Bites & Sights: Fall 2015

Dining, Attractions and Nightlife | freetimes | Fall 2015

free-times.com/restaurants COLUMBIA’S PREMIER VISITORS GUIDE | FALL 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

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C o nsider “old fashioned” a Compliment. a nd a darn good CoC ktail. take the road less traveled. s av o r famously h ot Columbia o ne bite at a t im e .

924-A Senate Street at the Hilton Columbia Center In Columbia’s Historic Vista District 803.212.6666 2

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Fall 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

For Menus & Additional Information, visit RuthsChris.net

Get fresh with us.

Columbia’s most progressive restaurant invites you to step out of normal and step into SakiTumi.

Flavorful grill and incredible sushi with fresh fish delivered DAILY. Creative cocktails from our full service bar and great service in a casual atmosphere bursting with energy and great music. You’ll have to remind yourself you’re still in Columbia. Get fresh with us for dinner and drinks anytime.

803.931.0700 • SakiFresh.com SakiTumi Grill & Sushi • 807 Gervais St, Vista • Open Every Day @ 5pm

Flamingoes at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. See Attractions, page 20.

ON THE COVER

P Dining, Attractions and Nightlife COLUMBIA’S PREMIER VISITORS GUIDE | FALL 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

ork chop with butternut squash steak, Brussels sprouts, jowl bacon, roasted tomato and Happy Cow Creamery brown butter ($28). Motor Supply Co. Bistro executive chef Wes Fulmer peeled and sliced halfinch thick slabs of butternut squash on a deli slicer, then cooked them in a 65 degree C sous vide with thyme, olive oil and chili flake. The toothsome squash steaks are then finished on a grill. Photo by Jonathan Sharpe.

Published by Resorts Media LLC 1534 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 765.0707 (803) 765.0727 fax

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contents RESTAURANTS

6 American/Southern 8 Asian 8 Bagel/Bakery 8 Bar/Pub Food 8 Bistro/ New American 9 BBQ/Wings/Ribs 10 Breweries/ Brewpubs 10 Café/Coffee House

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11 Cajun 11 Caribbean/Latin 11 Chinese 11 Deli 12 Dessert 12 Ethiopian 12 Food Trucks 13 French 12 German 13 Greek/ Mediterranean 13 Indian 14 Japanese/Sushi

PUBLISHER: Charlie Nutt EDITOR: Dan Cook FOOD EDITOR: Eva Moore LISTINGS EDITOR: Jordan Lawrence PHOTOGRAPHER: Jonathan Sharpe PRODUCTION MANAGER: Lisa Heinz DESIGNERS: Joey Ayer, Dre Lopez SALES MANAGER: Hyatt Drake ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Angie Bledsoe, Josh Findlay, Zoe Levy, Sue Miller, Jessica Rowland, Jerry Viles, Hunter Wise OFFICE MANAGER: Anton Dela Cruz GENERAL MANAGER: Jen Coody

14 Korean 14 Mexican 15 Middle Eastern 15 Pizza 16 Seafood 16 Steakhouse 17 Thai 17 Vegetarian 17 Vietnamese

PLAY & STAY 18 Calendar of Events 20 Attractions 26 Nightlife

Advertisers in Free Times Bites & Sights assume responsibility for the entire content and subject matter of all advertisements. In case of error or omissions in advertisement, the publisher’s sole liability shall be to publish the advertisement at a later date. Notice of error must be made within ten days of first insertion. Views expressed in Free Times Bites & Sights reflect the opinion of the individual writer or artist and are not necessarily those of Free Times. Unsolicited submissions are welcome, but may not be returned. © 2015 Resorts Media LLC. All rights reserved.

Fall 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

thing from fried appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, pizza and wings to salads, lasagna and even liver and onions. Known for its grilled rib eye, which is one of the city’s best.

Serves liquor. Busy lunch, lots of atmosphere. ¢.

Le Peep

AMERICAN/ SOUTHERN California Dreaming

californiadreaming.co Downtown: 401 S. Main St., 254-6767 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Located in a historic railroad station, California Dreaming has been popular ever since it opened in 1984. Serves large salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, pasta, chicken and steaks. Excellent mixed drinks, and the honey croissants always are a hit. ¢-$.

Carolina Ale House

carolinaalehouse.com Harbison/Irmo: 277 Columbiana Dr., 407-6996 Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Vista: 708 Lady St., 227-7150 Mon-Sun 11-2a.m.

North Carolina-based franchise offers salads, pizzas, appetizers, signature sandwiches and all manner of chicken, steaks, barbecue and ribs and seafood entrees. More than 30 beers on tap and 40 or so bottle selections. Vista location features popular rooftop bar. ¢-$.

Compton’s Kitchen

comptonskitchen.com Lexington: 5343-L Sunset Blvd., 399-1272 Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sat 6:30 a.m.-noon; Sun 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

West Columbia/Cayce: 1118 B Ave., 791-0750 Mon-Fri 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sat 6 a.m.-noon With most everything made from scratch, you can’t go wrong with the meat-andveggies combos. Lunch entrees include fried chicken, stewed beef and rice, salmon patties, livers and gizzards and country-style steak. Special menu with meals under 400 calories. ¢. .

Dupre at the Market

West Columbia/Cayce: 3483 Charleston Hwy., 509-5641 Sun-Mon 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Located at the South Carolina State Farmers Market, Dupre serves breakfast and lunch made with fresh produce from the market itself. Features classic breakfast items, as well as Southern favorites (catfish, fried gizzards), sandwiches, burgers, Greek favorites and more. ¢-$.

Eggs Up Grill

eggsupgrill.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2930 Devine St., 661-9174 Mon-Sun 6 a.m.-2 p.m.

A South Carolina chain devoted to breakfast foods, from waffles to omelets to loaded home-fry platters, plus lunch foods like burgers, sandwiches and wraps.

All hail breakfast! ¢.

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Ella’s

Northeast: 3800 North Main St., 661-8857 Mon-Sat 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Tasty Southern comfort food served up meat-and-three style in an elegant location in North Main Plaza. $.

Flight Deck

shoppesatflightdeck.com Lexington: 109-A Old Chapin Rd., 957-5990 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Family-owned restaurant with an extensive collection of WW II-themed memorabilia and photographs. Menu ranges from burgers and sandwiches to ribs, pizza and Greek specialties. Blue-plate special includes one meat, two veggies, dessert and a drink. ¢.

Grill Marks

grillmarks.com Vista: 711 Gervais St., 803-661-8932 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Fancy burgers, fancy shakes (with or without booze) and a swank atmosphere. $.

Harper’s Restaurant

harpersgroup.com Five Points: 700 Harden St., 252-2222 Mon-Thu 11:15 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11:15 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Part of a small Charlotte-based chain, Harper’s exceeds chain standards in both its food and its service. While the menu has burgers, sandwiches and nicely smoked meats (dig the firewood pile out back), Harper’s also offers fresh seafood, creative salads and more. Sunday brunch, too. $.

Jillian’s

jillianscolumbia.com Vista: 800 Gervais St., 779-7789 Sun-Thu 11:30 a.m. to midnight; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m.

Jillian’s is designed for eating, drinking and mingling, with plenty of visual stimulus from tons of big-screen TVs. The menu includes appetizers (mmm .. mozzarella sticks), burgers, sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, soups, salads and desserts. ¢-$.

Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles

kikischickenandwaffles.com Northeast: 110 Columbia Northeast Dr., 834-7948 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-midnight Chicken and waffles! And not just any old iteration of this soul food classic — Kiki’s offers a red velvet waffle if you’re feeling fancy. Also try the shrimp and grits. Bonus trivia: Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton have both eaten here. ¢.

Kingsman Restaurant

West Columbia/Cayce: 936 Axtell Dr. (Parkland Shopping Center), 796-8622 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

This longtime Cayce favorite offers every-

lepeep.com/index.php Vista: 701 Gervais St., Suite 110, 254-1200 Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Are you in the mood for something other than IHOP? This chain serves breakfast and lunch around the country with everything from tacos to breakfast banana splits. $.

Liberty on the Lake

libertytaproom.com Harbison/Irmo: 1602 Marina Rd., 667-9715 Sun-Mon 11 a.m.-until With sweeping, scenic views of Lake Murray from its multiple decks, Liberty on the Lake is a gorgeous place to knock back a few beers and some tasty, fresh-caught fish or a burger. Some of the same great salads, sandwiches and apps you’ll find at the Liberty in the heart of Columbia. $.

Liberty Tap Room & Grill

libertytaproom.com Vista: 828 Gervais St., 461-4677 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-until; Sun 10 a.m.-until (Brunch until 2 p.m.); bar open until 2 a.m. all week.

Liberty begins with sturdy American fare but doesn’t end there. Known for its delicious salads, you’ll also find an array of appetizers, succulent soups and colorful entrees. You can’t go wrong with the Freedom Burger (fried egg!) or any of the fresh seafood, pizzas, chicken and pastas. $.

Lizard’s Thicket

lizardsthicket.com Downtown: 818 Elmwood Ave., 779-6407 Blythewood: 711-1 University Village Dr., 451-8400 Forest Acres: 3147 Forest Dr., 787-8781 Garners Ferry/Southeast: 7938 Garners Ferry Rd., 647-0095 Garners Ferry/Southeast: 402 Beltline Blvd., 738-0006 Harbison/Irmo: 7569 St. Andrews Rd., 732-1225 Lexington: 621 W Main St., 951-3555 Northeast: 10170 Two Notch Rd., 419-5662 Northeast: 7620 Two Notch Rd., 788-3088 St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 1824 Broad River Rd., 798-6427 West Columbia/Cayce: 2240 Airport Blvd., 796-7820 West Columbia/Cayce: 501 Knox Abbott Dr., 791-0314 West Columbia/Cayce: 2234 Sunset Blvd., 794-0923 Mon-Sun 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

(Hours apply to all locations.)

Meat loaf, fried chicken, mac and cheese, fried okra. Good lord, what more could you want? A true local institution that thrives on the meat-and-veggies formula.

This is what Southern cooking is all about.

For more food and drink coverage and restaurant listings, visit free-times.com.

Midlands’ Food Arts

marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/ restaurant/caemh-columbia-marriott Downtown: 1200 Hampton St., 771-7000 Mon-Fri 6 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Sat-Sun 6:30 a.m.-noon and 5 p.m.-10 p.m.

This restaurant’s nice, casual feel is something you might come to expect during your time at the Marriott Hotel.

Features New Southern classics like shrimp and grits. Stop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner after a long day (or night) in downtown Columbia. $.

Original Pancake House

originalpancakehousencsc.com Forest Acres: 4840 Forest Dr. (Trenholm Plaza), 782-6742 Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Sat-Sun 7 a.m. -9 p.m.

Pancakes as you like them. Offering a full menu including cinnamon-glazed apple pancakes, freshly squeezed juices, homemade fruit syrups and more. And if you’re not in the mood for pancakes, try the meat-lovers omelet. The lines are long for a reason; get there before church lets out and you’ll be in good shape. ¢.

Pawleys Front Porch

pawleysfrontporch.com Five Points: 827 Harden St., 771-8001 Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Fancy a fried egg, apple-cured ham, pineapple or a pair of onion rings stuffed between a half-pound patty and a ciabatta bun? Crowds have been lining up outside Pawleys Front Porch ever since its fantastic burgers were featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives back in 2010. $.

Rockaway Athletic Club

Shandon/Rosewood: 2719 Rosewood Dr., 256-1075 Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-2 a.m. (Kitchen closes at 11 p.m. Sun-Tue; midnight Wed-Sat) This local institution was a stop for President George W. Bush during a visit to Columbia, and for good reason. For years, locals have been flocking to Rockaway’s for its unbeatable pimento cheeseburgers and excellent bar food. ¢-$.

The Happy Cafe

thehappycafeonforest.com Forest Acres: 4525 Forest Drive, 803787-8411 Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Housemade tomato pie, chicken salad and other downhome deli favorites, plus a variety of desserts including a beloved caramel cake. $.

Yesterdays Restaurant and Tavern

yesterdayssc.com Five Points: 2030 Devine St., 799-0196 Mon-Thu 11:15 a.m.-midnight; Fri 11:15 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-midnight A landmark since 1978, people flock here not just for a glimpse of a guy in a bathtub but also to fill up on the heartiest fare in town, including meatloaf, broiled salmon, Lowcountry shrimp and grits and, of course, country fried steak. Just about everything comes with veggies, too. ¢.

Price ¢ avg. entrée < $10 Key $ avg. entrée = $10-15

$$ avg. entrée > $15

Fall 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

1200 Lincoln St. â&#x20AC;˘ 799.3838

bluemarlincolumbia.com â&#x20AC;˘ signaturecateringsc.com

ASIAN M Grille

gomgrille.com Vista: 531 Lady St., 708-8881 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10:30 p.m.; Sat 5-10:30 p.m. Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

High-end Asian dining in the Vista.

Creative dishes span seafood, salads and more, from Thai-style tenderloin salad to honey-brined Southern chicken. Full bar with happy hour. $-$$ .

M Kitchen

Harbison/Irmo: 340 Columbiana Dr., 764-1285 The latest from Michelle Wang of the Miyo’s empire features fresh takes on Asian and bistro classics, all convenient to Columbiana Mall. $.

M Vista

miyos.com Vista: 701-C Lady St., 255-8878 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat 4:30-11 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Just like the other Miyo’s and M Cafe locations, M Vista features upscale Chinese cuisine and sushi with a twist: M Vista focuses on healthy ingredients and portions and cooks with organic ingredients. Besides stir-fries, noodle soups and special sushi rolls, there’s a well-stocked bar. Yum! ¢-$.

Miyo’s

miyos.com Northeast: 715 Fashion Dr., Ste. 1, Village at Sandhill, 788-8878 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.- 10:30 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Harbison/Irmo: 1220 E-2 Bower Pkwy., 781-7788 Sun-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.- 10:30 p.m.

Forest Acres: 3250 Forest Dr., 743-9996 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.- 10:30 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Lexington: 5594 Sunset Blvd., 957-9888 Sun-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

Winner of many Best of Columbia awards for its Shanghai and Sichuan cuisine.

Features both traditional and innovative dishes served in a comfortable, elegant atmosphere. Also features a sushi bar. ¢-$$.

BAGEL/BAKERY Ally & Eloise Bakeshop

allyandeloise.com Forest Acres: 5209-B Forest Dr., 708-2982 Tue-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Eloise is a French bulldog. And Ally is a heck of a baker, turning out fancy cookies, cupcakes, muffins and scones, not to mention fancy layer cakes and bundt cakes galore. ¢.

Crust Bakehouse

crustbakehouse.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2701-B Rosewood Dr., Tue-Fri 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

In the mornings, Crust offers cookies, scones and other sweet pastries; a little later in the day, the delectable breads start coming out of the oven: focaccias, ciabattas, sourdough, levains and more.

And yes, it has no telephone. ¢.

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Heather’s Artisan Bakery

heathersartisanbakery.com West Columbia/Cayce: 1524 Lafayette Ave., 807-1428 Fri 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Artisanal bakery offers homemade breads for serious bread fans, from wheat to sourdough to ciabatta. For sale at Soda City Market, Rosewood Market and other area markets. ¢.

The Pastry Shop at Nonnah’s nonnahs.com Vista: 928 Gervais St., 779-9599 Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

This bakeshop, an offshoot of longbeloved dessert joint Nonnah’s, serves freshly baked bread, scones, brownies, pastries and more. ¢.

Silver Spoon Bake Shop

silverspoonbakeshop.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2507 Devine St., 673-6374 Tue-Fri 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Housemade pastries, cakes, pies and delicious cookies, plus a coffee bar.

Custom cakes and pies for special events, too. $.

BAR/PUB FOOD Bar None

Five Points: 620 Harden St., 254-3354 Mon-Fri 3 p.m.-6 a.m.; Sat-Sun 3 p.m.-2 a.m.

Late-night bar serving food into the wee hours of the morning — including, on certain special nights, the finest smoked chicken wings you’ve ever tasted. Large selection of beers on tap. ¢.

British Bulldog Pub

thebritishbulldogpub.com Harbison/Irmo: 1220 E10 Bowers Pkwy., 227-8918 Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sat-Sun 9 a.m.-2 a.m. (night menu Wed-Thu 10-11pm; Fri-Sat 10:30 pm-12 a.m.); Sun buffet 10 am-2 p.m.

A British pub with a real British pub menu: everything from roast beef and Yorkshire pudding to meat pies to Scotch eggs to crispy samosas, plus plenty of burgers and salads for the anglophobes. Breakfast served all day. Extensive soccer and rugby viewing schedule, too. $.

Delaney’s

Five Points: 741 Saluda Ave., 779-2345 Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Irish pub with 27 beers on tap and a variety of food, including Irish and American favorites. Live acoustic and Celtic music Tuesday through Saturday and trivia on Sundays. ¢.

