Poster: "The War Eagle Supper Club: Memory, Place, and Tradition at Auburn University"
A Place to Belong
Before it became such a popular hang out spot for students at Auburn University, the site served
as a brothel, steakhouse, and pizza joint.1 It finally became The War Eagle Supper Club in 1962
under the management of H.H. Lambert.2 The club quickly began to play a central role in social
life as a place where students were able to gather together outside of the classroom. Spaces such
as this are an essential part of shaping the college experience. They help bring people together
and build a sense of community, something that would play a big role in the War Eagle Supper
Club’s future.
Fighting to Save a Landmark
In 2015, the club was at risk of closing. The owners were unable to renew their lease and the
property owners decided to sell the land on which the War Eagle Supper Club stood. Because of
this, the building was set to be torn down. This news upset many people throughout the
community and resulted in many students and employees fighting to keep the place they loved.
Those that wanted to help suggested turning the club into a historical monument or starting a
GoFundMe to pay rent.3 Even with these efforts, the War Eagle Supper Club was torn down on
January 26, 2026. Still, the bond of those who spent countless nights there and the memories that
came with those nights remained.4
Memory and Change
Even after its closure, the War Eagle Supper Club lived on in the minds of many, becoming a
powerful symbol of Auburn’s collective memory. The club was a place many wished they could
return to, it represented a time they could not get back and was full of good memories. One
former student, Vince Thompson, finally decided to make this return a possibility. When he
heard that a new hotel was going to be built in downtown Auburn, he suggested working with
them to create a new War Eagle Supper Club.5 This time, it would be a rooftop bar. He teamed
up with John Brandt, a co-owner of the club, to design the new space. They included things like
old memorabilia, checkered floors, and the famous slogan, “Cold Beer-Hot Rock-Expect No
Mercy.” These were some of the features that made the original War Eagle Supper Club special.
Conclusion
The story of the War Eagle Supper Club demonstrates how places shape memory and tradition.
Though the building itself is gone, its impact remained through the experiences and stories of
those who gathered there. By examining these primary sources, this exhibit shows that even
temporary spaces can leave lasting marks on communities. The bond created by this place is
what led to its resurgence and further proves the importance of spaces like this throughout
communities.
-Stella Mitchell
Old Picture of WESC
| Group of people standing outside of the War Eagle Supper Club waiting to be allowed in. |
Interior of WESC
| People dancing inside of WESC |
WESC Remains
| Image of the WESC after being demolished |
Current WESC
| Photo of bar inside the new WESC |