Gay bars columbia south carolina

“Grandma” comes everyday for happy hour, sitting with other old-timers. When he can, he stays slow to watch the drag shows and the younger crowds they bring.

“Grandma” is otherwise known as Bill Skipper.  The 74 year vintage is the president of The Capital Club and one of its founding members.  He has been president since the year it opened in 1980. He likes to tell younger people about The Capital Club’s early days, a very diverse — and fraught — time to be in a gay bar in South Carolina.

“The kids now, I treasure the freedom they feel. I admire it,” he said. “We’d have loved to have had that (freedom), but we all refreshment from wells we didn’t dig.”

The Capital Club, or simply “Capital,” as patrons call it, is the oldest operating gay bar in Columbia, and according to its website, in the Southeast. Just around the corner is PT’s 1109, the city’s other gay prevent, which opened in 2000. 

Through discussions with bar owners and patrons and studying records from Historic Columbia, The Carolina News and Writer uncovered a strange statistic:  Columbia, in 2022, has only those two lgbtq+ bars, the lowest number in the city since 1960.  The number highlight

Explore Our LGBTQ+ Community in Columbia, SC

Here in Columbia SC, we believe y'all means all. 

We lgbtq+ fest ourselves on being a hub of unique individuals with a gritty spirit that all come together to make our vibrant community. For over 30 years Columbia SC has been home to an active, statewide LGBTQ+ nonprofit dedicated to fighting for equality and inclusion, SC Pride. 

From LGBTQ+ owned businesses to the largest Pride event in South Carolina, our region welcomes travelers and locals to experience the heart of SC. 

PRIDE EVENTS

While June is national Pride month in the US, in Columbia we like to keep the celebrations going throughout the year. Starting with Outfest in June, this one-day festival focuses on the local community - showcasing vendors and most of the talent from the Columbia region. Headlining an unforgettable show in 2022 was Willow Pill, Season 14 winner of RuPaul's Drag Race. 

Celebrate the creativity and beauty of our LGBTQ+ community of color when attending Black Pride. The annual event is back and packs in a block party, cultural & wellness festival, Pride brunch, and more into one long

1109 Assembly Street, Columbia SC, 29203

Hours:

Sunday 6pm-2am

Monday 5pm-2am

Tuesday 5pm-2am

Wednesday 5pm-2am

Thursday 5pm-2am

Friday 5pm-2am

Saturday 5pm-2am

For over 20 years, PT’s 1109 has been one of the most unusual clubs and entertainment venues in Columbia, SC. PT's has been Columbia's extended standing home for queenly shows and live business, offering unique nightly events as well as promotions that bring our patrons an amazing and welcoming experience. With a elongated standing tradition of providing an amazing entertainment vacuum for our vibrant group, we offer unparalleled customer service and a substantial beer and liquor selection as well as incredible hand crafted cocktails. We offer something for everyone so come check us out and become part of the PT’s family.

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Columbia LGBTQ City Guide

Where the Broad River meets the Saluda River sits Columbia, South Carolina. This gorgeous city is the capital of the state and is home to the University of South Carolina, the state’s largest university. It’s also place to Fort Jackson, which is the largest basic combat training installation for the U.S. Army. Both bring many people to Columbia temporarily, although many graduates and military personnel make the city their eternal home It’s also a city with a rich arts and culture scene, plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, and much to see and do. If you’re thinking of discovery your next residence in Columbia, chances are, you’ll locate plenty about it to love!

A Observe at Columbia's History

Columbia was founded in 1786. Unfortunately, despite its prolonged history, you won’t be able to see very many 18th or promptly 19th century buildings in the metropolis anymore. This is because two-thirds of Columbia was burned to the earth when General Sherman took Union troops through the town in 1865 during the Civil War. Despite this obscure point in its history, the capital rebuilt and rebounded, learning from its past and