Nottingham Travel Forum

Greetings All,
I am going to be in Nottingham on business. My co worker in nottingham said it was customary to go to a nightclub that was gay. However, my fellow portugese friends may feel a little bit strange going to bar that is for gay folks. My question is, is it really customary , common and accepted for straight men and women to to go a club that is designated for gays? if so, then great, its a custom and no issues. If not, then i probably wouldnt recommend it. We want to experience the true english experience, but i dont want to be out of place.
Cheers!
serge

No its not customery to visit gays clubs in notts...its more the opposite...straight men have a good chance to hook up with woman in nottingham as the percentage to men is quite favourable!
Ive been to this large pub in the city centre called YATES for a typical true english experience...enjoy

I'm not from Nottingham, but I have been there and as far as I know they don't have any customs about pubs that we don't have anywhere else in the UK... I wouldn't say it's 'customary' for straight people (men or women) to visit gay bars and clubs but it's perfectly normal and fine to do so. It does depend on the place - there are some gay places that do restrict entry to straight people but that's not so common. And I suppose your co-worker wouldn't have suggested this place if they had such a policy.

My guess is this club was recommended because it has a good reputation, not because you 'should' go to a gay place.

As for the true English experience... hard to know what that is really. Were you referring to Yates Wine Lodge, Rockaria? I'm guessing yes. Well, this is typical in one sense, but not necessarily in the best way. Most of the Yates bars I've seen - it's a chain - are the kind of places you see on TV reports on binge drinking.

Hi there
I think your co worker was joking with you! - much the same as when I lived in Mexico, my Mexican friends would play tricks on me all the time as I didn't know much about local customs and my level of Spanish was not very good.

If the nightclub is primarily for gay people, then one wouldn't expect too many straights to go there: it wouldn't be a gay club if they did.

But if it is just a nightclub that is popular with gay people, or one which perhaps has good live bands on occasion, then there may well be a general mix of people, and that's not a problem.

As for 'customary, common and accepted': if somewhere is well-known as a gay club then most non-gays wouldn't go. There's not much point if you aren't gay, unless it's to see a particular band.

Info on Nottingham gay clubs here:

http://www.gaynottingham.com/clubs.html

Is the one your co-worker mentioned on this webpage?

It's easy to find out if your co-worker is winding you up (teasing you); just ask him/her to go with you!

Yes, it sounds like you are being wound up. As for Yates, it is not the best experience. I don't know Nottingham that well, however I can recommend the Malt Cross on St James Street, just off from the old market square (still to go on my tips). http://maltcross.com/home/index.html

They have live bands, good beer and a lively, friendly atmosphere. I have friends in Nottingham and I can ask them for other places to go.

When will you in be in Nottingham, as my boyfriend and I are staying half an hour away at the moment.

Everyone
Thanks a bunch for your responses and suggestions. I dont think my coworker was trying anything as a joke, he said it is especially true in England. He lived in Salford at the time, so maybe its different in manchester than Nottingham..?
serge

What I said above applies everywhere.

If it's really a gay club then there is no point in non-gays going unless to hear a band, so people don't.

If it's a club that's just popular with gays, then of course non-gay people will go.

Maybe your friend is confused and actually went to the latter, or maybe he was 'wound up' and didn't even realise it!!

Malt cross or YATES depends on personal choice so its no point saying dont go there or try the other.
In my opinion one have to try different clubs/pubs until one finds the right enviourment for his needs or likes. I would try both & decide yourself which what you look for in a pub...and let us know!

hey guys/gals-thanks a lot for the tips, great ideas, thanks

if he lived in salford then he MIGHT think its fun to go to canal street, which is a VERY gay friendlt area, and is VERY lively, but I think it would be a strange place to go with a male only group if you were straight. Lots of female only groups go there though.

Thanks for your opinion.
Cheers!

You can find quite a few gay AND straight people in gay bars. I sometimes go with my gay friends and I'm straight.But its perfectly fine if you don't want to go in gay bars. There are plenty of nightclubs that arent designed for gay people if you'd feel more comfortable. most of the best pubs and clubs are in and around the market square where the fountin displays are. the gay bars are near victoria centre.