If you like Swing music - Count Basie, Sinatra, etc. and the music and lyrics of the likes of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, the Gershwins and so on - then this is definitely for you.
When you book - and there is always a delightful young lady to steer you through the booking process whether you go in person to the booking office or book by phone - you are given the menu choices of the evening in question, so that you can choose from a choice of three or four starters, mains and desserts with a cheese option (or as an add on) and if there is nothing you like/can eat on the menu then just tell the helpful staff at The Sands and they will find you something to your taste.
On the evening, your evening's entertainment starts right at the main entrance on the Promenade where you are greeted by the man on the door and shown to the lifts. Then on the first floor for the Cabaret venue - which with the decor alone will make you think you are in Las Vegas - you are greeted and shown to your table. The attentive and helpful staff serve your meal at the table and bring you drinks.
After the meal, the show starts at around 9 pm and Paul Ellis with his warm, silky voice sings the Swing songs that made Sinatra famous, accompanied by the 7-piece Sands of highly-talented musicians led by Neil Shatliff on trumpet. If you feel like dancing (but you certainly don't 'have' to) then there is plenty of room and a very good dance floor - well several in fact.
The show is in two halves with a short interval for replenishing drinks, etc. If you have a special favourite song or if you are celebrating a special event do let Paul know in advance - it would surprise me if there was a song not in his very extensive repertoire but you never know. All this for £24.99 per person (not including drinks) and I think you have a real bargain.
And if by any chance Swing music is not for you, well the Sands have a wide variety of events coming up with tribute bands offering music of many different genres so do have a look at their website.
You can also hear (and dance to) Paul Ellis with the Sands Trio at the Sands Tea Dances which are great fun - for details call 01253 625262.
During the Summer months The Sands will be featuring the famous Legends show - so do check out the details.
The Sands Venue, Champagne Bar and Restaurant and Licenced Deli
Palatine Building,
Promenade,
Blackpool
FY1 4TQ
Tel.: 01253 625262
E-mail: blackpool@thesands-co-uk
Fax: 01253 749002
www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk
Over £300 has been raised for the Blackpool based Brian House Childrens Hospice through kind donations and sales of a special souvenir programme looking back at the British ice hockey career of the Sims twins Brian and Bruce. Reigning Miss Blackpool Kim Braithwaite was on hand to help sell the programmes.