Flying Saucer

beerknurd.com Vista: 931 Senate St., 933-9997 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Sun noon-midnight High-end pints and mammoth soft pretzels delivered by waitresses in knee socks and fig leaves. Seriously: The palate may focus on the endless beer list, the enormous sandwiches, even the pizza by the slice, but the eyes — a lot of them, anyway — leer elsewhere. ¢.

Price ¢ avg. entrée < $10 Key $ avg. entrée = $10-15

$$ avg. entrée > $15

Henry’s Grill and Bar

henrysgrillandbar.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2865 Devine St., 708-4705 Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Northeast: 111 Sparkleberry Crossing, 563-5674 A comfortable, classy neighborhood bar with delicious burgers, fried pickles and tons of drink specials. Try the Big T burger: a huge, juicy double cheeseburger between two grilled cheese sandwiches. The Sunday brunch rocks. henrysgrillandbar.com. ¢-$.

Jake’s

jakesofcolumbia.com Five Points: 2112 Devine St., 708-4788 Tue-Fri 4 p.m.-until; Sat 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sun 5 p.m.-until A college bar that serves sustainable local food? Yep. Serves bar-snack standards like nachos, wings and mozzarella sticks, plus pizzas and calzones — all with plenty of ingredients from local farms. $.

Krafty Draft

kraftydraft.com Lexington: 269 Charter Oak Rd., 996-0345 Mon-Fri 4 p.m.-11 p.m.; Sat 2 p.m.-midnight Nibble on tortilla chips, hummus or a rotisserie chicken salad while sampling a wide assortment of beers. ¢.

The Kraken

facebook.com/thekrakengastropub Shandon/Rosewood: 2910 Rosewood Dr., 955-7408 Mon-Sat 4 p.m.-midnight (kitchen open 5-10 p.m. Mon-Thu, 5-11 p.m. Fri-Sat); Sun brunch 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

What’s a gastropub? Well, that just means the food is as good as the excellent selection of beer, with offerings like boiled peanut hummus, a lamb shank and a cheese plate. Regular specials keep things interesting. $.

Thirsty Fellow

thirstyfellow.com Vista: 621 Gadsden St., 799-1311 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-midnight; Sun 10 a.m.-11 p.m. (Brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Pub food and fresh specials include wings, fish ‘n chips, sandwiches, soups, appetizers and an array of stone-fired pizzas. Try the banana pepper stuffed with sausage and served with a hearty marinara and cheese sauce. ¢.

Tin Roof

tinroofbars.com Vista: 1022 Senate St., 771-1558 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-3 a.m.; Sun noon-9 p.m.

Tin Roof has a bar menu with touches of flair, from the chicken-and-waffle nuggets (served with syrup for dipping) to the awesome quesadillas. $.

The Whig

thewhig.org Downtown: 1200 Main St., 931-8852 Mon-Fri 4 p.m.-until; Sat-Sun 5 p.m.-until (daily happy hour 4-7 p.m.)

Hip underground bar across from the State House serves burgers, sweet potato fries and a mean chicken sandwich. Also home of the infamous Taco Tuesdays, when beef or bean tacos are 75 cents apiece and the crowds are massive. ¢.

BISTRO/ NEW AMERICAN @116 Espresso & Wine Bar

116state.com West Columbia/Cayce: 116 State St., 791-5663 Tue-Thu 5-10 p.m.; Fri -Sat 5-11 p.m; Brunch Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (last seating at 2:30 p.m.)

Combines a chill coffee-shop atmosphere with great wine and food.

Specials range from soups to seafood to steaks to specialty pizzas, many with Mediterranean and Southern influences.

Fabulous Spanish wines, and a famed White Russian menu. Popular brunch spot, too. $.

Bistro on the Boulevard

bistroontheblvd.com Harbison/Irmo: 1085-D Lake Murray Blvd., 369-1332 Mon-Thu 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5 p.m.-11 p.m.

Upscale Southern classics like Lowcountry crab dip and shrimp and grits meet bistro offerings like fancy stuffed pork chops and an Asian salmon burger. $.

Cellar on Greene

cellarongreene.com Five Points: 2001D Greene St. , 343-3303 Mon-Thurs 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sat noon-10:30 p.m. (Shop open MonFri 11 a.m.; bar opens at 5 p.m.)

Part wine shop, part tapas bar, the Cellar on Greene is the place to go for wines by the glass or bottle and an ever-changing menu of Continental, Mediterranean, and bistro-style dishes: seafood and steaks, salads, hummus, pizzas, pastas and more. The truffle parmesan raw fries are exceptional. $-$$.

Cola’s

colasrestaurant.com Downtown: 1215 Assembly St., 451-0051 Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (lunch); MonThu 5:30-10 p.m., Fri-Sat 5:30-10:30 p.m.

American bistro with diverse influences, launched by the proprietors of the nowdefunct Garibaldi Cafe. Robust seafood selection, plus steaks, salads and more, plus a lovely bar. Large window wall opens to Assembly Street. $$.

Copper River Grill

copperrivergrill.com Harbison/Irmo: 1230 Bower Pkwy., 749-4647 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.- 11 p.m.

Specializes in a little bit of everything — grilled seafood, chicken and steak dishes, sandwiches and burgers and oven-baked pizzas. Try the sashimi tuna appetizer and, if you’re man (or lady) enough, the 32-oz.

Big Sky Porterhouse. $.

Hampton Street Vineyard

hamptonstreetvineyard.com Downtown: 1201 Hampton St. , 252-0850 Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 6-10 p.m.; Sat 6-10 p.m. (Bar opens at 5 p.m.)

Innovative American cuisine with seasonal menu changes, featuring fresh seafood, handcut steaks, lamb, duck, veal, accommodating and professional service all taking place in an urban cool space below the sidewalk in the historic Sylvan Building. ¢-$$.

Fall 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

Jonez

jonezcolumbia.com Vista: 1004 Gervais St. , 803-834-4434 Sun-Thu 4-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 4 p.m.-midnight Smooth jazz club with a bistro-slash-bar menu featuring salads, fish tacos, steaks, wings, grilled salmon and more. $.

Julep’s Bistro

julepsbistro.com Northeast: 120 Sparkleberry Crossing Dr., 419-7200 Mon-Thu 4-10 p.m.; Fri 4-11 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Swanky but chill bar and bistro, with a diverse menu featuring seafood, pizzas, small plates and steaks. $.

Motor Supply Co.

motorsupplycobistro.com Vista: 920 Gervais St., 256-6687 Tue-Th 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.,5:30-10:30 p.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5:30-9 p.m.

An early pioneer of dining in the Vista, Motor Supply’s eclectic menu reflects a classic bistro mentality and changes every day. Upbeat, cosmopolitan atmosphere and excellent food with a focus on fresh, local produce and artisanal techniques. Especially popular for Sunday brunch. $-$$.

Mr. Friendly’s

mrfriendlys.com Five Points: 2001-A Greene St., 254-7828 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5:30-10 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5:30-10:30 p.m.; Sat 5:30-10:30 p.m.

The award-winning bistro Mr. Friendly’s is tucked into the side of Claussen’s Inn. Since 1995, it’s been serving New Southern Cuisine — sometimes innovative, sometimes comforting — at reasonable prices. In addition to its daily menu, Mr. Friendly’s offers nightly specials. A great higher end lunch spot, too. $-$$.

Saluda’s

saludas.com Five Points: 751 Saluda Ave., 799-9500 Mon-Sun 5-10 p.m.

This casual fine-dining establishment offers cutting-edge culinary styles that blend Italian, French and Lowcountry influences. Serves seafood, beef, chicken and vegetarian entrees. Also hosts wine dinners. $$.

Solstice Kitchen & Wine Bar

solsticekitchen.com Northeast: 841-4 Sparkleberry Ln., 788-6966 Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Dinner: Mon-Thu 5:30-9:30 p.m., Fri-Sat 5:30-10 p.m.; Bar: Mon-Sat 5 p.m.-until From the people who bring you Mr. Friendly’s and Cellar on Greene, Solstice presents an upscale dining experience with such dishes as seared diver scallops, beef tartare, in-house brined pork chops, South Carolina seafood and hand-cut steaks. Extensive wine list and elegant, yet cozy, atmosphere. $-$$.

Spotted Salamander

spottedsalamandercatering.com Downtown: 1531 Richland St., 546-0249 Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Longtime local caterer now has a lunch cafe downtown. Daily specials offer quirky, balanced, tasty fare. Plus — cronuts! $.

Stonefire American Grill

stonefireamericangrill.com Northeast: 566 Spears Creek Church Rd., 419-2332 Mon-Sun 4-10 p.m.

Upscale American classics — steakhousestyle burgers, prime rib, roasted chicken, grilled salmon and even a classic New England lobster roll — are joined by Southern favorites like fried green tomatoes and Lowcountry crab cakes. $-$$.

Tazza Kitchen

tazzakitchen.com Forest Acres: 4840 Forest Dr. #20, 782-0760 Tue-Sun 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (lunch); Tue-Thu 4:30-10 p.m., Fri-Sat 4:30-11 p.m., Sun 4:30-9 p.m. (dinner) Modern but comfortable bistro features wood-fired pizzas, salads and entrees and apps borrowing from a variety of cuisines.

Ditto for brunch, where you can choose everything from huevos rancheros to a five-spice chicken sandwich. $.

Terra

terrasc.com West Columbia/Cayce: 100 State St., 791-3443 Tue-Sat 5 p.m.-until Chef Mike Davis brings together top-quality Southern ingredients and classic European techniques to make creative, original fare — truly one of the region’s best restaurants.

Fantastic view of downtown Columbia from the upscale Vista West location. Looking for something a little simpler? Sit at the cozy bar and sample a brick-oven pizza. $$.

The Oak Table

theoaktablesc.com Downtown: 1221 Main St., 563-5066 Mon-Th 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5-10 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5-11 p.m.; Sat 5-11 p.m.; Sun brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

A fantastic view of the State House, not to mention excellent high-end fine dining fare, from deep-fried whole lobster to refined steaks, crispy-roasted mushrooms and much more. Sundays feature a great brunch. $-$$.

Tombo Grille

tombogrille.com Forest Acres: 4517 Forest Dr., 782-9665 Mon-Thu 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5:30-10:30 p.m. (Bar opens at 4:30 p.m.)

Whether you’re looking for a carefully crafted small bite or seafood dish using local ingredients with a fine wine to match, or just a great burger and a beer, Tombo is a solid choice. Live music several nights a week. $.

BBQ/WINGS/RIBS Big-T Bar-B-Que

bigtbbq.com Gadsden: 2520 Congaree Rd., 353-0488 Wed 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thu-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Garners Ferry/Southeast: 7535 Garners Ferry Rd., 776-7132 Mon-Wed 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thu-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Northeast: 1061 Sparkleberry Ln., 788-4295 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m Big T’s turns out some of the best barbecue in town. Pit-cooked pulled pork is the standout, served with hot or mild, slightly sweet mustard-based sauce. The sides are first-rate. Friendly people, generous portions.

free-times.com/restaurants | Fall 2015

Top it all off with some homemade chocolate cake. ¢.

Doc’s Barbeque and Southern Buffet

docsbarbeque.com Garners Ferry/Southeast: 1601 Shop Rd., 799-1532 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

First-rate barbecue buffet with stellar fried chicken. Also features delicious catfish bites.

Order off the menu for tailgating or simply to take home some quality BBQ. ¢.

Hudson’s Smokehouse & Saloon

hudsonssmokehouse.com Lexington: 4952 Sunset Blvd., 356-1070 Tue-Thu 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Lexington: Hudson’s Smokehouse Express, 931 Old Two Notch Rd., 356-1070 Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (take-out only) In a town full of barbecue joints, Hudson’s distinguishes itself with Cheerwine and a mean and lean tender brisket. Was spotlighted by Turner South as a Blue Ribbon Barbecue Joint. Offers mustardbased, ketchup-based and vinegar-andpepper options. ¢.

John D. Hite’s

hitesbbq.com West Columbia/Cayce: 240 Dreher Rd., 794-4120 Fri 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Don’t let the plain cinder-block building deter you. No-frills tasty pulled pork barbecue, roasted chicken, ribs and ham, all slow-cooked using wood. Meats and the usual fixins available to go by the pound or the pint. Takeout only. ¢.

Little Pigs

littlepigs.biz Northeast: 4927 Alpine Rd., 788-8238 Wed 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Thu 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Amazing spread of lunch buffet offerings including yams, corn, baked beans, fried okra, onion rings, hush puppies, green beans and more. The three varieties of barbecue are nothing to sneeze at, either. Just stellar local barbecue beloved by regulars. ¢.

Maurice’s Piggie Park

piggiepark.com Downtown: 800 Elmwood Ave., 256-4377 Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Harbison/Irmo: 1141 Lake Murray Blvd., 732-5555 Sun-Thu 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Lexington: 766 W. Main St. , 359-8789 Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Lexington: 1010 S. Lake Dr., 356-1909 Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Northeast: 252 O’Neil Ct., 865-0608 Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Northeast: 9563 Two Notch Rd., 462-0882 Sun-Thu 10 a.m.-8 p.m.Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Shandon/Rosewood: 4411 Devine St., 782-9547 Sun-Thu 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 622 St. Andrews Rd., 772-6999 Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

West Columbia/Cayce: 1600 Charleston

Hwy., 796-0220 Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

West Columbia/Cayce: 2450 Augusta Rd., 796-4777 Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

This Midlands barbecue institution pitcooks its juicy pork, ribs, beef and chicken over hickory coals, and its Carolina Gold mustard-based sauce is legendary. The controversial Maurice Bessinger no longer runs the chain — the younger generation has taken it over, eschewing controversy and Confederate flags alike. ¢.

Palmetto Pig

palmettopig.com Downtown: 530 Devine St., 733-2556 Tue-Wed 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Thu-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

All-you-can-eat buffet featuring pulled pork barbecue, hash, green beans, slaw and crispy fried chicken. At the downtown location, be sure to arrive early or late to beat the rush. Discount available for USC students. $.

Publick House

publick-house.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2307 Devine St., 256-2207 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-midnight; (kitchen closes 1 a.m. Fri-Sat) A Devine St. icon, and rightfully so. Beloved for its hot wings, Publick House also offers three types of buffalo wings, as well as honey mustard, teriyaki, barbecue, pterodactyl, garlic butter and buttery barbecue.

Salads, burgers and pasta round out the menu. Billiards and wide range of beers on tap. ¢.

Quaker Steak and Lube

thelube.com Northeast: 941 Spears Creek Ct., 563-5501 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-1 a.m.

Twenty kinds of wings?! Yes, indeed. And if you’re not in the mood for poultry, the menu is packed with ribs, sandwiches, salads, soups, steaks and more. $.

Shealy’s Bar-B-Que House

shealysbbq.com Leesville: 340 E. Columbia Ave., 532-8135 Mon-Tue and Thu-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m (carry-out 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat breakfast buffet 7-9:30 a.m.)

More than 40 amazing buffet items. The pork is lovingly pulled from slow-cooked whole hogs and served with a thick and tangy mustard sauce. Among the best-loved barbecue places in the state. ¢.

Southern Belly

southernbellybbq.com Shandon/Rosewood: 1332 Rosewood Dr., 667-9533 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Five Points: 819 Harden St., 764-3512 Lots of sauces distinguish this barbecue joint, which offers a small but tasty selection of barbecued meat sandwiches.

Original location is convenient to Williams-Brice Stadium; satellite location is in the heart of Five Points. ¢-$.

True BBQ

true-bbq.com West Columbia/Cayce: 1237 D Ave., 791-9950 Wed-Sat 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Serves pork ribs and classic chopped pork barbecue, smoked on site; hash and rice;

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barbecue chicken; barbecue sandwiches; and the usual slew of sides and desserts.

Choose between Pretty Lady, Sexy Lady or vinegar-based sauce. ¢.

BREWERIES/ BREW PUBS Conquest Brewing Co.

conquestbrewing.com Downtown: Garners Ferry/Southeast: 947 S. Stadium Rd., Bay 1, Mon-Thu 4-9 p.m.; Fri 4-10 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 1-6 p.m.

Columbia’s first production brewery.

The Sacred Heart IPA is a special favorite around Columbia.

Hunter-Gatherer

huntergathererbrewery.com Downtown: 900 Main St., 748-0540 Mon-Thu 4-10 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat 4-11 p.m.

Serving excellent hand-crafted ales since 1995, Hunter-Gatherer’s food is as good as its beer, with nightly gourmet specials to complement such local favorites as the black bean dip. Specialty pizzas are popular, as are the burgers and sandwiches. A favorite spot for university types, hipsters and oldsters alike. Also offers half-gallon growlers so you can take the good stuff home. ¢-$.

Old Mill Brew Pub

oldmillbrewpub.net Lexington: 711 E. Main St., 785-2337 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-2 a.m. (kitchen); bar open until.

Craft beer? Made on site at a former cotton mill on a scenic pond? In downtown Lexington? Yes, Old Mill is doing all this and more — and also serving up some fine, creative bar fare. Hosts occasional live music, too. $.

