Accessibility in the Rainbow Quarter
Everyone is welcome in the quarter, and that has to include getting through the door. This page brings together what we know about access, and is honest about what we have not been able to confirm yet.
Arriving by train
Blackpool North station is the quarter's front door, a few minutes' walk from Queen Street and Dickson Road. Northern lists step-free routes into the station: a ramp from Talbot Road and a shorter ramp from Springfield Road, with level access from the station front onto the concourse and every platform. The station has accessible toilets, an induction loop, wheelchairs from the ticket office and staff help through the day and evening. Book assistance on 0800 138 5560 (relay 18001). See Northern's station page for current details.
Toilets
Blackpool Council lists a Changing Places toilet at the Holiday Inn on Talbot Gateway (FY1 1LL), right by the station and a short roll from the quarter, and another on the Promenade. Council toilets with accessible cubicles use a RADAR (NKS) key, which you can buy from the council on 01253 477477. Opening times change between summer and winter, so see the council's public toilets page.
Getting around
The modern trams along the Promenade are low-floor with spaces for wheelchairs, and North Pier tram stop is the nearest to the quarter. The quarter itself is compact and mostly flat, with dropped kerbs at the main crossings on Dickson Road and Springfield Road. Some side streets have narrow pavements and parked cars, so the walk guide sticks to the main streets.
What we know about each venue
- Funny Girls: Phone ahead about access needs.
- The Flying Handbag: Wheelchair access.
- Peek-a-Booze: No lift; upper floors by stairs only.
- Mardi Gras: No lift; upper floors by stairs only, with handrails.
- McGraths Bar and Hotel: Upper floors by stairs only. Adults only (18+).
- Evanescent Bar and Rooms: No accessibility information is published.
- The Dame Lane: No lift.
- Lu-Lu's Cabaret Lounge: Steps at the entrance; no formal accessibility information.
- De-Lovely Hotel: Some rooms are up a steep staircase.
- Westfield House: No property-specific accessibility information is published.
- Lawrence House: An access statement is published on the hotel's website.
- The Belvedere: Reported to have no disabled access.
- The Prince Albert Hotel: No accessibility features listed.
- Q Accommodation: Two steps to the entrance, no lift, high-pile carpet.
- The B&B Blackpool: No lift.
- W3 Complex: Only the lower level is reported to be suitable for disabled visitors.
Many of the quarter's bars and hotels are in Victorian terraces, so steps at the door and no lift are common, especially for rooms upstairs. If access matters to you, phone ahead: venues are usually happy to tell you about steps, toilets and the quietest times to visit.
Venues we have not confirmed yet
We have not yet confirmed access at these venues. If you know about step-free entry, accessible toilets, lifts, hearing loops or quiet times at any of them, please tell the team so the next person knows.
- Oscars
- Garlands
- Man Bar and Growlr Club
- Gin & Bear It
- Trades Hotel and Bar
- Neon Bar and Hotel Neon
- Rendezvous Bar and Rooms
- Churchills
- The Blackpool North
- Pride Lodge
- Chaps Hotel
- The Dragonfly
- Welhorny's
- Acqua Sauna
- Antinous Lounge & Bistro
- The Molly House
- The Duke
Quiet and sensory-friendly times
Bars are quietest in the early afternoon and on weekday evenings before the shows start. Pride weekend and Saturday nights are loud and crowded. See tonight for who is open at quieter times.