How are venues celebrating Pub Pride?
The event, founded by the Ask for Clive campaign, is returning for its third year.
Pub Pride, held on the last Friday of May every year, was put together to allow venues to welcome the LGBTQ+ community and highlight their commitment to diversity, as well as engage with young people who might not previously have taken part in Pride events
Some 30 All Bar One venues and more than 100 Punch Pub venues are registered to take part, as well as Big Smoke pubs across the southeast. From Farr Brew and the Mad Squirrel taprooms in Hertfordshire, to London’s Piano Works and Boxpark, a whole variety of venues are throwing celebrations.
Ask for Clive co-founder and chair Danny Clare said: “We are once again thrilled with the support of pubs and Hospitality to Pub Pride 2023 and the Ask For Clive campaign.
“We have some wonderful new partners and iconic LGBTQ+ venues taking part, both national and local. All participating venues can be found on the Pub Pride map here.”
Diversity and inclusion
He added that it was humbling to see the commitment businesses had made to diversity and inclusion.
“The Ask For Clive campaign is most effective where you expect to see it least, we’re truly grateful to the pubs and venues that are prepared to put those colours on their door and show what they stand for,” said Clare.
The Jolly Sportsman in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, is hosting a drag disco and Pride classics karaoke. Elsewhere, the Rock House in Manchester, Greater Manchester, is hosting Pride quizzes, games, as well as a drag performance.
St Albans’ the Horn in Hertfordshire, will host live music and Pride-themed cocktails, while the Star in Harrow, northwest London, is hosting a Whitney Houston tribute night.
Stamping out intolerance
Punch Pubs head of PR and brand communications Caroline Southwell said the pubco was “proud” to support the event.
She continued: “At Punch, our ‘Doing Well by Doing Good’ programme underpins how we operate and sits at the very core of our business. As part of this, partnering with charities such as Ask for Clive remains more important than ever.
“Hate crime sadly continues to rise in our UK communities, and we need to work harder than ever to stand up and show zero tolerance.
“Our pubs are the hubs of their communities, and, together with our Publicans and teams, we are helping to open up the conversation and continue to raise awareness in communities across the UK, ensuring that everyone will always be welcome in our pubs.”