River Rat Brewery

riverratbrewery.com Garners Ferry/Southeast: 1231 Shop Rd., 724-5712 Wed-Fri 4-10 p.m.; Sat noon-9 p.m.; Sun 1-8 p.m.

River Rat produces excellent and original craft beers. Features a lovely outdoor deck, grassy area with cornhole and swank taproom.

Swamp Cabbage Brewing Co.

swampcabbagebrewing.com Other: Garners Ferry/Southeast: 921 Brookwood Dr. Wed-Thu 5-8 p.m.; Fri 5-9 p.m.; Sat noon-9 p.m.; Sun 1-6 p.m.

Columbia’s third production brewery boasts a strong catalog of beers, starting with its extra-special bitter. Run by two brothers.

CAFÉ/ COFFEE HOUSE Café Strudel

cafestrudel.com West Columbia/Cayce: 300 State St., 794-6634 Mon 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Tue-Sat 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m.; kitchen closes daily 3-5 p.m.

This Vista West café has as much fun naming its dishes (“Hangover Hashbrowns,” “Heart Attack Wrap”) as it does hand-crafting its desserts and breads. The casual, Bohemian style restaurant offers soups, salads, sandwiches, grill items and coffees, plus great daily specials. Also hosts a legendary Sunday brunch. ¢.

College Grounds Café

collegegroundscafe.com Downtown: 1217 College St., 708-9476 Mon-Thu 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

(3 p.m. during summer), Fri 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Think of it as the younger sister to established upstairs coffeehouse Cool Beans: College Grounds Café serves sandwiches and other healthy breakfast and brunch foods — bagels, fruit, grits and more — as well as fresh doughnuts made in-house daily. Yum. Lots of vegetarian-friendly options. ¢.

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Cool Beans Coffee Company

coolbeanscoffeecompany.net Downtown: 1217 College St., 779-4277 Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-midnight; Sat-Sun 9 a.m.-midnight Cool near-campus coffee shop offers plenty of space for studying or socializing — but it’s not just for students. Great menu of sandwiches (the curry chicken salad is a longtime favorite), wraps, soups and salads, plus all the coffee drinks you’d expect — and a few you wouldn’t. (Vegan hot cocoa? Yes please.) ¢.

Drip Coffee

dripcolumbia.com Downtown: 1441 Main St., 799-0067 Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat-Sun 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Five Points: 729 Saluda Ave., 661-9545 Mon-Sat 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Specializing in the pour-over method of coffee-making, Drip makes some fabulous coffee. Besides being a great place for a meeting or first date, both Drip locations also sell creative breakfast and lunch sandwiches and delectable pastries.

Free Wi-Fi, too. ¢-$.

First Citizens Café

firstcitizenscafe.com Downtown: 1210 Main St., 931-1200 Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Yes, it’s a coffee shop run by a bank, located in a lovely renovated space (with an outdoor patio) in one of the oldest buildings on Main. Serves baked goods, sandwiches, salads — and, of course, lattes in many varieties. ¢.

Fall 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

Immaculate Consumption

immaculate-consumption.com Downtown: 933 Main St., 799-9053 Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (coffee until 6 p.m.)

In addition to several different coffees and beer, this coffee shop serves a wide range of sandwiches and fresh salads that folks rave about. ¢.

Loveland Coffee

lovelandcoffee.com St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 7001 St. Andrews Rd., 803-466-7168 Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Sat 7:30 a.m.-noon Tasty local coffee, served up in a variety of ways, from lattes to drip coffee to the famous cold brewed coffee concentrate. ¢.

CAJUN Bourbon

bourboncolumbia.com Downtown: 1214 Main St., 803-403-1404 Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sat 4:30 p.m. until; Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Go for the bourbon, stay for the whiskey.

Serves higher-end Cajun-Creole cuisine like squash jambalaya, bayou burgers, seared duck breast, steaks and more.

Updates on lunch and dinner menus posted through Facebook. Tasty Sunday brunch. $$.

CHINESE Egg Roll Chen

eggrollchen.com Shandon/Rosewood: 715 Crowson Rd., 787-6820 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

A longtime Columbia favorite, packed at the dinner hour with everyone from lawyers to construction workers, Egg Roll Chen makes fresh Chinese favorites to order: Spicy Taiwan Beef, Hot & Nutty Chicken, perfect lo mein and the famous Mamasan’s Beef Noodle Soup. ¢.

Egg Roll Station

West Columbia/Cayce: 135 Sunset Blvd., 791-4060 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Beloved by generations of Columbians, Egg Roll Station prepares inexpensive, fresh Chinese-American standards to order while you watch. Go Cocks; go E’Rolls. ¢.

Sun Ming

sunmingrestaurant.com Harbison/Irmo: 7509 St. Andrews Rd., 732-4488 Sun-Thurs 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

For the most authentic Chinese dining in the Midlands, order off the traditional Chinese menu, which features such dishes as chicken feet with black mushrooms or spicy chicken ding. On the other hand, also offers plenty of orange chicken and beef-and-broccoli to satisfy all your Chinese-American desires. $.

Price ¢ avg. entrée < $10 Key $ avg. entrée = $10-15

$$ avg. entrée > $15

CARIBBEAN/ LATIN Arkos Mojo Grill and Martini Bar

arkosmojo.com Lexington: 109K Old Chapin Rd., 785-5660 Mon-Sat 4 p.m.-until A sort of Latin American bistro featuring ceviche, fancy salsas, paella, tacos and much more. Also has a swank bar menu that spans martinis, margaritas mojitos and caipirinhas. $.

DELI Andy’s Deli

Five Points: 2005 Greene St., 799-2639 Mon-Sat 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Serving a range of hot and cold deli sandwiches plus salads, this Five Points mainstay enjoys a well-deserved reputation for prompt service and consistent quality. No matter how long the lunch line appears, the food never fails to arrive promptly and satisfy completely. Andy’s Special, which features roast beef, turkey and bacon bits on a hoagie roll, and which comes with that tantalizingly tangy dip, ought to qualify as the official sandwich of the Midlands. Thank you my friend, indeed. ¢.

Columbia’s home cookin’ Since 1977!

DiPrato’s Delicatessen

dipratos.com Five Points: 342 Pickens St., 779-0606 Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

(Brunch Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

A stone’s throw from Maxcy Gregg park, DiPrato’s brings a New York attitude to its gourmet deli selections. Choose from its signature sandwiches, build your own or explore the paninis and salads. A fabulous and well-loved brunch spot, too. ¢-$.

Garden Bistro

gardenbistrovista.com Vista: 1303 Assembly St., 933-9085 Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Healthy downtown lunch option with an eclectic assortment of soup, salads, wraps and specialty sandwiches. ¢.

The Gourmet Shop

thegourmetshop.net Five Points: 724 Saluda Ave., 799-3705 Cafe: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.4:45 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Shop: MonSat 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

A Five Points icon because of its coveted sidewalk seating and signature dishes that include the chicken salad and the turkey pesto. The store offers coffees, wines, breads, kitchen gadgets and more. ¢-$.

Groucho’s

grouchos.com Blythewood: 730 University Village Dr., 754-4509 Mon-Sat 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Five Points: 611 Harden St., 799-5708 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Forest Acres: 4717 Forest Dr., 790-0801 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Harbison/Irmo: 800 Lake Murray Blvd., 749-4515 Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Lexington: 117 1/2 East Main St., 356-8800 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

free-times.com/restaurants | Fall 2015

14 convenient locations to serve you 10170 Two Notch Rd. (803) 419-5662

7942 Garners Ferry Rd.

(803) 647-0095

2234 Sunset Blvd.

(803) 794-0923

7620 Two Notch Rd (803)788-3088

402 Beltline Blvd.

(803) 419-5662

1824 Broad River Rd. (803) 798-6427

3147 Forest Dr. (803) 787-8781

2240 Airport Blvd.

(803) 796-7820

7569 St. Andrews Rd. (803) 732-1225

818 Elmwood Ave. (803) 779-6407

711-1 University Village Dr. (803) 451-8400

621 West Main St. (803) 951-3555

501 Knox Abbot Dr. (803) 791-0314

4616 Augusta Rd. (803) 785-5560

www.LIZARDSTHICKET.com 14 convenient locations to serve you!

Catering and drop off services available | freetimes

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West Columbia/Cayce: 2265 Sunset Blvd., 796-7826 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Open since 1941, Groucho’s uses only the highest quality ingredients and is the premiere lunchtime meeting place of students and business people of Columbia. The Apollo and the STP Dippers are locally famous for good reason. ¢.

No Name Deli

Downtown: 2042 Marion St., 252-0480 Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-3:45 p.m.

This popular downtown lunch spot is anything but anonymous. Grab a tray and line up for sandwiches (hot or cold), salads and homemade soup. Pay at the register when you get your food, though be sure to bring cash or a check — no cards. Separate counter for to-go order pickup helps long lines disappear quickly. ¢.

DESSERT Blue Flour

blueflour.com Harbison/Irmo: 7703 St. Andrews Rd., 407-3603 Tue-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Want a huge, delicious cookie? Of course you do. Blue Flour bakes up new versions each day. Also on the menu: quiches, muffins, cupcakes, coffeecakes, crumbles, plus fresh cold milk and fresh brewed coffee. ¢.

Cupcake

freshcupcakes.com Vista: 1213 Lincoln St., 212-4949 Mon-Wed 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thu-Sat 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 12-5 p.m.

This Charleston import does one thing and one thing only: cupcakes. Of course, they also do them supremely well. From red velvet to mandarin orange chocolate to salted caramel chocolate chip to about anything sweet you can think of, Cupcake has your sweet tooth covered and then some. Now with alcohol-infused cupcakes for the grown-ups! ¢.

Insomnia Cookies

insomniacookies.com Five Points: 2013 Devine St., 877-6326654 Mon-Sun noon-3 a.m.

Bakes fresh cookies and other goodies for the late-night partying crowd. What’s better after a night of drinking than a freshly made chocolate chip cookie?

Try the Menage a Trois, a blend of three cookies all baked together. Delivery is available for a $6 minimum (plus tip, of course). ¢.

Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe

kaminskys.com/ Vista: 930 Gervais St., 550-9979 Mon-Fri 5 p.m.-midnight; Sat-Sun noonmidnight Dessert bar featuring milkshakes, spiked coffees, dessert martinis, cakes, cider and more. ¢.

Main Street Bakery

mainstreetbakery3307.com North Main: 3307 N. Main St., 807-9567 Tue-Fri 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Cozy bakery housed in a brick home serves fresh-made cinnamon rolls, sweet potato pie, cupcakes and more, plus specially made-to-order cakes. ¢.

My Dessert Bar

mydessertbar.com West Columbia/Cayce: 134 State St., 728-1690 Tue-Thu 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Bakery and dessert catering company with everything from cakes to cakepops; also offers brunch on weekends. ¢-$$.

Nonnah’s

nonnahs.com Vista: 923 Gervais St., 779-9599 Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Mon-Thu 5-11 p.m.; Fri 5 p.m.-12:30 a.m.; Sat 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Pastry shop, Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Best known for its desserts, Nonnah’s is a good place to stop for coffee and drinks after dinner or a show. A frequent winner of Free Times’ Best of Columbia awards in the dessert category. ¢-$.

Scoopy Doo

Five Points: 725 Saluda Ave., 765-6999 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Housemade gelato and sorbetto incorporating some excellent local ingredients, including coffee from Drip, which is right next door. ¢.

Sweet Cream Company

Downtown: 1627 Main St., 251-3311 Mon noon-8 p.m., Wed-Sat noon-8 p.m., Sun 1-5 p.m.

Fancy some handcrafted ice cream or sorbet? Sweet Cream Co. does it best, with an ever-rotating selection of handmade, creative frozen flavors using local and organic ingredients. ¢.

ETHIOPIAN Harambe Ethiopian Restaurant

iloveharambe.com/home.html Five Points: 2006 Senate St., 764-5510 Tue-Thu 11 a.m.-11 p.m. ; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.midnight; Sun noon-11 p.m.

Wonderful stews, veggies and curries are served atop injera, a sourdough flatbread made from teff, a North African grain. A warm and inviting restaurant with a large bar, too. $.

FOOD TRUCK 2 Fat 2 Fly Stuffed Chicken Wings

2fat2flywings.com Mobile: 622-6063 Creamy macaroni and cheese stuffed inside a chicken wing?! It’s true. Or jambalaya? Or an inside-out chicken parmigiana? All these delicacies and more can be yours: For locations and hours, follow the truck on Twitter at @2fat2flywings, check the calendar at 2fat2flywings.com or call the truck. Also

SERVING YOU SMILES FOR 36 YEARS! M Meatless Mondays TU Trivia Night | 8:30p

1/2 Price Wine W for Ladies TH Pint Night & Day NOW SERVING BRUNCH: SAT 10AM-2PM SUN 10-NOON

WE DELIVER T O U S C ’S C A M P U S See our FULL MENU at yesterdayssc.com

2030 DEVINE STREET | FIVE POINTS

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799.0196 | yesterdayssc.com

Fall 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

has a brick-and-mortar location called Wing City; see the BBQ/Wings/Ribs section for details. ¢.

Belgian Waffle Truck

thebelgianwaffletruck.com Mobile: 606-6780 Serves authentic Liege waffles — a dense, browned version of the Belgian waffle — with toppings both sweet and savory. Try the Ouf-Ti Waffle, which features goat cheese, lettuce, duck and chicken confit and an onion confiture. ¢-$.

Bone-In Artisan Barbecue on Wheels

artisanbbqtruck.com Mobile: 728-7512 Smoked meats on homemade focaccia; cilantro-lime coleslaw; grilled pimento cheese sandwiches on jalapeño cornbread — this is barbecue done fancy and right. For locations and hours, follow the truck on Twitter (@artisanbbqtruck) or check the website. $.

Pawleys Front Porch Truck

pawleysmobileeats.com Mobile: 729-5397 Hire the truck for your next event — and when you see it parked somewhere, sidle up to the window for great burgers, fish tacos, grilled chicken and more. ¢.

The Wurst Wagen

thewurstwagen.com Mobile: 463-6637 This mobile food truck boasts a Germantrained master butcher and a whole lot of delicious German sausages, not to mention occasional doner kebab. There are specials every now and then, so visit them often to get the best prices. For locations and hours, follow the truck on twitter: @BestWurstWagen. ¢.

FRENCH Crepes and Croissants

1465 Sumter St., 462-4779 Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

A real French creperie in the heart of downtown Columbia? Oui, c’est vrai.

Choose from a variety of creative savory and sweet crepes, in addition to savory tarts, croissants, salads and a few French desserts. The Nutella-filled crepe is rather amazing, and the Paris crepe is a classic. ¢

GERMAN Julia’s German Restaurant

Garners Ferry/Southeast: 4341 Fort Jackson Blvd., 738-0630 Tue-Fri 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; 5-9 p.m.; Sat 5-9 p.m.

Old-fashioned, homestyle German comfort cooking. From bratwurst to schnitzel, Julia’s has you covered. Bring a healthy appetite and love for all things Deutsch. ¢.

GREEK/ MEDITERRANEAN Ariana’s Greek Restaurant

arianasofwestcolumbia.com West Columbia/Cayce: 1720 Sunset Blvd., 796-4430 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat noon-10 p.m.

A Greek restaurant with an international flair. Along with the gyros, souvlaki, pastichio and moussaka on the menu, you’ll also find Indian samosas and a lamb pilaf that’s considered the national dish of Afghanistan. $.

Mediterranean Tea Room

Shandon/Rosewood: 2601 Devine St., 799-3118 Mon-Tue 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5:30-8:45 p.m.; Wed-Fri-11:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m.; Wed-Sat 5:30-9:45 p.m.

Wide selection of traditional Middle Eastern food such as hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel and tabbouleh.

Specialty dish is kofta kebob, a combination of lamb and beef mixed with parsley, celery and spices. Entrees include chicken, lamb, beef and vegetarian dishes, plus nightly specials. ¢-$.

INDIAN 2Gingers

2gingers.biz Downtown: 245 Bush River Rd., 772-5121 Mon and Wed-Fri 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-9:30 p.m.; Sat-Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-9:30 p.m.

Featuring a range of South and North Indian dishes, this Boozer Shopping Center one-stop satisfies vegetarians and omnivores alike. The South Indian dosai (stuffed savory crepes) are not to be missed. $.

LEEKS

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OYSTERS

CAYENNE PEPPERS

DUROC HOG

GARLIC

803.791.3443 | terrasc.com 100 State Street | West Columbia, South Carolina

Delhi Palace

delhipalace.ms11.net St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 542 St. Andrews Rd., 750-7760 Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10:30 p.m.

This much-loved Indian restaurant offers a buffet as well as traditional menu items including rich curries, biryani and a range of Indian breads. Savvy enough to please afficionados and newcomers alike. ¢-$.

Spice Junction

West Columbia/Cayce: 2335 Augusta Rd., 708-9158 Mon-Sat- 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-8:30 p.m.

Delicious Indian restaurant has everything from tandoori to raita to naan, plus occasional Hyderabadi specials you won’t find at other Midlands Indian restaurants.

