College Guide 2015

2015

College Guide • You’re Here … Now What?

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COLUMBIA | FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE

The Horseshoe at USC. Photo by John Carlos

Welcome to Columbia W

elcome to Columbia, South Carolina, home to the University of South Carolina as well as numerous smaller schools — Midlands Tech, Benedict College, Columbia College, Allen University, Columbia International and more.

Let’s talk about what you’re getting into here.

Columbia is not: • an ivy-draped collegiate enclave dotted with quaint academic pubs and cathedral-like libraries Columbia is: • a thriving capital city packed with powerful and interesting people • a city in the midst of a residential and retail explosion, much of it fueled by private student housing developments • an up-and-coming cultural hub full of artists, museums and events • a party town • a Gamecock town • a major Southern metro area with a crime rate to match And here you are, right in the middle of it — about to embark on perhaps the biggest challenge of your life so far: college. You might be living away from your parents for the first time and setting your own hours, while trying to make friends,

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Introduction to Columbia City Map & Neighborhoods You’re Here ... Now What?

Sex Safety Housing Shopping Food Music & Nightlife 21 Twitter Feeds Every Gamecock Should Follow 31 Sports 32 Alcohol & Drugs 34 Money

have fun and have time left over to go to class and study.

You’ll get to learn the city’s foibles soon enough.

Like the trains that sometimes shudder to a halt while blocking major roads. Or the streets that change names four or five times as they traverse the city. Or the occasional soul-crushing humidity.

But you’ll also learn why, more and more, people who graduate from Columbia’s high schools and universities are deciding to stick around. It’s a good city, and it’s getting better. Whether it’s the growing tech sector or the thriving arts community, Columbia is becoming somewhere people want to live after graduation.

We’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the city and some of the challenges of college. How do you stay safe without denying yourself the pleasures of Five Points and Vista nightlife?

How do you decide where to live, eat and play? We’ve also given you some general pointers on making it through college — financial tips, dealing with drugs and alcohol and more.

Our bias is clear: We love Columbia, despite its flaws, and we want you to love it, too. That’s why we encourage you to step beyond the boundaries of campus or your student housing complex. Pick up a copy of Free Times each week and see what’s going on in the world around you. Go hear some live music. Visit an ethnic restaurant.

Check out the river.

So, here it is: the admittedly subjective (but very well researched) Free Times 2015 College Guide. — Eva Moore Several current and former Free Times writers contributed to this guide. Let us know what you think: Email editor@free-times.com.

ON THE COVER: Students on the USC Horseshoe. Photo by John Carlos.

2015 | free-times.com

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City Map & Neighborhoods U

Blythewood

Ballentine

nlike many other cities, Columbia isn’t built around one core downtown area. Instead, the city has three primary downtown districts: Five Points, Downtown/Main Street and the Vista.

Each area has its own distinct feel. Five Points has a college-village vibe, with clothing boutiques, hip record stores, vaping and skate shops, and lots of bars and restaurants. Downtown you’ll find the State House, City Hall and the county courthouse — but also an art museum, a vegan restaurant and a great coffee shop. In the Vista, you’ll find restaurants, galleries and retailers, as well as plenty of clubs and bars.

Beyond these three districts are numerous regions of the greater Columbia area, among them Lake Murray, Harbison/Irmo and the Northeast.

Each area has its own distinct characteristics. But don’t be too quick to stereotype: Five Points isn’t just for college students, and you’ll sometimes find hidden culinary gems in the suburbs. So, take a look around, and keep your mind open.

Five Points / Devine Street / Shandon There’s a bustling energy to the Five Points area, fueled by a steady stream of visitors from the University of South Carolina and surrounding neighborhoods. In the daytime, you’ll find strolling shoppers, hungry businesspeople and college students occupying the area’s eclectic mix of coffee shops, restaurants and retailers. At night, the area’s bars and clubs get busy, as Five Points is the place to party in Columbia, as least for younger people. As a favorite destination of students, the area is home to several living options, including a major new project being built at the corner of Gervais and Harden streets. Five Points is also close to the venerable old neighborhood of Shandon, whose residents help support some higher-end restaurants and retail boutiques along Devine Street.

