Thompsons Arms

Thompsons Arms

Super cheap and super cheerful

Average Reviews

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Super cheap and super cheerful Manchester gay pub

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The Thompsons Arms
2.7
Based on 105 reviews
Jeffrey
13:07 27 Aug 24
Where do I start?I attended the venue on Friday the 23rd of August with my friend only to be told by the manager Phil (the big guy who looks like Gru from Minions) that he has a "lifetime ban" and if we didn't leave he would contact security and have my friend removed from the event as a whole.What's the point in advocating for the rights of homosexuals only to mistreat some? Make it make sense.I've been attending this bar for several years on and off and I've stood and watched as this extremely bitter and power hungry individual has slowly driven it into the depths of no return. The people I speak to refuse point blank to go here anymore because of this particular person.He even let a bouncer go because he liked me >.
Mustang Wang
19:22 02 Aug 24
If I could rate lower I would. As a female I have never felt so discriminated in my life. Whilst I was taking photos with my friend he rudely and aggressively approached myself and my friends and said “you’re not at home now love get off that sofa posing like you’re something”. Another a manager who had previously served us was very friendly and humble who seemed quite unsettled by his poor behaviour. Witnesses were present to this incident. We have proceeded to visit another bar and enjoy the night as it is my friends birthday where we will most certainly receive better treatment. Very poor management and interpersonal skills. I will not be returning to this bar. Avoid at all costs!!!
Jamie Burns
08:33 15 Apr 24
What a great night out! The music (DJ) was on point, busy with friendly customers and the bar staff had a joke with us too! We even had a "Goodnight, thanks for popping by" from the nice door staff. This is now one of my top 4 venues when visiting the gay-village. If you have been before, it's worth a visit.
Chloe Mellor
15:12 02 Jan 24
Gave us the wrong drinks and refused to acknowledge they were wrong
kkav123
22:39 22 Dec 23
Matt the security guard was really really nice, gave us advice on the area as we were not local, was a bit quiet inside but bar staff were nice and reasonable price.
Jimmy S
18:34 22 Jul 23
Was in on a Saturday night. Psychotic owner of the bar who was drunk physically assaulted a female friend. Bouncers say “this happens all the time” when confronted about it. Nice evening out if you like intolerable cretins.
christopher woods
00:36 02 Jul 23
Awful experience was in the club 30 minutes previous. Then all of a sudden i need ID. apparently they have no knowledge of the law. Bad environment and bad for paying customers
Jon B
02:51 30 Apr 23
Been a regular for a long long time. The music is amazing, the DJ plays everything going and is always open to requests, can’t fault him at all as everything is accommodated for. The bar staff are friendly and helpful and not matter how busy it gets they are always polite. The door staff are friendly and do their job amazingly and make sure everyone is safe in the venue. If you want a good night out with cheap drinks and lots of fun and dancing then this is the place to go
Darren
13:43 31 Dec 22
Bad Experience, avoid going here at all costs! My boyfriend and I ordered a pint of Amstel each. however it tasted off and I challenged this with the barstaff, who offered to pour it into a new glass. Surprise, surprise it still tasted off but I appreciated their efforts to try a resolve the situation. The manager then got involved and I challenged this with him. He blatantly refused to accept there was anything wrong with the beer and didn't offer a solution to try to resolve the matter. It wasn't like the beer was cheap either, at over £10 for two pints, we had to leave them on the side as if we continued to drink them, I'm sure we would be ill. It was a complete waste of money and I feel I was taken advantage of. Despite this, we still had a good evening going to The Eagle Bar beforehand and ending the night in Company Bar - both of which, offered quality beer and great service. Shame The Thompson Arms couldn't do the same.
Deborah Coburn
09:37 12 Dec 22
Not sure if he’s a bouncer/manager or owner but the guy who looks like Gru off minions was rude to our whole party on entry we were given strict rules to abide by and followed by him with threats of being kicked out of we didn’t stick to them. Very threatening and aggressive left after 10 minutes
Lauren Pritchatt
16:30 06 Nov 22
We attended this bar last night. The treatment of two of my friends compared to the rest of us was an absolute disgrace. Two of my feiends had a problem getting in yet the rest of us with different colour skin got in absolutely no problem.The doorman even came over and apologised and its not good enough. Some of your staff are Racist and disrespectful. The doorman from 5th November needs to go through disciplinary action. Absolute disgrace and I'm very upset to witness friends experience this.
lee Scott
15:54 06 Nov 22
My friends had an awful experience of racism here which the doorman and management tried to cover up with lies about their door policy. After having seen other similar reviews, it seems this is a long-standing issue that management are ignoring rather than ensuring their bar is open and inclusive for all. Disgraceful.
Leyah Agathogli
15:31 06 Nov 22
“We’re not racist we hire coloured people”. The fact that the word “coloured” is in the owner’s vocabulary in 2022 tells you all you need to know about this racist establishment and racist door policy. I will be taking this much further than Google reviews.
Lauren Jones
15:26 06 Nov 22
Racist door policy, would never go back. My friends experienced racist profiling on the door, absolutely disgusting. The place was empty and they wouldn’t let them in because it was a “members only night” apparently, but everyone in our group who was white got in and we later asked if there really was a private event on and they said no, that it was open to all. We complained to management who didn’t make it clear how they would handle it and never spoke to the doorman in question. Unacceptable behaviour from an establishment.
Oliver Bird
06:56 16 Oct 22