If you like seriously spicy food, ask for some house-made hot sauce. $.

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free-times.com. free-times.com/restaurants | Fall 2015

ENJOY THE COOLER WEATHER ON OUR DOG-FRIENDLY PATIO. BRUNCH • BREAKFAST • LUNCH DINNER • HAPPY HOUR BEST RESTAURANT WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE

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2014

300 STATE STREET

803.794.6634 • www.cafestrudel.com Closed for dinner on Mondays | freetimes

13

JAPANESE/SUSHI Camon Japanese Restaurant

camonsushi.com Downtown: 1332 Assembly St., 254-5400 Tue-Sat 5-9:30 p.m.

The only sushi spot in Columbia’s downtown business district defiantly refuses to serve lunch and earns its keep by offering an exotic alternative to the more mainstream restaurant options available in the nearby Vista. Quiet and discreet — not what you’ll encounter along the Gervais Street corridor, a couple of blocks away. Beloved by devoted regulars for the outstanding food, service and atmosphere. $.

Ganbei

ganbeirestaurants.com Lexington: 5580-F Sunset Blvd., 808-1618 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30-11 p.m.

Swanky Japanese restaurant and bar features plenty of classics — hibachi items, potstickers, stir frys, fried rice, sushi, donburi, plus some curve balls like baked mussels and spring rolls. $.

Inakaya Japanese Restaurant Northeast: 224 O’Neil Ct., 699-2626 Mon 5-10 p.m.; Tue-Fri 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5-11 p.m. Sun 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m.

Elegant seating where outstanding sushi, sashimi and other Japanese cuisine take center stage. Popular with families and large groups for their spectacular Inakaya Boat Specials. Good variety and value. $.

Inakaya Watanabe

St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 655-C St. Andrews Rd., 731-2538 Mon 5-10 p.m.; Tue-Fri 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-10 p.m.; Sat 5-11 p.m.

Excellent sushi, sashimi and traditional Japanese dishes. $.

Menkoi Ramen House

Vista: 1004 Gervais St., 708-1569 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. and 5-11 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.-3 a.m.

Surprised to find legitimate Japanese ramen in the heart of the Vista? You shouldn’t be: The proprietor of beloved sushi joint Inakaya is now slinging noodles. We’re told the beef and vegetable curry — a mild, brown-gravy concoction served over rice — is highly authentic, as well. ¢.

Mobile Food, Special Events and Catering

14 freetimes |

SakiTumi Grill & Sushi Bar

sakifresh.com Vista: 807 Gervais St., 931-0700 Sun-Thu 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5-until Upscale Vista hotspot includes a popular bar area and a separate sushi bar.

Extensive sake list complements beer and wine offerings, and SakiTumi also has weekly sushi and drink specials that are easy on the wallet. Plenty of non-sushi items on menu, including grilled items and tasty appetizers such as the lotus root chips. Also check out their regular sushimaking classes. $.

Tsunami

tsunamicompany.com Harbison/Irmo: 1290 Bower Pkwy., 407-3873 Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-10 p.m.; Sat-Sun 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

Vista: 700-C Gervais St., 312-9911 Mon-Sat 4-11:45 p.m. Sun 4-10:45 p.m.

Trendy, chic sushi bar and restaurant with elegant, contemporary atmosphere and ample seating areas to complement extensive sake, wine and beer selection. $.

KOREAN Arirang

Northeast: 1943 Decker Blvd, 790-5506 Tue-Sun 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

You’ll feel right at home in this Korean restaurant, where the staff will take charge as if they were your own mom.

Serves up such delights as pork belly grilled right at your table, plus Korean classics and banchan — and cold beer, of course. ¢-$.

Blue Cactus Cafe

bluecactuscafe.com Five Points: 2002 Greene St., 929-0782 Wed-Fri 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; Sat noon-9 p.m.

This unassuming little eatery boasts a serious culinary reputation, specializing in home style Korean food mixed with Mexican and other influences to create a sizzling menu that is especially vegetarian-friendly. Quality takes time, however, so don’t go if you’re in a hurry. ¢.

Did we list a restaurant that has closed? Did we overlook your favorite place? Let us know what you think: Email food@free-times.com.

Hero Korean Steak House

Cantina 76

columbiahero.com Northeast: 6634 Two Notch Rd., 699-9922 Mon-Tue and Thu-Sat 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-9 p.m.; Sun 5-9 p.m.

Yes, those are live, glowing coals in the middle of your table. Specializes in authentic Korean dishes such as gal bi (short ribs in a house sauce) and hwe dup bob (mixed raw fish and spicy sauce atop rice). ¢-$$.

Korea Garden

Northeast: 2318 Decker Blvd., 760-3888 Mon and Wed-Thu 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Traditional Korean foods, from spicy stews to bi bim bap, from the owners of the former DJ House. Beer and wine available. $.

O Bok Korean Restaurant

Northeast: 1616 Decker Blvd., 787-1100 Tue-Thu 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.9:30 p.m.; Sun 12:30-9 p.m.

O Bok is popular with Korean folks for good reason — the authenticity of the food. Dishes include the traditional barbecued beef and stir-fries as well as more exotic offerings. Meals are served with a big assortment of banchan, or Korean-style small dishes. ¢.

Seoul Restaurant and Grocery

Northeast: 1717 Decker Blvd., 790-0090 Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

This charming restaurant and grocery offers authentic homestyle Korean fare in a casual setting. $.

MEXICAN 7 Mares

Lexington: 4360 Augusta Road, 520-0067 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

That’s mar-es, as in Spanish for oceans, not English for girl horses. Serves up the oceans’ bounty, featuring Mexican favorites like red snapper Veracruz-style, lobster soup, ceviche, spicy shrimp, octopus salad and more. Also serves Mexican-American classics like fajitas and carnitas. $.

cantina76.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2901 Devine St., 708-6004 Mon-Tue 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 4:30-9:30 p.m.; Wed-Fri 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Downtown: 1301 Main St., 764-1769 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Draws everyone from singles at the bar to couples and families, all of whom come for the Tex-Mex cuisine — and some of whom also go for the excellent margaritas, made in all shapes, flavors and sizes with top-shelf tequilas. $.

Chapala Mexican Restaurant Lexington: 1792 S. Lake Dr., 957-0840 St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 7001 St. Andrews Road, 749-7071 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Mexican-American and border region specialties, from fajitas to chilaquiles to fish tacos, plus the combination platters you’d expect. Lots of tortas (sandwiches) if you’ve got a big lunch appetite. $.

El Burrito

Five Points: 934 Harden St., 765-2188 Mon-Sat 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

El Burrito serves healthy, super-fresh, authentic taqueria-style food. Beans and rice, chicken, beef, soup, salads and more. Attention to healthy food and local produce. Vegan- and vegetarian-friendly.

One of the best salads in town. ¢.

Real Mexico

St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 2421 Bush River Rd., 750-8990 Mon-Thurs 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Plenty of authentic Mexican and Southwestern restaurant foods, from tortas to carne asada to fajitas to chimichangas to fish tacos. Full bar with margarita specials. ¢-$.

Takosushi

tako-sushi.com Vista: 1115 Assembly St., 771-7131 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat noon-11 p.m.; Sun noon-9:30 p.m.

Tacos! Sushi! Takosushi! A sushi joint and casual Mexican restaurant rolled into one, Takosushi offers burritos, enchiladas, tacos (“takos,” actually), sashimi, bento boxes and more. $.

803-463-6637 thewurstwagen.com

Fall 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

Taqueria Jalisco

St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 612 St. Andrews Rd., 731-5546 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Friendly Mexican joint bursting with flavor. ¢-$.

Tio’s Mexican Cafe

tiossc.com Downtown: 921-A Sumter St., 252-7229 Mon-Wed 11 a.m.-midnight.; Thu-Sat 11 a.m.-1:45 a.m.; Sun11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

Family-owned Tex-Mex café distinguished by its extensive and eclectic salsa offerings. Features an array of tacos, chimichangas, salads and the famous wet burrito, which comes smothered in sauce and/or queso. Check out the awardwinning No. 4 Salsa. Full bar features tequilas and beers galore. Open late, and delivers. ¢.

MIDDLE EASTERN Al-Amir

Downtown: 1734 Main St., 401-5882 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Authentic and well-prepared Middle Eastern cuisine including hummus, falafel, lamb kabob, mujadara and shawarma.

Salads, subs and daily dessert specials round out the menu. Housed in a spacious renovated building across from City Hall. ¢-$.

Arabesque

Shandon/Rosewood: 2930 Devine St., 779-6299 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

All your Middle Eastern favorites, from shawarma to tabouli to falafel, not to mention pizzas and — for lunch, at least — wraps and burgers. Also serves alcohol. $.

Elie’s Authentic Lebanese Cuisine

St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 1058 St. Andrews Rd., 798-9664 Tue-Sat 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Elie’s features fine Middle Eastern dining in a friendly atmosphere. Food on offer ranges from falafel and baba ghanoush to kibbeh balls, kabobs and shawarma. Also offers some excellent Lebanese wines.

Now open for lunch only. ¢-$.

PIZZA Dano’s Pizza

danosdelivers.com Shandon/Rosewood: 3008 Rosewood Dr., 254-3266 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun noon-10:30 p.m.

New York-style and gourmet pizzas sold by the pie or slice include the Spicy Buffalo Chicken, the Barbecue Chicken, the Meat Lovers and the Deluxe.

Dinner menu also offers veal parmesan, manicotti and stuffed shells. Not a bad place to drink a beer and watch the game, either. ¢.-$.

Fast Eddies Calzones

eddiescalzones.com Five Points: 817 Harden St., 764-3669 Sun-Mon 11 a.m.-4 a.m.

Has over 60 variations to choose from including Diablo, dragon and cheesecake calzones. Delivery open until 4 a.m. which means you’ll have something to soak up the alcohol any day of the week. ¢.

Il Giorgione Pizzeria and Wine Bar

www.ilgiorgione.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2406 Devine St., 521-5063 Tue-Fri 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat 5:30-11 p.m.

Authentic pizzas and pastas, plus nice touches like an Italian cheese plate and lovely arugula salads. Good selection of affordable Italian wines. $.

Mellow Mushroom

Nicky’s Pizzeria

Sahara on Main

Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom

saharaonmain.com Downtown: 629 Main St., 851-1118 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Moroccan and Mediterranean food handy to the USC campus. Features fresh-baked Damascus bread and a range of Middle Eastern favorites. ¢-$.

Across from

2009

Rosewood Crossing (803) 787-6820

2009 09

mellowmushroomcolumbia.com Vista: 1009 Gervais St., 933-9201 Mon-Wed 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thu 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-midnight; Sun noon-9 p.m.

Lexington: 5364 Sunset Blvd., 359-0778 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-midnight; Sun noon-10 p.m.

A popular lunch and dinner spot, Mellow Mushroom serves gourmet hand-tossed pies, along with huge calzones, hoagies and salads, all with fresh ingredients.

Pizza toppings range from jerk chicken and pineapple to plain-old pepperoni.

Large beer selection, with more taps upstairs at the Vista location. $.

Pitas

Downtown: 1800 Taylor St., 343-3454 Mon-Fri 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.

Downtown: 1901 Main St., 834-7310 From the owner of the Mediterranean Tea Room comes this lunch locale featuring Mediterranean/Middle Eastern fare that also includes a Middle Eastern grocery store inside. Sure, pitas are on the menu, but so are some delicious salads, wraps and more. ¢.

135 Sunset Blvd.

(803) 791-4060

nickyspizzaria.com Five Points: 2123 Greene St., 748-9661 Mon-Wed 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Thu-Sat 11 a.m.-3 a.m.

Choose between a traditional New Yorkstyle thin crust pizza and a Sicilian-style thick crust — or just pick one of the tasty calzones, subs or salads on offer. Bottled and draft beer, too.

oldchicago.com/locations/ columbia-south-carolina Vista: 802 Gervais St., Suite 100C, 252-3100 Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Combine your barbecue chicken, Hawaiin or Thai pie with a beer, glass of wine or cocktail. Also offers mac n’ cheese, fish and burgers. ¢-$.

Price ¢ avg. entrée < $10 Key $ avg. entrée = $10-15

$$ avg. entrée > $15

free-times.com/restaurants | Fall 2015

| freetimes

15

Pizza Joint

thepizzajoint.net Forest Acres: 3246 Forest Dr., 454-1743 Mon-Wed 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Thu-Sat 11 a.m.midnight; Sun 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

This popular Forest Acres spot has pizza, obviously, but it also serves up calzones, strombolis and sandwiches, along with a wide selection of beer with which to wash down that yummy Italian goodness. ¢-$.

Jp’s 4 Corners where we feature distinctive flavors of the southwest from Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah.

I’m proud to welcome you to 4 Corners where we feature distinctive flavors of the southwest from Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. This area is known as the 4 Corners because all the states meet there.

We are proud to not only, serve the best from this area but to also, mirror the hospitality they are known for. I’ve put my name on this restaurant with the goal you find your meal, service and TH E VI LL AGE AT SA N DH I LL experience “just perfect”!

150 Forum Dr • (803) 865-1001 w w w. j p 4 c o r n e r s . c o m

- Jim Peterson, Owner

   We Support Our Troops! 10% Discount for Retired and Active Military   

Shandon/Rosewood: 341 S. Woodrow St., 252-6931 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-midnight; Sat 7 a.m.-midnight; Sun 7 a.m.-11 p.m.

Pizza Man is a comfortable, low-key restaurant offering good pizza at a steal.

Serves a wide variety of toppings, as well as appetizers, subs, hamburgers, salads and chicken wings. ¢.

Rio’s Pizza and Bagels

Oyster Bar

Pizza Man Pizzeria

rios5points.com Five Points: 707 Harden St., 851-5605 Mon-Sun 10 a.m.-4 a.m.

Rio’s Pizza and Bagels serves both the pre-party and the post-party crowd, staying open well after the bars close. Or you could have the party at Rio’s, which has $10 mimosa towers in addition to fresh-made pizza and bagels. ¢.

Village Idiot

villageidiotpizza.com Five Points: 2009 Devine St., 252-8646 Mon-Sun 11:30 a.m.-until; Delivery: 11:30 a.m.-midnight Forest Acres: 4517 Forest Dr., 787-5005 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Offering NY style hand-tossed pizza by the pie or slice for lunch, dinner and delivery, the Village Idiot is a favored spot for USC students. Other featured menu items include sandwiches (Jersey Cheesesteak), wings, calzones and stromboles, pasta (baked ziti), salads and wings. ¢. zasbrickovenpizza.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2930 Devine St., 803-771-7334 Pizzas of all sorts, plus salads, sandwiches, pastas, calzones and more round out the menu at this chic Shandon eatery. $.

Blue Fin Seafood Restaurant and Bar

16 freetimes |

bluefinrestaurantandbar.com/ Northeast: 461-4 Town Center Place, 865-7346 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Brunch, lunch and dinner with a marine focus, from the lovely crab dip to the lobster ravioli and many fresh fish options.

Steaks, chicken and the like will keep the non-seafood-loving happy. $.

Blue Marlin

oysterbarcolumbia.com Vista: 1123 Park St., 799-4484 Mon-Wed 4-10 p.m.; Thu-Sat 4-11 p.m. (bar open later) A true, old-fashioned oyster bar, and the Vista’s first. Sit at the bar and let your server shuck you some steamed or raw Gulf oysters. Also serves steamed shrimp and scallops, plus shrimp and grits, crab legs and side dishes. ¢-$.

Pearlz Oyster Bar

pearlzoysterbar.com Vista: 936 Gervais St., 661-7741 Mon-Sun 4 p.m.-2 a.m.

Pearlz specializes in fresh oysters, regional seafood and Lowcountry recipes. But its hip, trendy ambience and signature martinis also make it a hotspot for Columbia’s young, urban professional crowd. $.

Seafood Academy

theseafoodacademysc.com Forest Acres: 3400 Forest Dr., 536-4558 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Serves traditional seafood like fried calamari, tuna salad and crab legs.

Tailgate menu includes chicken wings, ribs, mashed potatoes and more. $-$$.

STEAKHOUSE Carolina Strip Club

SEAFOOD

free-times.com.

Bonefish Grill

bonefishgrill.com Forest Acres: 4708 Forest Dr., 787-6200 Mon-Thu 4-10:30 p.m.; Fri 4-11:30 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Harbison/Irmo: 1260 Bower Pkwy., 407-1599 Based out of St. Petersburg, Florida, Bonefish Grill specializes in offering the freshest seafood possible and boasts an oak-burning grill and a wide range of sauces. Pasta, chicken, pork and steak dishes round out the menu to suit varied tastes. ¢-$.