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Northeast Irmo / Harbison

The Vista This converted warehouse district is largely known for its many dining options and art galleries, but it’s also home to several new private student housing projects; the city’s leading progressive theater company (Trustus); Urban Outfitters; a grocery store converted from a former Confederate printing plant (Publix); and some of the city’s key clubs and bars (the Music Farm was named Best Music Venue in the Free Times Best Of Columbia issue.) Just beyond the Vista’s core are several of the city’s primary attractions: the Colonial Life Arena, S.C. State Museum and EdVenture Children’s Museum. The Vista also has several residential options.

Downtown Like a lot of urban cores, Columbia’s downtown is in the midst of a major revival. The Hub at Columbia has brought college students to the heart of downtown, flooding the area with more than 800 new residents.The Columbia Museum of Art has a steady stream of excellent exhibitions and events; several new restaurants have opened, among them Cantina 76, Michael’s and the Good Life Café; Drip on Main is feeding the area’s caffeine addiction; the Soda City Market keeps things busy on Saturdays; Mast General Store serves as a retail anchor; the First Thursday has created an arts-district sensibility in the area; and the Nickelodeon Theatre is the finest independent cinema around.

USC / South Main The University of South Carolina campus dominates the landscape south of the State House, so many of the nearby streets are peppered with establishments looking to nab some of the students’ socalled “disposable” income. Whether it’s

Lake Murray

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Two Notch Road

St. Andrews / Broad and Bush River Roads

Lexington

Downtown Shandon Vista Vista West USC Five Points West Columbia Olympia Rosewood Cayce

coffee, frozen yogurt, bagels, sandwiches, locally brewed beers or the massive Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center, students in this area have access to quite a lot without need of a car. The Hunter-Gatherer Brewery and Ale House is not to be missed.

Fort Jackson More than half of the Army’s soldiers do their basic training at Fort Jackson, and about 75,000 soldiers are trained there in total each year; the base encompasses 52,301 acres, 1,100 buildings and employs about 3,500 active-duty soldiers and an equal number of civilians. Opened in 1917, Fort Jackson is also home to the Army’s Drill Sergeant School, the Armed Forces Army Chaplaincy Center and School and the National Center for Credibility Assessment — so, you know, don’t try to lie to them.

Northeast / Clemson Road / Blythewood The Northeast part of town is a sprawling region of good schools, reasonably priced homes and national retailers and restaurants extending out to the Town of Blythewood, one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the state. Home to the 1,419-acre Sesquicentennial State Park, the popular planned community Lake Carolina and

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Sandhill Clemson Road

Chapin

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Fort Jackson

a m t l w n t a g P o t w

the expansive Village at Sandhill retail complex, the Northeast also boasts some major employers, including Providence Northeast. Also sports such L unique local spots as Solstice Kitchen and Wine Bar and the seasonal Sandhills l Farmers Market.

C St. Andrews / Broad and Bush m t River Roads t Don’t let the gritty sprawl fool you: If h you look closely, there are hidden gems d in this area — especially if you like ethnic n foods. Among the treats: Elie’s Authenb tic Lebanese Cuisine, 2 Gingers, Delhi a Palace, Inakaya Japanese Restaurant h and the Indian Grocery. It’s not all food, h either: Manifest Discs, Sims Music and t Heroes & Dragons Comics also call this n area home.

M State Street / West Columbia / l n Cayce / Vista West B Just across the Gervais Street bridge sits an eclectic mix of nightspots, galler- L ies, gift shops and restaurants — among them Café Strudel, Gallery West and a Frame of Mind (all on State Street), which l not only sells eyewear but also presents W occasional cabaret and vaudeville shows.m Of particular note to music fans: the r long-running New Brookland Tavern, l known for rock, metal and punk shows; h Bill’s Music Shop, the home of local h l m y s

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bluegrass; and Conundrum Music Hall, which caters to experimental tastes.

Neighborhoods along the Avenues and Sunset Boulevard are popular with city-minded people who don’t want to pay downtown prices. Close to the West Columbia Riverwalk.

Irmo / Harbison / Dutch Fork

Big-name retailers like Lowe’s, Target and Best Buy — and that’s not even mentioning Columbiana Centre — make this area a necessary stop for many Columbians from all areas of town. Along with extensive shopping options, good neighborhoods keep drawing people to the area. There are also a couple of amenities you might not expect in a generally suburban area: Saluda Shoals Park and Harbison State Forest, which offers more than 16 miles of roads and trails weaving through a pine and hardwood forest.

