DIVA explores the new LGBTQIA scene thriving in this East Yorkshire city
BY CHLOE DEYES
When it comes to having a night out, or like me, a day sesh because my night-out days are slowly becoming a thing of the past, then I like to visit the city’s queer district. I like the buzz of the LGBTQIA community coming together for drinks, laughter and dancing.
As a proud Northerner, I’ve visited the likes of Leeds and Manchester with my mates for a much-needed city break and a couple of pints. These cities are great fun, with a big queer community, you’re pretty much guaranteed a good time. But I’m always on the hunt for new queer bars and spaces that I can enjoy. So, when I found out my home city of Hull was transforming an area in the heart of the city into a queer space, my heart felt whole.
Hull is a small city in East Yorkshire. Having the title of City Of Culture in 2017, the city became a hub for creatives, however, there wasn’t a main area for queer people.
Hull Pride 2022 opened its doors to a new bar, Monroe’s, which is an inclusive space for the LGBTQIA community, serving a variety of drinks and a dance floor to dance along to your favourite hits, it soon became a popular spot for people in the city. Monroe’s holds a mural of Marilyn Monroe, the intimate sizing of the bar is perfect for a great night with friends or a loved one. Also, there is a space upstairs which can be used for events. Hull Pride 2023 saw the upstairs of Monroe’s be an event space for KEN (Kinky Erotic Nature) which brought adult entertainment and education to the day.
Now at the tail end of 2023, Savile Street has opened another queer bar, Unit 49, which is a smaller bar to Monroes but is bustling on a weekend. With a small area to grab your favourite drink and the neon graffiti of two hands making a love heart on the wall, you know this space is to spread happiness and love amongst the community. Two more bars are set to open in the coming months, one being Cherry’s, named after the late Cherry Valentine from the second series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, and the other being Zinnia.
This exciting new area, named Hull Freedom Quarter, is offering a safe space for all and will hopefully bring together queer people of Hull but also those from other cities. An area designed for the LGBTQIA community is another benefit of the city.
It’s great to see connections being made between the community and cities. At Hull Pride 2023, there were people who had travelled from neighbouring towns and cities to enjoy the fun and diversity.
If you’re looking for your next day or night out, then I would highly recommend Hull. These bars are essentially a five to ten-second walk from each other, so you won’t have to miss out on any fun. The North of England is beautiful and can offer so much, so give Hull a go, you won’t be disappointed.
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