunk at Vogue boys ‘pon the decks.

Sat 27 Aug, River Irwell/Retro Bar, 3pm/6pm, tickets sold out/after party pay-what-you-want

[The Deaf Institute]

Bollox

The three floors of the Deaf Institute become a queer pride wonderland with a special edition of Bollox, featuring Kiss Me Again DJs, LIINES’ Zoe McVeigh, Cha Cha Boudoir, Rod Connolly, Miss Field’s Painting Parlour, The Most Depressing Night of Your Life (Power Ballad Disco) and much more.

Sun 28 Aug, Deaf Institute, 10pm, £6-£8

[Adore Delano]

Holy Trannity

Holy Trannity present American drag artist and singer Adore Delano, well known from YouTube and for stints on the ol' tellybox as a contestant in American Idol and, more recently, making it to the final three of RuPaul's Drag Race series six. She'll be hitting the stage for a big Pride party at AXM, hot on the heels of releasing sophomore album, After Party.

Fri 26 Aug, AXM, 6pm, £15