Lexington

Which county consistently has the lowest unemployment rate in South Carolina? That would be Lexington. In many ways, Lexington County is the foil to Richland County: It’s more conservative both culturally and politically, it’s historically anti-tax, and many of its residents staunchly defend their distinctly non-Columbia identity. City types might balk at the relative scarcity of cultural amenities in Lexington, but the basics are here — good schools, reasonably priced housing and a strong economy — and the amenities are growing, including new restaurants and the popular Old Mill Brewpub. Plus, it has some excellent sports facilities, including a brand new stadium for the Lexington County Blowfish baseball team.

parking lot midday on a weekday. Mmm … Five Guys.

Rosewood Anchored by Publix and Rosewood Elementary, this neighborhood is a good place for people who want to live downtown but don’t want to pay Shandon-sized prices. The area also has a slowly burgeoning restaurant and entertainment scene, including Southern Belly BBQ, the Kraken Gastropub and the small but popular Cock N’ Bull Pub, as well as annual festivals like the Rosewood Crawfish Festival and the Tasty Tomato Festival. Other draws: soccer fields and a skate park at Owens Field, Williams-Brice Stadium and City Roots sustainable farm.

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Olympia This area on the southwestern edge of the USC campus is close to the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences and features such residential anchors as Olympia Mills, Granby Mills, 612 Whaley and Aspyre. The area also features California Dreaming, a long-running and popular local restaurant; the beautifully renovated 701 Whaley, which hosts frequent events and contemporary art shows; Green’s Discount Beverages; and Carolina Stadium, which hosts Gamecock baseball at one of the best college ballparks in the country. Also close to riverfront development.

2015

RESTAURANT

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Lake Murray

Ask anyone who lives on Lake Murray, and they’ll tell you it’s more than just a lake — it’s a haven away from the city.

With more than 500 miles of shoreline, most of it privately owned, Lake Murray is South Carolina’s largest manmade lake and offers seasonal recreation and a huge July 4 fireworks display, as well as hosting major fishing tournaments. Public access is limited to the few parks and marinas scattered around the lake, so your best bet is to buy a boat or befriend someone who has one.

Forest Acres

Housing options abound in the treefilled neighborhoods of this city within a city, which is close to downtown and to Fort Jackson. Once known for such staples as the excellent breakfast spot The Original Pancake House and the high-end grocery next door, The Fresh Market, Forest Acres is now home to a Trader Joe’s, too. (There’s also a nearby and wildly popular Whole Foods at Cross Hill Market.) And while you might not think of Forest Acres for its lunch options, try pulling into the Five Guys

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You’re Here ... Now What?

Billing, Service: 803-545-3300 Maintenance: 803-545-3900 Quality: 803-545-3400

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Automobile Registration

Lexington DMV

Let’s assume, Capital City newbies, that you’re fortunate enough to have landed in Columbia with a vehicle. If you’re coming from out of state, you need register it with the state DMV if you want to establish residency here. You have 45 days to get that done — and before you can do it, you have to pay property tax to your county. (Pro tip: The auditor’s office tells you how much to pay; the treasurer’s office is where you pay it.) Before you head to the DMV, make sure you have not only your tax receipt, but also your vehicle’s title and registration, and proof of liability insurance. If all this bureaucracy makes your head spin — hey, welcome to being a grown-up.

O’Neil Court DMV

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4357 Augusta Rd Lexington, SC 803-951-3093 3708 River Drive Columbia, SC 803-256-0014

Open Monday — Saturday 8am—5:00pm Schedule Your Tax Deductible Donation Pick-up by calling 803-791 Pick 803-791 803 791-0557 7910557 ext 201

Shop Road DMV 1630 Shop Rd., 803-737-8350

Utilities Unless you’re living on campus, you’ll need to sign up for water, electricity and/ or gas service. For most of you, that’ll mean SCE&G.

Power Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative South Carolina Electric & Gas

www.lex-co.sc.gov, 803-785-8181

sceg.com, 1-800-251-7234

Lexington County Treasurer’s Office

Tri-County Electric Cooperative

www.lex-co.sc.gov, 803-785-8217

tri-countyelectric.net, 803-874-1215

Richland County Auditor’s Office richlandonline.com, 803-576-2600

Richland County Treasurer’s Office richlandonline.com, 803-576-2250

Driver’s License

167 Hwy 378 Lexington, SC 803-957-1052

228A O’Neil Ct., 803-419-9403

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Lexington County Joint Municipal Water & Sewer Commission lcjmwsc.com, 803-359-8373

Serves unincorporated parts of Lexington County south of Lake Murray.