Za’s Brick Oven Pizza

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and prime rib. Shrimp and grits is a top seller, with the grits coming from right across the street at Adluh Flour. Don’t overlook other tasty options such as the Crispy Firecracker Flounder served with a jalapeno salsa. Private dining facility available. $.

bluemarlincolumbia.com Vista: 1200 Lincoln St., 799-3838 Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-10 p.m.; Sat 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Specializing in creative seafood dishes with a decidedly Lowcountry flair, Blue Marlin also serves hand-cut steaks

carolinastripclub.com Vista: 902 Gervais St. , 764-4017 Mon-Thu 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5 p.m.-midnight; Sun 5-9 p.m.

Steaks. Salads. Steak salads. Burgers, too, and seafood. Your straight-up American steakhouse. $-$$.

Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse

cowboybraziliansteakhouse.com Downtown: 1508 Main St., 728-0887 Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat. 4-10 p.m.; Sun 4-9 p.m.

Visit the enormous salad bar, then partake in the never-ending parade of sizzling grilled meats being carried around the dining room. Some 30 cuts available, including filet mignon, chicken wing, pork sausage, lamb shoulder and beef picanha — a special Brazilian cut. $$.

Fall 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse

rioz.com Harbison/Irmo: 410 Columbiana Dr., 708-3151 Mon-Fri 5-10 p.m.; Sat.-Sun 4-10 p.m.

Giant skewers stacked with meat and a massive salad bar — and you can have as much of it as you want. $$.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

ruthschris.com Vista: 924-A Senate St. (Hilton Hotel), 212-6666 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

What can you say, it’s Ruth’s freaking Chris.

Among the best steaks on planet Earth, hands down, and you’ll be paying mightily for them. Their seafood rocks, too. $$.

THAI Baan Sawan

Five Points: 2135 Devine St., 252-8992 Tue-Sat 5:30-9 p.m.

Not your typical Thai restaurant, Baan Sawan serves expertly prepared Thai standards like pad thai and curries, but also offers dishes you won’t find elsewhere and inventive seafood creations. It’s pricey Thai food, but well worth it. Classy setting and staff, too. $-$$.

Bangkok Restaurant

Garners Ferry/Southeast: 7546 Garners Ferry Rd., 724-2255 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Bangkok was one of the first Thai restaurants in Columbia and remains worth the search. The pad thai and kaou pad bai kapow are favorites. Offers a wide range of Thai cuisine, as well as soups and Thai iced tea. Also serves Chinese. ¢-$.

Basil Thai Restaurant

eatatbasil.com Garners Ferry/Southeast: 700 Cross Hill Rd., 782-0716 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-11 p.m; Sun noon-9 p.m.

Charleston’s favorite Thai restaurant comes to Columbia’s upscale Cross Hill Market, bringing Thai classics and approachable twists thereupon. Nice cocktail selection. $.

Mai Thai

maithais.com West Columbia/Cayce: 2249 Sunset Blvd., 939-4795 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m, 5-9 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-9:30 p.m.; Sat 5-9:30 p.m.

Everything you’d expect from a good Thai place and more — spring rolls, fried calamari, stuffed chicken wing appetizers and a host of noodle and rice dishes and entrees such as rainbow duck, whole red snapper and a host of curries. Also offers reasonably priced lunch special entrees. $.

Thailand Restaurant

St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 6024 St. Andrews Rd., 731-7715 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-9:30 p.m.; Sat-Sun 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-9 p.m.

Authentic and delicious Thai food. Serves numerous entrées, soups and salads, with choices of mild, medium or hot. $.

VEGETARIAN Good Life Café

goodlifecafe.net Downtown: 1614 Main St., 726-2310 Mon-Thu 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

A full-on vegan raw food restaurant with a tasty and ever-rotating array of mock foods: tacos, tostadas, wraps, sandwiches, tarts and more. Also has a large selection of fresh squeezed juices and herbal tonics, and some scrumptious desserts. A full bar rounds out the awesomeness. $.

/scphilharmonic “... a regional ... orchestra that has taken its place among the finest.”@scphil

- Free Times

Lamb’s Bread Vegan Cafe

lambsbreadvegancafe.com Downtown: 2338 Main St., 253-7889 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri-Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

One of the city’s only restaurants catering to both vegans and vegetarians. Entire menu is vegan and uses locally grown and organic produce. Mock meats, sandwiches, vegetable dishes and fresh fruit juices available. Menu avoids genetically modified ingredients and tap water. ¢.

Rosewood Market & Deli

rosewoodmarket.com Select: 2803 Rosewood Dr., 765-1083 Store hours: Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Hot meals served Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Saturday breakfast: 9 a.m.11:30 a.m.; Sunday brunch: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

A natural-foods grocery featuring fresh organic produce, herbs and spices, as well as natural beauty aids and popular supplements. The deli serves a diverse selection of hot gourmet meals, salads, breads, pastries and desserts. The daily grain bowl is a standout. Eat in or take out. ¢.

VIETNAMESE Golden Chopstix

goldenchopstix.us West Columbia/Cayce: 1505 Charleston Hwy., 791-0206 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-8:30 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-9:30 p.m.; Sat noon-2 p.m., 5-9:30 p.m.

Serves Thai and Vietnamese dishes. This quiet, tucked away restaurant is a pleasant surprise; the décor is tasteful and simple, and the service is excellent. Dishes are prepared fresh when they are ordered — even the curry. Also serves sushi. ¢.

Pho Viet

pho-viet.com Northeast: 2300 Decker Blvd., 699-5959 Mon-Sun 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Five Points: 2011 Devine St., 779-4077 Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Though it specializes in pho — the fragrant Vietnamese beef soup served with fresh herbs, bean sprouts and more — Pho Viet also serves spring rolls, chicken and seafood soups, rice bowls and noodle bowls. Also serves jelly pearl drinks and Vietnamese coffee. ¢.

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make sure you get dinner and a show.

2015/2016 Masterworks Series All concerts at the Koger Center for the Arts.

Northern Lights october 9, 2015 | 7:30 P.M.

All About the

Beethoven and Blue Jeans Brew with ’Que and November 15, 2015 | 4 P.M.

B ASS with Edgar Meyer

All That Jazz

January 9, 2016 | 7:30 P.M.

February 6, 2016 | 7:30 P.M.

Spring

Spring

Sayaka

in the

MARCH 12, 2016 | 7:30 P.M.

The

Spring

Rite of

haS a dark Side.

APRIL 16, 2016 | 7:30 P.M.

tickets: 803.251.2222 • kogercenterforthearts.com Did we list a restaurant that has closed? Did we overlook your favorite place? Let us know what you think: Email food@free-times.com.

free-times.com/restaurants | Fall 2015

scphilharmonic.com 803.254.PHIL (7445) | freetimes

17

EVENTS OK, you’re in town, now where’s the action?

For comprehensive events coverage on a weekto-week basis, pick up a copy of Free Times at one of hundreds of locations throughout the city. But to get you started, we’ve compiled some of the major concerts, exhibitions and other cultural highlights of what’s happening between now and December, when the next Bites & Sights hits the streets. Dates are subject to change. For more information, please contact the specific venue or organization.

For more things to do, go to free-times.com/events.

OCTOBER Carolina Downhome Blues Festival Downtown Camden, fineartscenter.org Oct. 1-3. Blues music from all over the world in bars all over downtown Camden.

Katt Williams Colonial Life Arena coliniallifearena.com Oct. 2. Popular urban comic comes to Columbia.

Jam Room Music Festival Main Street, downtown Columbia jamroommusicfestival.com Oct. 3. It’s amazing what happens when the people booking a music festival actually know something about music.

This year’s festival includes Blonde Redhead and Hiss Golden Messenger.

Newberry Oktoberfest Historic Downtown Newberry cityofnewberry.com/area-attractions/ annual-events/oktoberfest Oct. 3. Annual event celebrating German tradition.

Italian Festival Robert Mills House, downtown Columbia, osiacolumbiasc.org Oct. 3. Mamma mia! Italian food, Italian-American music, family-friendly Italian-American entertainment and an Italian fresh market. Plus: a bocce tournament!

Oktoberfest Columbia

Def Leppard

Five Points Chili Cook-Off Five Points, fivepointscolumbia.com/ event/chili-cook-off Nov. 7. Immensely popular Five Points food event. Recipes include vegetarian, traditional, wild things, exotic and hot stuff. Good eatin’. Live music, too.

Governor’s Cup State House, carolinamarathon.org Nov. 7. Popular road-race event that features 8K and half-marathon events.

Be sure to stretch.

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Days Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, historic-camden.net Nov 7-8. Marching, muskets, and shots fired! But as opposed to that first Revolutionary War, no one gets hurt.

Willie Nelson

Boo at the Zoo

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Riverbanks Zoo, riverbanks.org Oct. 16-30. Lions and tigers … and ghosts! And candy!

Bluegrass, Bidding & BBQ

Township Auditorium thetownship.org Nov. 20. Country icon plays in Columbia.

Colonial Life Arena coloniallifearena.com Nov. 20. Regular holiday rock fixture hits Columbia.

Woodrow Wilson Family Home historiccolumbia.org Oct. 22. Bid on a variety of items, vacation packages, artwork and shopping deals as you enjoy live music, specialty drink and food.

Vista Lights

Columbia Blues Festival

Riverbanks Zoo Lights Before Christmas

Martin Luther King Jr. Park wordofmouthproductions.org Oct. 24. This festival brings marquee bluesmen and women to Soda City.

This year’s performers include Eddie “Devil Boy” Turner, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Electric Mill Billy Blues, Skipp Pearson and Drink Small.

USMC Ultimate Challenge Mud Run The Leatherneck ultimatechallengemudrun.org Oct. 24. Didn’t get enough at the first Mud Run? Do it again!

Rob Thomas Township Auditorium thetownship.org Oct. 24. Matchbox 20 frontman and successful solo artist stops in Columbia.

Dracula: Ballet with a Bite

South Carolina State Fair

1412 Richland St., koreanfestival.co Oct. 31. Bulgogi! Dukbogi! Kimchi!

Hosted by the Korean Community Presbyterian Church, this festival highlights Korean food (yum!), as well as dance and other cultural aspects.

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Holiday Lights on the River

Colonial Life Arena coloniallifearena.com Oct. 16. The classic rockers still play, apparently, and will do so in Columbia with Foreigner and Night Ranger.

Incarnation Lutheran Church oktoberfestcolumbia.com Oct. 9-11. Celebrate German heritage with German food, German beer and German music. Proceeds benefit Harvest Hope Food Bank, the Midlands Foundation for Foster Children and the Incarnation Lutheran Church Foundation.

South Carolina State Fairgrounds scstatefair.org Oct. 14-25. Rides; games; music; animal, art and flower exhibitions. Plus, lots of deep-fried goodness.

NOVEMBER

Koger Center columbiacityballet.com Oct. 29-31. The Count’s come all the way from Transylvania to sing and dance about how much he wants to suck your blood.

Korean Fall Festival

The Vista, vistalightssc.com Nov. 20. Carriage rides, Christmas tree lighting, holiday music and more create the atmosphere for this annual open house for Vista businesses and galleries.

Riverbanks Zoo, riverbanks.org Nov. 20-Dec. 30. With nearly 1 million twinkling lights assembled into an array of dazzling images, Lights Before Christmas is a longstanding hallmark of Columbia’s Christmas season.

Colonial Cup Springdale Race Course carolina-cup.org/colonial-cup Nov. 21. The small town of Camden is full of historic sites and antique shops; it’s also a nationally known hub for horse training and home to the Springdale Race Course. So put on your tweed jacket or your derby hat and head out to Camden for a taste of Southern culture at the annual Colonial Cup horse races.

Bubbie’s Brisket and Bakeoff Beth Shalom Synagogue bethshalomcolumbia.org Nov. 22. A veritable smorgasbord of Jewish food awaits.

South Carolina Oyster Festival

Saluda Shoals Park, icrc.net Nov. 25-Dec. 31. A dazzling, twinkling, massive drive-through light display along the Saluda River.

Governor’s Carolighting South Carolina State House TBA. If you celebrate the season and can put away partisan politics for one night, you might dig watching the governor light the State House Christmas tree. Typically held the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Main Street Ice Boyd Plaza, downtown Columbia TBA. Outdoor ice-skating on a smallish rink with all of your friends. Who says Columbia can’t enjoy winter?

DECEMBER Junior League of Columbia Holiday Market South Carolina State Fairgrounds jlcolumbia.org Dec. 2-6. Popular four-day holiday market. In addition to all the stuff you can buy, the market features special events such as Ladies Night Out and PJs with Santa. Raises funds and awareness for local community needs.

A Starry Night Five Points, fivepointscolumbia.com Dec. 3. Santa! Hot chocolate!

Christmas-y music and fun! Joy to Five Points.

Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade Gervais Street, downtown Columbia carolinacarillon.com Dec. 5. Columbia’s annual and official holiday parade.

Columbia Christmas Pageant First Baptist Church fbccola.com Dec. 11-13. This annual Christmas pageant is a huge deal: It’s televised statewide.

Crafty Feast Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, craftyfeast.com Dec. 13. Avoid the mall! Buy handmade goodies from local and regional artisans for all your friends and family this year! That’s an order!

Famously Hot New Year Main Street, downtown Columbia famouslyhotnewyear.com Dec. 31. Annual block party rocks in the New Year, mostly with legacy R&B acts but also with lots of beer, food vendors an area for kids’ rides and a great fireworks show.

Devine Night Out

Robert Mills House facebook.com/SCoyster Nov. 22. Mmm ... oysters! Columbia’s largest outdoor oyster roast features thousands of pounds of steamed oysters for sale by the bucket. Also features music, kids’ activities, arts and crafts vendors, and more.

Devine Street devinestreetcolumbiasc.com TBA. More than 40 stores on Devine Street will welcome guests, encouraging them to be merry and spend heartily.

Fall 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

Georgia O’Keeffe Her Carolina Story

Independent Spirits Women Artists of South Carolina

October 9, 2015 - January 10, 2016

1515 Main Street in downtown Columbia, SC | 803-799-2810 | columbiamuseum.org Left: Georgia O’Keeffe, (American, 1887–1986) Red Canna, 1919. Oil on board. High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Georgia: Purchase with funds from the Fine Arts Collectors and the 20th Century Art Acquisition Fund and gift of the Pollitzer Family in honor of Anita Pollitzer, to whom the artist originally gave the work. © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.

Right: Tonya Gregg, The Negotiation, 2013. Acrylic on linen, Collection of the Artist.

free-times.com/restaurants | Fall 2015Presented by:

Joyce & George Hill

Supported by: | freetimes

19

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The historic Mann-Simons House. Photo by Daniel Coston

ATTRACTIONS C

olumbia is full of history — and historical attractions. The Articles of Secession were signed here, and Gen. Sherman occupied the city at the end of the Civil War. Even the Publix in the Vista carries a whiff of Civil War history, occupying a building that once printed Confederate currency.

But it’s not just war sites that you need to see: Statewide, South Carolina has 1,300 sites on the National Register of Historic Places.

The city has several notable historic homes,

including the Robert Mills House & Gardens (Mills was an architect who designed the Washington Monument), the MannSimons Site (an important center of the AfricanAmerican community) and the Woodrow Wilson Family Home, the only presidential site in the state and the only museum in the country dedicated to the history of the Reconstruction era.

Columbia also has an often-overlooked civil rights history that includes three major Supreme Court rulings.

Signs along Main Street commemorate key local

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events and people.

Our attractions aren’t all ancient, either. See, for example, the monument to Hootie & the Blowfish in Five Points.

Columbia’s biggest attraction of all is the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, which draws approximately 1 million visitors per year. Opened in 1974, the zoo occupies 170 acres along the Lower Saluda River and houses some 2,000 animals in natural habitat exhibits; 70 of those acres are devoted to Riverbanks Botanical Garden, which features woodlands, gardens, historic ruins,

plant collections and a visitor facility.

Other top destinations in the city include the South Carolina State Museum (with a planetarium, observatory and 4D theater), EdVenture Children’s Museum, Congaree National Park, the Columbia Museum of Art, Three Rivers Greenway, Colonial Life Arena, the Township Auditorium and more.

For a list of upcoming events, see the calendar on page 18 or visit free-times.com/events.

Fall 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

Downtown USC South Main

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olumbia’s Main Street is booming these days. The Hub at Columbia has brought a major influx of young residents to the area.

Restaurants such as the The Oak Table, Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse, Good Life Café, Michael’s, Cantina 76 and The Epicurean by Al-Amir have given Main Street a big daytime boost. The Soda City farmers market is bustling on Saturday mornings. Columbia’s home of independent film, the Nickelodeon Theatre, is on the 1600 block of Main Street.

Drip Coffee services downtown dwellers’ caffeine addictions and provides a great meeting spot. The Whig is one of the hippest bars in town. And the Columbia Museum of Art, long the area’s cultural anchor, provides a steady stream of exhibitions and events.

Bottom line: Things are happening downtown.

Just south of the State House is a string of establishments catering largely to university types and state employees.

Among the options within a few-block radius: Turkish food; coffee; sandwiches; frozen yogurt; hot dogs; ice cream; bagels and locally brewed beers at HunterGatherer.

