The Velvet Pony

The Velvet Pony is a queer bar and community space planned for 2025 Reynolds Avenue in Park Circle, a few blocks from Bar Polari. It comes from Cat Forrester and chef Lazer Kotowich, who moved back to Charleston from New Orleans in 2023. Press coverage describes cocktails named after queer icons, wine and alcohol-free drinks, retro TV-dinner food, a patio and gender-neutral bathrooms, with karaoke, art shows, fundraisers and talks with LGBTQ+ elders planned. In August 2026, QNotes reported it was not open yet and was aiming to open around Charleston Pride in the autumn. We could not confirm an opening date, so check its Instagram before you go.