Gay Blackpool by day
How to enjoy the Rainbow Quarter and LGBTQ+ Blackpool in daylight: afternoon drag, heritage, community spaces and Sunday roasts, without staying up until 4am.
Blackpool's LGBTQ+ scene has a reputation for late nights, but plenty happens in the daytime too. This plan suits day-trippers, people who'd rather be in bed by midnight, and anyone travelling with friends or family who aren't big on clubs.
Morning
Arrive and walk the quarter. From Blackpool North station, walk the loop of Lord Street, Cocker Street and Dickson Road to see the guesthouses, the Progress Pride street signs and the planters added as part of the council's plan for the quarter.
The rainbow crossings. Morning is the best time for a photo at the Progress Pride crossings at the Dickson Road and Springfield Road junction, when the traffic is light.
Down to the sea. Walk down Queen Street to the Promenade and North Pier. On Pride Saturday this is where the parade passes.
Late morning: heritage and culture
Showtown. The town's museum of fun and entertainment, near the Tower, has made queer stories part of its programme. Its Pride Beside the Seaside tours have covered the gender-bending stars of the variety era, the trans magician Terri Rogers and the story of Funny Girls. Check what's on before you go.
The Grundy Art Gallery and Central Library on Queen Street. The Grundy has staged LGBTQ+ heritage exhibitions. From February to June 2027 it and Showtown are due to host exhibitions marking twenty years of Blackpool Pride, built from the community's own photos, flyers and memories.
Lunchtime
- The Flying Handbag on Queen Street opens from midday and serves food through the afternoon.
- Peek-a-Booze on Dickson Road opens from breakfast time and serves food until early evening.
- On Sundays, book a roast at the Flying Handbag, Mardi Gras or DeLovely.
Afternoon: drag before dark
Garlands, Talbot Road. Drag on stage every day from mid-afternoon, with free entry. It's the best daytime show in town.
Lord Street. Rendezvous opens in the afternoon from Thursday to Sunday, and Mardi Gras is open from midday. The Dame Lane on Pleasant Street has hosted bingo afternoons.
Churchills, Topping Street. A traditional, gay-friendly pub that opens from mid-morning, popular for karaoke and bingo with an older crowd.
Kaos, Queen Street. Open from midday on most days since its 2026 refit.
Special daytime shows. Funny Girls and other venues sometimes run matinées and daytime events, from storytelling afternoons to drag brunches in town-centre venues. Check what's on before you travel.
Early evening
Funny Girls. The show starts early enough that you can be out by about 11.30pm. Combine it with the three-course pre-show dinner in Garbo's.
The Illuminations. In the autumn and early winter, the lights come on in the early evening. Walk down Queen Street to the Promenade and enjoy them before an early night.
Community in the daytime
If you live locally or are visiting for longer, some of the quarter's support and community groups meet in the daytime or early evening:
- A free monthly lunchtime drop-in for trans and gender-diverse people at the Central Library on Queen Street.
- LGBTQ+ social and peer groups at Horizon on Dickson Road on Tuesday evenings.
- A monthly LGBTQ+ swim with sole use of the pool and a coach on hand.
- An inclusive church with a Sunday evening service and a free Wednesday evening meal.
See our community pages for details.