New documentary explores history of “one of the UK’s most important queer venues”, DBA: Watch
Manchester’s Finest has shared a short film tracing the evolution of Manchester’s The Derby Brewery Arms, aka DBA, which it describes as “one of the UK’s most important queer venues.”
Premiered on 17th August, the documentary explores how the venue evolved from a working class community pub in Cheetham Hill’s “Strange Quarter”, an unofficial name referencing the nearby Strangeways Prison, to a hub for queer and marginalised ravers.
The Joseph Holt-owned pub, opened in 2021, regularly hosts internationally renowned acts like I. JORDAN, Shy One, Or:la, Blasha & Allatt, Iceboy Violet, Mura Masa, Angel D’Lite, Hyperaktivist and more.
“If you walk past this place, you wouldn’t think, oh that is the sanctuary for queer people”, DBA regular Adam said in the documentary. “But it’s got a stigma, this area, but I quite like that in the center of that, there’s this place and it’s a safe haven.”
DBA doorman Sam added: “I think people know when they come in here that they’re guaranteed to feel welcome and feel safe and express themselves. Whatever it is, it’s gonna be good, it’s gonna be queer and it’s gonna be class.”
The space is set to host one of DAYTIMERS’ upcoming fifth anniversary events on 30th August, featuring DJ sets from Samrai, Gracie T, Lotus Phaze, and more.
Watch the full documentary below.
