Derby Brewery Arms

If central Manchester is a different place to what it was even just a decade ago, then Cheetham Hill Road bucks the trend. It’s not that things have remained exactly the same here for as long as we can remember, but the pace of “regeneration” has been slower than other corners of town. Which is a good thing, as alongside streets packed with ‘dubious’ clothing and footwear shops, and the well-worth a visit Manchester Jewish Museum, you’ll also find a burgeoning creative enclave seeking refuge from other development-heavy districts. This includes a number of DIY music venues, record labels, and studios, and DBA is queen bee. 

Derby Brewery Arms by any other name has a long history of pints pulled for people who live in the local area. The facade still reflects its role as proper British boozer, but progressive-minded ownership has gradually cemented the address as one of our city’s most important queer cultural hubs and an epicentre of grass roots rave culture. Cherry popped as an afters venue mopping up carnage after The White Hotel the night before (easily reached on foot), this pub-turned-sweaty double-dancefloor safe space is now a regular favourite for parties run by prominent club promoters like Meat Free, Kwassa Files, and more. 

But banging nights and days are only part of the story. Management are committed to genuinely contributing to their community. That means DJ workshops, quizzes and other comings together, even running an alternative BOYOF (food) and BOYOB (booze) Christmas dinner so everyone has a family to spend the big day with. The attitude is clear from the moment you walk through the door to the second you step back outside, so expect a down-to-Earth and incredibly friendly welcome regardless of the day. And if you’re hear to party, prepare for sounds from techno and electro to jungle and UK rave.