African-American History Monument

State House grounds The backstory of this monument goes back to 1994, when state Sen. John Courson put forward a grand bargain that would link removing the Confederate Flag from the

State House dome (but keeping it on State House grounds) with creating an African-American history monument. That initial proposal didn’t pass, but eventually a compromise came together and the monument was dedicated in 2001. A citizens’ committee reviewed proposals from more than 40 artists and selected Colorado artist Ed Dwight from among them. The result is a 12-panel sculpture representing key aspects of the AfricanAmerican experience.

Busted Plug Plaza

1400 Block of Taylor St. It’s a giant metallic fire hydrant.

What else can we say?

Columbia Museum of Art

Main and Hampton streets 799-2810, columbiamuseum.org Exhibitions! Concerts! Beer! The museum’s traveling exhibitions span the full range of art history, while its permanent collection emphasizes European fine and decorative arts. Of course, the art is always a key draw when you’re talking about an art museum, but there are also a ton of other events happening here: the 20-something-oriented Arts & Draughts series, the acclaimed Chamber on Main series, plus lots of lectures, films and more.

Elmwood Cemetery

501 Elmwood Ave. OK, so maybe hanging out in a cemetery isn’t your idea of fun. But this cemetery is full of history — and Civil War history in particular. Established in 1854, Elmwood Cemetery covers 168 acres and includes an area dedicated to Confederate soldiers.

It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

Finlay Park

930 Laurel St., 545-3100 Truth be told, Finlay Park (opened in 1991) has seen better days.

Nonetheless, it can still be a good place for a walk amid the hustle of downtown, and kids love its two play areas. It could also get a boost soon as the city is considering major renovation plans. Also hosts occasional concerts and festivals.

Located behind the Assembly Street post office.

Paths of De stru c ti o n Sher man’s Final Campaign See a life-size diorama of Columbia in flames, excavated relics, weapons, interactives and much more on display now!

Governor’s Mansion

800 Richland St., 737-1710 scgovernorsmansion.org Built in 1855 as a residence for officers of the Arsenal Military Academy, Gen. Sherman’s troops spared the building at the end of the Civil War and it became the

free-times.com/restaurants | Fall 2015

SC Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum www.crr.sc.gov

803-737-8095

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ATTRACTIONS official Governor’s Mansion in 1868.

Palmetto Trail

1615 Blanding St., 252-7742 historiccolumbia.org Built in 1818, the Hampton-Preston Mansion opened for tours in 1970; its rooms reflect the Federal period to the early postbellum years.

palmettoconservation.org Conceived in 1994 as a statewide series of linked trails, the Palmetto Trail features 350 miles of completed paths thus far. In the Midlands, the Capital City Passage is an urban section of the trail going from Riverfront Park to Fort Jackson.

Koger Center

Randolph Cemetery

Hampton-Preston Mansion

1051 Greene St., 777-7500 koger.sc.edu The Koger Center is operated by USC and has served as Columbia’s primary facility for the performing arts since 1989. Seats just over 2,000.

Mann-Simons Cottage

1403 Richland St., 252-7742 historiccolumbia.org One of only a few houses in South Carolina owned by free blacks in antebellum days and preserved as a historic house museum. Celia Mann and her descendants owned the house from the mid-19th century until 1970. The house serves as the focal point for the annual Jubilee Festival.

McKissick Museum

USC Horseshoe, 777-7251 www.cas.sc.edu/mcks Offers exhibits relating to the cultural, political and natural history of South Carolina and the southeastern United States.

Modjeska Monteith Simkins House

2025 Marion St. Built between 1890 and 1895, this one-story cottage was the home of Modjeska Simkins, a leader in South Carolina’s civil rights movement and the first woman to serve as state secretary of the state NAACP. At a time when blacks could not stay at city hotels, Simkins’ home offering a gathering space and lodging for many civil rights figures, including Thurgood Marshall.

Nickelodeon Theatre

1607 Main St., 254-8234 nickelodeon.org Specializing in foreign and independent films, the Nickelodeon moved into the spot of the former Fox Theatre on Main Street in 2012 and opened a second screen this year. Also presents the popular multidisciplinary Indie Grits festival.

Elmwood Ave. at I-26 historicrandolphcemetery.org Founded on land purchased from Elmwood Cemetery in 1872, Randolph Cemetery is the first cemetery established specifically for Columbia’s black community.

Prior to the cemetery’s founding, blacks were buried along with poor whites near the river in a potter’s field. But in 1871, 19 local black leaders came together to establish a respectable place for burial for blacks; it is named in honor of Senator Benjamin Franklin Randolph.

Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden

I-126 at Greystone Blvd., 779-8717 riverbanks.org From reptiles to birds and everything in between, Riverbanks Zoo is by far Columbia’s biggest tourism draw. Home to more than 2,000 animals and a 70-acre botanical garden, Riverbanks also sports a 3-D theater, a ropes course and hosts popular annual events such as Boo at the Zoo, Brew at the Zoo and Lights Before Christmas.

Robert Mills House and Garden

1616 Blanding St., 252-7742 historiccolumbia.org The Robert Mills House is best known for its namesake, who also designed the Washington Monument. Open for tours, it is one of only five National Historic Landmarks in the city.

South Carolina State House

Main Street at Gervais Street scstatehouse.net More than 50 years after its original inception in 1851, architect Charles C. Wilson finally completed the building, calling it “one of the most notable buildings of the world.” Others disagreed, with one legislative observer calling the dome “nothing short of a miserable fraud.” Now you can gape at the expanse of lawn where the Confederate flag flew until July of 2015. Call 734-2430 or visit scstatehouse.net for tour information.

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Seibels House

1601 Richland St., 252-7742 historiccolumbia.org Built in the late 18th century, the Seibels House now serves as the Historic Columbia Foundation office and is a popular spot for weddings. Historic Columbia was chartered in 1961 to prevent the loss of the Robert Mills House and now is involved in many aspects of historic preservation in Columbia.

Soda City Market

1500 Block of Main Streetsodacitysc.com Held every Saturday morning, the Soda City market offers sustainably produced meat and produce, as well as fresh bakery items, crafts and other locally produced goods.

Sylvan Building

1500 Main St. Where’s the Sylvan Building? Just look for that old clock at the corner of Main and Hampton streets.

Built between 1868 and 1870, The Sylvan Building was the first large building constructed in Columbia after Union soldiers burned the city on Feb. 17, 1865. Now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Tapp’s Arts Center

644 Main St., 988-0013 tappsartscenter.com Tapp’s Arts Center officially opened in 2011 and has become a focal point of Main Street’s art scene.

Presents visual arts exhibitions and offers artist studios. Also hosts a range of concerts, comedy shows, film screenings and other artsrelated events and is available for rentals.

Town Theatre

1012 Sumter St., 799-2510 towntheatre.com Built in 1924, Town Theatre is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is the oldest continuously operating community theater building in the country; presents family-friendly musicals and other productions.

Three Rivers Greenway

riveralliance.org, 765-2200 Designated in 2013 as a National Recreation Trail, the Three Rivers Greenway provides several miles of linked river access in Columbia, Cayce and West Columbia. The completed Cayce and West Columbia portions of the Greenway are already popular for walking and running, and the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheatre hosts outdoor concerts and more.

Township Auditorium

1703 Taylor St., thetownship.org First opened in 1930, the 3,000-plus-seat Township Auditorium has hosted such artists as Elvis Presley, Duke Ellington, Pink Floyd, The Clash and Bob Dylan. Reopened in 2010 after a $12 million facelift, the Township brings everything from R&B, country, rock and EDM acts to wrestling, comedy and dance.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral & Cemetery

1100 Sumter St. Originally dedicated in 1814, Trinity Episcopal grew into a new building in 1847, one designed by Edward Brickell White and modeled after York Cathedral in England. Today, it’s one of the 20 largest Episcopal churches in the country. Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice James F. Byrnes and six governors are buried in its cemetery.

Tunnelvision

Taylor and Marion streets A 1975 wall mural of a road running through a tunnel, Tunnelvision is an iconic piece of local public art. Don’t drive by this thing when you’re stoned unless you feel like totaling your car.

USC Horseshoe

900 Block of Sumter St., 777-8161 Little do most of the frolicking young college students on the gorgeous USC Horseshoe know — or care, probably — that Robert Mills, the nation’s first federal architect, designed several buildings there, as well as the Maxcy Monument, named for the first president of the college, Jonathan Maxcy.

Woodrow Wilson Family Home

1705 Hampton St., 252-7742 woodrowwilsonhome.com The Wilson family moved to Columbia in 1870, moved into the home in 1872 and left two years later following a dispute over mandatory chapel service between Wilson’s father and the Presbyterian Theological Seminary where he taught. After years of renovations, the home re-opened in February of 2014.

Fall 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

ATTRACTIONS Vista Riverfront State Street Vista West

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his converted warehouse district is largely known for its many dining and nightlife options and art galleries, but it also sports some key attractions such as the Colonial Life Arena, EdVenture

Children’s Museum and the South Carolina State Museum, as well

as a theater and a grocery store (converted from a former Confederate printing plant). Home to such popular annual events as Vista Lights (a holiday season kick-off party), Artista Vista (a three-day gallery crawl in the spring) and Art Bar Agora, the Vista also has an increasing number of residential options.

On the third Thursday of every month, the area also holds the Vista Nights art crawl.

Just across the Gervais Street bridge sits an eclectic mix of nightspots, galleries, gift shops, restaurants and antique shops, many of them on State Street in West Columbia.

Adluh Flour Mill

804 Gervais St., 800-692-3584 adluh.com The neon Adluh Flour sign in the heart of the Vista points to a cultural icon of Columbia.

Founded in 1900, Adluh is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Flour and cornmeal products sold on-site.

The Big Apple

1000 Hampton St., 252-7742 historiccolumbia.org A debate still rages as to whether the phrase “The Big Apple” came to New York City from jazz or from

horse racing (a 1930s N.Y.C. sports column was called “Around the Big Apple”). For Columbia’s sake, let’s go with the jazz theory: Once a local synagogue, The Big Apple later was turned into a juke joint where, in 1936, blacks invented a new dance, the Big Apple. Now popular for weddings, receptions and dance events.

Columbia Mill building (built in 1893), the South Carolina State Museum has permanent and rotating exhibitions covering South Carolina’s cultural history, natural history, science, technology and art. The museum also brings in non-South Carolinarelated blockbuster exhibitions.

Colonial Life Arena

801 Lincoln St. Charge by phone: 1-877-489-2849 General Info: 576-9200 coloniallifearena.com The 18,000-seat Colonial Center is the largest arena in South Carolina, hosting major concert and entertainment acts and serving as the home for USC men’s and women’s basketball.

riveralliance.org, 765-2200 The Three Rivers Greenway will eventually provide 12 miles of linked river access to citizens of Columbia, Cayce and West Columbia. The completed portions of the Greenway are already popular for walking and running, and the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheatre hosts outdoor concerts and more.

Columbia Marionette Theater

Trustus Theatre

401 Laurel St., 252-7366 cmtpuppet.org Located near Riverfront Park, the Columbia Marionette Theater was founded in 1988 and presents children’s productions ranging from traditional fairy tales to educational shows. In 2009, founder Allie Scollon received a top national puppetry award.

EdVenture Children’s Museum

211 Gervais St., 779-3100 edventure.org The South’s largest children’s museum, with more than 70,000 square feet of cool stuff to keep the kids occupied.

Riverfront Park

Laurel at Huger Street, 545-3100 columbiasc.net Separating the Historic Columbia Canal and the Congaree River, Riverfront Park is a popular jogging and walking trail encompassing 167 acres just west of Huger Street.

South Carolina State Confederate Relic Room & Museum

301 Gervais St., 737-8095 www.crr.sc.gov The Confederate Relic Room actually has much more than Civil War memorabilia, with artifacts dating from the Revolutionary War to World War II. Located in the former mill that also houses the South Carolina State Museum.

South Carolina State Museum 301 Gervais St., 898-4921 southcarolinastatemuseum.org The State Museum is the talk of the town, having opened a major expansion space in 2014 featuring an observatory, planetarium and 4D theater. Housed in the historic

free-times.com/restaurants | Fall 2015

Three Rivers Greenway

520 Lady St., 254-9732 trustus.org A popular and well established theater in the Vista, Trustus offers contemporary works alongside popular musicals and mainstream plays.

Five Points Rosewood Olympia Southeast

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Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival.

Over in the historic mill village of Olympia, you’ll find a dynamic community space at 701 Whaley — which houses the 701 Center for Contemporary Art and hosts numerous local events — and Carolina Stadium, home of the Gamecock baseball team.

Olympia’s big annual events are Olympia Fest and the Quarry Crusher Run.

701 Center for Contemporary Art

ive Points is a college student’s playground, but it’s also much more. Home to the annual St. Pat’s festival — which draws thousands of music fans and partiers every year — Five Points offers an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and bars where you’ll find everything from coffee, hip clothes, books and records to deli sandwiches, burritos, ice cream and more.

And with the coveted tree-lined bungalows of Shandon just up the street, Five Points and Devine Street also have options for the postcollege crowd, including numerous locally owned

clothing stores and other retail spots.

Not far away in Rosewood, you’ll find a burgeoning residential and retail area anchored

by Publix and sprinkled with eclectic spots to grab a drink such as the Kraken, Cock ‘N’ Bull Pub and Rockaway Athletic Club. Rosewood has its own signature events, too, among them the Rosewood Crawfish Festival and the

701 Whaley St., 779-4571 701cca.org Opened in the fall of 2008, the 701 Center for Contemporary Art is an integral part of the local arts scene, hosting cutting-edge visual arts exhibitions, artist talks and more.

Carolina Stadium

431 Williams St. University spokespeople will tell you that USC’s baseball stadium (which opened in 2009) is located in the Innovista district, but locals know the area as Olympia.

Regardless of where you place it, the 9,000-seat baseball stadium is a bang-up place to watch USC’s consistently strong team. Recently named the best college baseball stadium in America.

Congaree National Park

nps.gov/cong, 776-4396 No, Congaree National Park is not in Rosewood, but if you head out Rosewood Drive to Bluff Road and keep going for 18 miles, you’re there. This 22,000-acre park boasts

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ATTRACTIONS the largest old-growth, floodplain forest on the continent. It’s also an International Biosphere Reserve, a Globally Important Bird Area and a National Natural Landmark.

Activities include hiking, boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, nature walks and more.

Located in Hopkins, 18 miles southeast of Columbia (S.C. 48 from Bluff Rd. or exit 5 off I-77).

Five Points Fountain

Harden Street and Saluda Avenue The Five Points Fountain is a nice place to hang out with your coffee or lunch; it’s also ground zero for numerous events, including the Five Points After Five concert series, which presents local and regional bands on an outdoor stage.

Five Points Retail Five Points is for strolling, dining and shopping. Retail options are wide, encompassing everything from unique gifts at Portfolio Art Gallery or Finleaf Gallery to hip clothing at Sid and Nancy and skateboards at BlueTile. When night falls, there are plenty of places to get your groove on, too (see Nightlife).

Hootie Monument Remember that band with the song “Hold My Hand” that came out in the mid-’90s and sold an ungodly number of records? Those guys were from Columbia. Head to Santee Avenue, look at the big metal sculpture and read all about the many musical exploits of Hootie & The Blowfish.

Shops on Devine Just up the hill from Five Points on Devine Street are a string of highquality, locally-owned shops. From craft beer at Craft & Draft to ultracool furniture at Bohemian Home and high-end fashion at Pout and Brittons, Devine Street merchants specialize in some of the most unique and eclectic offerings in the city.

South Carolina Military Museum

1225 Bluff Road, 806-4440 scmilitarymuseum.com Dedicated to honoring South Carolina’s National Guard and its citizen soldiers throughout history, from the late 17th century to the wars of the 21st century.

Williams-Brice Stadium

1125 George Rogers Blvd., 777-4271 uscsports.cstv.com Situated close to both Rosewood and Olympia, Williams-Brice Stadium is party central during football season, with fans spilling

into both Five Points and the Vista after games. Since being built in 1934, Williams-Brice has served as the site of lots of drunken football revelry, as well as hosting Pope John Paul II, the Rolling Stones, U2, Kenny Chesney and then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign.

Northeast Forest Acres Fort Jackson Blythewood Camden

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ome to the wonderful Sesquicentennial State Park, the Northeast also sports the 600-acre Sandhill Research and Education Center, the annual Sparkleberry Country Fair, the enormous Village at Sandhill retail complex (and in it, the popular Plex Indoor Sports), the expansive Lake Carolina residential development, several golf courses and farmers markets, and top-notch schools that keep residents coming.

Just a few miles away in Camden is the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, which commemorates the 1780 Battle of Camden.

Columbia Children’s Theatre 3400 Forest Drive, 691-4548 columbiachildrenstheatre.com A nonprofit, professional theater offering educational and entertainment opportunities to children and families.

Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County

810 Lyttleton St., Camden, 803-425-7676 fineartscenter.org Presents community-oriented theater, music, dance and exhibitions, as well as the annual Carolina Downhome Blues Festival.

