Blackpool’s nightlife is one of the main reasons millions of people make the trip every year. The town runs on entertainment. From early-evening drinks on the Promenade to late-night cabaret and club nights that go well past midnight, there is a version of a Blackpool night out to suit almost everyone.
This Blackpool pub guide covers the best bars, pubs, and nightlife spots worth visiting in 2026, from the number one rated show venue to traditional real ale pubs, live music bars, sports bars, LGBTQ+ venues, and the clubs that keep going long after everywhere else closes.
Let’s break it down by category, starting with the venue that consistently tops every nightlife list in town.
The Best Show Bar in Blackpool: Funny Girls
Starting with the crown jewel of Blackpool nightlife, Funny Girls sits at the top of this list for good reason. Located on Dickson Road, this isn’t your typical pub, but it absolutely deserves the number one spot for entertainment value.
Funny Girls has been running since 1994 in a beautifully restored art deco theater. The show runs every night of the week at 7pm and delivers two hours of drag cabaret, live dance, sharp comedy, and glittering costumes from a cast of professionally trained performers. It has been voted Best Show in Blackpool for five consecutive years and holds over 35,000 five-star reviews across TripAdvisor, Google, and Facebook.
The production quality matches theater standards, with shows running nightly throughout the year. While not a traditional pub, it offers full bar service and an unmatched entertainment experience.
Tickets start from £10.00 on weeknights and reach £34.00 on peak Saturday evenings. Add the three-course pre-show dinner at Garbo’s, the Art Deco restaurant inside the building, for £29.85 per person. That gives you a complete evening dinner, drinks, and a full stage show without going anywhere else.
Book tickets through the Funny Girls website to guarantee entry, especially during busy periods. Book at their website.
Best Live Music Bars in Blackpool
Ma Kelly’s
Ma Kelly’s is a Blackpool institution. The group runs several venues across town, with the Foxhall Road site being the most popular. Situated on Foxhall Road, Ma Kelly’s benefits from a central location in Blackpool, making it accessible for both locals and tourists. It operates daily, opening from 11am and closing between 1am and 2am depending on the day, with later closing times on Fridays and Saturdays.
Ma Kelly’s stands out as a vibrant and welcoming pub, known for its captivating atmosphere and engaging entertainment. With a central location, it serves as a hub for nightlife, where patrons can enjoy live performances, karaoke, and DJ sessions throughout the week. Drink prices are reasonable, the seating is good, and the acts cover everything from tribute performances to cabaret singers.
The Galleon Bar
The Galleon Bar is one of those bars locals rate highly and visitors often walk straight past. The Galleon Bar stands out with its unique nautical theme and commitment to live music performances. Local and touring musicians regularly take the stage, while the venue’s distinctive interior design creates memorable photo opportunities. This venue appeals to visitors seeking something different from typical chain bars, offering personality and character that reflect Blackpool’s seaside heritage.
Open until 4am and with an open mic night every Monday, it is one of the best late-night options in town for people who want live music over a DJ.
Soul Suite
For lovers of soul and Motown, Soul Suite on the Promenade is the natural choice. The Soul Suite is bang in the center of Blackpool. If you love your soul and Motown, this is the place for you. This is a relaxed, more mature party atmosphere and is great if you just want to swing the night away. Soul Suite also has an upstairs balcony, from where you can chill for a while overlooking the Promenade.
Bootleg Social
With trendy, minimal furniture and fashionable, young staff, the Bootleg Social is undoubtedly Blackpool’s coolest nightlife venue. This intimate venue focuses on alternative music, hosting live bands, DJ sets, and themed nights that showcase indie, rock, and electronic music. The venue’s basement location creates an authentic underground club atmosphere that music lovers appreciate. It is the go-to for visitors who want something that feels nothing like a chain bar.
Best Traditional Pubs in Blackpool
The Saddle Inn
Built in 1776, The Saddle Inn claims to be one of the oldest pubs in Blackpool. Loved by locals and visitors alike, it may be small in size, but it more than makes up for it with its vibrant atmosphere. A great all-rounder, this pub is known for its good selection of beers, live sports offerings, and exceptional value-for-money food. The pub is open every day of the week, with food served from 12pm to 9pm.
