The seaside resort city of Blackpool sits pretty on the Irish Sea coast in the United Kingdom. This Lancashire seaside getaway became popular when England’s wealthy patrons came here to bathe in seawater during the mid-18th century. But, did you know that today Blackpool is the gay capital of northern UK? Yes! There are many gay hotels in Blackpool that are more than friendly towards gay travelers. What’s more, most of them are gay-owned, which shows how much inclusivity is steeped in the city’s fabric. Blackpool also has a bustling gay scene, which has been around since as far back as World War II ended. Furthermore, Blackpool’s gay scene not just has gay bars and clubs, but even saunas – yes, plural! It’s no wonder that this coastal city, which lies less than two hours from Liverpool, is the hub of LGBTQ+ life in the northern UK.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack a bag with your best beachwear and head off for a time of fun and frolic to this gay-friendly Irish Sea resort town in England. To that end, here are the 11 best gay friendly hotels in Blackpool, UK.
Table of contents
- Prince Albert Hotel
- The Dragonfly
- Trades Hotel
- The Molly House
- Pride Lodge
- Mardi Gras Hotel
- Thornhill Blackpool
- Westfield House Hotel
- Phoenix Guest House
- The Trentham Hotel
- Lawrence House
- Best Gay Neighborhoods in Blackpool
- Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Blackpool
- Best Gay Saunas in Blackpool
- Gay Events/Shows/Tours in Blackpool
Prince Albert Hotel
11
Gay travelers who’re on a budget and want to stay in the middle of the gay scene will love the Prince Albert Hotel. This new and discreet men-only place is one of the best gay hotels in Blackpool. The four-star hotel offers ‘home-from-home’ adult-only accommodations for LGBTQ+ men, making it one of the few exclusively gay accommodations in the town. What’s more, all rooms are immaculate and modish and equipped with mini-fridges, coffee machines, flatscreen TVs, and plush beds. Interestingly, all rooms are shared, which means you might get some handsome hunks as your roommates! Plus, every room even has complimentary super-fast Wi-Fi, extending to the rest of the hotel. Downstairs, the relaxing and fully-stocked lounge/bar is the perfect place to pre-booze before heading out to Blackpool’s gay scene.
But what makes the hotel all the more popular with gay men is the Ffun weekend that it hosts. The raunchy event, which attracts men in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, is a naked event! Imagine a weekend with cock rings, footwear, and harnesses flying around. The best bit? There are public slings too!
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The Dragonfly
10
The Dragonfly is one of the most charming gay friendly hotels in Blackpool. This gay-owned guesthouse lies a five-minute walk from Blackpool’s gay scene. Thanks to the efforts of hosts Paul and Adam, it boasts a cozy home-away-from-home vibe and has a range of room options. They range from modern ensuites to more luxurious ones with king leather beds. Kinky, huh? Your evenings of raunchy Blackpool fun begins with a glass of wine at the onsite bar before you head off on an equally raucous night on the town. The next day, the traditional English breakfast cooked to perfection will cure hangovers. Since rooms also have tea/coffee-making facilities, your head should be fine.
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Trades Hotel
9
Enjoy the all-male fun-filled experience at the Trades Hotel, one of the kinkiest gay hotels in Blackpool. It’s the perfect base for travelers on the prowl for a wild stay in the city. The hotel is famous for its cruise atmosphere and has had a long tradition of offering a unique environment for gay and bi men. Here, they can meet, relax, and enjoy drinks at the bar before following it up with a fabulous night out. Since Blackpool’s gay scene is hardly a two-minute walk, you can walk down to your room after a wild night and flop in the cloud-like bed. The next day begins with a hearty breakfast in the comfort of your room, which also has an ensuite bathroom, flatscreen TV, and huge windows overlooking the street.
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The Molly House
8
The Molly House is one of the most characterful gay friendly hotels in Blackpool. The former Victorian seaside villa-turned-gay-popular B&B is the perfect base for gay travelers who love stays with a backstory. Not only is it within walking distance of the Promenade, but also Blackpool’s gay nightlife. Craig and Paul make you feel welcome and even give you tips on what to see around the town. Choose from just a few rooms, which are simple but stylish and well-furnished. Besides cloud-like beds, they also have ensuites and tea/coffee-making facilities for that first cuppa in bed in the morning.
Downstairs, you’ll find a lounge/bar, a lounge to unwind, and even a garden for when the weather is nice. There’s even free Wi-Fi to help you stay connected. If you’re staying here during Pride, then do make inquiries, as they make efforts to ensure that you have a fabulous gay experience!
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Pride Lodge
7
Are you looking for a small B&B in the heart of Blackpool’s gay scene? Then you need to stay at Pride Lodge, one of the best small gay hotels in Blackpool. This gem of a hotel, or rather B&B, lies right down the street from the gay scene of the town. So, you can walk down and back to have a good night out on the town. The rooms are wonderfully spacious, complete with king beds, ensuites, flatscreen TVs, and windows for the more mature and adult LGBT set. But it’s the communal facilities that you’ll love, especially the hot tub in the garden. It’s also a great place to meet cute and handsome men! Plus, there’s even an indoor soaking tub and a sauna for unwinding and relaxing.
