January can often feel like the greyest, coldest month of the year. Christmas is a fading memory, everyone seems to be on a diet or trying to keep their New Year’s resolutions, and in Blackpool, the Illuminations have ended, and it’s too cold to enjoy the beach or enjoy the outdoor activities we all love during the summer.
But instead of hiding away until spring, what about making the most of January, wrapping up warm, and discovering some hidden gems and quirky bars and restaurants to visit in Blackpool?
Whether you live locally or thinking of coming to explore the famous Lancashire seaside town this winter, we have a list of some of the more unusual places to visit in town that are open all year round!
Vintro Lounge - Church Street
This funfair and circus-themed restaurant is close to the Winter Gardens on St John’s Square and includes an amazing level of detail in the decor to recreate all the fun of the fair, such as traditional circus posters, Victorian-style lighting, and vintage seating.
A great place to start the day with brunch, or grab a sandwich or burger for lunch, as well as other offerings, such as tapas, hot dogs, and a range of puddings and cakes. The venue also has board games for patrons to enjoy and is dog-friendly too.
https://thelounges.co.uk/vintro
Ziggy's Cafe Bar
This family-run cafe bar on Cedar Square, just off Church Street, is themed after David Bowie’s glam rock alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, and is a must-visit venue for fans of the Thin White Duke. You’ll find the interior adorned with the iconic Aladdin Sane lightning bolts, Bowie artwork, memorabilia, and even signed photographs of the man himself.
Visit for afternoon tea, Bowie-inspired cakes, sharing boards, hot and cold drinks and beverages, and effortless cult cool aesthetics.
Lemmy's Bar at Waterloo Music Bar
For those about to rock, we salute you and strongly suggest you visit Waterloo Music Bar, which has live music every Thursday to Sunday.
The venue also proudly boasts the UK’s first and only Motorhead-themed bar, Lemmy’s Bar, dedicated to Lemmy Kilminster, whose first band, The Rockin’ Vickers, came from Blackpool. A friend of the owner of the bar was in the band and has donated various pieces of memorabilia to the bar, including Lemmy’s cowboy boots.
You’ll find drum kits in the toilets, motorbikes on the ceiling, and various musical instruments on the walls, while the bar, of course, stocks Cameron Brewery's Motorhead 'Road Crew' beers and Motorhead Bomber Stout, among other offerings.
https://www.waterloomusicbar.com
The Crypt
For many people, the Halloween spooky season lasts all year, and The Crypt, found among the shops of Birley Street, is the place to go, as the UK’s only horror-themed tea room.
Patrons will find horror movie props, memorabilia, and merchandise lurking around every corner and hanging from the walls, as well as cult horror icons such as Jason Voorhees, Dracula, Frankenstein, and Freddy Kruger ready to greet them.
As well as offering spooky afternoon tea, The Crypt also sells Halloween and horror-themed homewares, memorabilia, and gothic/alternative clothing, whole next door is the Scream & Shake hour cafe and bar with live music and performances.
https://www.facebook.com/horrorcryptblackpool
Fubar's Rum Bar
Founded by popular Blackpool DJ Jason Fubar, and based on the time he spent in the Caribbean, Fubar’s Rum Bar, previously known as Marley’s, after reggae icon Bob Marley, prides itself on being Blackpool’s first ‘proper’ rum bar, complete with authentic Caribbean parasols, and a colourful, tropical-themed interior.
The bar offers an excellent selection of the finest rums from all around the world, as well as a wide range of cocktails and other non-rum-based drinks. There is also a private karaoke room for hire, as well as live DJs and bands.
https://www.fubarsrumbar.co.uk
Paradise Coast
Sticking with the rum theme, Paradise Coast is a Hawaiian-themed tiki bar above Dirty Blondes on Church Street, another cool place to visit, and has been described as ‘pretty f***in’ tiki’, and the place to go for tacos and cocktails.
In the cool pink and blue bar, you’ll find a menu full of vibrant cocktails, Caribbean-inspired small plates, and the perfect blend of tiki, rum, and beach bum vibes. Hawaiian shirts are optional!
https://dirtyblondebars.co.uk/pages/paradise-coast
Dirty Blondes
This bar has attained cult status in Blackpool among its loyal customers, who love the intimate venue for its excellent cocktails, huge pizzas, and cool music.
It’s a cool place to hang out, with food and drink offerings, quiz nights, and a great, relaxing dive bar vibe.
Cogs Cafe
This Steampunk-themed cafe has to be one of Blackpool’s most unique establishments, inspired by 19th-century industrial steam power and retro-futuristic sci-fi mixed with Victorian aesthetics.
The decor in Cogs is all antique wood, brass and boilerplates, while waiting-on staff are decked out in the genre’s typical top-hat-and-goggles style. Perfect for any Victorian time-travellers looking for breakfast, freshly baked cakes, and tea and coffee.
Wild West Diner
If retro-futuristic Victorian England isn’t to your taste, then you can experience late 19th-century American frontier vibes at the Wild West Cafe, an all-American diner that has fast become a favourite in Blackpool, styled to look like a spit-and-sawdust Western Saloon, complete with a cowhide bar, leather booths, and ram skulls adorning the walls.
You can picture it as being the perfect setting for a Hollywood-style cowboy shoot-out or raucous barroom brawl, and patrons can get their photos taken while wearing cowboy hats, while ordering juicy steaks, burgers, ribs, and the restaurant’s famous Cowboy Breakfast.
Viva Vegas Diner
Blackpool has long been dubbed the ‘Las Vegas of the North’, so if you’ve visited Coral Island Casino and looking to complete your Blackpool-Vegas experience, then you’ll have to pay a visit to the Viva Vegas Diner, found within the Viva Blackpool Complex at the heart of the promenade.
Looking like a set from a Tarantino film, the 50s-themed classic diner has a distinctly retro vibe and offers all your American diner favourites and classics, from burgers and hot dogs to milkshakes and beers. The Las Vegas theme continues with themed nights and live music, and patrons can book a 1950s Chevrolet booth to enjoy the experience.
https://www.vivavegasdiner.com
Coral Island Casino
Blackpool’s friendliest casino, right in the heart of the town centre! Fancy making your James Bond in a Monaco casino fantasies come true? Or always wanted to visit a casino and see what it’s all about? There’s no membership required at Coral Island Casino, and our friendly croupiers will help casino newbies find their way around the live Roulette and Blackjack tables.
You can relax in our bar, enjoy a cocktail or a beer, or grab a bite to eat from our snack menu, and you’ll be sure to feel welcome.
Over 18s only, and if you look under 25, then be prepared to show your proof of age. www.begambleaware.org
Why not plan your trip to Blackpool today to blow away the winter blues?
Check out ‘what’s on’ in Blackpool and at Coral Island Casino.