The Albert and the Lion
Right next to the Blackpool Tower, The Albert and the Lion is a Wetherspoon pub with art deco styling, outdoor seating with sea views, and the usual reliable range of affordable food and drinks. This stylish art-deco-inspired pub is perfectly placed for a refreshing pint or two after enjoying the dizzying heights of the tower. It is open from 8am until 12am daily and offers step-free access, so it’s accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
The Old Toll Bar
This historic pub on Central Drive is a landmark in itself. Steeped in Victorian charm, The Old Toll Bar boasts beautiful original features and a fantastic range of traditional ales and lagers. It’s the kind of pub that feels lived-in, comfortable, and welcoming. They often have live music, particularly folk or acoustic sets, adding to the convivial atmosphere.
Best Craft Beer and Cocktail Bars
Rhythm and Brew Room (Pool Brewing Co.)
If you’re looking for the best pubs in Blackpool for real ale, you won’t be disappointed at Rhythm and Brew Room. As Blackpool’s first full-sized brewery pub, it offers a great selection of ales from the Pool Brewing Co. Favorites include Wonky Donkey and Blackpool Blondie, but they also produce seasonal ales, so be sure to ask about specials. It is dog-friendly and located near the Winter Gardens.
The Craft Room
Located on Albert Road, close to the Winter Gardens, The Craft Room focuses on a rotating selection of craft beers, often featuring local breweries and exciting independent labels. The staff are knowledgeable and passionate about their offerings, so don’t hesitate to ask for a recommendation. The vibe is relaxed and cool, making it a great spot to discover new brews.
Revolution
Revolution brings reliable cocktail service and stylish surroundings to Blackpool’s town center. Locals frequently visit this established venue for reliable good times. It suits pre-show drinks or a late-evening session and tends to attract a mixed crowd from the Promenade area.
No. 1 Bar at the Blackpool Tower
Situated at the top of the tower, it is the only bar in Blackpool where you can see the entire Fylde coastline. Enjoy spectacular views, cocktails, mocktails, beers, and soft drinks in style 380 ft in the sky. It is not the cheapest option, but for a special occasion or a memorable start to the evening, nothing else in Blackpool matches the view.
Best LGBTQ+ Venues in Blackpool
Blackpool is one of the UK’s most LGBTQ+-friendly seaside destinations, with North Shore’s vibrant Rainbow Quarter serving as the heart of Blackpool’s LGBTQ+ scene, featuring legendary venues like Funny Girls and Garlands with their famous drag shows.
The Flying Handbag
Established in 1994, The Flying Handbag is Blackpool’s only purpose-built LGBTQ+ venue. Undergoing a full internal and external refurbishment in 2020, the Flying Handbag is a premium venue with modern décor. From daytime tipples to night-time entertainment, there is always something going on at the Handbag. Our doors are just a stone’s throw away from Blackpool North train station, making us the perfect location to kickstart your day or night out in Blackpool.
The venue offers drag queens, DJs, bingo, comedy quizzes, and vocalists across seven nights a week, with reasonable drink prices throughout.
Garlands
Garlands is a gay bar in Blackpool known for hosting drag shows every single day of the week, with resident queens on stage from 3pm and guest cabaret acts rotating through. Inside, it’s recently had a facelift with a bold feature wall perfect for selfies, and the vibe is unapologetically camp with live vocals, DJs, and themed events. The bar runs daily drinks deals and classic cocktails, while the staff make a point of welcoming everyone who walks in. No cover charge.
Flamingo Club
Flamingo is a renowned and spacious nightclub located at 44 Queen Street, Blackpool. It features five levels, four bars, and two dance floors, making it a popular spot for branded dance nights with famous DJs every night of the week. The club is known for its vibrant atmosphere and weekly themed entertainment. Situated in a former cinema, Flamingo offers an unforgettable party experience with three resident DJs playing music until the early hours of the morning.
Best Sports Bars and Casual Drinking Spots
Walkabout
Walkabout’s central location makes it an ideal starting point for pub crawls or a reliable spot to catch important matches with fellow sports fans. It is a well-known chain with a solid reputation for big screens, decent drinks, and a lively crowd.
