FADO Irish Pub | Pride Weekend Activation
Event Production & Creative Direction
Atlanta, Georgia
Photography | Wesley Sevier
FADO Irish Pub is an elevated Irish bar in Midtown Atlanta with a loyal, sports-oriented clientele.
Located in a historically LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhood, FADO had an opportunity it had not yet fully embraced. A genuine relationship with the community around it, and a Pride weekend that called for something more intentional than a promotional night.
The goal was clear: create an event that invited a broader, more diverse audience into the space without alienating the patrons who already called it home.
Hosts
Princess Charles and Nicole Paige Brooks anchored the evening between performances, maintaining the inclusive and celebratory tone throughout and keeping the crowd engaged across every moment of the night.
Music & Atmosphere
A DJ curated a set that moved between popular tracks and LGBTQ+ anthems — familiar enough to feel welcoming, specific enough to feel intentional. The music held the room together across performances and kept the energy consistent with FADO’s elevated standard.
Beverage Programming
Red Hare Brewery came on as a sponsor, offering a $5 Tangerine Radler special. FADO extended $7 craft cocktails, wines, and bottle specials throughout the evening — accessible enough to encourage participation, quality-forward enough to maintain the bar’s positioning.
Marketing & Promotion
A focused pre-event campaign ran through FADO’s Instagram, leading with diversity, inclusivity, and the venue’s intentional participation in Pride Weekend. The messaging invited participation without overexplaining, allowing the event to feel both intentional and naturally aligned with the moment.
The Result
Two communities shared a room that had previously belonged to only one. The event held its atmosphere from open to close, the talent delivered, the bar performed well, and FADO moved through Pride Weekend with a broader understanding of both its audience and the neighborhood it serves.
The Approach
The strategy was integration, not interruption. Rather than repositioning the bar or abandoning what worked, Marcus Allen Creative built a production that used what FADO already did well; elevated atmosphere, quality programming and strong hospitality and gave it new language for a new audience.
Every element was chosen to lower the barrier of entry for guests who had not been in the room before, whilst keeping the standard high enough that the regulars had no reason to leave.
Entertainment
Five local drag performers were booked for their high-energy acts and broad audience appeal — a deliberate mix of comedic and fashion-forward drag that created multiple points of entry for LGBTQ+ guests and allies alike.