Lights, Pier and Non-stop parties… Blackpool awaits
The seaside town of Blackpool holds a special place in the public’s mind. The city’s unique landscape of lights, the Blackpool Tower, the Pleasure beach and the slightly dodgy pink hotels by the sea all combine to create this very British phenomenon. But what is it about this city that has earned it the reputation of Britain’s seaside nightlife capital? Whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny that there’s nowhere else in the country quite like Blackpool.
As you may imagine, the summer months are awash with fancy dress clad hen parties and groups of lads celebrating their mate’s last night of freedom as an unmarried man. Of course most clubs and bars are very busy. To guide you through the crowds of fellow revellers, here are a few nifty pointers and bits of info to lead you in the right direction.
In Blackpool, early is good and, more importantly, cheap. In order to capitalise on the crowds many places rise entry prices after 11 so it’s a good idea to head down a bit earlier to avoid the hiked up prices and to be one of the first at the bar! If you’re not too bothered about what night of the week to go out, then Sunday is always a good option; slightly on the quieter side and also jam-packed with drinks deals rarely found on the busy weekend nights.
Normally, the first point of call for that big night out is the famous promenade. Filled with bars, clubs and night-time hangouts, with the sea as a backdrop you’ll never be short of somewhere to have a quick drink. Standing out as one of the biggest along the famed strip is Sanuk. Sprawled across six different rooms, including a special VIP room and a terrace for those long summer nights, Sanuk caters for hen and stag parties as well as anyone who enjoys a good-old knees-up with some mates. The Arena is the place to be for Ibiza anthems and house classics, but if you’d rather relax with friends try out the Smirnoff Bar. Sanuk is a huge place, losing friends can be an issue; don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Key to the makeup of the Blackpool’s nightlife is the city’s vibrant Gay scene. In the heart of the city is the 3,200 capacity club Flamingo. Spread over three floors and open every night of the week, Flamingo’s tagline ‘open to all, closed to prejudice’ encapsulates the welcoming spirit of this area of the city. Live DJs, a good crowd and a huge venue full of hidden gems combine to make Flamingo a great place for everyone.
For a step away from the musical norms of most venues head down to Hush. Created as Blackpool’s first RnB club, Hush is the perfect setting for the genre. With graffiti decorating the walls, leather clad sofas and an emphasis on the best up and coming RnB DJs from across the North West, Hush really does offer an unforgettable night. Stored in the same building is their sister club Rumours. Rumours are determined to take you back to the days of ‘hands in the air’ anthems; it’s easy to dance the night away here.
You can expect to find all the normal aspects of any city’s nightlife scene down the promenade. Places such as Flares, Walkabout, Yates and O’Neill’s all feature at some point down the promenade and over the summer weekends are full to the brim with sun burnt party lovers. Recently a new venue has burst onto the scene and has nestled alongside these established names. Bierkeller is a little piece of Bavaria in Blackpool. Designed as a traditional German drinking hall, Bierkeller is popular for it’s two-pint glasses and ‘traditionally’ dressed waitresses. Any place that encourages dancing on tables gets a thumb up from us…
By Jack Evans