About The Church
We are an LGBTQ+ owned, operated and run independent venue located at the centre of
Manchester's World famous Gay Village district on Canal Street.
John & Antonio
Owners of BarPop & The Church
John Hamilton, has been in the industry for over 30 years. Having owned several smaller venues in the beginning, he went on to launch Poptastic in 1996 and in many ways, the brand is still going strong today.
Along with his husband Antonio and their beloved Juanita (the real boss) they took a great leap of faith in 2013 and opened BarPop on Canal Street.
Together, they have amassed a large team of highly skilled professions in their own right from senior multi-venue managers, world-wide entertainers and team members that have gained the knowledge and skills within their business to progress to their own next levels.
​
Both are active charity fundraisers within the community and since our inception, have raised over £200,000 for good causes.
Please come and join John, Antonio and the team on our journey as we continue to bring the Gay Village alive!
We have just celebrated Our 10th Birthday
The keys were handed over on the 23rd of September 2013, and on the 25th September 2013, a new dawn began as BarPop opened it's doors to a whole new crowd.
John and Antonio took over The Church as a part of the BarPop family. Focused on the community, BarPop and The Church have grown to become some of Manchester's most loved venues.
​​
Proud to be an inclusive bar for all our patrons and staff, no matter who you are, where you are from or how you identify, you will always be welcomed through our doors.
Our team is one of the most diverse in the country and we are proud to support and employ anyone regardless of ethnicity, sexuality, gender, background or beliefs.
Working with the Best
Throughout the year, BarPop and The Church work hard to organise and house charitable events with some amazing and worthy organisations. They include: The Village Angels, George House Trust, Mermaids, Albert Kennedy Trust, The LGBT Foundation, AXM Foundation, Sparkle - The Gender Diversity Celebration and many more.
.png)
.jpg)
Contact our Management Team
If you have been in contact with one of our managers and wish to follow up any conversations you may have had, you can find out how to reach them directly below. Rest assured, they will respond to all messages as soon as they can.
AARON WILSON
CHRISTOPHER KIBBLER
DOMINIC NORMANTON