Richland County Utilities Department Offers sewer and limited water service in the northwest portion of Richland County, as well as limited water and sewer in the Hopkins area.

Billing: 803-576-2094 General questions and 24-hour maintenance: 803: 401-0050

mcecoop.com, 1-888-813-8000

scdmvonline.com, 803-737-8350

764 Meeting St W. Columbia, SC 803-791-0557

10 and x 5.125 City of West Columbia Water Sewer Services 803-791-1880

Lexington County Auditor’s Office

S.C. Driver & Vehicle Services

Non-Profit Ministry to Alcoholic and Homeless Men

122 Park Rd., 803-356-8537

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If you’re planning on establishing residency — you know, for the lower tuition — you should go ahead and get your South Carolina driver’s license. The good news: You have 90 days to get your license. The bad news: You’ll need to go to the DMV. That sucks, but you can get out faster if you know what you’re doing.

(Also: Unless you’re a masochist, take care of your vehicle registration at the same time.)

If you have a valid license from your previous home state, you’re golden; if you don’t, you’ll have to pass the written and road exams. (You’ll have to take a mandatory eye exam either way.) And if you only need to renew your license, you can do it at scdmvonline.com. The five-year renewal costs $12.50; the 10year plan is, logically, $25.

Of course, where you go is just as important: The Shop Road DMV is your one-stop spot for anything and everything DMV-related. Contact the DMV Call Center at 803-896-5000 or the S.C. Department of Driver & Vehicle Services at 803-737-4000 for further details.

Irmo/Ballentine DMV 1016 Broadstone Rd., 803-749-9041

YOU’RE HERE, NOW WHAT? | FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE

Cable TV and Internet It’s the 21st century. It’s hard to imagine anyone living without cable television or the Internet. Both AT&T and Time Warner Cable offer landline-cable-Internet bundles; go with whichever tickles your fancy. Do note, though, that AT&T’s U-Verse service is not yet available in all areas of Columbia.

AT&T U-Verse att.com/u-verse, 1-800-288-2020

Time Warner Cable twcsc.com, 1-866-892-7201

Water There are a bunch of local municipal water services and a few private ones, too. Which one you hook up with depends upon where you live. Not sure who to call? Ask your next-door neighbor where their water comes from.

Town of Lexington Utilities www.lexsc.com/utilities_index.htm 803-359-2434

Oversees maintenance of the water and sewer lines for the Town of Lexington.

Library Card OK, so maybe having a library card isn’t high on your list of priorities. But we at Free Times know there are still many among you that enjoy turning off the TV and curling up with a good book. And we salute you. Also, the library has tons of DVDs, CDs, eBooks and other downloadable digital content.

We know your university has a wellstocked library. But Richland County’s library system is one the finest in the nation. Obtaining a library card is, thankfully, much easier than getting a driver’s license: Library cards are free to all residents (including college students who live in Richland County), and outof-county residents can obtain a library card for a nominal annual fee. Same deal in Lexington County: You can get a card at any branch upon verification of current name and residential address.

Richland Library

City of Cayce Utilities Department

richlandlibrary.com

803-796-9020

Main branch located on Assembly Street in downtown Columbia; 11 branches altogether.

Handles sanitation and water services.

City of Columbia Water Customer Service Warning: If you try to pay your bill online, there’s a good chance it won’t work.

Prepare to be frustrated — or just take care of it over the phone or in person at 1339 Main St.

Lexington County Public Library www.lex.lib.sc.us Ten locations (and a bookmobile!); main branch located on Augusta Road in Lexington.

2015 | free-times.com

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FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE

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College students should be prepared to makes smart choices about sex. Photo by John Carlos

Sex L

et’s talk about sex. You’re an adult now — so they tell you — and away from home for the first time, surrounded by peers suddenly thrown into the same situation. Alcohol — while possibly still illegal for you to consume— will doubtlessly be plentiful. Sex will be a constant theme during your college existence, and your choices relating to it will have a big impact on how this experience turns out for you.

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A few things to remember: No means no. Forever and always.

If you don’t want to have sex, then don’t. Plenty of college kids before you have made it through their four years healthy and happy without it. Don’t feel forced to go there if the time isn’t right for you.

Don’t venture to bars or house parties without a friend or two. All that booze is going to dull that voice in your head that tells you when things are a bad idea, so you’re going to need reinforcements to keep you out of trouble.

