
06 Dec 2024
Located in the heart of Liverpool’s Pride Quarter is The Lisbon, which is known far and wide as one of the best and longest-running gay bars in Liverpool. However, a lesser known fact about The Lisbon is that it is run by Liverpool legend Eileen Lea – the 67-year old landlady who has been serving the people of Liverpool for just over 23 years.
City landmark
The Lisbon itself has been a landmark building since 1888, and during the 1960s it became known as a top watering hole and gay bar, establishing itself as the cornerstone of gay nightlife. Since then, the pub has had a fair few changes of hands, but none quite like Eileen.
Eileen and some of her staff have stayed committed to The Lisbon for over two decades – during this time Eileen even had her wedding reception at the venue. She even swapped out her husband for one of The Lisbon bar staff when her wedding song – Alicia Keys’ If I Ain’t Got You – blasted out of The Lisbon’s sound system!
The Lisbon staff and customers have shared many happy and sad times together, including the passing of Jon Gorman, a beloved barman who worked at The Lisbon since the early days.
Supporting Liverpool’s LGBTQ+ community
Eileen and the rest of The Lisbon gang also support Liverpool’s own LGBTQ+ community, as they work together with the rest of the Pride Quarter during Pride celebrations as well as all-year round. Eileen also took in a sick member of the LGBTQ+ community who also worked at The Lisbon, who she nursed and looked after until he sadly passed away.
Because of her dedication to the cause, Eileen has also been nominated by the LCR Pride Foundation’s co-chairs, Andi Herring and John Bird who put forward their long-standing ally Eileen as one of Liverpool’s most inspirational LGBTQ+ people. She was also shortlisted in the Ally of the Year category at the inaugural LCR Pride awards back in 2019.
These various honours are due to her work with the wider community, which has involved supporting the LCR Foundation, the Vogue Ball, the Michael Causer Foundation, and the LGBTQ+-friendly football team – the Mersey Marauders.
The Lisbon is the longest-standing sponsor for the Mersey Marauders, which is a massive help for them financially. The team always congregate in The Lisbon after, where Eileen even prepares food for the players to help them fuel up after every game. The lads also decided to hang up their late teammate, Gavin Whitfield’s shirt to honour him in a place he loved.
The Mersey Marauders, along with Liverpool’s LGBTQ+ community, see The Lisbon as a supporting and safe place where everyone is seen and cared for, which is all down to Eileen Lea’s influence.
To experience The Lisbon and Eileen, the legendary landlady, you should head to the corner of Stanley Street, where you are always welcome to enjoy drag events, quizzes, plenty of beer, cocktails, LGBTQ+ fundraisers and plenty more.
As part of Dish Cult’s Pride month celebrations, we are proud to be supporting Stonewall – the largest LGBTQ+ charitable organisation in Europe. Stonewall work in each nation of the UK and stand for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace people everywhere.
Stonewall’s campaigning work drives positive change in public attitudes and public policy, helping transform the day-to-day experience of all LGBTQ+ people. The work continues until the world we imagine is the world we live in.
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