There is no place like Pride of our Footscray Community Bar, which opened on 18 January 2018.

Pride is part-owned by 200 people, who chipped in what they could to get the party started.

This cooperative effort is reflected in what Pride is and what Pride seeks to achieve.

Pride seeks to be a safe space for all peoples of goodwill, particularly focused on the LGBTIQA+ plus community (which includes “straight” friends). This focus has created the most mixed audience in Melbourne, with people from all backgrounds and age groups mixing together freely, it’s one of Pride’s great joys. Pride’s staff are similarly diverse and are renowned for their friendliness.

Pride also seeks to entertain, so there’s live entertainment on stage every single day we’re open. Pride is famous for some of Melbourne’s best drag but also features live music, comedy, poetry, cabaret and more. Pride’s also home to one of the best dance floors in Melbourne, where you’ll hear the latest Ariana Grande track one minute and then Tina Turner the next!

Pride’s committed to entertaining its mixed crowd in a manner that’s fair for everyone, and that includes paying its staff award wage and superannuation, “on the books”. For that reason, all Pride’s eligible staff received JobKeeper during the lockdowns. Pride’s also committed to paying all its performers and artists fairly and in a timely manner. Pride expects nobody’s talents for “exposure”.

Pride’s also committed to being a fabulous representative of its communities (LGBTIQA+ and the local Footscray/Maribyrnong community more broadly). Pride therefore works alongside key partners such as Maribyrnong Council and Midsumma Festival to deliver amazing and unique events and festivals that showcase the great array of talent within the communities.

Pride also seeks to abide by all its permits, licences and obligations, indeed to keep its diverse audience safe, it often has on more security guards than required. It also maintains Public Liability Insurance, WorkCover insurance and a relationship with OneMusic (the latter to ensure it is compliant with music licensing).

To embed its respect for diversity, all Pride’s 200 part-owners have signed the following pledge; "I am part of the human race and I respect diversity, including but not limited to, diversity of thought, opinion, gender, culture, ethnicity, religion and sexuality". Pride has Members as well and they’ll be signing the same pledge also, cementing its values.

So come down to Pride, see a show, have a dance, meet a friend and talk to a stranger. It’s a diverse venue in a colourful suburb, it’s a great experience.

Be yourself and have fun!

If you are interested in more detail about any of the above, please email meet@prideofourfootscray.bar or call Mat O'Keefe on 0417 219 899