March 10, 2021

A new event venue on the east side of Sioux Falls is booking weddings, graduations and other celebrations, getting ready to host bean bag and volleyball leagues and planning other social events.

The Social has transformed The Pocket, a dark aging pool hall, into a bright, modern venue with nostalgic nods like tin paneling, old doors and a rotary phone booth.

“If you can take little bits of pieces and you can put them altogether, it makes people feel more at home than just a new place,” said co-owner Lynette Hofer, who has spent the past six months remodeling the building at 301 S. Thompson Ave. She and business partner Pat Ankrum are leasing the space.

“This has been kind of a fun project for me because all three of my kids have been huge participants,” said Hofer, who also owns Open Space, a smaller event venue near 69th Street and Western Avenue. “My eldest son, Bryce, he built the bar.”

The space can seat up to 300 people comfortably, she said. An elevated stage can hold the head table for a wedding party along with smaller tables for family. It also could be used for a band or as a dance floor.

There’s a space for caterers to use, a bridal suite and a room for the groom.

The bathrooms were completely redone – a necessary project, of course, given the building’s former use as a bar, Hofer said.

The Social has a beer and wine license, but anyone who wants to serve liquor at an event can apply with the city for a one-day permit.

A large patio will be set up at the rear of the building. Hofer planted perennial flowers on the hillside and ivy to grow on the border fence and is looking forward to seeing them emerge this spring.

The area will be used for bean bag leagues, and The Pocket’s former sand volleyball courts are being revamped for leagues. There will be room for four regulation-size courts. On game nights, which will be during the week, an outdoor bar will be set up, and food trucks will be invited out.

“I don’t want to be just known for a wedding venue, but I don’t want to be known for volleyball either. I wanted it to be something that people could use for really whatever. … We have a lot of graduations already booked, we booked weddings already, baby showers, bridal showers.”

The Social can be rented by the hour – something not all venues offer, Hofer said.

“We also allow them to bring in their own food,” she said. “Most places you have to use their caterer.”

On nights that aren’t booked for celebrations, Hofer envisions hosting bands and doing variety shows or open mic nights.

Anyone who’s interested in seeing the space will have a chance Friday night. The Social is hosting an open house from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. with live music and drinks.