Bar Pop: How Entertainment and Inclusivity Built a Canal Street Favourite

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Manchester’s Gay Village, Bar Pop has grown into a beloved hub for entertainment, inclusivity, and unforgettable nights out. From its humble beginnings in 2013, the bar has become a cornerstone of Canal Street, celebrated for its drag performances, welcoming atmosphere, and commitment to customer satisfaction. In this article, we dive into the secrets behind Bar Pop’s success and why small business owners can learn a thing or two from its journey.

Spotless Washrooms and Customer Experience

When it comes to washroom hygiene, Bar Pop sets the standard. “Clean toilets make people smile,” says owner John. For Bar Pop, maintaining spotless washrooms isn’t just a courtesy—it’s a core part of the customer experience. Well-maintained sanitary bins and regularly serviced air fragrance dispensers ensure that every visit to their facilities is pleasant. This attention to detail leaves customers feeling comfortable and cared for.

A Trusted Partner in Hygiene

For the past five years, Dame Hygiene has been Bar Pop’s trusted partner, providing reliable and flexible services that meet the bar’s unique needs. “They’re dependable, and if there’s an issue, they’re here within a day,” John explains. Services like sanitary waste disposal and soap dispenser maintenance have kept their washrooms running smoothly, even during peak events like Pride Weekend.

Dame Hygiene: Can you tell us about Bar Pop? What makes it stand out on Canal Street?

John: Bar Pop is a fun bar in the Gay Village. We took over this venue in 2013, so we’re coming into our twelfth year. It was a struggling venue, but we cleaned it up, redecorated, and gave it a new look and feel. It’s all about entertainment. When we started, nobody else was doing entertainment like us. We brought back old-school fun with drag shows and entertainment.

We’re gay-owned and managed, and we have a huge drag entertainment team and even a drag school. People join us, learn new skills, and then move on to bigger opportunities after working with us for a couple of years.

The venue has a cabaret room, a bar, a dance floor, and a VIP chill-out room. Depending on the day of the week, we open different areas to suit the vibe.

Dame Hygiene: What do you think is the key to your club’s popularity and success, especially with attracting a high volume of visitors?

John: I think the key is that we’re accessible to everyone. Just because we’re gay-owned, gay-managed, and based in the Gay Village doesn’t mean we’re exclusive. We accept everybody who accepts us. It’s become a safe space for everyone, especially women.

We’re known as a welcoming space with fantastic parties, great shows, and brilliant reviews on social media like TikTok. Staying ahead of the trends and offering something unique keeps us popular.

Dame Hygiene: How important do you think washroom hygiene is to your customers’ overall experience at Bar Pop and Churchills?

John: When it comes to washrooms, our policy has always been about keeping clean toilets. It’s one of the first things people notice when they visit a venue. If they walk into dirty, smelly toilets, it gives a terrible impression of the whole place.

We’ve always led the way with spotless toilets. If something breaks, like a toilet roll holder, it’s fixed the next day. We’ve got a whole rota, and even on busy nights, the team cleans the toilets every 15 minutes. It’s all about first impressions, and we make sure ours is a good one.

Dame Hygiene: What impact do well-maintained washrooms have on your staff and customers?

John: Well-maintained washrooms make people smile. Customers feel comfortable using the facilities without worrying about missing toilet paper, soap, or sanitary items. It also means customers are more likely to stay longer, and that’s good for business.

Dame Hygiene: What made you choose Dame Hygiene for your washroom services five years ago, and what has kept you a loyal customer?

John: The price was very good, and the service has been excellent. If we have an issue, we can ring them up, and they’re here within a day. For example, after a Pride weekend, when the bins were full and not due for pickup, they came straight away when we called. That kind of dependability is why we stick with them.

Our previous provider constantly needed chasing. With Dame, we don’t have to worry about that—they’re always on time.

Dame Hygiene: How has Dame Hygiene’s flexibility and dependability benefited your operations, busy schedules, and deliveries?

John: Absolutely. We call them when we need something, and they make it happen. If they can’t, they’ll tell us straight away, which is refreshing. They’re honest, dependable, and very accommodating.

Dame Hygiene: How did Dame Hygiene help address the sticky dance floor issue, and what benefits have you seen since using their products?

John: Running a bar with sticky floors is a hassle. Staff had to mop multiple times to keep things manageable. With Dame Hygiene’s products, it’s a lot easier. The floors don’t stay sticky after one mop, so it’s saved us time and effort. It’s made a big difference.

Dame Hygiene: What advice would you give to other business owners about maintaining high washroom standards?

John: Have a good member of staff dedicated to keeping the toilets clean. Use good cleaning gear and products to stay on top of it. It might seem costly at first, but it’s cheaper in the long run because you’re not dealing with bigger problems later.

Dame Hygiene: What role do partnerships with companies like Dame Hygiene play in the smooth running of your business?

John: Dame Hygiene has been brilliant. They come in, discuss any issues we have, and work with us to solve them—whether it’s on the floor, in the toilets, or even behind the bar. They’re a big part of why things run smoothly here.

Dame Hygiene: Is there anything you’d like to share about upcoming events, unique experiences, or reasons why people should visit Bar Pop?

John: We’re coming into the Christmas season, so if you’re visiting Manchester, come to Canal Street and check out Bar Pop or Churchills. We have entertainment every Friday and Saturday—drag shows, live singers, and more. It’s free entry, so come party with us!

Dame Hygiene: How do you ensure that Bar Pop and Churchills continue to offer a standout experience for your visitors?

John: It’s all about the customer journey. From a smile at the door to clean floors and toilets, and great entertainment, we make sure every step is enjoyable. We even have a promo team, including our drag queens, out on the street to welcome people in. It’s all about hospitality and making people feel at home.

Dame Hygiene: What would you say to other business owners considering Dame Hygiene’s services?

John: Give them a go. If you want good service, Dame Hygiene is the way to go.

Learn more about Bar Pop…

View Bar Pop’s Website
Find Bar Pop on Instagram
Find Bar Pop on Facebook
Find Bar Pop on TikTok

Take Your Business to the Next Level

Ready to create an unforgettable customer experience like Bar Pop? Let Dame Hygiene take care of your washroom needs so you can focus on what you do best. Get in touch today to discuss tailored hygiene solutions for your business!