Neon Bar and Hotel Neon

What it is

Neon Bar is the bar of Hotel Neon, a modern, fully renovated hotel that markets itself as a gay hotel in the middle of Blackpool's gay district. The bar is small and stylish, with carefully made cocktails, premium spirits and a short wine list. Its biggest asset is a garden out the back, which makes it one of the few places in the quarter where you can sit outside with a drink on a warm evening.

It is open to non-residents, so you don't need to be staying at the hotel to drop in.

History in brief

The building used to be a guesthouse called The White Heather. It was renovated and relaunched as Hotel Neon, with the company behind it registered in 2023. Since then the bar has become a regular pre-drinks stop on the Lord Street side of the quarter. The hotel flies a rainbow banner and points guests to the quarter's LGBTQ+ venues.

What's on

Neon is a talking bar rather than a show bar: expect a good playlist and conversation rather than a drag host or karaoke. Its listed hours have been:

• Thursday and Sunday: 5pm to 11pm
• Friday and Saturday: 2pm to 11pm
• Monday to Wednesday: usually closed

Hours shift with the season, so check before making a special trip.

Drinks

Cocktails are the speciality, alongside premium spirits and a wine range that the hotel says is exclusive to Neon in Blackpool. There is no food menu for non-residents.

Who it suits

Neon suits couples, small groups and anyone who wants a civilised cocktail before Funny Girls or the Queen Street bars, or a quieter nightcap. The garden is a bonus for smokers and sun-seekers. The bar can also be hired for small private events.

Accessibility

No accessibility details are published. Contact the hotel before visiting if you need step-free access.

Staying

Hotel Neon is adults-only, unless agreed in advance with the hotel, and offers standard and premium double rooms. Bookings made direct ask for a small deposit, with the balance due two weeks before arrival.

Location and nearby

The bar is on Yates Street at the corner of Lord Street, a few minutes' walk from Blackpool North. McGraths and DeLovely are close by on Lord Street, Evanescent and Secrets are on Cocker Street, and the Prince Albert men's hotel is also on Yates Street. The Queen Street bars are about five minutes away.

Staying or visiting: Hotel Neon

What it is and who it welcomes

Hotel Neon stands on the corner of Lord Street and Yates Street, on the main guest-house and bar strip of Blackpool's Rainbow Quarter. It markets itself as a gay hotel and as an adults-only retreat in the town's leading gay district, and it takes both leisure and business guests. It is not men-only.

It is a small, modern place run as a room-only hotel with a bar downstairs. You will not get a cooked breakfast here, but you will be a few doors from almost everything on Lord Street, and within a short stroll of Funny Girls and the Queen Street bars.

Rooms

There are eight en-suite rooms over three upper floors:

• First floor: Room 1 (small double), Room 2 (single), and Rooms 3 and 4 (large doubles).
• Second floor: Rooms 5 and 6 (small doubles) and Room 7 (twin).
• Third floor: Room 8 (premium double).

Every room has a shower en-suite, a hairdryer, a shaver socket, tea and coffee, fast WiFi, a full-length mirror and a wardrobe. When you book online you can see and choose the exact room you will get, which is handy if you want the twin or the top-floor premium double. Each room takes a maximum of two adults.

House rules

• Adults only. Guests must be 18 or over and bring photo ID. Children are only accepted with the hotel's prior agreement, and there are no family rooms.
• No stag or hen parties, whatever the sexuality of the group. Groups of five or more are at the manager's discretion, and booking separately does not get round the rule.
• Non-smoking throughout, including vapes. There is a smoking area at the front. Smoking indoors means eviction and a cleaning charge of at least £200.
• No pets.
• No visitors in rooms. A non-guest who stays the night is charged as an extra night.
• No candles or incense anywhere in the building.
• Drinks in the bar, lounge and terrace must be bought at the bar.
• Charges apply for lost keys, damage and heavy cleaning.

The bar

Neon's bar is a small cocktail and wine bar that is open to non-residents, so it doubles as a pre-drinks stop on a night out. The hotel's own pages give two sets of hours: 4pm to 11pm Friday to Sunday, or a longer Thursday-to-Sunday timetable that starts in the afternoon at weekends. Check which applies when you visit. The bar is also available for private hire.

Breakfast

Breakfast is not currently served. Staff will point you to nearby cafés, and several bars on Lord Street and Dickson Road serve food from the morning.

Location

From Blackpool North station it is about five minutes on foot. The nearest tram stop is Pleasant Street. The Winter Gardens, the Tower and the Grand Theatre are roughly ten minutes' walk away. The Prince Albert Hotel is next door on Yates Street, and Trades, Mardi Gras and Rendezvous are all a short walk along Lord Street.

Parking

There are two free spaces at the hotel, first come, first served, and free unrestricted parking on the street outside, which cannot be reserved. Cocker Street and Cocker Square car parks are about two minutes' walk, and Bank Street is about four. All three are open 24 hours.

Accessibility

Hotel Neon publishes a detailed access statement. It is not suitable for wheelchair users. There are no ground-floor bedrooms and no lift. There is a small step from the pavement and then three steps up into the hallway, and staff can help. The stairs have a handrail on the right, and each floor is reached by flights of about seven to ten steps. Some beds can only be reached from one side. There is no accessible toilet. Tell staff about any hearing impairment, as the fire alarm is a siren. Staff will help with luggage.

Booking tips

• Booking direct is promised to be cheaper than the big booking sites.
• A £25 non-refundable deposit secures the room, and the balance is taken 14 days before arrival.
• Cancelling within 14 days of arrival means no refund, although the hotel may move you to other dates.
• Check-in is 2pm to 9pm, and check-out is by 11am. Early check-in and late check-out can be bought when you book.