A United States Marine Corps–led duo is opening a new tavern designed to give service members a safe place to connect and support one another.
Belleau Wood Tavern will open at 7 Marina Blvd., near Parris Island. Marine veteran Zachary Green and Marine Corps Capt. Roy Dakroub, a combat veteran, are at the helm.
Green told What Now Charleston each year, more than 20,000 Marines earn their title at Parris Island, with over 100,000 family members visiting to witness the milestone. The area is also home to roughly 17,000 active-duty Marines.
“We wanted a space that is going to be very welcoming to those families celebrating that first meal with their new Marine. We wanted it to be a place that veterans and active-duty Marines could connect. A place where people that are patriots and proud Americans would like to go to a bar that celebrates America, especially World War I,” Green said.
He continued, “Our goal of the tavern is you take that young Marine that is stressed out, that needs to go out and have a beer, that doesn’t want to sit and talk to people that don’t understand what he’s going through, and next to him is a 75-year-old veteran. The two of them have this magical connection, where they are both each other’s mentors.”
Green said the tavern will honor World War I by drawing its name from the Battle of Belleau Wood, where American forces fought for nearly a month before securing a pivotal victory helping define the Marine Corps’ reputation for grit.
“It was fought right in the Champagne region of France, so the front of our tavern is going to look like what you’d find in a courtyard of any of the big Champagne houses–beautiful trellises with grapevines growing over them, picnic tables. Inside the tavern is going to be set up like a medieval tavern because those are what the taverns would have looked like back in those days. The back of the tavern is going to be a big cigar lounge, outdoor area with fire pits and room for live music,” he said.
Aside from the design, Green said the tavern will feature “easter eggs” throughout, paying tribute to the Marine Corps.
“That fountain over there is actually a replica of the fountain outside of France. That piece of wood was actually wood that came from the barracks the Marines stayed in. Or, that rock over there came from the island of Iwo Jima where the Marines raised the flag,” he said.
The tavern’s menu will feature classic bar fare alongside Lowcountry favorites like crab cakes and hush puppies. It will also offer a nostalgic touch with shell peanuts guests can eat and toss on the floor.
The drinks will reflect the era, featuring unique names alongside a selection of beer and wine.
“We’re going to do a blood orange, old fashioned. We’re going to have a lot of really nice, bright summertime drinks because it gets really hot down here–like an Aperol spritz. We’re going to do absinthe over ice, which is a typical French drink. We’re going to have everything from PBR on tap up to some of the really great locally craft brews. We’re also going to have a champagne and wine selection,” Green said.
The Marine Corps recently celebrated its 250th birthday on November 10, 1775. Tun Tavern in Philadelphia is considered the birthplace of the Marines. To mark the milestone, Belleau Wood Tavern broke ground on the property with a celebration.
“We did our famous cake-cutting ceremony, which is a tradition where the oldest Marine present gives a piece to the youngest Marine present. It symbolizes the transfer of knowledge, tradition, and history,” Green said. “At midnight we all sat around the fire and sang the Marine hymn. We passed a bottle of champagne around because now we’re marking the next 250 years.”
Green is eager to give back to his fellow Marines.
“I want to give back to my brothers and sisters. If I can do something to bring a little bit of happiness and camaraderie to them, that’s all I need,” he said.
Construction for Belleau Wood Tavern is slated to begin after Christmas, and a Kickstarter campaign is underway to help raise funds.
For updates on the buildout, visit the tavern’s website, follow on Instagram and Facebook, or text “BWT” to 843-929-1775.