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Fort Jackson Museum

4442 Jackson Blvd., 751-7419 jackson.armylive.dodlive.mil/post/ museum/ Acquires and exhibits Fort Jackson-related artifacts dating to the fort’s founding in 1917. Public access is limited; call ahead for details.

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site

historic-camden.net We’ll spare you the suspense: The Americans got their asses handed to them at the 1780 Battle of Camden. Some 233 years later, though, we’re over it. Hosts a Battle of Camden Remembrance Day each August, Revolutionary War Field Days each November and other events throughout the year.

Sandhills Farmers Market

900 Clemson Road, 788-5700 sandhillsfarmersmarket.com Open each Tuesday from 2 to 7 p.m. through Nov. 25. Farmers from around the region bring fresh local produce, meat, fish, eggs, butter, milk, cheese, honey, plants, flowers, shrubs and baked goods.

Across from the Village at Sandhill.

Sandhill Research and Education Center

900 Clemson Road, 788-5700 Agricultural research facility and nature preserve on 600 acres.

Wildlife is abundant; guests are advised to stay on designated trails.

Sesquicentennial State Park

9564 Two Notch Rd., 788-2706 southcarolinaparks.com This 1,419-acre park features a 30-acre lake surrounded by trails, picnic areas and campsites. Also offers boating, fishing, swimming, meeting facilities and trails. Trails include a 6.1-mile mountain bike trail, a 1.9-mile nature trail, and a 3.5-mile walking and jogging trail. Located 13 miles northeast of Columbia on Two Notch Road.

South Carolina Railroad Museum

110 Industrial Park Rd. (Winnsboro), 803-712-4135 scrm.org Everybody loves trains, right? Take an hour-long ride, stroll through historic train cars and check out the hats, whistles and other train paraphernalia in the gift shop.

U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum

4442 Jackson Blvd., 751-7419 jackson.armylive.dodlive.mil/post/ museum Commemorates Fort Jackson’s prominent role in training American soldiers by acquiring and exhibiting artifacts dating to the fort’s founding in 1917.

Village at Sandhill

481 Town Center Place, 419-0235 villageatsandhill.com Located off I-20 (Exit 80, Clemson Road), the Village at Sandhill is a testament to the growth of Columbia’s Northeast region. Primarily a massive retail development, the Village at Sandhill also boasts a movie theater, numerous dining options and community events, including outdoor concerts.

Lake Murray Lexington Harbison Irmo West Columbia Cayce

F

or visitors to the area, the key draw in this part of town is Lake Murray, a 50,000-acre man-made lake with 650 miles of shoreline.

Lake Murray offers a wide range of seasonal recreation options — including sailing, fishing (especially striped bass), camping and hiking — and a huge Fourth of July fireworks display (held the Saturday before the holiday). Public access is limited to the few parks and marinas scattered around the lake, so keep that in mind as you make your plans.

There’s more to the area than the lake, however.

Among your options: Saluda Shoals Park, which features a wetlands preserve; Harbison State Forest, a great place to

Fall 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

ATTRACTIONS bike; and Seven Oaks Park, with a full-service recreation complex.

If you’re looking for cultural offerings, among your options are the Lake Murray

Symphony Orchestra and the Chapin Theatre Company, which has been serving the area for more than 25 years.

For Columbians from all areas of town, the

Columbiana Centre Mall and its surrounding big-name retailers make it a necessary stop. Good schools and neighborhoods round out the package for residents.

Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center

1120 Fort Congaree Trail, 227-3030 cayce.lexingtoncountytennis.com A massive and well-kept modern tennis complex hosting tournaments and offering yearround lessons. Also has a gym.

Chapin Theatre Company

PO Box 360, Chapin, 240-8544 chapintheatre.org What originated informally in the late ‘70s as a few friends staging no-frills plays has become a staple of Lexington County’s cultural life.

Shows at Harbison Theatre.

Congaree Riverwalk

riveralliance.org, 765-2200 We’re still waiting for Columbia to finish its portion of the Three Rivers Greenway, but most of the Lexington County sections are already done. The completed Cayce and West Columbia portions of the Greenway are popular for walking and running, and the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheatre hosts outdoor concerts and more.

Crooked Creek Park

1098 Old Lexington Highway (Chapin), 345-6181, icrc.net “Crooked Creek” makes this park sound like it’s a dirt path next to a trickle of water. Actually, it’s got a 53,000-square-foot community center with a full gym and racquetball courts, along with tennis courts, athletics fields, picnic areas and walking trails.

Dreher Island State Recreation Area

3677 State Park Rd., Exit 91 off I-26, 803-364-4152 southcarolinaparks.com Located 30 miles northwest of Columbia in Prosperity, the Dreher Island recreation area consists of three islands encompassing 12 miles of shoreline on Lake Murray. Especially popular for fishing and boating (Lake Murray is a top destination for striped and largemouth bass), Dreher Island also offers lakefront camping, cabin and villa rentals, water skiing and picnicking.

serves as a rental facility for local arts organizations.

Lake Murray

lakemurraycountry.com, lakemurray.com Located a few miles northwest of downtown Columbia, Lake Murray is a 50,000-acre lake offering boating, camping and other recreational activities. Lakemurraycountry.com lists public access points, as well as marinas and landing spots. Good striped bass fishing during the season.

Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra

lexingtonsc.org/attractions Dedicated in 2008, this memorial to 9/11 was made from steel from Ground Zero in New York City.

lmso.org Think there’s no culture when you get outside downtown? Think again. Led by artistic director Einar Anderson, the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra was conceived in 2001 and held its first concert in 2004.

Frankie’s Fun Park

Lexington County Museum

First Responders Wall of Remembrance

140 Parkridge Dr., 781-2342 frankiesfunpark.com Kids’ stuff? Hardly. This Harbisonarea entertainment center packs three go-kart tracks, three 18hole mini-golf courses, batting cages, bumper boats, an arcade, a 5,000-square foot multi-tiered laser tag arena and an super-tall drop zone that says “In your face, gravity!” into 14 acres filled with fun for all ages. What, do you hate fun or something?

Gibson Pond

241 Gibson Rd., 359-1027 scgreatoutdoors.com These 15 acres in the Town of Lexington offer walking trails, kayaking, picnic tables and a scenic overlook.

Harbison State Forest

state.sc.us/forest/refharb.htm 896-8890 If you didn’t know it was there, you’d never expect to find 2,177 acres of forest along the sprawling mess that is Broad River Road.

But there it is — one of the largest public green spaces inside the city limits of a metropolitan area in the eastern United States. Features more than 16 miles of roads and trails (popular for biking) and a canoe landing.

Harbison Theatre

7300 College St., Irmo Info: 407-5003, Tickets: 407-5011 harbisontheatre.org The 400-seat Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College presents a high-quality and eclectic array of performing arts events that diversify Midlands Tech’s offerings and strengthen its relationship with the local community. Also

free-times.com/restaurants | Fall 2015

U.S. Highway 378 and Fox St. Lexington, 359-8369 facebook.comlexingtoncountymuseum Founded in 1970, the museum complex encompasses seven acres and features 36 historic structures focusing on the early history of Lexington County, from 1770 until the Civil War.

Peachtree Rock Nature Preserve

scgreatoutdoors.com/ park-peachtree.html, 254-9046 Sadly, the geological wonder known as Peachtree Rock — a triangularshaped top-heavy sandstone formation that had stood on its pointed base for millions of years — fell in December of 2013, likely due to rain and years of vandalism.

The good news? You can see the formation lying on its side, as well as Little Peachtree Rock and the rest of this beautiful 460-acre preserve, which has the only waterfall in the coastal plain. Located off S.C. 6 in southern Lexington County near Swansea.

Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden

riverbanks.org If you live downtown, you’ll likely enter the zoo from its Greystone Blvd. entrance off I-26. But if you live west of the Congaree River, you can enter from Sunset Boulevard (Highway 378) in West Columbia.

This entrance will take you right to the zoo’s beautiful 70-acre botanical garden.

Saluda Shoals Park

icrc.net, 731-5208, 213-2050 (weekend) Situated on 270 acres downstream from the Lake Murray Dam, Saluda Shoals features a popular water park, an environmental education center, canoe trips, nature hikes, biking trails, fishing spots, picnic shelters, art exhibits, summer camps, health and wellness programs, meeting facilities and more. Good trout fishing if you like to wade.

Seven Oaks Park

200 Leisure Lane, 772-3336 icrc.net Built in 1973 and located in the St. Andrews area, Seven Oaks Park is a full-service recreation complex offering fitness, athletics and cultural arts programs. Features a dance studio, art gallery, picnic areas, tennis courts, walking trails and more.

State Farmers Market

Exit 115 off I-26 scstatefarmersmarket.com Relocated to Lexington County from Richland in 2010, the South Carolina State Farmers Market has a lot more space than it used to — space for vendors, shoppers and parking. Open Mon-Sat 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sun noon to 6 p.m.

Village Square Theatre

105 Caughman Rd., Lexington, 3591436, villagesquaretheatre.com Community theater from the Lexington County Arts Association.

Find more things to do at free-times.com/events.

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PLAY&

STAY

NIGHTLIFE

S

o you’ve worked your way through all the daytime attractions and restaurants that you can handle — what now?

Drinking, of course. And Columbia’s got you covered in pretty much every regard. Whether it be a laid-back spot to catch the game, a swank watering hole where the bartenders mix up invigorating cocktails or a hip place to dance, this famously hot town counters its climate with a bevy of options to quench your thirst. See free-times.com for more nightlife listings and coverage.

with beers you’ve never heard of, and beers you’ve only heard about in legend.

Gervais & Vine 620A Gervais St., 803-799-8463 gervine.com

Music Farm

Gervais & Vine offers a sophisticated yet approachable atmosphere for its exquisite Southern fusion tapas. Its extensive wine selection separates it from most of Columbia’s metropolitan haunts, and the diversity and daring of the menu make it hard to dislike.

Charleston’s famed music venue has a sister venue in Columbia, bringing the city a sorely needed large-scale rock club, a home for a diverse array of touring acts.

1022A Senate St., 803-471-2779

Jillian’s

Downtown/ Main Street/ South Main/ USC/North Main Bourbon 1214 Main St., 803-403-1404 bourboncolumbia.com

Go for the bourbon, stay for the whiskey. Serves higher-end CajunCreole cuisine along with a diverse selection of classy cocktails.

Hunter-Gatherer

The Whig 1200 Main St., 803-931-8852 thewhig.org

800 Gervais St., 803-779-7789 jillianscolumbia.com

The Vista

Games! TVs! Food! Beer! Housed in the historic Train Depot Building built in 1860, Jillian’s has been serving up entertainment in the heart of the Vista since 1997. Offers an arcade, billiard tables and walls of huge flat-screen televisions, as well as an extensive list of imports, domestics, cocktails and libations.

Also presents live music and entertainment.

Art Bar

Jonez

The Whig used to be Columbia’s cool-kids-only bar, but its affordable pint night cheap-taco Tuesdays have broadened its clientele to Greeks and Main Street urban professionals. Still has that rad jukebox.

1211 Park St.,803- 929-0198 artbarsc.com

1004 Gervais St., 803-834-4434 jonezcolumbia.com

More than a longstanding spot for local brews, H-G boasts awesome bartenders, scrumptious entrées and an excellent liquor selection.

Promises “a celebration of soul in an exquisite atmosphere,” with smooth drinks and soothing music.

Sheraton Rooftop Lounge

Blue.

Popular Charleston dessert bar arrives in Columbia complete with multiple sweet martinis, alcoholic milkshakes and coffee drinks — all available late into the night.

1400 Main St., 803-988-1400

Not for the acrophobic, the Sheraton’s hip Rooftop Lounge boasts a classy clientele, fine libations and desserts, plus a beautiful view of the Capital City.

Sheraton Vault Martini Bar 1400 Main St., 803-988-1400

Nestled within the bank’s original safe, the Vault Martini Bar is a popular hotspot for those who insist upon their martinis stirred, not shaken, and with a twist of sophistication.

The Vino Garage 2327 Main St., 803-834-3392

This Earlewood wine and beer shop also hosts a lot of tastings of hard-to-come-by wines and beers.

721A Lady St., 803-251-4447 blueinthevista.org

Blue, a tapas bar and cocktail lounge, features Columbia’s only ice bar. Cozy late-night spot as well.

Carolina Ale House

Kaminsky’s 930 Gervais St., 803-550-9979 kaminskys.com

Kelly’s 1001 Washington St., 803-254-4464

Southeastern grille-and-grog chain offers good eats, a good beer selection and plenty of televised sports. Features the Vista’s hottest rooftop bar and plenty of fun drink specials.

If this converted fire station reminds you of Five Points, it’s probably because its owners cut their teeth working for places like Group Therapy and Jungle Jim’s.

These Gamecock fans host regular acoustic performances in addition to karaoke and open mic contests.

Flying Saucer

Liberty Tap Room

708 Lady St., 803-227-7150 carolinaalehouse.com

931 Senate St., 803-933-9997 beerknurd.com

If you love beer, you’ve been to Flying Saucer. (You’re probably already a Beer Knurd, too.) If you love beer but haven’t been to Flying Saucer, you’re missing out on a hundreds-deep beer list stocked

26 freetimes | PLAY&STAY

The Oyster Bar 1123 Park St., 803-799-4484 oysterbarcolumbia.com

Serves up Gulf oysters, steamed and raw. The dressed-down atmosphere, excellent service and better-than-average beer selection will keep you coming back. Best of all? They shuck, you eat.

Pearlz 936 Gervais St., 803-661-7741 pearlzoysterbar.com

Pearlz specializes in all oysters, but its hip ambience and signature martinis also make it a hotspot for Columbia’s young, urban professional crowd. Plus, its upstairs lounge is a hotbed for local jazz.

PT’s 1109

Art Bar’s been around for more than 21 years now, but it still hasn’t grown up: It’s still the same eclectic, non-corporate nightspot it’s always been. Cool but never pretentious.

900 Main St., 803-748-0540 huntergathererbrewery.com

to enjoy here consider the muchacclaimed menu and massive beer list, which offers 75 tap and bottle varieties to choose from.

828 Gervais St., 803-461-4677 libertytaproom.com

Whether you’re after a nice meal or just a tasty drink, you’ll find much

1109 Assembly St., 803-253-8900

You could live your whole life in Columbia and not know this gay bar exists, and, frankly, its regulars probably wouldn’t mind all that much. Conversely, this haunt is a treasure to the folks who frequent it.

SakiTumi 807 Gervais St., 803-931-0700 sakifresh.com

Don’t miss this hip sushi bar just because it’s down an alley.

Its signature cocktails feature muddled mint leaves, cucumbers, blueberries and more. Four flatscreen TVs. too.

Social 918 Gervais St., 803-603-4313 socialcolumbiasc.com

A hot Vista night spot, Social gets weird on the weekends, hosting paint parties, ice parties, inflatable wonderland parties, foam parties and all manner of events at which to get turnt — soundtracking it with some nationally respected EDM talents.

Fall 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

NIGHTLIFE Thirsty Fellow 621 Gadsden St., 803-799-1311 thirstyfellow.com

20s. You have to duck through an alley, but don’t let that ward you off.

Offers nightly drink specials.

Super-popular spot serving up eclectic, delicious pizzas (and much more) and offering a full bar.

World of Beer

Tin Roof

Lagers and porters and stouts (and pales and ales and bocks), oh my!

World of Beer offers more than 500 beers, stocking something for aficionados and neophytes alike. Wine and cigars, too, plus live music on the weekends. The suds bring the masses in, but the living-room atmosphere keeps ‘em coming back.

1022 Senate St., 803-771-1558 tinroof.com Named Best Bar by Free Times readers in the 2014 Best of Columbia poll. Its calling cards: live music, good food and a laid-back atmosphere. Open for lunch, happy hour, dinner and into the night.

Tsunami 700-C Gervais St., 803-312-9911 tsunamicompany.com

Two chic sushi bars within two blocks of each other in the Vista? Be still our beating hearts!

Tsunami’s elegant, contemporary atmosphere and ample seating area complements its extensive sake, wine and beer selection.

Uncle Fester’s 522 Devine St., 803-748-9897

While most of the Soda City’s bars are closing up shop on Sunday morning, this watering hole between Palmetto Pig and Todd & Moore keeps the party going.

Always packed with a diverse clientele.

Uncle Louie’s 1125 Park St., 803-933-9833

Its no-frills, no-nonsense attitude has endeared this unassuming watering hole to a loyal legion of regulars, but there’s always room for more.

902F Gervais St., 803-509-6020 worldofbeer.com

Five Points/ Devine Street/ Rosewood/ Olympia The Attic 638 Harden St. 521-0046

Located above Pinch on Harden St. Five Points’ only rooftop bar with over 25 craft beers.

Bar None 620 Harden St., 803-254-3354

Open from happy hour until sunrise, Bar None is the last refuge of the late-night lush and the service industry worker. Try the smoked wings, when they’re available.

