![\"Alistair](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2_JH_MEN_201225_ALISTAIR.jpg\")
Alistair Birdsell (Image: Family Submit)<\/p>\nAlistair Birdsell, fondly nicknamed ‘Big Al’ passed away following a short illness<\/p>\n
18:49, 30 Dec 2025Updated 18:50, 30 Dec 2025<\/p>\n
Alistair Birdsell (Image: Family Submit)<\/p>\n
Tributes have been pouring in for an ‘influential’ Gay Village nightclub and bar manager after his tragic death on Boxing Day. Alistair Birdsell, fondly known as ‘Big Al’ died following a short illness, his brother said.<\/p>\n
Alistair was described as the ‘charismatic licensee’ of Prague V on Chorlton<\/a> Street – where Maya now stands – and Berlin, the former nightclub on Bloom Street, and was a well known and loved figure within the nightlife community in Manchester’s Gay Village.<\/p>\n His brother Jim described Alistair as having a ‘massive influence’ on Manchester’s nightlife scene, later going on to manage Kro at Piccadilly Gardens<\/a>, which closed its doors in 2014, and described him fondly as ‘the best big brother you could ever ask for’.<\/p>\n The 55-year-old tragically passed away following a ‘short but brutal illness’ on December 26. Tributes have since been posted across social media, remembering Alistair as ‘warm and kind’ and a ‘lovely guy who was a big part of the Gay Village’ in Manchester.<\/p>\n Sharing a tribute, Canal Street Manchester posted: “For those that remember and frequented Prague V on Canal Street (now the part of Maya that faces the canal) and Berlin – the nightclub on bloom street – You will likely remember the charismatic licensee and GM of both venues – Alistair Birdsell.<\/p>\n “For many years [he] welcomed thousands of people into both venues – always with warmth, kindness, a genuine interest in everyone and a wicked sense of humour. He was a 6\u20194\u201d booming-voiced Yorkshireman who adopted Manchester as his home.<\/p>\n “Loved by the community, he was close friends with many of the other publicans, punters and bar staff. If you knew him, please raise a glass, light a candle or remember the good times from the 90s and early 2000s.”<\/p>\n