Combine a night club and immersive theater — throw in the familiarity of an Irish pub — and you’ve got 34 West in downtown Charleston.
A view from Pinckney Street
We always gravitate toward intimate, avant guarde venues, like the immersive experience at NYC’s McKittrick Hotel or the Jalopy in Brooklyn.
There’s something very “alive” about a small space doing great things. It makes you feel like you’re witnessing something incredibly special.
Simply Irresistible, 2019
Owners Jeff and Steve traveled to Northern Ireland a few years back where they frequented charming pubs in remote parts of the country.
They were struck by how the whole community, young and old, came together each night to celebrate and reflect on the day.
Quick pic of writer/actors/owners Stephen Wayne and Jeff Querin with friends
One of our favorite sights to see are audiences from all walks of life coming together to experience live theater in such an intimate space.
It’s electric and indescribable to see stellar performances up close and personal. You’re smiling continuously and you don’t know why.
You start saying things like “This is my happy place!” and “I want to see everything!”
Pre-show festivities at the bar
It feels very much like a cocktail party.
Before the show you can mingle with friends. Chat with your neighbor. Maybe enjoy a champagne cocktail made by one of the actors.
Owner/Writer/Director/Actor Jeff Querin showing audiences to their seats
And then the extraordinary happens.
The cocktail party becomes an immersive theatrical experience. The audience watches a whole new world open up in front of them.
Audiences aren’t asked to sing or participate in any way — but rather, to open their imaginations to the story.
Actors Stephen Wayne rides on the roof of the car as Becca Anderson peels away!
People leave wondering what they just stumbled upon. Was it a cabaret, a broadway show?
The answer is ‘kinda’ and ‘it could be.’
Our actors have performed around the country and off-Broadway. The stories are original, so you’ll never be able to see something like this anywhere else.
Actresses Becca Anderson and Beth Curley
AND the venue is quite charming. A broadway producer friend, Greg Nobile, once characterized it as a “storefront theater” concept.
He added that it was one of his “most memorable and enjoyable theater experiences ever!”
We couldn’t agree more!
Post-show discussions with owners Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne