Mixing in Mancheste...
 
Notifications
Clear all

Welcome to Crossdresser Heaven, a safe and welcoming place for everyone in the crossdresser community.

Join Crossdresser Heaven today to participate in the forums.

Mixing in Manchester

34 Posts
13 Users
80 Reactions
142 Views
Posts: 1
Guest
Topic starter
(@Jacqueline Larkspur)
New Member
Joined: 2 months ago
wpf-cross-image

Situated in north-west England, Manchester is the UK’s sixth largest city. It’s the birthplace of the world’s first programmable computer, the Women’s Suffrage movement and the world’s longest-running TV soap.  It’s where the atom was first split, where graphene was isolated and Vimto was created.

Within its environs are several canals. Hugging the north side of one, is the aptly named Canal Street.  This is the vibrant centre of Manchester’s Gay Village, packed with bars, clubs, cafés and restaurants.  It was the setting for my long-awaited night out with my CDH partner-in-crime, Ellie Davis.

Early on Tuesday 3rd of December 2024, I travelled by train from Newcastle to Manchester for a work meeting, due to take place the next day.  I’d arranged to meet Ellie at 2pm in the lobby of the Travelodge hotel I’d booked for our overnight stay.  However, Ellie’s four-hour drive from her Norfolk home was beset by slow traffic, delaying her arrival by an hour and a half.

At 3.40pm Ellie texted to say she’d arrived, and I walked down Tib Street to the car park to meet her.  Unbeknownst to me, Ellie was already walking up Tib Street towards the hotel!  Remember, neither of us were en femme at this point, so it was perhaps understandable that we failed to recognise each other in Tib Street!  It was a surreal moment when we finally came face to face sans makeup and wigs.

After checking in to our room we chatted for a bit about this and that, and then began to dress.  My outfit consisted of a dark green knee-length skirt, a blue lace top and a denim jacket.  Ellie wore a floral dress and a leather jacket.

Then Ellie announced that it was time for her to make “the presentation”.  Two presentations, in fact.  The first was a lovely CDH medal for my services to the site as Ambassador.  I proudly pinned it to my jacket.  The second presentation was a personal gift from the wonderful Liz K; two bars of shea butter soap, brought over specially for me from the USA.  I’d been unable to meet her in person during her August trip to the UK, so this gift was hugely thoughtful and very touching.

“The hardest part comes next,” I said, after calling for a taxi.  “Walking out of this hotel room.”

My mind went back to a previous occasion, when I had dithered behind my hotel door for half an hour, before summoning the courage to open it and step outside.  This time however, there was little chance to dwell on it, for within minutes a text came saying the taxi had arrived.  Ellie and I grabbed our handbags and practically ran to the lift, and then out into the chill evening air.

The taxi driver didn’t bat an eyelid at our appearance; they’ve seen it all before.  We could have walked to Canal Street in fifteen minutes, but that would have meant passing through the heart of the city centre. I didn’t fancy doing that, despite Manchester being a very LGBTQ-friendly place.  Our first port of call was an Italian restaurant in the village called Nell’s, where Ellie and I shared a delicious pizza, washed down with a glass of white wine.

There are loads of bars to choose from in the village. Being a Tuesday it wasn’t particularly busy, and it soon became apparent that Ellie and I were the only crossdressers on duty.  I’d already made a list of bars to visit; first up was The Molly House, a cosy tapas bar in Richmond Street.  I’d been there on my last visit some years ago, and was now taken aback by how much it had changed in the meantime.

“This place used to be huge!” I told Ellie.  I asked one of the bar staff when the changes had happened, but all I got in return was a blank look.  Ellie and I went to the upstairs room and stood in one corner with a glass of white wine each, chatting happily.  We left The Molly House after half an hour, by which time it was 8.50pm.

I took Ellie into Sackville Gardens, a small park on the opposite side of the canal, at the centre of which is a memorial statue of Alan Turing.  Despite his brilliance as a scientist and philosopher, Turing was imprisoned in 1954 for “gross indecency”, which is what the UK justice system called homosexual acts in those days.  A broken man after his release, Turing died in Manchester in 1955. The story goes that he committed suicide by eating a poisoned apple.  The statue poignantly depicts Turing sitting on a bench with an apple in his right hand.  Ellie and I spent a few reflective minutes here before setting off to the next pub on my list.

Oscars is an intimate, musical theatre-themed bar, with clips from shows playing constantly on screens dotted around the room.  They also have the most amazing cocktails list, with dozens of drinks named after musical theatre in one way or another.  I had a “Ruby Slippers” and a “Sweet Charity”, both of which were gorgeous!

