Queer Lit Manchester
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Have you ever wanted to find a bookshop, that is also a cafe, a bar, and a queer social safe space? Good news, there is one. And it’s open seven days a week.
Queer Lit is an independent LGBTQ+ bookshop located on Great Ancoats Street in Manchester - only a few minutes away from Manchester Victoria train station.
Queer Lit was created ‘to better represent the LGBTQ+ community in Manchester – especially those who love books!’ Queer Lit also states on their website that they ‘found it difficult to discover literature that best reflected our ethos and queer experiences.’ As a queer person who often finds it difficult to find asexual literature in particular, Queer Lit presents it clearly in-store and on their website.
They stock a huge range of queer literature that is beautifully displayed and organised by sexuality and gender identity making it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. They sell fiction including crime, romance, and thriller. Non-fiction, including biographies, politics and LGBTQ+ history. There are also books on drag, art, education, religion and health as well as graphic novels, children's and young adult books, so there really is something for everyone.
I picked up Mistress of Lies by K.M. Enright which has been described as ‘a dark, twisting fantasy that grabs you by the throat with claws and refuses to let you go—a blood-stained, heart-wrenching romance balanced on the knife’s edge of revolution. Luxurious and beautifully cruel.’ - (Andrew Joseph White.) Along with books, a complete pride range includes hand-held fans, face paints, and pins.
Opposite the bookshop is the cafe/bar area where soft drinks, coffee, alcohol, and food are available. The staff are friendly and efficient making for the perfect experience.
Seconds from the bookshop, cafe, and bar is a seating area, a perfect place to sit while you read a book, socialise, or write your own bestselling queer novel. If this space is too loud or crowded there is also space downstairs perfect again for socialising, reading or writing. The space is incredibly friendly and perfect for all ages, this was proven by a conversation between three groups of strangers I overheard about cats. (Not the musical.)
(For the fantasy writers, the wall on the left downstairs has so many perfectly shaped fantasy islands, which I don’t think is on purpose but they’re really cool.)
Queer Lit opening times:
Monday 09:00 - 19:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 19:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 19:00
Thursday 09:00 - 23:00
Friday 09:00 - 00:00
Saturday 09:00 - 00:00
Sunday 09:00 - 23:00
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