Gay

Blackpool is a mecca for gay and gay-friendly nightlife and brilliant events. Here’s a run down of some jewels to try on for size:

1. No trip to Blackpool is complete without a visit to the sensational Funny Girls. Housed in the old Odeon Cinema on Dickson Road, the stage is set for a wining, dining, singing, dancing evening to remember, with drag queens and feathers galore!

2. With its large conservatory and beer gardens, the Flying Handbag on Queen Street is Blackpool’s trendiest gay bar by far! With regular cabarets and events, you’re sure of a fun night on the tiles.

3. Once a year Blackpool moves to the beat of Blackpool Pride  featuring an array of top singers and cabaret acts, a huge market area and a colourful carnival parade. 2010 saw the fifth anniversary of the event and bigger and better things are planned for next year.

4. Still fabulous in its flirty thirties, The Flamingo is one of the oldest and most famous gay nightclubs in the UK. A recent change of venue means a bigger and better club with a capacity of 3,200. The multi-level, £multi-million venue is a clubber's paradise with glass fronted bars, video screens, large dance floors and relaxed chill out areas. Party on till 6am on Saturdays!

5. If you want camp then pay a visit to Mardi Gras where outrageous host Stella Artois will keep you entertained every Friday and Saturday night along with her legendary Sunday afternoons.  A regular line-up of guest cabaret and will keep you entertained.

6. Celebrate a special night out and splash the cash at the Green Parrot where a bottle of Bollinger and a booth for 4-6 people is a fabulous £100. It’s also a great spot for early evening entertainment with an Ibiza chillout where you can relax with a nice cool drink from the sunset strip in Ibiza from 5pm till 8pm.

7. If you love magic, circus and new variety with more sequins and high camp then you can shake a stick at then you simply must visit Blackpool during February’s magical Showzam Festival.

8. Get down to Roxy’s on Queen Street for entertainment and cabaret from Roxy Hart and her colleagues. This s a great little venue on several open levels - with a scenic balcony outside – and be sure to check out Velma Kelly’s stunning bar on the ground floor. Simply gorgeous!