Funny Girls

What it is

Funny Girls is the show that put Blackpool drag on the national map. Forget a queen with a microphone in the corner of a pub: this is a staged production with a company of performers and dancers, choreographed numbers, quick costume changes, comedy hosting and a new themed show every season. It plays in the old stalls of the Odeon on Dickson Road, a Grade II listed art deco building whose curves, lighting and plasterwork were restored when the show moved in.

The crowd is famously mixed. On any night you'll find gay couples, hen parties, birthday tables, coach groups and regulars who have been coming for decades, all sharing the same room. The show was created to be welcoming to absolutely everyone, and that spirit still runs through it. If you are new to Blackpool's scene, this is the obvious first night out.

A short history

The show opened in July 1994 in a small corner unit at the Promenade end of Queen Street and was an instant hit. In 2002 it moved into the derelict Odeon on Dickson Road, which had been converted at a cost of more than £2 million, and Joan Collins opened the new venue that July. In 2005 the company took a one-night-only comic ballet, Swine Lake, to the Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen. The show marked 25 years in 2019 and 30 years in 2024.

After more than three decades under its founder, Funny Girls changed hands in 2026. The new team, led by theatre and bar operator Kane Oliver, added a bigger stage and a runway and has promised to keep everything that made the show famous. Long-time favourite Miss Scarlett returned to the line-up as part of the new era.

What's on through the week

Shows run from Wednesday to Sunday for most of the year. Doors open at 7pm. From 8pm the DJ and hostess warm the room up, and the cabaret starts at 8.30pm, running to around 11.30pm. Each season has its own production:

• Halloween: Coven Queens runs until 1 November 2026.
• Diva special: Queen of the Nights plays on 6 and 7 November 2026.
• Christmas: Christmas Sleigh Queens runs from 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with a separate New Year's Eve party night.
• Early 2027: a short January run, Slay Another Day, leads into the spring and summer productions.

Touring drag stars also book one-off nights here, usually on the dark nights early in the week.

The company

The current company includes host and DJ Carmen, who has been part of the Funny Girls family for many years; dance captain Luke, who keeps the choreography sharp; high-kicking dancer Flexi Belle; Phoenix Knights, who started out as a bar queen before training in musical theatre and moving onto the main stage; and dancers Andrea and Jordan. Over the years, names such as Betty Legs Diamond and DJ Zoe became part of Blackpool folklore here.

Food and drink

Pre-show dinner is served in Garbo's, the art deco restaurant in the same building. Diners arrive between 6pm and 6.30pm for a three-course meal, which costs about £30 a head when booked on its own. The menu leans into the theme, with dishes such as the Main Character Burger, Red Carpet Bruschetta and a Lemon Lip-Sync Tart. There are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices, but you need to give dietary needs when you pre-order. Dinner-and-show tickets work out cheaper than buying the two separately, except on Saturdays and New Year's Eve. Snacks can be ordered during the show, and wine or cocktails can be pre-ordered with your meal. A separate festive menu runs during the Christmas show.

Tickets and entry

Standing tickets start at around £10 on quieter nights. Seats range from about £17 to £35 depending on the night and position, with Saturdays the dearest. Friday and Saturday shows often sell out weeks ahead, so book early. The box office takes calls on weekdays and bookings can be made online at any time. Booking a meal does not by itself guarantee a show seat, so check what your package includes.

The venue is strictly 18+ and runs Challenge 25: bring photo ID, because there are no refunds if you're turned away without it. There is no strict dress code. Jeans and smart trainers are fine, but leave gym wear at home. Fancy dress is actively encouraged, and you're welcome to decorate your table for a celebration. Some productions use pyrotechnics and loud bangs.

Accessibility

The team asks anyone with access needs to phone the box office before booking, so they can arrange the best set-up for your group. There is a taxi rank directly outside.

Location and nearby

Funny Girls sits at the bottom of Dickson Road, opposite the Queen Street junction and two minutes on foot from Blackpool North station. Oscars, the lounge bar in the same building, hosts the after-show party. The Flying Handbag, Sherlock's and Kaos are a short walk down Queen Street, and Man Bar is a few doors up Dickson Road.