Daytime and quiet bars
Where to go in the Rainbow Quarter for a calm drink, an afternoon session, a conversation or a meal, rather than a late, loud night.
Not every night out needs a dancefloor. Blackpool's scene has plenty of small bars, lounges and pubs that are at their best in daylight or early evening, and they are ideal for older visitors, couples, solo travellers, people who are sober-curious and anyone easing into a weekend.
Open from the morning or lunchtime
- Peek-a-Booze, Dickson Road: opens at 9am, with home-cooked food until 7pm and breakfast all day. Weekday afternoons are relaxed, although karaoke and bingo start in the evenings.
- The Duke, Dickson Road: opens at 9am for breakfast, with food all afternoon and Sunday roasts. It is a mainstream pub run by Garlands' brewer.
- The Flying Handbag, Queen Street: opens at noon, with food from 1pm (noon on Sunday, when it serves a roast). Weekday afternoons are calm, and Wednesday's QuizMania from 4pm to 8pm is a gentle way into the evening.
- Garlands, Talbot Road: opens at noon, with half-price cocktails before 5pm from Sunday to Thursday. The drag starts mid-afternoon, so arrive early if you want quiet.
- Kaos, Queen Street: runs as a daytime bar from about midday to 8pm on most days.
- Cuban Bar, Dickson Road: a wine and cocktail bar open from 11am every day.
- Churchills, Topping Street: a traditional real-ale pub opening from 10am, popular with an older, mixed crowd.
Afternoon and early-evening bars
- Rendezvous, Lord Street: a ring-the-bell bar open from 3pm or 4pm at weekends, with a cask ale on and a chatty crowd. It closes by about 10.30pm.
- McGraths, Lord Street: open from 3pm daily as a bar and lounge with quiet corners. Shows start late in the evening at weekends.
- Evanescent, Cocker Street: opens from 2pm Thursday to Sunday and 4pm on other days.
- The Dame Lane, Pleasant Street: Sunday sessions from about 4pm, with bingo later.
Lounges for a conversation
- Gin & Bear It, inside Man Bar on Dickson Road: a botanical gin lounge designed as a calmer escape from the dancefloor, open Friday to Sunday from 8pm.
- Neon Bar, Yates Street: a small cocktail bar with a garden, open from 2pm at weekends and early evening on Thursday and Sunday.
- Sailor Al's at Lu-Lu's, Dickson Road: the quieter lounge beside the cabaret bar, open at weekends.
- Mardi Gras lounge, Lord Street: a lounge and pool table away from the stage.
- Antinous Lounge & Bistro, Banks Street: a sit-down bistro and lounge in the Trades building.
Somewhere to eat
Food is patchy in the quarter, so it helps to know the options:
- Daytime: Peek-a-Booze (breakfast all day), The Duke (breakfast from 9am), Off The Rails Cafe on High Street, and the Flying Handbag from 1pm.
- Early evening: DeLovely on Lord Street serves starters and mains in the early evening, plus cocktails in teapots. Garbo's at Funny Girls does a three-course pre-show dinner from 6pm.
- Sunday roasts: the Flying Handbag, The Duke, DeLovely (book ahead) and 31 Queen Street.
Tips for a quieter visit
- Go early in the week. Many bars are calm from Monday to Thursday, and some small ones only open from Thursday to Sunday.
- Go early in the day. Even the busiest venues are relaxed before about 8pm.
- Avoid peak weekends if crowds bother you. Pride weekend in early June, bank holidays and Illuminations Saturdays are the busiest times.
- Ask about quiet corners. Several bars, including Mardi Gras, Lu-Lu's and Man Bar, have a second room that is calmer than the main bar.