If you’re living with a roommate, you’re going to want to establish a policy about sexual activity. Sock on the door? Always a solid plan. Banning sex from the room? It’s certainly an option, but it’s also one of those rules that’s likely to get broken. Either way, your best shot to avoid walking in on something you don’t want to see is to cover that subject in advance.

Don’t be stupid. Fellas, wrap it up.

Ladies, make sure your fella wraps it up.

And for those who fall somewhere else on sexuality’s broad spectrum, make sure you’re playing it safe in whatever activities you choose to engage. Sex is great. It can also lead to serious complications if you aren’t careful.

If you want your sex life to be private, keep it private. If you’re throwing updates about your intimate activities

onto your Twitter and Instagram, people will find them — it’s called social media, remember? So don’t go there if that’s not what you want. (And trust us, that’s not what you want.) Even if it is what you want, it’s likely not what your partner wants.

Relax. You’ve got a lot of things to worry about now besides sex. Strive to include it in your life only to the point that it relieves your stress, not adds to it.

This is admittedly an impossible mark to hit, but we can always try.

If You’ve Been Sexually Assaulted If you’ve been a victim of sexual assault, get help. Among the folks at USC’s Student Health Services are Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention & Prevention (SAVIP) Advocates. They’re there to “offer support and a variety of services to students, faculty and staff who are survivors of interpersonal violence (sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, intimate partner violence and/or stalking).”

Among other things, SAVIP offers 24-hour, on-call services to assist students. To get in touch, call 803-777-8248 during business hours, 803-777-4215 after hours.

BOOK YOUR NEXT PRIVATE PARTY WITH US.

632 Harden Street I five points SEX | FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE

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803.569.6966

2015 | free-times.com

Safety C

olumbia has roughly 133,000 residents, which means you’re not just surrounded by students on campus, but an entire urban area as well.

Does that mean you should be fearful?

No — just aware.

Part of staying safe is knowing what’s going on in your community. For that, make sure you sign up for emergency text messages or online updates via the Carolina Alert system (sc.edu/carolinaalert or @CarolinaAlert). They’ll notify you of everything from severe thunderstorms to sexual assaults.

When it comes to Five Points, with its cheap booze and late night fun, it’s worth exercising some special caution so you don’t become a victim.

First, never walk around alone at night.

It’s one thing to stroll to Drip for a coffee at 10:30 a.m., but it’s something entirely different to walk to a bar by yourself at 11 p.m. — or, even worse, to walk back from the bar alone at 2 a.m.

Lucky for you, the City of Columbia has just rolled out a new transportation plan to help students get from Five Points to campus late at night. Thursday through Saturday nights, cabs and shuttles are available at certain marked spots in Five Points — and no, they won’t

free-times.com | 2015

be hassling you for being drunk, just taking you safely back to where you need to go.

Crime can happen not only on the street, but also in a bar or on campus. In fact, most crimes are personal-property crimes. Take a look at the area around campus on raidsonline.com — a crimemapping tool — and you’ll see mostly theft charges. The USC police also post a daily crime log. In 2013, there were 15 burglaries, 32 vehicle thefts, two robberies and four forcible sexual offenses reported on campus, according to the federal government’s Office of Postsecondary Education (ope.ed.gov/security).

Here are some key tips to help keep you safe: (1) Keep your phone with you — and keep it on.

(2) Make sure someone knows where you are at all times.

(3) Don’t get in a car with someone who’s been drinking or taking drugs.

Try not to walk alone at night if you can help it. Photo by John Carlos

(4) Know where the emergency call boxes are on campus (there are more than 200 of them).

(7) Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Yes, that means don’t text while you’re crossing the street.

(5) Don’t leave a drink unattended because someone could slip a date-rape drug into it.

That’s a long list and you may not remember every single precaution, but try to remember this: Carry your phone at all times, don’t go out alone and trust your instincts — if a situation feels dangerous, it probably is.

(6) Don’t leave valuables unattended, even if it’s only for a few minutes

FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE | SAFETY

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Housing O

n the surface, the housing question is simple. If you’re a University of South Carolina freshman, you’re required to live on campus. If you’re not a freshman, you can live anywhere you like.

(Sophomores with good grades have priority for staying on-campus if they want to.) The question is, what kind of a living experience are you looking for?

