Pride Month: Mathew Causon, OMG Club, Bristol

Rising from the ashes after difficult times

The last two years weren’t kind to businesses and many found themselves in debt. In 2020, Mathew was forced to launch a GoFundMe page to prevent OMG Club from getting permanently closed, which would have been a serious blow to the LGBTQ+ community in Bristol, especially since plenty of party-goers travel from other cities in search of a decent gay-friendly night out. Luckily, the campaign was successful and the club reopened despite going through a rough patch. It currently continues to attract plenty of locals and tourists, and is as packed and as strong as ever. 

What makes the OMG Club so special?

According to Mathew, what sets it apart from other venues is that it’s a safe haven for young people who identify as LGBTQ+. He believes society as a whole still has a long way to go in terms of acceptance. Creating a space like this is what our community needs, especially after a long period of isolation that was forced upon many by the pandemic, and the OMG Club rises to the task. Additionally, Mathew’s goal is to step away from any stereotypes. On the contrary, such spaces are supposed to follow the trends and evolve just like society does, to be able to cater to everyone’s needs. Plus, the drinks are well priced and the music is always good, which is more than you need for a successful night out!

What’s on?

On that note, there’s no such thing as a boring week at OMG Club. Wednesdays are a great opportunity to have fun with friends and enjoy a cheeky drink before the weekend comes – the weekly Poundemonium event features an award-winning drag queen, Miss Tina Sparkle and DJ Fernie is in charge of playing the latest chart hits that will keep you on the dance floor until the early hours. On Saturdays, you can expect a daytime sesh starting at 2pm and then the usual late night party to the rhythm of both new hits and classics, plus plenty of themed events such as the Playboy Bunnies Weekend. 

What are the drinks like?

The drinks menu at OMG Club features all the classic spirits as well as various shots with quirky names, such as Blow Job, Bearded Bumble Bee, and Red Headed Slut, ready to warm you up and prep you for a night full of dancing. 

A look into the future

Despite the difficult last two years, OMG Club continues to thrive and its influence on Bristol’s LGBTQ+ scene has given Mathew some ideas for business expansion. Seeing as the venue brings the community together, Mathew recently expressed an interest in creating the concept of the ‘gay village’ in Plymouth, too. The idea is to make a night out more fun by encouraging people to visit several LGBTQ friendly clubs across the city, which would also mean some would travel there from adjacent areas. The logic behind the concept is that if there are a few places people can visit in one go, they’re more likely to spend the night and bring along their friends.

According to Mathew, this would also benefit the economy and he’s right. Currently, over 1.4 million people identify as LGBTQ+ in the UK and creating more welcoming spaces is likely to bring more financial success. Although, of course, the idea behind OMG Club was mainly to improve people’s mental health and it does, which means more than money ever could. 

If you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate Pride month until late, OMG Club is where you’re bound to feel accepted and at home.

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.

If you can imagine a world where there is freedom, equity and limitless potential for every LGBTQ+ person – stand with us. Donate to Stonewall now.

*All donations made will be donated directly to Stonewall