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Mardi Gras Hotel
6
Gay travelers who want the complete gay Blackpool experience must stay at the Mardi Gras Hotel, one of the gayest of the gay friendly hotels in Blackpool. Step out of the front door, and you practically fall face-down in Blackpool’s raunchy gay scene. The hotel is all about “leaving your labels at the door and simply having fun” kind of a place. Choose from a host of rooms and suites, all of which come with private bathrooms, plush beds, and bespoke bath products. However, the hotel is more interesting outside the rooms, such as the lounge/bar and the garden. They’re great communal places for hanging out and making new friends. Your day begins with a delicious full Irish/English breakfast, the perfect antidote for a previous heavy night.
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Thornhill Blackpool
5
If you want to stay in an LGBTQ-friendly hotel away from the bustle, Thornhill is one of the best gay hotels in Blackpool. The hotel, which sits practically on the Promenade, is run by Dave and Adam. Plus, this welcoming B&B oasis is just a 15-minute tramway ride along the seafront to the gay scene. Choose from a host of rooms that feature plush beds and luxe bathrooms. However, their best feature is the windows from where they offer spectacular views of the Irish Sea. Your mornings begin with a fabulous and decadent traditional full English breakfast. Furthermore, they can even cater to special diets if you request them in advance.
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Westfield House Hotel
4
The Westfield House Hotel is one of the most charming gay friendly hotels in Blackpool. The gay-owned, adults-only accommodation is ideal if you’re looking for a tasteful yet dirty weekend away in the town! What’s more, the gay scene is less than a five-minute walk from the gay clubs and bars such as KAOS and more. The hotel boasts a full bar, where you can enjoy an aperitif or a sundowner before heading out to dive headlong into the gay scene. If you want tips about exploring Blackpool, owners John and Nick will always have something for you and anecdotes. There’s even a lounge where you can chill out after a night of partying or a day of exploring, or you could dig into their full Irish/English breakfast. Choose from a host of comfy units, which feature cloud-like beds and ensuite bathrooms.
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Phoenix Guest House
3
A two-minute walk from the seashore brings you to Phoenix Guest House, one of the prettiest gay hotels in Blackpool. This gay-owned guest house is a brilliant value for money for gay travelers on a budget. Choose from just two shared and eight ensuite rooms. Nevertheless, they all have free Wi-Fi and free coffee and tea. In the communal area in the pretty blue building, you’ll find a self-service continental breakfast that’s enough to keep you going through lunch. Or, you can pop in next door and feast on a full English breakfast, England style. The best bit is that all of Blackpool’s main attractions are mere minutes away, including the gay scene.
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The Trentham Hotel
2
It’s hard to miss the bright purple facade of the Trentham Hotel, one of the best gay friendly hotels in Blackpool. This budget gay B&B continues its theme of welcoming fun inside soo, where owner Graham ensures that you have a great stay. All rooms and suites are cozy and have all amenities to make coffee and tea, which is a blessing in the mornings. Your mornings begin with a wonderful full Irish or English breakfast, which you can enjoy in the dining room or the lush garden if the weather is nice. At the day’s end, the shared lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a cup of tea or guzzle a cold one before stepping out to explore Blackpool’s gay scene.
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Lawrence House
1
The Lawrence House is amongst the best gay hotels in Blackpool. This award-winning adults-only bed and breakfast is run by gay couple Wayne and Peter and was even awarded Tripadvisor’s ‘Travelers Choice Award’ in 2021! Choose from front/rear single, twin, and double rooms or the Aspley or the Sandiacre Premier Room. They all have Victorian-era vibes but a modern setting with plush beds, ensuites, seating areas, and TVs. Choose between two breakfast sittings (9/10 am). What’s more, they even have an earlier 7 am breakfast, which you need to order the night before. So, if you’re leaving early in the morning, this is a welcome perk. A lush patio with a barbeque grill completes the amenities here.
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Best Gay Neighborhoods in Blackpool
Blackpool has an exciting gay scene, most of which is centered along and at the intersection of Queen Street and Dickson Road. The gay scene lies just down the street from the beach, which makes it all the more happening and fun. Moreover, most gay bars have been around for years, and newer clubs open every year, with some recycling older ones. In 2006, Blackpool celebrated its first pride, making it one of the safest areas for the LGBTQ community, unlike other resort cities. In fact, Blackpool’s gay scene has been growing since the end of World War II, making it one of the hottest coastal gay destinations in the UK.
Blackpool also has other amazing hotels. Why don’t you check out the best swimming pool hotels in Blackpool?
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Blackpool
- Growlr Club at Man Bar: This all-welcome party and music bar is spread across two levels. The real scene is at the first-level, men-only cruising Growlr Bar upstairs that has a pool table, bear patrons, and theme nights.
- KAOS Bar: This nightly gay dance club welcomes everyone with cabaret shows, great lights and sound, and wonderful industrial decor.
- Flying Handbag: This popular gay pub is also Blackpool’s only purpose-built LGBTQ+ venue. It hosts everything from live bands and karaoke to raunchy drag comedy shows. What’s more, it even has a balcony and a heated patio roof terrace for date nights.
Best Gay Saunas in Blackpool
- W3/Wet Wet Wet Sauna: The sauna might be called wet, wet, wet, but it does have a dry, dry, dry sauna and a steam one too. There are also naked nights, massage services, dark and video rooms, glory holes, a sling room, and even a hot tub.
- Acqua Sauna Complex: This two-level all-male sauna boasts a retail area, a play and a cruise zone, dry and steam saunas, and a 10-man spa.
Gay Events/Shows/Tours in Blackpool
- Blackpool Pride: The weekender event in June is one of the largest pride celebrations in the Northern UK. This seafront event sees performances, parties, talks, lectures, panels, and a vibrant parade, each of which celebrates diversity, equality, and inclusivity.