McGraths Bar and Hotel

What it is

McGraths is a guesthouse and public bar towards the far end of Lord Street. Despite the "Irish bar" in its full name, it is really a cabaret lounge. Through the week it is a relaxed bar for a cocktail or a quiet drink. From Friday to Sunday it puts on live entertainment, with resident drag queens and vocalists alongside cabaret and drag acts from around the UK and beyond. Non-residents are welcome, and its stated philosophy is that everyone is welcome.

There are snug corners for a quiet drink, a sun lounge and gardens front and back for smokers, so the bar can do a gentle afternoon or a packed show night.

History in brief

The building has had several names on the guesthouse circuit, including Scarlets and DeLovely Two, before becoming McGraths. Its current licence dates from a 2024 variation. It has quickly built a reputation: it was a finalist for Night-time Venue of the Year at the 2024 Blackpool Pride Awards, won a Blackpool rainbow accommodation award in 2025, and picked up a local hospitality award the same year. Guests consistently rate the guesthouse very highly.

What's on

Live entertainment runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, usually with a headline spot at around 9.30pm. Recent shows give a good idea of the style:

• a Kylie tribute night with costumes and singalong hits
• Drag With No Name, the award-winning impressionist whose characters range from Susan Boyle to Lady Gaga, and who is a long-time favourite here
• Son of a Tutu, the drag artist and activist known from Everybody's Talking About Jamie, who returned in October 2026
• a Halloween night with a Sanderson Sisters drag takeover, 8pm to 11pm on 31 October 2026
• free Dolly Parton singalong nights

Most shows are free to attend. Bigger nights, such as New Year's Eve and a Christmas brunch, are ticketed in advance.

Food and drink

The bar has a full drinks list and a cocktail menu. There is no regular bar food menu, but buffets and food can be arranged for private parties. Venue hire and party planning are free, with packages that can include entertainment and décor.

Who it suits

McGraths suits people who want quality cabaret in an intimate room without big-venue prices or queues, and groups planning a birthday or celebration. It also works well for anyone staying at the Lord Street guesthouses who wants a show on the doorstep.

Entry rules

The bar runs Challenge 25: bring photo ID if you look under 25. Non-residents must leave by midnight, so plan a later venue if you want to carry on.

Accessibility

Because of the age and structure of the building, there is no ground-floor toilet. The venue has an access statement and says staff will do what they can to help, so contact them before you visit. Guest rooms are upstairs, with no lift.

Location and nearby

McGraths is at 87 Lord Street, towards the northern end of the street. DeLovely and Westfield House are neighbours, Neon Bar is at the Yates Street corner, and The Dame Lane is around the corner on Pleasant Street. Blackpool North station is about seven minutes' walk.

Staying or visiting: McGraths Hotel and Public Bar

What it is and who it welcomes

McGraths, at 87 Lord Street, is a small adults-only guesthouse with its own public bar and lounge. It used to trade as DeLovely Two and, before that, as Scarlets, and some booking sites still use the old names. The bar is open to non-residents and has become one of the quarter's busiest cabaret rooms. It was a finalist for night-time venue of the year at the 2024 Blackpool Pride Awards, and it won a Blackpool Rainbow Accommodation Award in 2025.

It appears on the local gay accommodation directory, and its guests and bar crowd are a friendly LGBTQ+ and straight mix. It is a good pick if you want a polished small hotel with a show downstairs and a short walk to the rest of the scene.

Rooms

There are seven rooms over two floors. Each has an en-suite shower, a large smart TV, a kettle, a cooling fan, an iron and ironing board, a mini fridge (useful for medication), complimentary water and toiletries.

The rear rooms are quieter on weekend nights, when the bar is busy. The 1912 has been under refurbishment.

Breakfast and bar

• Breakfast is included. Tell the hotel about dietary needs in advance. Guests with sensory needs can ask for an early breakfast in a quieter setting. No evening meals are served.
• The bar has opened at 3pm daily. It has closed at 10pm from Monday to Wednesday, at 11pm on Thursdays and Sundays, and at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, with last orders half an hour before closing. There is a cocktail menu.
• Entertainment: live cabaret acts from around the UK every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Ticketed specials have included tribute and drag nights, a Halloween party, a Christmas brunch and New Year's Eve. The bar can be hired for private parties, with buffets to suit different budgets.

McGraths also runs core fitness, Pilates and reformer classes, which are listed on its website.

Location

You are at the promenade end of Lord Street. The promenade is about four minutes away, North Pier about six, and the town centre about ten. Blackpool North station is about 0.2 miles away, roughly five minutes on foot. DeLovely, Westfield House, Gabrielle's and The Dragonfly are all within a few doors, and the Lord Street bars and Funny Girls are a few minutes away. The nearest tram stop is Pleasant Street.

Parking

• Private parking: about £10 a day, in a small car park about 10 metres from reception along a flat path. Spaces are limited, so reserve by email in advance.
• Street parking: free and unrestricted outside, but it cannot be reserved.
• Public car parks: Cocker Street and Cocker Square are about two minutes away, and Bank Street about four. All three are open 24 hours.
• Blue Badge holders may park on the double yellow lines out front for up to three hours.

Accessibility

McGraths publishes a full access statement. It is not suitable for wheelchair users. There are no ground-floor bedrooms and no lift.

• Entrance: one step from the road to the pavement, one more onto the frontage and two up to the door, which has a buzzer for help.
• Stairs: 17 carpeted stairs with a handrail to the first floor, and 16 more to the second.
• Toilets: there is no ground-floor toilet, and the nearest is up 17 steps.
• Showers: each has a small step, and the basin taps are lever-operated.
• Other help: assistance dogs are welcome free of charge, and large-print information is available.

Staff are generally available around the clock, or by WhatsApp.

Booking tips

• Book direct for the best rate, using the website or by phone, email or WhatsApp.
• Check whether your dates clash with a ticketed event in the bar.
• Booking terms are published as a PDF on the hotel's website.