One thing about Gay Village pubs is that you will always encounter friendliness and high spirits, and in Oscars this was proven once more.  No sooner had Ellie and I walked to the counter (eyeing up that fabulous cocktail menu) than we found ourselves in conversation with three total strangers.  Nicola and Lucy, a couple from Yorkshire, were a sheer delight to spend time nattering with; and Callum, a theatre costume assistant, was in awe of Ellie and me.

“You girls are amazing,” he said to us.  “You dress up and live your best life and enjoy it.  You keep on being who you are and who you want to be, because you’re beautiful!”

Callum left us at 10pm, as he was on costume duty at the Middleton Arena theatre the next morning for the pantomime, "Sleeping Beauty". Ellie and I chatted on with Nicola and Lucy until 11.45pm, then hugged our farewells and made our way outside.

To our dismay a light drizzle had started, so we lost no time in getting to the next venue on my list.  This was to have been 'New York New York', whose website had promised a lively evening of disco with 'Auntie Ginger' on a Tuesday.  Unfortunately we found it closed, so we hurried along (under Ellie’s folding umbrella) to a nearby bar.

The Centre Stage describes itself as a “dive bar” offering “nostalgia alongside camp cabaret and a flamboyant atmosphere”.  We ordered a bottle of white wine, found ourselves a seat and listened to some old hits played by the resident DJ.  Having been deprived of 'Auntie Ginger', we were pleased to discover an absolutely hilarious drag DJ on duty at the Centre Stage.  We didn’t get her name, sadly, but her barbed, risqué wit was brilliant to listen to.  As Ellie and I sipped our wine my body began to sway in time with the music, and I realised that we hadn’t yet had a dance.  Depositing our bottle behind the bar for safe keeping, we sashayed to the dance area and wiggled away to hits by the likes of Cyndi Lauper, Abba and Madonna.  My feet were killing me by this time, so I gladly took off my 3-inch heels and bopped in my stockinged feet.

The next two hours flew by, and at 2am the DJ announced that it was “chucking-out time”.  There are a handful of bars in the village which stay open until 4am, but as I had to go to work the next morning, Ellie and I decided to call it a night.  A convenient taxi whisked us back to our Travelodge, and then it was time for two tired but very happy girls to re-drab.

Reply
33 Replies
11 Replies
Managing Ambassador
(@ellyd22)
Joined: 2 years ago

Majestic Member     Norfolk, United Kingdom
Posts: 5217

Ms Larkspur ... you are the PERFECT companion for a fun night out.

It's so lovely to have this article as a permanent reminder of everything that we got up to.

I can't wait for our next opportunity 🙂

Much love

Ellie x

Reply
Ambassador
(@jacquelinelarkspur)
Joined: 1 year ago

Famed Member     Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Posts: 1497

@ellyd22 

Aww, Ms Davis! You are very kind! The entire evening with your company was an absolute joy. Even that bit of rain couldn't put a dampener on our spirits. Here's to the next time!

Much hugs,

Jacqui

x

Reply
Managing Ambassador
(@ellyd22)
Joined: 2 years ago

Majestic Member     Norfolk, United Kingdom
Posts: 5217
Managing Ambassador
(@ellyd22)
Joined: 2 years ago

Majestic Member     Norfolk, United Kingdom
Posts: 5217

One thing that still puzzles me about the evening was something that happened right at the very end.

When our wonderful drag DJ at the Centre Stage had finished her set, I went up to her, kissed her hand (as I believe is the correct protocol on these occasions) and thanked her for a wonderful night. And then she said:

It was lovely to see you here, Ellie. Safe journey back.

The thing was ... at no point in the evening had I told her my name. The only other person in the bar who knew that information was Jacqui, and SHE hadn't passed it on either.

Also ... 'Safe journey back'

It's got me wondering whether she's a member here ...

Reply
Ambassador
(@jacquelinelarkspur)
Joined: 1 year ago

Famed Member     Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Posts: 1497

@ellyd22 

Your fame goes before you. 

I hadn't heard of the hand kissing protocol. I must remember that.

Reply
Ambassador
(@alexina)
Joined: 1 year ago

Illustrious Member     Fife, United Kingdom
Posts: 2198

Brilliant, Jacqui!

So much of what you've written (and written very well), sparked memories of my time with Ellie, Fluff and Liz, so thanks for that.

The joy leaps off the page in this, it's great how reading of others' fun can be so infectious and it's only served to heighten my anticipation of our few days together at the end of March.

