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.
Curious and bi-curious
What curious means, welcoming venues, men-only places, safer sex, consent and support.
Curious, the C in LGBTIQCAPGNGFNBA, means being curious about attraction beyond what you've recognised or experienced before. You'll also hear bi-curious, which Childline describes as not identifying as straight or gay, but sometimes wondering about attraction to genders you don't usually feel drawn to. Being curious doesn't make you straight, bi or gay: you can explore without choosing a label. It is a description of where you are, not a commitment: some curious people go on to identify as bi, pan, gay or lesbian, and many stay straight.
Is the Rainbow Quarter OK with curious people?
Yes. Blackpool's mixed bars are full of people who don't label themselves, and nobody checks. Two things matter more than labels:
- Respect. The quarter is first of all a safe space for LGBTQ+ people. Enjoy it, but don't treat the people in it as an experiment or an attraction.
- Consent. Flirting is part of a night out; pressure, touching without asking and following people are not.
Mardi Gras
An LGBTQ+ public bar and hotel on Lord Street with three areas, cabaret, hot food, Sunday roasts and keen drink prices.
Curious men
- Acqua Sauna says men of every orientation are welcome, including bi, bi-curious and questioning men, and occasionally runs advertised mixed bisexual events. Normal sessions are men only.
- W3 Complex is also a men-only sauna.
- The Growlr Club above Man Bar is a men-only cruise club.
Acqua Sauna
A men's men's sauna two minutes from Blackpool North, with a dry sauna, steam room, large hot tub, cabins and a cafe lounge.
W3 Complex
An adults-only men's sauna over several floors on Charles Street, with an outdoor hot tub, sun terrace and weekly theme nights.
Read the sauna guide first, so you know how they work.
Curious women
There is no women-only bar in Blackpool at the moment, but the mixed bars and drag shows are relaxed places for women. Lancashire LGBT's monthly online women and non-binary group is open to bi and queer women, including those still working it out.
Lancashire LGBT Women and Non-Binary Group
A free monthly online group from the county LGBTQ+ charity for lesbian, bi, trans and queer women and femme non-binary people.
Safer sex
If you're exploring, look after your health. Blackpool makes it easy and free:
Horizon LGBTQ+ at Renaissance
The Rainbow Quarter's LGBTQ+ health centre, offering sexual health clinics, rapid testing, HIV support, counselling and harm reduction on Dickson Road.
SH.UK free home testing
A free online sexual health clinic that posts STI and HIV test kits, condoms and more to Blackpool and Lancashire residents.
Blackpool and Lancashire Sexual Health Service (Whitegate)
The NHS sexual health service for Blackpool and Lancashire, with its main Blackpool clinic at Whitegate Health Centre.
- Horizon on Dickson Road runs free clinics and rapid testing in the middle of the quarter.
- SH.UK posts free test kits and condoms to Blackpool addresses.
- PrEP, which prevents HIV, is free on the NHS. See sexual health and PrEP.
Talking it through
If being curious is bringing up bigger questions about your relationship, your marriage or who you are, a confidential helpline is a good first call.
Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
A free national listening and information line, by phone, chat and email, staffed by LGBTQIA+ volunteers.
LGBT Foundation helpline
A national LGBTQ+ charity based in nearby Manchester, whose helpline offers listening support and signposting across the UK.
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.AromanticWhat aromantic means, the aro spectrum, the nearest group, friendship-first socials and awareness week.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.Every identityThe full list, the long acronyms and UK law.