A Liverpool safe space venue has been ranked amongst the top LGBTQ+ bars in the UK, according to new data.
Popular nightclub FunnyBoyz on Blundell Street ranked 7th overall in the UK and pipped other Liverpool gay clubs and bars to the post as they were the only city bar to feature on the list. Commissioned by The Bottle Club, the bar was ranked by the number of Instagram followers, the number of hashtags, the distance to public transport, and its Google rating score.
Having scored a total of 25.8 out of a possible 40, the data also found, FunnyBoyz was Google’s top-rated gay bar in the UK.
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Co-owner, Linda Gold, told the ECHO : “We have a very important policy and ethos that anyone needing a safe space can enjoy FunnyBoyz events and visit our venues at prices they can afford. Even if that is just £1. That is a policy we will stand by, no matter how big we grow. Through sheer hard work and determination, in just one year we launched our own venue on Blundell Street in Liverpool and created 27 satellite events across the UK.”
The performer explained all but two venues they perform in were initially non-LGBT but since expanding into the venues, they have now become “safe spaces for the LGBTQI+ communities including vulnerable women, across the country."
She added: "Alongside creating safe spaces for the community, another of our goals is to ensure every queen has an opportunity to perform and earn a living through drag. It is a well-known fact in our industry that drag queens often work for as little as £15 per gig and one of the only ways to make decent money is by virtue of getting a lucky position on Ru Paul's Drag Race.
"We still love hosting the Drag Race girls at our events but we launched FunnyBoyz for queens to find alternative work without having to rely on the show. Our concept makes it affordable for venues to pay queens a fair wage and give them a commission incentive to earn more. Couple all of this with the world-class level of entertainment and comedy we provide at FunnyBoyz and I believe it's easy to see why our venue has become the best gay bar in Liverpool and our events are revered across the country."
FunnyBoyz pride itself on being a “new concept in drag cabaret bringing you the most hilarious drag shows, comedy, silly games, cheesy tunes and the best value drinks.”
Drag queen Dys Alexia, who also co-runs FunnyBoyz, added: "For our Blundell Street venue to be the best spot for LGBTQI+ people in Liverpool is a true testament to the hard work we have put in to make this a success.
"During lockdown, Linda spent her life savings to keep the business alive, pay staff and make sure people had a safe space to return once venues reopened. It just gave everyone working here the extra drive to make sure every time someone walked through the doors of our venue they had the best time possible. It has not been easy, of course, and often results in us working round the clock but we will strive to continue keeping up these standards to make sure anyone coming is left with memories lasting a lifetime."
Rounding off the list of top LGBTQIA+ bars was Manchester’s On Bar, Cardiff’s Mary and Leed’s The Viaduct if you fancied a night away not far from Liverpool.
As well as looking at the top venues across the UK, the data also ranked the biggest LGBTQ+ party destinations. The data narrowed down the list to 12 major UK and Irish cities. After considering the range of eccentric clubs, the number of hate crimes, general safety, drinks prices, hotels, and social media engagement, Liverpool ranked seventh on the list perhaps unsurprisingly falling behind iconic LGBT+ friendly cities such as Brighton and Manchester. But with a score of 29.9 out of a possible 40, the city beat the likes of Cardiff and Newcastle.
