The Flying Handbag

What it is

If Funny Girls is the theatre of Blackpool's scene, the Flying Handbag is its front room. It is a big, bright, purpose-built bar and club at the top of Queen Street, open from midday every day until 3am, and until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays. It works as a lunchtime café-bar, an afternoon quiz spot, a karaoke bar and a late-night dance venue, often all on the same day.

The welcome is deliberately broad. The venue describes itself as a safe space for all and says it celebrates every walk of life, and the crowd reflects that: locals, weekenders, older regulars, young groups, lesbians, gay men, trans and non-binary people, and plenty of straight friends.

History in brief

The Handbag's story starts at the very beginning of Blackpool's modern scene. It began as a pub on the ground floor of the Talbot Road building whose top floor held the Flamingo, the town's first openly gay nightclub. The venue gives 1994 as its founding year. When that block was bought for redevelopment, the Handbag moved in January 2006 into a new purpose-built building on the corner of Queen Street and Lord Street, designed with a horseshoe bar, cabaret stage, conservatory and roof terrace.

Lancashire brewer Thwaites took the venue over in 2019 and spent around half a million pounds on a seven-week refit: new stage, new sound and lighting, new bar and new toilets. It reopened in February 2020. Over the years it has won several awards at the Blackpool Pride Awards.

What's on through the week

• Monday: Monday Mayhem, from 8pm until 3am, plus karaoke.
• Tuesday: a quieter night; resident DJs keep the music going.
• Wednesday: QuizMania with drag host Miss Amber, 4pm to 8pm, followed by karaoke.
• Thursday: a double bill of the game show Take It or Leave It and Thirsty Thursday with Miss Amber, plus karaoke.
• Friday: TFI Friday with Miss Amber and drag DJ Pudsley.
• Saturday: the big party night, with resident DJs into the small hours.
• Sunday: Sunday lunch from noon to 5pm, with an occasional afternoon show, Lady and the Camp, on selected Sundays.

Other regular faces include party DJ Nathan and musical-theatre performer Ginger Rogers, and Miss Penny makes guest appearances through the year. Touring drag stars drop in too. In October 2026, for example, Drag Race UK's KY Kelly played a late Friday set. The Handbag also hosts charity days, including a Macmillan fundraiser in autumn 2026, and takes part in the scene's Pride fundraising weekends.

Food and drink

Food is served most of the day: from 1pm until 12.30am Monday to Thursday, until 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, and from noon to 5pm on Sundays, when the kitchen does a roast. Late-night food is rare in the quarter, which makes the Handbag useful at 1am. There is a full drinks list and a cocktail menu. Groups can enquire about booking a booth for a celebration, and a cold buffet can be added at about £12.50 a head if booked at least 14 days ahead. A loyalty scheme called Handbags & Gladrags offers members' rewards.

Who it suits

Pretty much everyone, which is its strength. It is the easiest venue in town for a first visit on your own, a long lazy afternoon, a quiz with friends or a mixed group night out. If you want a calm pint, go before the evening entertainment starts. If you want noise, go after 10pm at the weekend.

Accessibility and facilities

The Handbag lists wheelchair access, which is less common in the quarter's older buildings. It also has free wi-fi, a sun terrace and a heated outdoor smoking area.

Entry

Entry is free on regular nights. It is strictly 18+, and you must show ID on arrival. Staff will refuse anyone who arrives clearly drunk.

Location and nearby

The Handbag stands at the top of Queen Street where it meets Lord Street, a few minutes from Blackpool North station. Kaos is next door, Funny Girls and Oscars are across the road on Dickson Road, and Sherlock's is a short stroll towards the sea. The Lord Street bars, including Mardi Gras and Rendezvous, start just around the corner.