By Natalie Szrajer | [email protected]
Walking Eagle wanted to create a place where everyone could hang out in West Columbia.
Teaming with her friend, Kirby Schneider, they have opened what they say is West Columbia’s first pride bar, WE’s on Meeting.
WE’s opened softly last week in a spot on Meeting Street most recently occupied by The Comedy Closet. Vice, a gay bar located in Cayce, was opened a few decades ago, but has since been closed.
WE’s formal grand opening is planned for April.
“We want to make sure everyone feels safe and comfortable,” said Schneider, WE’s general manager. “It’s a happy and safe spot for all. We welcome everyone from all walks of life.”
Walking Eagle was the first to get the idea started. Schneider then lent her design expertise and helped bring the bar idea into reality.
“There’s not really anything like this in the area,” Schneider said of the West Columbia side of the Congaree River.
Walking Eagle’s original plan was to buy a houseboat, but she changed her mind when she saw the space in a building on Meeting Street unoccupied and available. WE’s incorporated the houseboat image into its branding — employee shirts have a houseboat on the back, and the signature drink is the Houseboat.
The bar is open every single day of the week. It hosts weekly events and offers a wide selection of drinks. The tavern-bar at the front of the bar has 10 beers on tap. In the back, there’s a Euro bar, which is more intimate, and there’s also an outdoor patio with a fire pit table.
Walking Eagle and Schneider said that anyone can play pool, darts, or dance without worrying about being judged.
Schneider called opening night “overwhelmingly good”, reporting that lines ran around the building.
On Saturdays, the bar will have a DJ spinning music and on Sundays there will be a pool tournament. Mondays and Tuesdays will be used for APA pool leagues, starting in April. Wednesdays are trivia nights. Thursdays alternate between open mic and karaoke. Fridays feature live music. WE’s will also have food trucks on Fridays and Saturdays.
Schneider stated that one of the biggest misconceptions about the pride bar is that it is only for people who are proud. The idea is that it’s welcoming and safe to all, regardless of their sexual preferences or identity.
Payton Wingate and Rielly Weathers, bartenders, said that they have enjoyed making drinks and being part of a friendly atmosphere. Weathers said that she joined the team as a friend of the assistant manager and wanted support for the bar.
Wingate is one of Schneider’s best friends and wants to bring pride to West Columbia.
“There’s not a lot of places to be free,” Wingate said.