I like how you've popped in little nuggets of information too, they add to the "normality" of your account. This reads, quite rightly, as just two friends enjoying an evening out.

Allie x

 

Reply
Ambassador
(@jacquelinelarkspur)
Joined: 1 year ago

Famed Member     Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Posts: 1497

@alexina 

Thank you, Allie! It's astonishing to think that this little adventure, which was weeks in the planning, took place just over a month ago now. Little details about the evening keep coming to mind, like seeing clips from La-La-Land, Mame and Carousel on the screens in Oscars, and walking by the canal to Sackville Gardens. And I still can't believe how much The Molly House has changed since I was last there!

Reply
(@finallyfiona)
Joined: 1 year ago

    Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
Posts: 1460

Jacqui this is a wonderful story to read, so much joy, for you and for the reader .  I look forward to one day being with you on a future adventure, lovely 🙂

Hugs,
Fluff xxx

Reply
Ambassador
(@jacquelinelarkspur)
Joined: 1 year ago

Famed Member     Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Posts: 1497

@finallyfiona 

Thank you, Fluff! It was indeed a joyous evening, so I'm glad that it came across in my article. Here's to that future adventure!

Reply
Baroness Annual
(@fembecky)
Joined: 5 years ago

Noble Member     Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Posts: 602

Hi Jacqui,

What a brilliant night out together. That was fabulous to read and made me feel (and wish!) that I was there with you both. I have only had the one opportunity (so far) to meet fellow crossdressers, and the circumstances were a bit different, but what really sticks in my mind was the immediate rapport, friendliness and naturalness of that afternoon and meal together (with Ellie, Liz and Fluff) who are all such lovely people. Oh, and I bet you will enjoy the beautiful shea butter soap for many months to come 😀 .

I don't know whether or not I will be able to get to CDH@LFF, but if I do I would love to see you there.

Thanks so much for sharing that account.

Many hugs, Rebecca x

Reply
Ambassador
(@jacquelinelarkspur)
Joined: 1 year ago

Famed Member     Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Posts: 1497

@fembecky 

Thank you, Rebecca, I'm glad you liked the article. Special times are all the more special when shared with special friends.

❤️

Reply
Posts: 3439
Hostess
(@ab123)
Illustrious Member     Surrey, United Kingdom
Joined: 5 years ago

That was quite an adventure Jaqueline, you both look lovely. I hope your head was clear next day at work after that wine, dancing and a late-ish night.

 

Reply
1 Reply
Ambassador
(@jacquelinelarkspur)
Joined: 1 year ago

Famed Member     Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Posts: 1497

@ab123 

Thank you, Angela. We had a smashing time. And rest assured, my head was sufficiently together for work next day. Sort of. As much as it ever is, anyway.

Reply
Posts: 2075
Duchess
(@rozalyne)
Famed Member     Shrewsbury, Shropshire, United Kingdom
Joined: 3 years ago

Hi Jacqueline sounds like you had a great time up in Manchester, I'm a Manchester girl but i never got to go to any of the places you mentioned, I once went to a gay pub in Manchester called the Shakespeare, that was back in the late 70s early 80s that was when i was going through a tough time with my sexuality at the time i thought i might be gay, I soon realised that i was a Bi crossdresser, it would be nice to be able to go out with a couple of girlfriend's and paint the town red, 

Love Roz ❤️ 

Reply
4 Replies
Ambassador
(@jacquelinelarkspur)
Joined: 1 year ago

Famed Member     Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Posts: 1497

@rozalyne 

We had a brilliant time, Roz! Being a Tuesday it was pretty quiet. Canal Street is much busier at weekends, so if you do go there en femme you'll definitely not be the only one!

Reply
Duchess
(@rozalyne)
Joined: 3 years ago

Famed Member     Shrewsbury, Shropshire, United Kingdom
Posts: 2075

I'll just have to see how things go Jacqueline, that's on my todo list for this year going out en femme, either to an event or just going round the clubs and bars, I would love to attend Leeds First Friday and meet up with some of the girls,
Love Roz ❤️

Reply
Ambassador
(@jacquelinelarkspur)
Joined: 1 year ago

Famed Member     Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Posts: 1497

@rozalyne 

Going out, especially for the first time, is such a thrilling experience. Watch out for further updates on CDH@LFF, planned for next August.

