Blackpool Tower Lounge

Back in the day, Blackpool Tower Lounge was a legendary drinking establishment, underneath the famous Blackpool Tower. It closed in 2014.

How the Tower Lounge Began

Blackpool Tower opened on Whit Monday, 14 May 1894. The original Tower Bar was in the space now occupied by KFC and Harry Ramsden. Find out more about the History of Blackpool Tower here.

Renamed the Tower Lounge in about the mid-1920s, it was to later burn down on 14 December 1956.

But in May 1958, the Tower Lounge reopened in the old Tower Restaurant. Completely rebuilt it could seat over 1,000 people – the same number as the original restaurant.

After the 1956 fire, the corner space which was originally the Tower Bar was re-furbished to become the Tower’s Starlight Bar. It was later renamed the Continental Bar – not to be confused with the Winter Gardens’ Continental Bar!

In 1974, the Tennessee Pancake House opened on the corner. That later became the American Pancake House, then for many years a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant. In January 2021 it was announced that this KFC isn’t to reopen once the coronavirus lockdown is over. What will become of this prime corner plot next?

On 9 November 2014, the Tower Lounge closed. It’s now a Harry Ramsden’s fish and chip restaurant.

Don’t miss a thing. Get VFC newsletters direct to your inbox.

Sign up to receive interesting information, news & events every week

  By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms, conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Remember the Tower Lounge?

Did you frequent this famous party place? Loved to spend your weekends there, soaking up the atmosphere (and the booze!)? Why don’t you leave a comment below and record your memories of the Tower Lounge.

Closure of the Blackpool Tower Lounge

Published August 2014

Live Blackpool reported that the Blackpool Tower Lounge was to close its doors on 9 November at the end of the 2014 season.

After 6 decades of the very best party entertainment, The Blackpool Tower Lounge announced it’s last season.

Rising from the ashes of the devastating Tower Ballroom fire in December 1956, the ornate Ballroom was intricately replaced to its former glory by the greatest craftsmen of the era. The devastation of the fire continued, sadly destroying the Tower Cafe. It was to become the Legendary Tower Lounge – a place of live entertainment for the masses.

Locals and visitors from far and wide, looking for a great fun day or night out in Blackpool, would be drawn into the electric atmosphere of this fantastic venue. It was truly legendary and missed by many. Some have met loved ones, celebrated birthdays and special occasions in “party central” at the foot of The Blackpool Tower. Here’s a short, old clip of people partying!

£2.4 Million investment in the world famous Blackpool Tower

Blackpool Council announced the flagship Harry Ramsden fish restaurant was to open at the Blackpool Tower complex in the former Lounge Bar. The restaurant is located in the space previously occupied by the Tower Lounge bar, along with a further eatery within the Tower complex.

The operator of the restaurant invested £2m into the venture. Blackpool Council contributed a further £0.4m towards the building works.

The rebranded Northern Flagship of the world famous Harry Ramsden’s restaurant chain created 100 new jobs. It also safeguarded 30 existing jobs in the town. It’s one of a series of high class eateries to invest in Blackpool.