Funny Girls
Blackpool's best-known drag cabaret, staging big themed revues in a restored 1939 art deco cinema two minutes from Blackpool North.
Aromantic people in Blackpool
What aromantic means, the aro spectrum, the nearest group, friendship-first socials and awareness week.
Aromantic (aro) people feel little or no romantic attraction. It is part of the A in LGBTQIA+. Being aro is about romance, not sex: some aro people are also asexual (aroace), and some are not. Stonewall uses "aro" as an umbrella including:
- Demiromantic: romantic attraction only after a close bond.
- Greyromantic: rare, weak or occasional romantic attraction.
Aro people often put friendships, family, community or chosen partnerships that aren't romantic at the centre of their lives. Some use the term queerplatonic for close relationships that don't fit the friend or partner boxes.
A town built for couples?
Blackpool sells romance: the Tower Ballroom, the Illuminations, hen parties and honeymoons. The Rainbow Quarter is different. Its best nights are about friends and laughter rather than dates, and nobody expects you to bring a partner.
Garlands
A camp, free-entry drag pub near Blackpool North where resident queens are on from mid-afternoon every single day.
The Flying Handbag
A big, purpose-built LGBTQ+ bar and club on Queen Street, open from noon every day with drag hosts, karaoke, food and a sun terrace.
Peek-a-Booze
A friendly Dickson Road cabaret bar with budget adults-only rooms upstairs, cheap drinks and something on most nights.
Look for bingo, karaoke and quiz nights. See karaoke, bingo and quiz nights and free and cheap nights out.
Groups
Pluto MCR in Manchester is the nearest aro group, welcoming aromantic and asexual people on the third Wednesday of each month.
Pluto MCR
A monthly social group in Manchester for asexual and aromantic people, including demi, grey and questioning people.
Friendship-first groups in and around Blackpool:
Electric Pink Voices
Blackpool's LGBTQ+ community choir, which rehearses every Tuesday evening and welcomes new members.
Blackpool Allies
A free, relaxed social evening twice a month for LGBT+ people and anyone who supports them, at the Horizon centre on Dickson Road.
Lytham Let Live
An informal daytime friendship meet-up for LGBT people on the Fylde, held once a month in Lytham.
Rainbow Creative Hub
A new arts club for LGBT+ people on the Fylde coast, held at a creative studio in St Annes.
Lancashire LGBT's walking group, on the second Sunday of the month from February to November, is another easy way to meet people, with friends, family and dogs welcome.
Living aro
- Valentine's season can feel relentless. That's partly why aro awareness week falls straight after it.
- Family pressure to "settle down" is common. Switchboard takes calls about exactly that.
Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
A free national listening and information line, by phone, chat and email, staffed by LGBTQIA+ volunteers.
Awareness dates
Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week is the week after Valentine's Day, in February. The aromantic flag has five stripes: green, light green, white, grey and black.
More
Sources
Sexual and romantic orientation: more pages
LesbianMixed bars, women-friendly stays, the nearest lesbian socials, and the history of Lucy's and Kings.GayThe bars, men-only hotels and saunas, bears, health clinics, peer support and fifty years of history.BisexualWelcoming venues, BiPhoria and other groups, health services and bi history at Blackpool Pride.PansexualWhat pansexual means, how it differs from bi, and welcoming places and groups.AsexualWhat asexual means, the ace spectrum, Pluto MCR, sociable things to do away from the bars, and support.QueerWhat queer means today, plus queer art, heritage, alternative drag and community in Blackpool.QuestioningGentle first steps, confidential helplines, youth groups and low-pressure places to start.CuriousWhat curious means, welcoming venues, men-only places, safer sex, consent and support.Every identityThe full list, the long acronyms and UK law.