12 Best Nightlife Experiences in Blackpool

Funny Girls drag show has been thrilling audiences for over 25 years from a stunning locale at the old Odeon theatre on Blackpool’s North Shore. A real candidate for the wildest, most unique night out in the region, Funny Girls that has become as much a part of Blackpool as the tower or a stick of rainbow-coloured rock. Performers such as DJ Zoe and Betty Legs Diamond put on a rip-roaring show at Funny Girls, making this place one of the best-known nightlife venues in all of Blackpool, if not the UK.

The gifted performers at Funny Girls perform a range of cabaret acts including singing, dancing and comedy every night of the week. With tickets available from around £15.50 per person, there’s the option of adding VIP seating and a 2-course dinner for around £22.50 each.

Blackpool’s most famous street really comes to life around the north pier area, where the busiest bars and nightclubs are located. From Bavarian-themed beer halls to cheesetastic disco clubs, the Promenade is home to some of the best nightlife in town.

It is not all unadulterated hedonism here though, with more refined options including Latin themed cocktail bars and genuinely excellent local restaurants. This area is also home to a clutch of quality hotels and apartments, meaning it would be well worth booking something in the area if you plan to take advantage of the Promenade’s white-hot evening atmosphere.

This buzzing temple of laughter sits in a prime position of Blackpool’s seafront, directly opposite the iconic structure of Blackpool Tower. Since opening its doors in 2002, Comedy Station has been a mainstay of the town’s nightlife. Having played host to some of the region’s top comedic talent over the years, including Jason Manford, Justin Moorhouse and Tape Face, this hotbed for talent remains immensely popular.

An ideal place to start off a night out in Blackpool, Comedy Station Comedy Club operates a range of events throughout the week. Sunday tends to be the preserve of new material whilst Friday and Saturday feature headliners. Try to head there on a Thursday, when tickets can be had for as little as £5 per person. Beware, Comedy Station can get extremely busy during peak times, so it’s best to book your seats in advance.

Hosting a range of events including live music, comedy and even poetry jams, the Bootleg Social is a bastion of culture in central Blackpool. For years the town was without a truly hip meeting place and nowadays this place flies the flag for everything niche, craft or in any way unusual. From cultivated evenings spent sipping Malbec and sampling homemade pies to hedonistic affairs of lager-soaked rock music, the Bootleg is as diverse as the clientele it attracts.

If your favourite band or DJ is playing Blackpool, odds are they will be doing so here, so be sure to check out the Bootleg’s online listings as there are new events taking place several times a week. With trendy, minimal furniture and fashionable, young staff, the Bootleg Social is undoubtedly Blackpool’s coolest nightlife venue.

The local ale revolution that has swept across England finds its Blackpool home at 1887 The Brew Room, a cosy pub with an outstanding selection of regional and national beers. Situated in the old Stanley Arms Hotel, a building bursting with old-world character, this pub offers all beers in full or half-pint form and the selection is enough to keep anybody occupied for hours on end.

Highlights include Joyston Stout and the Taste of Summer Blonde ale, though in truth there isn’t a bad ale on cask at 1887 The Brew Room. This is simply one of Blackpool’s very best pubs, with leather couches and oak panelled walls lending the place a plush vibe that’s perfect for tucking into one of their homemade pies or burgers.

Open 7 nights a week, this huge club is Blackpool’s seminal nightlife destination and attracts both locals and tourists. Flamingo may be in need of a lick of paint but the recipe for a great night out remains the same; cheap drinks, great music and a fun-loving clientele.

Internationally renowned events continue to land at Flamingo year after year, with Gatecrasher and Cream just 2 of the regulars that call this iconic nightclub home for a few nights every year. For those seeking a taste of Blackpool at its most hedonistic, a visit to Flamingo is an essential experience. 

Every year at Christmastime, Blackpool becomes the national centre for pantomimes, a fantastically over-the-top form of dramatic expression that is popular with the whole family. A visit to the town around the Christmas period is not complete without a panto and there’s really no better way to kick off an evening of shenanigans.

Blackpool audiences are treated to amazing shows, stunning costumes and a laugh-a-minute script, with some truly great performances put on by all involved, which often includes well-known celebrities in lead roles. 

It goes without saying that Blackpool is a showbiz town and the Winter Gardens might just be the greatest venue of all. Playing host to a variety of elite performances in everything from music to comedy to theatre, this local institution has been attracting crowds to its many and varied rooms for more than 140 years.

The most famous of all rooms at the Winter Gardens is the Empress Ballroom, an enormous and grand space that, upon opening in 1896, was one of the world’s largest ballrooms. Whether it’s a musical, a concert or indeed a ball, the Winter Gardens remains one of Blackpool’s most venerable nightlife venues. 

Blackpool Tower is a legendary structure, an enduring symbol of the town and a source of great pride for local residents. What many people will not know, however, is that the tower boasts several top-notch nightlife venues within its hallowed walls.

Home to one of Britain’s oldest circus acts as well as a grand ballroom to compete with any in the nation, Blackpool Tower hosts some excellent events throughout the year including Northern Soul gatherings that provide a taste of authentic local culture from yesteryear. Check out what’s on and head here before painting the town red at one of the many nearby bars and nightclubs. 

A stalwart on the Blackpool nightlife scene, Central Pier Showbar has been putting on solid cabaret shows year after year. Billed as the greatest tribute show in town, the performance here features 3 tribute acts from the likes of Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Freddie Mercury and more. 

Whilst enjoying the cabaret acts at Central Pier Showbar might not be the most sophisticated way to spend an evening, it must be said that it’s great fun, with the acts themselves on top form for every show. Drinks are reasonably priced and there’s hearty pub fare on the menu to soak up any excess. With 3 shows per week, each event lasts for around 2 hours. Tickets start at around £17 for adults with discounts for children. 

Named after the bar’s very own canine mascot, The Little Black Pug bar is one of the town’s newest and trendiest spots. Popular with locals and tourists seeking a taste of the region’s famous North Soul culture, the Little Black Pug has helped to rejuvenate Blackpool’s music scene by paying homage to this niche genre that was once dominant throughout the north of England.

Heading to the Little Black Pug on a Friday or Saturday night means being flung into the heart of Blackpool nightlife, with great music, friendly clientele and one of the best selections of drinks in the town. With quirky decor and a dedicated dance floor, The Little Black Pug is tailor-made for memorable, musical nights out.

From club classics to house to pop, Saturday X might just be the busiest nightlife venue in Blackpool, and it takes places every Saturday at Revolution. Weird and wonderful in all the right ways, this event attracts all manner of locals and tourists looking for a rowdy night out, with cheap drinks and good cheer fuelling the fun.

This is a great, centrally located venue and so it would pay to enjoy the bars and restaurants in the surrounding area before heading to Saturday X to finish things off with a bang. VIP tables are available for those looking to truly push the boat at, with table service and access to special offers added incentives.