Reply
Duchess
(@rozalyne)
Joined: 3 years ago

Famed Member     Shrewsbury, Shropshire, United Kingdom
Posts: 2075

@jacquelinelarkspur 

I'll keep a look out for updates on L FF ,

I'm hoping that I'll be able to attend one soon, 

Love Roz ❤️ 

Reply
Posts: 70
Hostess
(@ellie52)
Estimable Member     Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Joined: 2 years ago

What an amazing adventure Jacqueline. It sounds like you had a fabulous time and I bet it is indelibly marked in your memory as a No1 fun day of all time. Ellie is such a lovely lady and a fantastic Ambassador to everyone on CDH. I cant imagine how much fun it must have been going out for the night with her. I really enjoyed your article, and as a northern UK girl I can relate to the cold wet drizzle you encountered. Fortunately I now live in Perth, Australia so cold drizzle isnt something we encounter much. Thanks again for a great, well written article.

Reply
4 Replies
Managing Ambassador
(@ellyd22)
Joined: 2 years ago

Majestic Member     Norfolk, United Kingdom
Posts: 5217

@ellie52 

From one Ellie D to another, thank you for those lovely comments!

I was in desperate need of an emotional lift tonight. I came across your message at exactly the right time - it was very much the sort of thing I needed to hear from someone right now.

Heart

Ellie xxx

Reply
Hostess
(@ellie52)
Joined: 2 years ago

Estimable Member     Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Posts: 70

So glad i could cheer you up Ellie. Take care and stay safe my friend. Ellie xxx

Reply
Ambassador
(@jacquelinelarkspur)
Joined: 1 year ago

Famed Member     Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Posts: 1497

@ellie52 

Thank you, Ellie! It was an amazing night, and one I'll never forget. Ellie D and I have been virtual friends ever since I joined CDH just over a year ago, so meeting up at last was a treat.

Reply
Managing Ambassador
(@ellyd22)
Joined: 2 years ago

Majestic Member     Norfolk, United Kingdom
Posts: 5217

@jacquelinelarkspur 

It's the first meeting of many!

Hugs

Ellie x

Reply
Posts: 39
Lady
(@collettexx)
Trusted Member     Mansouria, Settat, Morocco
Joined: 8 months ago

Absolutely wonderful article , sounds like a fabulous night ladies x

Reply
2 Replies
Ambassador
(@jacquelinelarkspur)
Joined: 1 year ago

Famed Member     Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Posts: 1497

@collettexx 

Thank you, Collette. It was indeed a super evening. We loved every minute!

Reply
Managing Ambassador
(@ellyd22)
Joined: 2 years ago

Majestic Member     Norfolk, United Kingdom
Posts: 5217

@collettexx 

It's something that definitely needs to be repeated.

Heart

Reply
Posts: 39
Lady
(@collettexx)
Trusted Member     Mansouria, Settat, Morocco
Joined: 8 months ago

I've just reread the article, such an inspiration x

Reply
Posts: 96
(@jennyphose)
Estimable Member     West Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: 3 years ago

What a fab story and a great adventure for you Jacqueline and Ellie - it is really great to hear about more UK ladies getting out there and enjoying themselves - I'd like to get to Canal Street one day, it sounds amazing fun - who knows, one day maybe I can make it there.
It sounds like you had great fun even if the weather was against you, no doubt you'll be planning a return visit one day soon!

Jen x

Reply
1 Reply
Ambassador
(@jacquelinelarkspur)
Joined: 1 year ago

Famed Member     Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Posts: 1497

@jennyphose 

A return trip would be amazing, so who knows! Canal Street (and the adjacent streets) have plenty of great venues to offer. I hope you are able to get there!

Reply
Posts: 160
Duchess
(@lizzy89)
Reputable Member     GreaterManchester, United Kingdom
Joined: 5 months ago

Sounds like you had a lovely night out wish I was there or indeed had the confidence to even leave my house en femme

Reply
Posts: 1497
Ambassador
(@jacquelinelarkspur)
Famed Member     Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Joined: 1 year ago

Thank you, Lizzy, we had a great time. I'm sure that you'll find a way to step out when the time is right for you.

x

Reply
Posts: 48
(@catharineec)
Trusted Member     Alberta, Canada
Joined: 3 years ago

Thank you for sharing what sounds like a wonderful time! I love Callum's comment.

Reply
1 Reply
Ambassador
(@jacquelinelarkspur)
Joined: 1 year ago

Famed Member     Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Posts: 1497

@catharineec 

Thank you for reading it, Catherine!

Yes, Callum was very sweet and good fun to be with. 

Reply

©[current-year] Crossdresser Heaven | Privacy Terms of Use | Link to usContact Vanessa | Advertise with Crossdresser Heaven

 
[kleo_social_icons]
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from Crossdresser Heaven.

You have Successfully Subscribed!