Antinous Lounge & Bistro
A relaxed lounge and bistro on the Lord Street side of the quarter, serving food as well as drinks and hosting community events.
What it is
Antinous is the calmer side of the Trades complex: a lounge and bistro where the focus is on eating, sitting down and talking rather than late-night drinking. It takes its name from Antinous, the young companion of the Roman emperor Hadrian, who has been a quiet emblem of love between men for centuries. That makes it a fitting name for a lounge at the heart of Blackpool's gay hotel streets.
Some online listings have wrongly marked Antinous as closed. It is trading, and it has been hosting community events through 2026.
What to expect
The lounge is set up as a bistro rather than a vertical-drinking bar. Its licence describes the Banks Street side of the building as operating mainly for dining, with music permitted but no stand-up bar crowd. In practice that means a place to have a meal or coffee, catch up with friends and start or wind down an evening at a gentler pace than the Queen Street bars.
Antinous also opens its doors for good causes. In September 2026 it hosted a Macmillan Cancer Support coffee morning, one of several charity events that quarter venues ran that autumn.
Hours
The licence for this part of the building allows it to open from 10am until 2.30am, with drinks served until 2am. Day-to-day hours are shorter and vary by season, so check before you go, especially for food.
Who it suits
Antinous suits anyone who wants a sit-down meal in the quarter, a daytime coffee, or a quiet first drink, including older visitors and couples. It is also useful if you are staying in a nearby guesthouse and want something more relaxed than a bar.
Accessibility
No accessibility information is published. The building is a converted older property, so phone ahead if you need step-free access.
Location and nearby
The lounge is part of the Trades building, which runs between Lord Street and Banks Street, a few minutes from Blackpool North station. The Trades Hotel's men-only bar is on the Lord Street side. Mardi Gras and Rendezvous are a short walk along Lord Street, and Welhorny's guesthouse is on Banks Street. North Pier and the Promenade are at the end of the road.
Nearby
- Mardi Gras, public bar and hotel, about 1 minute on foot
- Q Accommodation, boutique adults-only guest house, about 1 minute on foot
- Legends Hotel, adults-only guest house, about 1 minute on foot
- Welhorny's, men-only naturist guest house, about 1 minute on foot