Many off-campus student-housing communities have popped up around Columbia in recent years. Some offer resort-style living, with swimming pools, fancy gyms and upscale suites; others offer your basic white-walled, beige-carpeted three-bedroom apartment. Some will give you something like the dorm experience, with activities and programs; others just want you to pay your rent on time.

If you’re new to town and want to meet people, student communities can be a good option. On the downside, these living situations can cut you off from the city you’re living in — sometimes literally, given that many aren’t within easy walking distance from campus and will require you to drive or take a private shuttle. However, that’s changing: Whereas private student housing used to be clustered near Williams-Brice Stadium — which is super convenient for football games, but out of the way for most other

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things — the newest student housing is being built in Columbia’s key downtown districts like the Vista and Five Points.

There’s also The Hub on Main Street.

Beyond these big privately owned complexes, Columbia is also home to a lot of student housing in the classic sense: rental houses and apartments tucked in the leafy neighborhoods surrounding the school. Sometimes you’ll deal with an individual landlord, sometimes with a property management company. In most cases, you’ll have to line up your utilities yourself, which often requires a credit check. This sort of renting is a good option if you’re looking to immerse yourself in all that Columbia has to offer. It’s good if you’re looking

More info for USC students housing.usc.edu offcampushousing.sc.edu

650 Lincoln is one of several new downtown student housing options. Photo by John Carlos

921 Sumter St

(across from the horseshoe)

Welcome back USC!

www.hudsonssmokehouse.com

803.356.1070 HOUSING | FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE

to take on a little more responsibility and gain a little more freedom. And, let’s face it, it’s good if you’re looking to party really, really hard. Just respect your neighbors, and take note that the City of Columbia doesn’t allow indoor furniture like couches on the front porch.

Looking for housing? The University of South Carolina maintains a directory of off-campus housing listings at offcampushousing.sc.edu; you’ll need your USC network ID and password to log in. Also included on the site is a message board where you can search for roommates, buy and sell furniture and get your questions answered.

You should also keep an eye out for signs around campus; ask around to find out how people like their apartment or property management company; and check the Free Times classified section regularly.

No matter where you’re living, you’re probably not doing so alone. Whether you’re living with your best friend or some random kid from Pelion, you’re probably going to deal with some rough times. Just remember: You don’t have to like everyone, but you do have to learn to get along with people who aren’t like you. However, if your on-campus roommate is seriously hampering your ability to get your work done or enjoy your college experience, talk to your RA about some strategies — or, if necessary, a room change.

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Shopping W

hether you’re looking for a new dress, a new backpack, a cool T-shirt or some posters to liven up your dorm room, Columbia probably has what you’re looking for — and maybe what you didn’t know you were looking for, too. You know, it’s fun to actually try on that new outfit — and get some immediate feedback from your friends — rather than just hoping that what you order online will look how you want it to.

If, like lots of students, your access to a car is limited, you’ll want to keep in mind the shopping districts closest to campus — Five Points, the Vista and Downtown (Main Street). A little further out are some great shops in Forest Acres and along State Street in West Columbia. And, if distance is no object, Columbia has big malls, too, including Columbiana Centre (Harbison) and the Village at Sandhill (Northeast).

Here are some places to shop.

What Do You Need?

If you’re looking for hippie and bohemian threads and merchandise, Loose Lucy’s (Five Points: 709 Saluda Ave., 2521390, looselucys.com) has the vibe you want. The store started in 1990 selling tie-dye shirts in the parking lot at Grateful Dead shows. But it’s not just hippie threads here; you can pick up a JohnnyCash-flips-the-bird shirt, too.

If you’re looking for eclectic costumes for themed parties — or vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories to wear every day — make Hip-Wa-Zee (Five Points: 940 Harden St., 376-1500, hipwazee.net) your first stop.

Vintage, Recycled, Reduced If you want high-end designers without paying high-end prices, Revente

Y ETI • FREEFLY • GR A M I CCI • OSPRE Y PA CK S • K EEN • N ATI V E • CU RRENT DESI GNS • CH A CO • TE VA • D A RN TOUGH SOCK S • OUTDOOR RESE A RCH

OSPREY Packs

YAKIMA Racks

KAVU

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YETI Coolers

KEEN

CHACO

TEVA

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Loose Lucy’s: If you’re into The Grateful Dead or Phish, you’d better stop here. Photo by John Carlos

(Five Points: 737 Saluda Ave., 803-2563076, shoprevente.com) is a designer consignment shop that stocks the runway labels.