The guy who I’m pretty sure is the owner threatened to kick me out. I’d just had massive domestic with my partner which the doorman got involved (the doorman did he’s best) but that man didn’t like the fact I was calling around look for somewhere to go trying to keep warm. He’s tall bald, fat, wears glass. No idea who he is full but disgusting man who wish absolutely worse on for your lack understanding on one the worse nights of my life.
Rob Czlapka
23:44 24 Sep 22
Been here for many years and always enjoyed my evening. Tonight however I saw the same bouncer on numerous occasions go to the toilets and jump to look into the cubiclesI appreciate he was doing his job and probably trying to catch customers taking drugs but surely this violates peoples privacy?I think there must be better ways to deal with drug usage in bars than to spy on them in the bathroom…It honestly makes me see the problem of bouncers in the village and the entitlement that goes with it
Melissa Braithwaite
12:06 11 Sep 22
Owner Philip Hughes is a vile, rude, DISRESPECTFUL man. Was extremely abusive over a misunderstanding. AVOID at all costs. Also the music in here is awful and it looks like a scummy social club. Disgusting door policies as well.
Mark Smith
09:06 03 Sep 22
This has to be the best bar in Manchester your always made welcome the owners and great and bar staff are always happy and drinks are cheap this bar needs more than 5 stars
stay free
20:51 30 Aug 22
I witnessed racism from the owner of this pub. Disgusting hateful evil person. He's so lucky the man he was racist 2 did not want to put a statement against him because he's a lovely guy and forgave him.
Aimee Williams
09:23 28 Aug 22
Appalling staff....management even worse...avoid at all cost plenty of great bars near just walk a few feet further
Harry Macey
07:34 28 Aug 22
Absolutely terrible service. I was given the wrong drink so asked for it changing and had it taken from me, tipped away and then I was told to leave. Absolutely disgusting. I will not be going back.
Joseph Green
21:25 12 Jul 22
A tragic venue that you will love.It's unapologetic, and that's why everyone enjoys it.Go in with minimal expectations and you'll have a lovely time .Oh, but don't drink the vodka.
John Parkforth
22:40 10 Jun 22
Great bar in Manchester's Gay Village. Well worth visiting if you're from out of town or live in Manchester. It gets busy at a weekend but not until later. The music is great, the DJ really good and the drinks are a good price and cheaper than a lot of the other places
ThatsHot B
12:12 06 Mar 22
Had a horrid experience recently, me and my friend have been visiting here for over a decade. This is due to the manager Dan and staff, who make this place. But recently we got shouted and finger pointed by the owner. He shouted, "this is your last warning". How very dare you! Will not be visiting ever. Charging at us like Mrs Trunchball. The place had two people in on the dancefloor. We kept it a float, when it was table seating. Yet he had the nerve to discriminate against us. This is not the first time he has been rude. There are far for pleasant places to be at. Go to New Union, instead of here, where you are welcomed and not pointed at. It's safe to say we left after this ordeal. I feel sorry for the staff. Don't be his next target.
Victoria Reeve
18:12 01 Feb 22
Absolute vile doorman, bald, obese with a pea shaped head for a description. Avoid at all costs. He has a massive chip on his shoulder and an extremely low IQ with zero logic.We was on a trip to manc from brighton. He wouldn’t let us in the club because we were “too straight” and “not regulars” he then asked us where we went for lunch and then said it wasn’t “gay enough”! He was so horrible it was honestly like talking to a 3 year old and trying to understand their logic as to why they won’t eat their dinner! We were coherent and non offensive. To the point young gay men leaving the bar were saying to him to let us in they just didn’t get it. Not sure what really goes on here for it to be such a random selection process who can and can’t get in but thank the lord we live in brighton and can party with our queer peers openly and happily. Sorry Manchester you missed out as we’re a good crack toParty with. All the best
Tret G.
12:05 26 Jan 22
the staff here all have a disgusting attitude and smell to match. the prices are alright but for the snarky comments about my appearance and security staff...
Jemma L
18:45 30 Dec 21
As a frequent visitor of over 15 years I was horrified at the treatment i received from the large male bar man last night. Rude, arrogant, clearly not a fan of a straight female, intimidating and down right disgusting. If I could select - 100 stars I would.
Harris Pervez
01:13 18 Dec 21
Worst ever experience with security guards who are acting like fools and with no brains " just doing our job"Not accepting covid vaccination cards and wants nhs app proof which sounds really stupid and unnecessary. Ruined my weekend night.. management is requested to put some brains into their head and tell them nhs app pass and vaccination card is the same thing.
Sue Caldwell
10:45 12 Nov 21
Friendly bar. Great room upstairs for dancing!
Dan
09:48 05 Nov 21
An absolute dump of a place. Simple as that
Ian Hughes
08:23 01 Aug 21
Was a great place and I had a really good night
Kevin L.
15:06 15 Jan 12
Where -else- can you find pop music even -I- recognise, cougar-ish ladies who must have been at least in their forties, and Jerry Springer clips on the...
clearyourheart
02:51 15 Feb 10
Thompson's is super cheap and super cheerful. Packed to the rafters at the weekend with crowds of people drawn in by the £2.50 doubles offer (it used to be...
james b.
04:18 17 Sep 09
Worst bar I've ever been in. A kind of macabre take on a tacky British legion or council faced social hall that a gay friend of mine said made him...

Thompsons Arms Manchester reviews from Google Maps, Yelp and WhereIsGay

Last Updated

2 March 2022

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Today Open now UTC+1

02:00 PM - 02:00 AM
  • Monday
    02:00 PM - 02:00 AM
  • Tuesday
    02:00 PM - 02:00 AM
  • Wednesday
    02:00 PM - 02:00 AM
  • Thursday
    05:00 PM - 12:00 AM
  • Friday
    02:00 PM - 04:00 AM
  • Saturday
    02:00 PM - 04:00 AM
  • Sunday
    02:00 PM - 03:00 AM

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