Former dive bar The Whig hosting ‘celebration of life’ after closing in downtown Columbia
The Whig isn’t dead just yet.
The owners of the former subterranean Main Street dive bar that closed this past weekend are hosting a “celebration of life” for the beloved Columbia institution this coming Thursday.
The final goodbye to the Whig will take over Boyd Plaza in front of the Columbia Museum of Art from 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, the bar announced on its social media pages Friday.
Music will be provided by D.J. Preach Jacobs, Say Brother and the Mustache Brothers.
The celebration will come during downtown Columbia’s monthly First Thursday event.
“During our existence we’ve participated in hundreds upon hundreds of events around town,” the online post announcing the event reads. “Part of our core philosophy was to always have a bigger footprint in Columbia than just a small basement, that if we’re being completely honest, we outgrew some time ago.
“We humbly invite you to show up one more time, to let us serve you a drink, to be part of the community, to enjoy great music, and above all else, have a good time in tough times.”
The Whig shut its doors for the last time early Sunday morning after 17 years operating underground at the intersection of Gervais and Main streets across from the S.C. State House. The iconic hangout was forced out of its basement premises by the extensive work being done to the the historic 11-story building at 1200 Main into a Marriott Moxy brand hotel.
Its lease was not renewed amid developers’ plans to open a basement “speakeasy” establishment as part of the renovated hotel.
This story was originally published November 25, 2022 at 11:28 AM.
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