Steph Kay, a veteran Manchester nightlife operator, launched Afternoon Delights in July 2024 because she wanted a daytime event in the Gay Village that didn't exist. The party, held at New York New York, has since grown into a regular sell-out, with tickets for the upcoming event on July 11 selling out online. Kay is releasing a number of tickets on the door for £10.
From Frustration to Success
Kay, former manager of legendary 90s LGBTQ+ venue Manto and owner of Vanilla, the first lesbian venue in the area, says she was overwhelmed by the response. 'I sold Vanilla eight years ago and ever since then, I’ve had people coming up to me telling me the Village is not the same. When I came up with this idea, I was like, well “put your money where your mouth is” – and, I'm glad to say, they have,' she told the Manchester Evening News.
Daytime Clubbing for a Mature Crowd
The concept was born after Kay and two friends went out in the Village and found evening clubbing too expensive and late. 'We’re older now and we prefer to get home by the time some people are just going out,' she laughs. 'One of the best things about Afternoon Delights is that it finishes at 8pm and, for us, it feels like it’s midnight already by that point.'
The event runs from 3pm to 8pm and takes place every three months, making it a special occasion. Kay notes that many former Vanilla patrons no longer live in Manchester but travel for the event. 'We have people who travel from Blackpool just for this event. We’ve even had people come up from Amsterdam as they’ve said there’s nothing like this there,' she says.
Filling a Gap in the Village
Kay had considered herself retired from nightlife after leaving Vanilla, but frustration with the lack of daytime offerings brought her back. 'I had to come out of retirement,' she says. 'If I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it properly. I demand the best and that’s how we get the best.'
While not exclusively aimed at lesbians, the event has attracted a strong queer female audience due to Kay's Vanilla legacy. She hopes it inspires other venues. 'It’s what the Village has been missing,' she says. 'There’s not really been anything that has properly taken the space that Vanilla had, sadly. Quite frankly, I don’t think anybody has the balls to do it.'
A Changing Village
Kay reflects on the lack of lesbian bars today: 'I think there is generally a bit of a different approach to clubbing with women. I don’t think people think women want to go out clubbing every night, but somebody’s got to be the first do it, haven’t they?' She adds that the Village has evolved, with social media changing how people go out. 'That being said, you will always know when Afternoon Delights has taken place because you will see loads of women in one place in the village – something which is still quite a rarity!'
Afternoon Delights returns to New York New York on Saturday, July 11. Online tickets are sold out, but door tickets are available for £10.
