Social Refuge

Social Refuge is an LGBTQ+ café, bookshop and bar at 27 Great Ancoats Street in Ancoats, sharing the building with Queer Lit. It's a coffee shop by day and hosts evening events, from writing groups and readings to Latin nights, which makes it an easy place to meet the community outside the Canal Street bar scene. Google reviews are 4.7 from about 270. Evenings are often given over to events, so check the event list before you go. It's about 15 minutes' walk from Canal Street.