The winter gardens in Blackpool has changed beyond recognition between my childhood and now. In 20 years this has went from a building resembling an air raid shelter with bare stone floors and a few kids rides and fruit machines to an amazing theatre building with very up market eateries and the likes. There are now some very big shows held here and the place is astounding to look at but personally I prefered the days of cheap thrills and cheap cafes to the £3 cups of coffee and staff looking down their noses at you that you get these days. read more

Attended here last year for a Pet Shop Boys concert, other than that have been a few times for various conferences. The place is huge and with the most amazing decor and certainly is the jewel in the crown when it comes to venues in Blackpool. Once inside you will find refreshments and snacks quite expensive so best to take your own if you want to save a few pennies. read more

good place if you have a big show to see. Really worth going as part of a dinner/show evening.

The larger of the two Blackpool theatres but by far the worst. This place has been run down for years and each year it just seems to get worse and worse. Last year I decided to give it another go as I wanted to see Jimmy Carr but I now vow NEVER to go again. There's no air conditioning so even in the winter months it gets extremely hot with so many bodies in a small space. In the summer it's absolutely unbearable - no wonder conventions and the political parties have stopped coming here!! Considering how much they charge for top shows here I expect so much more read more

We recently visited for champions of tomorrow 2019! Unbelievably beautiful venue with plenty of seating. This event was really well run and was fair to all dancers. The facilities are clean and plentiful, the floor is amazing to dance on. If you're thinking of attending a dance competition here I highly recommend it, it exceeds expectations and is an unreal experience. read more

Lots of bars and great shows on. Have been to see JImmy Carr twice, Abba show, Joe Pasquale.

Lots of big shows on here.Very large theatre, A ballroom, smaller theatre as well as lots of bars and a couple of cafes. A little bit shabby in places. A good variety of shows and concerts with some big names appearing.Big indoor car boot type sale on here frequently. read more

I've been to this venue a couple of times, for shows by Ricky Gervais and Russell Brand. Firstly, it CAN be tricky to get to. It's located right in the centre of town, but depending on which way you're coming from, you might not know when you've found it. It has two entrances, but one was completely closed and darkened on one of the nights we went, which made us think we were in the wrong place. Once you're at the right entrance, if you're there for a comedy gig, you're likely going to be accosted by at least one homeless man selling a joke book. Inside there are a variety of bars, including one that had a bit of a pirate ship feel to it, which I liked. The Opera House itself is a great venue to see a show. I found seating to be comfortable and had a great view both times. The corridors between various sections can be a bit labyrinthine, mind. Don't get lost! read more

If you've ever been to a rock festival you probably associate it with being soaking wet, filthy dirty and having to queue for two hours to wash in your own bodily fluids. Paradoxically, it's we punks who are the ones that have a civilised festival because we hold it every August here at the Winter Gardens (http://www.rebellionfestivals.com ). As it's all indoors in the five palatial halls within this complex there's absolutely no trouble with the weather. And being Blackpool there's no shortage of cheap hotel and b&b accommodation nearby, which means every night after the fun finishes it's back to crisp white sheets and a cooked breakfast in the morning: lovely! There are bars and places to get snacks and meals within the venue but you are perfectly at liberty to venture outside the festival's confines in search of other local deals. The acts are amazingly varied (I've seen the Glitter Band, Arthur Brown and the Sweet at this event) and the bills are topped by the very best punk acts: Rancid, PiL and the Buzzcocks this year. So, if four days of shouting and noise amongst a load of people dressed like Vyvyan from The Young Ones is your idea of heaven then the Winter Gardens is the place for you. read more