So you’re planning a hen party in Liverpool and you want something a bit more memorable than a boozy bar crawl on Mathew Street. You want a night the bride-to-be will actually talk about years from now. Here’s a thought: hop on a train to Blackpool and head straight to Funny Girls.
It’s just over an hour from Liverpool Lime Street to Blackpool North. That’s shorter than most pre-drinks. And what’s waiting at the other end is genuinely one of the best nights out in the north of England.
Let’s break down why this trip belongs at the top of your hen party planning list.
Why Liverpool Hen Parties Are Looking Beyond the City
Liverpool is a brilliant city. The nightlife is real, the atmosphere is electric, and the locals know how to have a good time. But if you’ve done the standard hen party route before, you already know how it goes: cocktail bar, club, taxi, kebab, repeat.
More groups planning a hen do in Liverpool are starting to branch out. A day trip or overnight stay somewhere nearby adds a proper sense of occasion. It stops feeling like a regular Saturday night and starts feeling like an event.
Blackpool is the obvious choice. It’s close, it’s affordable, and it has something Liverpool can’t really match: a cabaret and drag show that has been packing out its own dedicated theatre every single night for over 30 years.
What Makes Funny Girls the Perfect Hen Night Destination
Funny Girls at 5 Dickson Road, Blackpool, has been running since 1994. Over 30 years of drag queens, comedy, choreography, and chaos, all under one roof. It’s not a pop-up night. It’s not a one-off event. It’s a permanent 1930s-style art deco theatre that runs shows from Wednesday through Sunday, every week, season after season.
The show itself is high-energy cabaret: sequins, costumes, big production numbers, sharp comedy, and genuine crowd interaction. The cast includes trained dancers, performers with theatre backgrounds, and drag queens who have been perfecting their craft for years. One reviewer on TripAdvisor called it “better than Vegas, cheaper than therapy,” and based on the 35,000+ reviews sitting at 4.5 stars, it’s hard to argue.
For a hen party, the atmosphere is genuinely perfect. The room is warm, the crowd is mixed (all ages, all backgrounds, everyone there to have a good time), and the performers know how to work a room. If you let the cast know you’ve got a hen group in, expect the bride to be the centre of attention at some point during the evening.
The Dinner and Show Package
One of the smartest things Funny Girls offers is the option to combine a three-course pre-show dinner with your show tickets. The restaurant, Garbo’s, is inside the venue itself and opens from 6:30pm. Dinner is £29.85 per person, and the restaurant closes up as the show begins, so the evening flows naturally from food to performance without anyone needing to travel between venues.
For a hen party, this removes a lot of logistical headaches. One location, one booking, dinner done, show starts. No arguments about where to eat, no rushing between venues in the rain.
The show itself runs from around 8pm with the DJ and host warming up the crowd, cabaret from 8:30pm, and the evening wrapping up around 11:30pm. That gives you plenty of time to carry on into Blackpool’s wider nightlife afterwards if the group still has energy.
Getting There from Liverpool: It’s Easier Than You Think
The direct train from Liverpool Lime Street to Blackpool North takes roughly 70 to 90 minutes and runs regularly throughout the day and evening. Return trains run late enough to get you home after the show without needing to book accommodation, though plenty of groups choose to make it a full weekend trip.
If you’re travelling as a larger group, a minibus hire from Liverpool to Blackpool and back is another solid option. It keeps everyone together, nobody has to worry about the last train, and you can pre-drink on the way there.
Blackpool North station is about a 10-minute walk from Funny Girls, or a very short taxi ride.
What to Do Before the Show
If you’re arriving earlier in the day, Blackpool has plenty to keep a hen group busy. The promenade, the Pleasure Beach, independent bars in the town centre, and afternoon cocktails are all options before you get changed and head to the show. Some groups book a couple of hours at a spa or do a drag makeover in the afternoon.
A Seasonal Show That Changes Throughout the Year
One thing worth knowing before you book: Funny Girls doesn’t run the same show all year. Each season brings a completely new production with different themes, costumes, and set pieces.
The current seasonal lineup includes:
- Blooming Queens (Spring Show): Running January to May
- Hot Girl Summer (Summer Show): Late May to early September
- Coven Queens (Halloween Show): September to November
- Christmas Sleigh Queens (Christmas Show): November to January
This matters for hen party planning because it means the show feels fresh whenever you go, and groups who come back year after year always get something new. It also means you can pick a date that ties into a theme if you want a Halloween hen party or a festive night out.
What the Crowd Is Actually Like
A common question from people who haven’t been before is whether the show is appropriate for the whole group, particularly if you’ve got older family members or bridesmaids who aren’t sure what to expect.
The honest answer is that Funny Girls has been welcoming mixed crowds for decades. One reviewer put it well: “You don’t have to be gay to enjoy this show, just human with a sense of humour.” The humour is sharp but not mean-spirited, the performances are theatrical rather than explicit, and the venue feels inclusive without trying too hard.
The show runs table service throughout the evening, so drinks come to you. No fighting at a bar. No losing half the group in a crowd.
Booking Your Hen Party at Funny Girls
Tickets can be booked directly at Funny Girls website, and the box office team is available Monday to Friday if you want to call and talk through options for a group booking. The number is 01253 649150.
For large groups, it’s worth booking early, especially for Friday and Saturday evenings, which fill up fast. Dinner reservations need to be made at least 48 hours in advance, so don’t leave that to the last minute.
Gift vouchers are also available on the site if you want to give the hen a Funny Girls experience as a gift.
5 FAQs About Hen Parties in Liverpool and Blackpool
Q1: How long does it take to get from Liverpool to Blackpool by train?
The direct train from Liverpool Lime Street to Blackpool North takes between 70 and 90 minutes, depending on the service. Trains run regularly throughout the day and late enough in the evening to return after a show without needing to book overnight accommodation.
Q2: Is Funny Girls suitable for a mixed-age hen party group?
Yes. Funny Girls has a long history of welcoming all kinds of crowds, from university groups to grandmothers. The show is energetic and includes adult humour, but it’s not explicit. Reviewers consistently describe it as suitable for everyone who enjoys a good laugh.
Q3: Can we book dinner and the show together as a hen party package?
Funny Girls offers a three-course pre-show dinner in their on-site restaurant, Garbo’s, for £29.85 per person. You book the dinner and show tickets separately on the website but the experience flows as one evening. Dinner bookings must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
Q4: What time does the Funny Girls show finish?
The venue closes at approximately 11:30pm. The DJ and host start from 8pm, with the main cabaret from 8:30pm. This leaves time to continue into Blackpool’s wider night scene, or to catch a late train back to Liverpool.
Q5: Do I need to let Funny Girls know it’s a hen party in advance?
You don’t have to, but it helps. Contacting the box office ahead of your visit means the team can seat your group together and the performers may give the bride some well-deserved attention during the show. Call 01253 649150 or send a WhatsApp to 07902 972321.
