To spot Funny Girls, just look for the huge cream-colored Art Deco building towering over the corner of Dickson Road-it’s impossible to miss with the big “FUNNY GIRLS” sign above the entrance and the bright, classic movie-theatre style windows.
Welcome to the sparkling world of Funny Girls! Take a moment outside-can you feel the buzz in the air? This building has seen everything from silver screen glitz to high heels and jazz hands! Once, back in 1939, this was the grand Blackpool Odeon, the biggest original cinema Odeon ever built, designed to glow with that unmistakable Art Deco style. Imagine thousands of excited filmgoers lining up here on a Saturday evening, dressed to the nines, queueing in anticipation of the latest flick. The old Odeon could pack in 3,000 people-quite the crowd! The echoes of reels spinning and popcorn crunching linger in these walls.
Fast forward to 1994, and the magic changes form. Basil Newby, a man with a flair for fun and a nose for entertainment, transformed what was once the home of blockbusters into the most fabulous cabaret bar in town. The cast? A dazzling line-up of male dancers and drag performers who can out-twirl your nan at a wedding! They’ve even shimmied their way onto the Royal Variety Performance stage, showing the whole nation what Blackpool knows best-how to put on a show.
The vibe inside is like nowhere else-think old-school glamour, head-spinning lights, and laughter echoing through marble halls that have seen everything from drama to disco. Even the building itself couldn’t resist a bit of glitz; it got dolled up again in shimmering Art Deco style when Basil reopened it. There’s almost a bit of magic to it. Yes, that’s the spot where DJ Carmen brings down the house, and where CeCe D’Vyne leads the dancers in a whirl of feathers and sequins.
So, as you stand here, picture the velvet curtains twitching, shoes tapping, and a crowd bustling with excitement. In Blackpool, this isn’t just a bar-it’s an institution where the show always goes on. If these walls could talk, they’d probably break into song. Now, are you ready for your next stop? The story’s just beginning!
