The simplest way to do a Blackpool gay weekend is to book a room in the bar. No taxis, no late walk, and the stairs are the last obstacle of the night. Several Rainbow Quarter venues run rooms, and each has a different mood.
Which bars have rooms?
- Peek-a-Booze at 72-74 Dickson Road: keenly priced 18+ rooms upstairs from a cabaret bar. Food daily 9am to 7pm on listed hours. About 3 minutes to Funny Girls.
- Mardi Gras at 41-43 Lord Street: a pub with three separate rooms with cabaret, karaoke and Sunday roasts. About 3 minutes to the station.
- Trades Hotel and Bar (51-55 Lord Street): men-only, with a bar listed open daily 11am to 3am. Men only and 18+.
- Hotel Neon (15 Yates Street): an adults-only hotel with a cocktail bar and a garden, usually open Thursday to Sunday.
- Lu-Lu's Cabaret Lounge at 78b-82 Dickson Road, with roughly 26 en-suite rooms and two bars side by side. Bring cash. About 4 minutes to Funny Girls.
- Rendezvous Bar and Rooms (15-17 Lord Street): a compact bar with bedrooms near the station, closing at around 10pm on listed times.
- McGraths Bar and Hotel, Evanescent Bar and Rooms and The Dame Lane: further bars with rooms, with drag, karaoke or bingo.
How noisy are rooms above a bar?
Expect music on show nights. Peek-a-Booze lists bingo and karaoke across the week, Lu-Lu's has cabaret Friday to Sunday from 7pm, and Mardi Gras is listed until 3am at the weekend. If you want sleep, ask for a room away from the bar or choose Rendezvous, which closes early. If you want to be part of it, pick Peek-a-Booze, or Mardi Gras.
Can I bundle a room with a show?
Peek-a-Booze suggests asking about room-and-show deals if you are staying for Funny Girls just up the road; Funny Girls is about 3 minutes away on foot. Ask any property what packages exist before you pay.
What about stairs and accessibility?
Most of these properties have upper floors reached by stairs only; both Peek-a-Booze and Mardi Gras say there is no lift, while Lu-Lu's has steps up at the door. Phone ahead if you have mobility needs.
Which should I choose?
- Lively and cheap: Peek-a-Booze or Lu-Lu's.
- Community pub with food: Mardi Gras.
- Quiet cocktails and rooms: Hotel Neon.
- Men-only: Trades.
Prefer a guest house with no bar? See adults-only gay guest houses, or check the hotels near Queen Street.
Questions to ask before you book a room over a bar
- Which floor is the room on, and is there a lift? Several properties have none.
- What time does the bar close on your stay nights? Mardi Gras is listed to 3am on Fridays, weekends vary.
- Does the bar take cards? Lu-Lu's is listed as cash only.
- Can I check in when the reception is not staffed? Ask about the process for late arrivals.
Eating where you sleep
Mardi Gras along with Peek-a-Booze both list food, and the Sunday roast at Mardi Gras suits a lazy last day; book ahead on busy weekends. Peek-a-Booze lists food daily from 9am to 7pm.
Making the most of it
Bars with rooms are a relaxed way to do the Rainbow Quarter. You can nip upstairs to change between the show at Funny Girls and the late bars, and you are never far from your bed. If you want the full picture of nightly entertainment, see what's on.
Policies, prices and facilities can change, so confirm details with the property before you book.
Stays on this list
Stays Bars and clubs · Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors