FADO Irish Pub, an elevated Irish bar in Midtown Atlanta, predominantly attracted a straight clientele despite being located in a historically LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhood. The challenge was to bring in a new, diverse audience without alienating their core patrons, creating an unforgettable Pride weekend celebration.

To achieve this, Marcus Allen Creative produced a colorful drag show that featured five dynamic performers, two engaging hosts and a DJ. Pride-themed drinks, along with exclusive pricing on cocktails and bottles, helped set the tone for an inclusive, celebratory event by creating a welcoming and exciting atmosphere that encouraged repeat visits from new patrons.

Marcus Allen Creative implemented the following strategies:

Diverse Entertainment: Booked five local drag performers known for their high-energy acts that resonated with both the LGBTQ+ community and allies. The performers included a mix of talents, from comedic to fashion-focused drag, ensuring a friendly intro toy to.

1. Engaging Hosts: Two charismatic hosts led the event, keeping the crowd entertained and engaged between performances while emphasizing the inclusive atmosphere of the evening.

2. Music and Atmosphere: A DJ curated a set list that complemented the performances, blending popular tracks with LGBTQ+ anthems. This helped create a celebratory vibe while maintaining the bar’s elevated ambiance.

3. Specialized Drink Menu: Red Hare Brewery sponsored the Pride Event, offering a $5 special on their Tangerine Radler. Fado followed suit with $7 craft cocktails and wines, as well as bottle specials. These affordable options encouraged increased sales throughout the night while maintaining the bar's reputation for quality.

4. Marketing & Promotion: Leading up to the event, a focused marketing campaign was rolled out, including social media promotion and partnerships on Fado’s Instagram, emphasizing the event’s diversity and inclusivity while highlighting the bar’s participation in Pride.

RESULTS

Increased Foot Traffic and New Audiences: The drag show brought a significant increase in foot traffic, with over 100 patrons attending throughout the night. The event successfully attracted a diverse mix of people, including both LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, many of whom had never visited the bar before.

1. Boost in Sales: The specially priced $7 craft cocktails and $7 wines resulted in a 45% increase in cocktail sales compared to a typical Saturday night, bottle specials also performed well on this particular night, driving higher-than-average check totals.

2. Positive Feedback: Guests left glowing reviews of the event, with many praising the inclusivity, fun atmosphere, and quality of the performances. The bar received overwhelmingly positive feedback on social media, and many attendees expressed their intent to return to the venue for future events.

3. Brand Loyalty and Engagement: The event generated considerable buzz around the bar, positioning it as a more inclusive space within the Midtown community. Many attendees signed up for the bar’s email list and followed its social media channels to stay informed about future events.