The Blackpool Tower Lounge, Bank Hey Street entrance

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.

Tower Bar on the corner which KFC now occupies. 1895
Tower Bar on the corner which KFC now occupies. 1895

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.

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.

Blackpool Tower Complex at Bank Hey Street
Blackpool Tower Complex at Bank Hey Street before the Tower Lounge closed

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.

The Legendary Tower Lounge logo
The Legendary Tower Lounge logo

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!

Frontage of the Blackpool Tower building in 2013
Frontage of the Blackpool Tower building in 2013 – see the Tower Lounge bottom left
Blackpool Tower, with the former Tower Lounge building boarded up on the bottom left corner
Blackpool Tower, with the former Tower Lounge building boarded up on the bottom left corner

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£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.

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What do you think? Leave a comment below

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5 thoughts on “Blackpool Tower Lounge”

  1. Loved The Tower Lounge, just the best bar ever, On holiday in 1992 with my best Mate, we spent almost all our time in here, it’s where she met her Husband!

  2. Christine Kearney

    Omg I used to love the tower lounge it was just about the only place we ever went .it was a fantastic place I’m so sad it’s closed it was 20 years ago when I was there last ???

  3. Chris Littlewood

    I had to babysit my younger brother and sister till about 11 then after a night in the Tower Lounge mum dad and big sis would arrive Dad would take over ( fall straight asleep) and I was allowed to play bingo with the girls at Central Station then fishnchip supper at top of Hull Road – heaven ?

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