The Bird Dog 715 Harden St., 803-799-0611

How can you not love a bar that specializes in frozen daiquiris with names ranging from Strawberry and Mango to White Russian, Weak Willie and Shock Treatment?

It’s called The Bird Dog, ostensibly, because hanging on its walls, right next to mounted deer heads, are soft-hued paintings of hunting dogs staring pensively — tentatively, even, waiting for their prey to emerge — into wooded lakes. If that sounds like the setup for a Southern bar, well, it is: Drinks, often cheap and big, are served in Mason jars.

Wild Wing Café

Breakers

Wet Willie’s 800 Gervais St., 803-779-5650 wetwillies.com

729 Lady St., 803-252-9464 wildwingcafe.com

801 Harden St., 803-771-6360 breakersbarandgrill.com

Sure, Wild Wing Café has sandwiches, salads and soup, but the obvious draw is its 33 flavors of wings. If you can’t decide on one, get the sampler platter. Also boasts a ton of TVs, a party atmosphere and a steady stream of regional rock bands.

Outdoor patio offers an ideal Five Points people-watching spot.

The Woody

Carolina Pour House

808 Lady St., 803-779-9663

Named after popular Columbia oldies disc jockey Woody Windham, The Woody is a popular Vista spot for shag and salsa dancing, as well as a welcoming spot for partiers who aren’t in their

Capital Club 1002 Gervais St., 803-256-6464

The oldest gay bar in the state is a private club that’s also welcoming to people of other stripes.

800 Harden St., 803-932-3033

Next to the always overflowing Group Therapy, The Pour House has a good drink selection at prices that won’t send you to the poor house.

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CJ’s

importantly, brings terrific bar food. Comfortable and classy.

749 Saluda Ave., 803-748-8694

Its retractable exterior wall opens to reveal the Five Points fountain plaza, thus making CJ’s a great spot for taking in this colorful corner of Columbia.

Cock N Bull Pub

The Hookah Spot 617 Harden St., 803-661-8337 hookah-spot.com

Grab a couch, sidle up to a hookah and get your smoke on.

Jake’s

326 S. Edisto Ave., 803-251-4474

As British as you’ll get in Rosewood. Popular and laid-back, this neighborhood favorite has a small but stellar beer menu, and lots of soccer on TV.

The Cotton Gin

2112 Devine St., 803-252-5253 jakesofcolumbia.com

Friendly Five Points institution with craft beer, live music, televised sports, multiple bar stations and locally sourced food.

The Kraken Gastropub

632 Harden St., 803-569-6966

In the space once occupied by Red Hot Tomatoes, this bar’s mission is “celebrating the Roaring ‘20s in style.”

Cover 3

2910 Rosewood Dr., 803-955-7408

The Kraken has a great draft beer selection and signature beer-based cocktails along with a swanky menu and cozy-cool vibe.

Latitude 22

711 Harden St., 803-533-7030

The Cover 3 is a defensive scheme in football with three deep coverage zones covered by two cornerbacks and one safety. It’s also a bar in Five Points.

636 Harden St. facebook.com/lattitude22colasc Upscale nautical theme with daily drink specials and breezy good times.

Craft and Draft

Lucky’s 2100 Devine St., 803-929-1118

2706 Devine St., 803-764-2575 craftanddraftbeer.com

Craft beer is booming, and Craft and Draft is on it. Grab a six-pack, pick up a growler or take a seat at the bar.

Delaney’s 741 Saluda Ave., 803-779-2345

Delaney’s is as Irish as it comes here in the Bible Belt. Of course it has Guinness, but it also has quite an assortment of classy imports and plenty of good ol’ Irish grub.

Wicked friendly staff, live music and a vibrant atmosphere round out the package — but get there early, as it fills up fast, especially on pint nights.

Foxfield Bar & Grille

For the Vista experience in Five Points, Lucky’s is your place — good wine and beer selection and an outdoor patio.

Moosehead Saloon

2020 Devine St., 803-708-4984 Rock meets Western atmosphere.

Drink specials.

Nicky’s Pizza 2123 Greene St., 803-748-9661

Need a slice to fuel another late night in Five Points? Drop by Nicky’s. Grab a beer while you’re there, too.

Nightcaps 2722 Devine St., 803-771-6575

Offers a reliable selection of beers and spirits at affordable prices.

Under new ownership, but has frequently hosted punk and metal shows in the past.

An out-of-the-way place with respect to Five Points, Nightcaps has a pool table, a big-screen television, comfy lounge chairs and a good late-night atmosphere.

A popular haven for those not ready to let the night end.

Group Therapy

Pavlov’s

406 Howard St., 803-728-0420

2107 Greene St., 803-256-1203 grouptherapybar.com Columbia’s quintessential college bar, with cheap drinks, loud music and an outdoor oasis to escape the crowd. Group wrote the book on college partying in Columbia.

2000B Greene St. pavlovsofcolumbia.com

Tucked behind the Salty Nut, Pavlov’s is a long-time stomping ground of college revelers and serves as hallowed ground for many in the fraternity and sorority circles.

Henry’s 2865 Devine St., 803-708-4705 henrysgrillandbar.com

Henry’s champions the traditional neighborhood bar — and, equally

Fall 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

Pawleys Front Porch 827 Harden St., 803-771-8001 pawleysfrontporch.com

Featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Pawleys is primarily known for its behemoth and fantastic specialty burgers, but it also caters to a late-night crowd on weekends.

Especially good for game days, as it shows football games on its huge screen on its even huger deck.

Pinch 640 Harden St., 803-708-6838

Pinch offers Vista atmosphere at Five Points prices. On-tap beers are rotated frequently, and frequently feature high-class offerings.

Publick House 2307 Devine St., 803-256-2207

Exceptional beer selection, challenging trivia, hip music selection, über-friendly staff, good burgers and the best raw fries around.

Rockaway Athletic Club

Village Idiot

2009 Devine St., 803-252-8646 villageidiotpizza.com Columbia’s quintessential college-town pizza joint in a pub atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to enjoy delicious fare, cold beer, wallet-friendly weekly specials and a heaping helping of revelry.

Serving New York-style pizza since 1990. Dine in, pick up or delivery, and menu also features salads, sandwiches and wings.

Yesterdays Restaurant and Tavern 2030 Devine St., 803-799-0196 yesterdayssc.com

A great place for an undergrad to take his or her squeeze out for dinner without maxing out the credit card. Good food, above-average beer and liquor selection. Bar in the back has its own entrance on Devine Street. A veritable Columbia landmark since 1978.

Exquisite burgers, low-key atmosphere and a nice, amply stocked bar. Plus, lots of sports on TV and a corner nook with arcade games.

State Street/ Vista West/ West Columbia/ Cayce

Salty Nut Cafe

@116 Espresso & Wine Bar

2719 Rosewood Dr., 803-256-1075

2000 Greene St., 803-256-4611 saltynut.com

Varied menu includes everything from hearty salads to tasty cheeseburgers. Comfortable setting … so comfortable, in fact, that you can throw your peanut shells on the floor.

Speakeasy 711 Saluda Ave., 803-255-0869 delaneysspeakeasy.com

Home to live jazz several nights of the week, Delaney’s classy, hip younger sibling also boasts a fine liquor selection, great beers and a top-notch staff, as well as fine cigars and comfy leather couches.

Also hosts the Science Café series.

The Thirsty Parrot 734 Harden St., 803-708-4768

Like Jimmy Buffett? You’ll most likely dig this place, which offers fine burgers and spirits in an easygoing atmosphere.

TLC Sports Bar and Grill

936 S. Stadium Rd., 803-251-3087 This ultimate Gamecock bar is located within a stone’s throw of Williams-Brice.

For more things to do at night in Columbia, visit free-times.com/music.

116 State St., 803-791-5663 116state.com

A coffee shop that serves gourmet food and booze? Be still our beating hearts! Dig those specialty cocktails; also serves an extensive assortment of wines. Small, but cozy. A good date spot.

Call 803-309-1283 to book your reservations or private parties

WEDNESDAYS Classes from 7:30 - 8:30 Corona and Tequila Specials

THURSDAYS

LINE DANCE THROWBACK THURSDAY’S LESSONS with W/ JAMES MOBLEY AND SYLVIA DROZ VAZQUEZ

7-9PM

THE BEST DANCE PARTY IN TOWN

2410 Augusta Rd., 803-926-1199 callowaysbarandgrill.com

Conundrum Music Hall 626 Meeting St., 803-250-1295 conundrum.us

A hub for avant-garde music, offering weird, wild and wonderful avant-jazz, contemporary classical and out-there prog ensembles.

Stocks beer and wine, but no liquor.

9pm - until

FRIDAY + SATURDAY

Calloway’s Bar & Grill Pool tables, big-screen TVs and food: What more do you want from a sports bar?

DJ Chadly D

OPEN Wed–Sat 6pm

TheWoodyInTheVista A nightclub owned by legendary DJ Woody Windham

New Brookland Tavern 122 State St., 803-791-4413 newbrooklandtavern.com

New Brookland Tavern is Columbia’s most storied rock club, but it’s a damn fine bar, too, offering a fine array of specials and a bar stocked with much more than Pabst Blue Ribbon served up by friendly staff.

free-times.com/restaurants | Fall 2015

freetimes

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NIGHTLIFE Platinum West 1995 Old Dunbar Rd., 803-794-6277 theplatinumplus.com

Exactly like Platinum Plus, but in West Columbia (i.e., the ladies have no shirts on.)

Rooster’s Den

1215 Augusta Rd., 803-794-8200

A members-only bar in Triangle City.

The Skyline Club 100 Lee St., 803-822-8608 skylinefunclub.com

Where do you go in Columbia if you want to do the Boot-Scootin’ Boogie? This line-dancing bar near the airport, that’s where.

State Street Pub 136 State St., 803-796-2006

An across-the-bridge institution, State Street Pub wins its crowd with pool, cheap beer, sports and plenty of charm. Loads of beers on tap.

You’ll need to be a member, but you should be.

Northeast/ Forest Acres/ Fort Jackson/ Blythewood/ Camden Ale House Lounge 12 Tommy Circle, 803-771-0161

An off-the-beaten-path hole-inthe-wall not without its charms.

Comedy House 2768 Decker Blvd., 803-798-9898 comedyhouse.us

Regional and national comedy acts stopping by regularly. Offers a full menu with steak, shrimp, chicken, burgers, sandwiches and appetizers.

Salud!

1101 Broad St., 803-425-4850

Taqueria and tequila lounge is the place to catch live jazz in Camden.

Solstice Kitchen & Wine Bar 841-4 Sparkleberry Ln., 803-788-6966 solsticekitchen.com

Named Best Neighborhood Bar in northeast Columbia by readers in the 2013 Best of Columbia poll, and for good reason: It’s a great place to relax with a fancy cocktail.

Tsubaki 224 10 O’Neil Ct., 803-736-7474

Love karaoke? You’ll love Tsubaki, where the karaoke is as authentically Japanese as nextdoor Inakaya’s sushi.

Venue on Broad 1020 Broad St., 803-713-8333

This laid-back venue is the place to catch live music in Kershaw County, offering everything from singer-songwriters to popular local and regional rock acts.

Wild Wing Café 480 Town Center Place, Ste. 2; 803865-3365, wildwingcafe.com

Sure, Wild Wing Café has sandwiches, salads and soup, but the obvious draw is its 33 flavors of wings. If you can’t decide on one, get the sampler platter. Also boasts a ton of TVs, a party atmosphere and a steady stream of regional rock bands.

Harbison/Irmo/ Lake Murray/ Lexington/ St. Andrews British Bulldog Pub

Polliwog’s

1220 E10 Bower Pkwy., 803-227-8918 thebritishbulldogpub.com A British pub in the middle of Irmo’s urban sprawl? Rad. A dinner menu of traditional U.K. cuisine is augmented with specials on Guinness and Irish whiskeys, but the Bulldog doesn’t forget us Yanks, offering basketball (and soccer, too) on big-screen televisions and multiple, cold domestics.

10005 Two Notch Rd., 803-736-5775 polliwogsc.com

Carolina Ale House

The Mouse Trap 2711 Middleburg Dr., 803-799-2120

One of this town’s hidden gems, the bar is located beneath an office building in Middleburg Park.

Off the Rail 10327 Two Notch Rd., 803-708-4817

Nightly shot specials.

This state-of-the-art sports bar offers an attractive selection of viewing and dining possibilities.

And if you hate sports, there’s always karaoke.

277 Columbiana Dr., 803-407-6996 carolinaalehouse.com

Southeastern chain grille-andgrog offers good eats, a good beer selection and plenty of televised sports.

30 freetimes | PLAY&STAY

Carolina Wings & Rib House

Main Street Steakhouse and Bar

105 Northpoint Dr., 803-356-6244 carolinawings.com

131 E. Main St., 803-808-5886

What can we say about this Columbia institution? They carry a good selection of bottled beers, and the assortment of buffalo wing flavors is enticing, too.

Copper River Grill

This steakhouse and hang out replaced the little Greek restaurant that previously held this space. Like its predecessor, it frequently hosts live music.

Platinum Plus 362 Jacob Rd., 803-731-0555

1230 B8 Bower Pkwy., 749-4647 copperrivergrill.com

Copper River Grill is a destination drinking spot for the entire Irmo/ St. Andrews area. A super-large bar area means you’ll always have someplace to sit, but it still gets crowded the later the night progresses.

Corner Pocket 489 Piney Grove Rd., 803-731-0403

Karaoke, cover bands and lots of pool. (Hence Corner Pocket. Get it?)

Wannabe pool sharks are welcome — but be ready to meet your match.

Goodfellas Grill & Bar 7608 U.S. 378., 803-951-4663

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to hang out at a laidback bar in Lexington.

Halftime Sports Cantina

Good (or bad): The girls at Platinum Plus take their clothes off. Better (or worse): Platinum Plus serves booze.

Rusty Anchor 1925 Johnson Marina Rd., 803-749-1555 rustyanchorrestaurant.com

Sliding glass doors opened most of the year offer a great view of Lake Murray. And live entertainment on The Quarterdeck outside jazzes up the summer months.

Schooners 6226 Bush River Rd., 803-661-6138 schoonersbarandgrill.com

On the eastern shores of Lake Murray by the confluence of Bush River Road, North Lake Drive and Lake Murray Boulevard, Schooners is a simple unassuming bar and grill, offering daily specials, cheap wings, televisions and live music.

5122 Bush River Rd., 803-213-1300 wildharesc.com

Tipsy Toad Tavern

This cantina offers plenty of sports, plenty of beer and plenty of pretty standard bar food.

A godsend to the culturally deprived lake area, the Tipsy Toad features a good beer selection and Vista-style atmosphere.

Hemingway’s 7467 St. Andrews Rd., 803-749-6020 hemingwaysmusicpub.com

A neighborhood institution in Irmo for years, Hemingway’s has been the watering hole of choice there for several reasons. Not content to do just one thing well, Hemingway’s is a sports bar, a great restaurant and a nice little music club all rolled into one. Papa would approve.

Keg Cowboy 108 E. Main St., 803-937-2337 kegcowboy.com

A retail store, yes, but one with its own craft beer tavern — with some seriously adventurous stuff — and its own outdoor garden. Lovely.

Liberty on the Lake

103 Beaufort St., 803-932-4470

Tsunami 1290 Bower Pkwy., 803-407-3873 tsunamicompany.com

Like its sister Vista location, Tsunami’s elegant, contemporary atmosphere and ample seating area complement its extensive sake, wine and beer selection.

Wild Wing Café 1150 Bower Pkwy., 803-749-9464 wildwingcafe.com

Sure, Wild Wing Café has sandwiches, salads and soup, but the obvious draw is its 33 flavors of wings. If you can’t decide on one, get the sampler platter. Also boasts a ton of TVs, a party atmosphere and a steady stream of regional rock bands.

1602 Marina Rd., 803-667-9715

Wings ‘n’ Ale

Yo dog, we heard you love Liberty Tap Room so we put a Liberty on the lake so you can Liberty at the Lake. Offers all the accoutrements of Liberty’s downtown drinkery with the added scenery of Lake Murray. Forty-eight beers on tap.

Forty-eight!

154 Ellis Ave., 803-359-4475

Specializing in wings, beer and pool, Wings ‘n’ Ale has an ample supply of all three. If you’re looking for a place where the odds of getting a table are better than making a masse shot, this is it.

Classic and modern rock flows as freely as the brew. Not your khaki and button-down crowd.

Fall 2015 | free-times.com/restaurants

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803.401.5882

Located in the old Elite Epicurean Restaurant

Outdoor dining, year-round.

For 25 years, Motor Supply Company has been Columbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hot spot for farm-totable deliciousness, cocktails and year-round outdoor dining.

Drop in for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch on our beautiful new patio.

Located at 920 Gervais Street in the historic Congaree Vista since 1989. For menu & hours, visit motorsupplycobistro.com.

Talk with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@motorsupply).