To celebrate Pride Month, we're featuring people in our community involed in the queer community. Francesca is the owner and founder of The Unicorn Bar in Kingston. We explored the beautiful bar, found out more about the interior design and history of the space and enjoyed getting to know Francesca a little. Continue reading for more...

What inspired you to open your bar, and why was it important for it to be a space for the queer community?

I started producing live events in 2011 in NYC, but struggled to get into the event industry in a traditional capacity. I worked in real estate for many years, instead, and produced my events on the side. I'd had the idea for a bar/venue called Unicorn Bar for the better part of a decade but it wasn't explicitly a queer space until a couple of years ago, when I saw how much the LGBTQ+ community was growing in Kingston. As a queer woman and event producer, I knew what I wanted in a space, and I wasn't seeing it here in Kingston. That, and I'm always interested in gaps in the market and here was a huge one, though I wasn't sure if or when the right moment to make a move would come. Then, a couple of summers ago, everything seemed to align and I knew that was the moment, so I took my shot and decided to try and see if I could build something that would resonate with our queer community.

How do you create a welcoming and safe space for people who visit your bar? 

Our team is integral in making Unicorn a welcoming and safe space, and it starts when someone walks in the door. We always greet our guests and we always bid them farewell, and when it's slower we engage with folks sitting at the bar, and hold space for them as needed. We want Unicorn to be a place where you can be yourself, fully, without question. We support all our guests in that. 

What does sustainability mean to you—whether in your business or your personal life?

Sustainability to me means listening to my body. Not pushing too hard. It would be easy to overwork myself while running Unicorn, but there are just some days where I have to listen in, stop what I'm doing and go take a nap. If I don't take care of myself, then I can't produce. My body doesn't let me hit override anymore and I'm okay with that.

How would you describe your personal style? 

My style is pretty simple, I tend to opt for clean, classic lines and neutrals, but will occasionally opt for a fun pattern or a pop of color here or there. I do pay attention to trends in terms of silouettes and shapes, and will update my wardrobe if I find a new style I like, for example, I'm really in love with high waisted, wide leg jeans. I hope they stick around for awhile.

What are some of your favorite items in your closet?

I love my Madewell crop tops, I have them in black & white and they go with everything. I also really love my rainbow sequin suspenders, they come in handy for gigs with my brass band and also for Pride, which we're in right now!

Are there any small habits or choices you make that help you live or work more mindfully?

Whenever I start to be a bit bleary-eyed I put down my devices and go outside. I often leave my phone behind when I'm running errands or exercising or socializing -- I find the time away from my phone to be so head clearing. I also journal daily, before I go to bed. It helps me process the day and feel more oriented towards what's next.

What is currently sparking your creativity?

Honestly, I feel really inspired by the creativity I see coming through the bar. We really prioritize holding space for young producers, and I'm constantly awed by what they come up with. These twenty-somethings have so much energy and are so self-aware and smart -- I was not like that when I was 24! It helps me feel like we're in good hands, and it makes me want to create more. Lately I've been doing a little bit more booking of my own, which has felt really nice, getting back to my roots in events.  I'm also musician and it's really important to me to carve out time to still make music, even though the days and nights of the bar are often so busy. I can feel it in my body when I'm not creating, so I have regular rehearsals with my brass band and singer-songwriter project, and I come away from those feeling inspired by the talents of my bandmates and excited to play out in the world.

What inspired the design of the bar?

The 1930's art deco themes in the bar were the inspiration point for the design scheme of the bar, the space has been around since the 1930's and there was a lot to work with. Our designer Brooke Lane really thoughtfully turned our space into something cohesive, sexy and queer. The disco balls were all her idea. :)

What is something you're looking forward to? 

I'm looking forward to some amazing shows we have this summer, Underground System coming through in August (not yet announced), as well as Gracie & Rachel, and all the amazing dance parties coming up. I'm also looking forward to taking my golden retriever, Goose, out to the lake to swim this summer, his favorite activity, and my most entertaining.