Yates
Yates on Market Street is a go-to for afternoon drinks and early evening sessions. Perfectly placed by the seafront, while it might be a chain, it knows exactly what it is doing. It offers great value, making it the perfect starting point for afternoon beers when you want to line the stomach without spending a fortune.
Vintro Lounge
In the heart of Blackpool town centre, Vintro Lounge is a quirky vintage circus-themed pub serving great food. As well as pub classics like burgers, there are more unusual offerings. They offer great special offers from lunchtime deals to Tapas Tuesdays, so check what’s on for even better value for money.
A Suggested Blackpool Night Out Crawl
Here is how to put this Blackpool pub guide into a practical evening plan.
Pre-show drinks (5:00–6:30pm): Start at Rhythm and Brew Room for a craft ale or head to No. 1 Bar at the Tower for a cocktail with a view.
The main event (7:00–9:30pm): Head to Funny Girls for the 7pm show. Book Garbo’s dinner beforehand if you want the full evening. This is the centerpiece of any Blackpool night out.
After the show (10:00 pm–midnight): Walk to The Flying Handbag or Garlands for drag and DJs if you want to stay in the Rainbow Quarter. Head to the Galleon Bar or Bootleg Social for live music and a more underground feel. Try Ma Kelly’s if you want karaoke and a crowd.
Late night (midnight–2am+): Flamingo Club runs until the early hours with multiple floors and bars. Trilogy Nightclub on the Promenade is another strong late-night option for those who want to keep dancing.
Tips for Your Night Out in Blackpool
Book ahead. Funny Girls sells out on busy weekends, particularly Saturdays and school holidays. The LGBTQ+ venues and live music bars generally do not require booking, but arriving before 9pm on Friday and Saturday gives you the best chance of a good seat.
Dress code. Most Blackpool bars are smart casual. Funny Girls appreciates guests making an effort, though there is no strict dress code. Check individual venue websites if you are unsure before heading out.
Getting around. Blackpool’s compact town center means most entertainment pubs sit within walking distance. Trams run along the Promenade for venues further apart. Taxis are plentiful at night but get busy after midnight on weekends, so walk where you can.
Best time to visit. For the best balance, come late May to early July. You will get longer days and the best chance of decent weather, with Pride often landing in that window. If you want a classic Blackpool hit and do not mind crowds, September and October pair cooler evenings with the Illuminations and a steady stream of weekend visitors.
5 FAQs About Blackpool’s Pub and Nightlife Scene
1. What is the best pub or bar in Blackpool for entertainment?
Funny Girls on Dickson Road leads every credible nightlife list in Blackpool. It offers a full cabaret show running nightly at 7pm, full bar service throughout, and an optional pre-show dinner. For a more traditional pub-with-entertainment feel, Ma Kelly’s on Foxhall Road runs live acts from noon until late every day.
2. Are there good LGBTQ+ bars in Blackpool?
Yes, and Blackpool is one of the UK’s most LGBTQ+-friendly seaside destinations. The main venues are The Flying Handbag (Blackpool’s only purpose-built LGBTQ+ venue), Garlands, and Flamingo Club. Funny Girls is also widely recognized as a welcoming, inclusive venue attracting a broad and mixed crowd.
3. Where should I go in Blackpool for craft beer?
Rhythm and Brew Room, run by Pool Brewing Co., is Blackpool’s first full-sized brewery pub and the clearest choice for real ale. The Craft Room on Albert Road focuses on rotating craft selections with knowledgeable staff. Both sit close to the Winter Gardens.
4. What time do Blackpool bars and clubs close?
It varies by venue. Ma Kelly’s runs until 1am–3am, depending on the night. The Flying Handbag and Garlands are open seven nights a week until late. Flamingo Club runs until the early hours. Funny Girls shows finish around 9:30pm, making it an ideal anchor for an evening that continues elsewhere.
5. Is Blackpool nightlife suitable for a hen party or large group?
Yes. Blackpool is one of the UK’s most popular hen party destinations. Funny Girls is particularly well-suited to groups, with table seating for parties of all sizes and a show that works brilliantly for a mixed crowd. Ma Kelly’s is also popular with large groups for its free-entry format and reliable entertainment throughout the day and night.
