Free and cheap nights out in gay Blackpool

Blackpool has always been good value, and its LGBTQ+ scene is no exception. Drinks cost less than in most big-city gay villages, many shows are free, and the biggest light show in the country costs nothing to see.

Free things to do

• Free drag every day at Garlands. There's no cover charge and drag on stage from mid-afternoon.
• Free entry to most bars. Most quarter bars are free to enter in the week. The bigger venues may charge a small amount at weekends and on special nights.
• The Illuminations. Free, from early September into early January. You can walk the Promenade from the bottom of Queen Street.
• Christmas by the Sea. The festive village on the Promenade is free to enter from late November to early January. Some rides and the ice rink cost extra.
• The Rainbow Quarter Street Party. Free, on Lord Street, over Pride weekend.
• Pride Sunday. The Sunday of Pride weekend has been a free community day, and watching the parade on Saturday costs nothing.
• Rainbow Weekend. February's fundraising weekend across the bars is free to attend, though you'll want to drop something in the collection buckets.
• The rainbow crossings and the seafront. Free photos, free sea air.
• Heritage talks and history clubs. Some LGBTQ+ heritage events have been free to book.

Cheaper nights out

• Cabaret bars with cheap drinks. Peek-a-Booze, Lu-Lu's, Mardi Gras, Evanescent and Pinkies are known for low prices.
• Funny Girls standing tickets. Standing tickets start at around £10 on quieter weeknights, against roughly £17 to £35 for seats depending on the night and position. Midweek and Sunday shows are cheapest.
• Dinner-and-show bundles. Usually cheaper than buying the meal and show separately, except on Saturdays and New Year's Eve.
• Drinks deals. Garlands and several Lord Street bars run drinks offers. Ask at the bar.
• Cash. A couple of the smallest bars have been cash only, so carry some to avoid hunting for a machine.

Where to stay for less

• Come midweek. Sunday-to-Thursday stays are usually much cheaper than weekends, and some guesthouses discount midweek stays of two nights or more.
• Look for weekly deals. Some gay hotels have offered seven nights for the price of five.
• Room-only and budget options. Budget rooms above cabaret bars, room-only suites and simple B&Bs all exist in the quarter.
• Avoid peak weekends if price matters more than the party: Pride, bank holidays, the Illuminations switch-on and autumn Saturdays push prices up and often come with minimum stays.

Guest perks

Some LGBTQ+ guesthouses give guests a discount card for local venues and events, discounted parking passes or even free standing tickets for Funny Girls. Ask what's included when you book. Pride wristband holders have also been offered discounts at selected venues and attractions over Pride weekend.

Getting there and around for less

• Book train tickets in advance and travel off-peak.
• Add a bus-and-tram ticket to your rail ticket at the time of booking for a discount.
• The Duo Day Saver covers two adults on all Blackpool buses and trams for a day for about £10.
• Sunday and bank holiday bus fares have been £1 a single under a county scheme. Trams are not included.
• Walk. Everything in the quarter is within a few minutes of everything else, and the walk to the Tower takes about ten to fifteen minutes.
• Park cheaply. If you drive, a multi-day ticket at the Banks Street car park has been the cheapest option, and some guesthouses sell discounted passes for it.

Pride for less

Pride's main-stage events are ticketed. The festival has run a low-income ticket ballot for local residents with an FY or PR postcode receiving qualifying benefits, giving half-price general admission. It has also offered free entry for under-18s on the Saturday. Applications for 2026 closed at the end of April, so look out for the scheme early in the year.

Food on a budget

• Peek-a-Booze serves food from breakfast until early evening.
• Sunday roasts at the quarter's bars are good value and very filling.
• Many guesthouses include a full English breakfast, which will keep you going until mid-afternoon.

Places mentioned in this guide