“The Velvet Pony Wants to Bring More Queer Joy to North Charleston,” says a post published by What’s Going On In Charleston earlier this month.
Behind this influx of joy are owner Cat Forrester and Lazer Kotowich, who will be launching the new LGBTQ+ bar at 2025 Reynolds Ave in North Charleston.
“I grew up in Charleston, and when I moved back in 2023 with my spouse Lazer, we immediately sought out queer community. As lovers of bars, art shows, craft fairs, and karaoke, in three years we’ve found many fantastic spots to frequent, but often found ourselves to be the only queer people in any given setting,” says a description of the Velvet Pony on its Indiegogo page, where you can help fund this project.
“The Velvet Pony will serve a balanced menu of creative cocktails, approachable wines, local beer and thoughtful non-alcoholic beverages, as well as a delicious food menu by Lazer. The space will have bar seating, two-top and four-top tables, and will include a fenced-in patio space with seating. Our bathrooms are non-gendered and ADA accessible. We hope to be your go-to for dates, game nights, hangs with friends, meetings, and more!”
Meanwhile, the Velvet Pony continues to appear in the press.
“Yeehaw, we’re in the Post and Courier, y’all!” said a Velvet Pony Facebook post sharing coverage by the Post and Courier.
“This space is more important than ever as the federal government has now also decided to vilify queer and trans people,” Cat Forrester says in the coverage. “Not opening this bar because this country has become so anti-trans and anti-queer is complying in advance. I won’t let fear guide me.”
What Now was unable to reach Forrester on Tuesday to ask about plans for the opening. The Post and Courier coverage says the Velvet Pony will open before the end of the year.
In the meantime, you can keep up with all things Velvet Pony by following the bar on Facebook.