Looking for retro clothing? Scavenge Gentleman’s Closet (Five Points: 717 Saluda Ave., 256-3868) for a vintage suit or dress shoes.

For other vintage and recycled selections, as well as some new items, stop

by Double Takes (Vista: 1211 Lincoln St.,

803-771-2335, facebook.com/doubletakesvista). Customers can consign clothes for cash or store credit.

If you enjoy the hunt — and like to sell and trade, as well as buy — then you’ll want to check out consignment shop Sid N Nancy (733 Saluda Ave., 803779-6454, shopsidnancy.com). Carries affordable clothes, jewelry, accessories, gifts and more.

• TE VA • GoPr o • N ATI V E • PERCEPTION • IN V ERT BOA RDS • Y ETI • K AV U ACTI V E W E A R • YA K IM A R ACK S • W ILDERNESS S YSTEMS • CH ACO • K EEN • MTI

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If you’re looking for something, well, general — anything from outdoors clothes to button-down shirts to kitchen items to candy — go to Mast General (Downtown: 1601 Main St., 803-7712300, mastgeneralstore.com). You can find just about anything.

Off the Beaten Path

ENO HAMMOCKS • TEVA • GoPro • CAMELBAK WATER BOTTLES • OSPREY PACKS • YAKIMA RACKS • YETI • CURRENT DESIGNS • CHACO • KEEN • VASQUE •

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For catalog clothing at reduced prices, check out The OOPS! Co. (601 Harden St., 252-8734, theoopsco.com). Established in Charleston in 1982, OOPS! sells iconic brands and quirky, creative gifts.

WOMEN’S DESIGNER CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR

Look at Us — We’re a Real City Columbia has seen a big influx recently of major chains that once considered the city too small a market to enter. Among the more recent entrants are J. Crew and Anthropologie, both of which are in Trenholm Plaza in Forest Acres.

Dressing in Style

ShopCopperPenny.com • 610 Harden Street • Columbia, SC 29205

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SHOPPING | FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE

Looking for an eye-catching, custommade dress for any occasion? Check out LaRoque (2700 Devine St., 803-7656062, shoplaroque.com).

Urban Outfitters (Vista: 912 Gervais St., 803-254-5381, urbanoutfitters.com) sells clothes that are smart, hip and flexible enough to go from the classroom to a night out.

Bohemian (Five Points: 707 Saluda Avenue, 256-0629, shop-bohemian.com), like its furniture-oriented counterpart, specializes in well-edited and contemporary tastes. It stocks stylish women’s clothing and accessories; don’t miss its shoes and jewelry.

For high-end designers, Coplon’s (For-

est Acres: 4825 Forest Drive, 790-0015, coplons.com) carries labels from Jason Wu and Oscar de la Renta to coveted Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo shoes. Coplon’s is Columbia’s high-end women’s clothing shop that also sells handbags, jewelry and cosmetics.

For Stylish Guys If you’re the kind of guy who can talk denim washes with ease and wouldn’t think twice about dropping $150 on a shirt, then Circa 1332 (Downtown: 1332 Main St., 252-6714, circa1332.com) is for you. Locally owned, American-heritage style.

From the best brands in suits and trousers to shoes and shirts, whether it’s casual or formal, Granger Owings (Downtown: 1333 Main St., 803-252-6714, grangerowings.com) will get you looking right. Carries women’s clothing, too.

Guys looking for a bow tie? You can’t go wrong at Britton’s (2818 Devine St., 803-771-2700, brittonsofcolumbia.com).

Their service is off the charts — no, really. Carries a full range of the finest clothes and accessories for both men and women.

Don’t Forget Your Feet — Or Your Eyes Good for the Sole (Five Points: 631 Harden St., 803-254-9488) will have you

2015 | free-times.com

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Costumes, alternative clothes, Wigs & accessories

940 Harden Street • Columbia, SC 29205 803-376-1500

Hip*Wa*Zee

hipwazee

FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE

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stepping in the right direction. The store carries brands like Jack Rogers, Fly London, Tamaris, Dansko, Camper, Sperry, Taos, Rainbow and OTZ. For unique eyewear, get into Frame of Mind (Downtown: 140 State St., 803988-1065, artofeyewear.com).

Accessorize With inspiration from cultures throughout the world, check out HandPicked (Devine Street: 2822 Devine St., 803-251-2946, behandpicked.com) for creative and trendy jewelry.

Van Jean (Devine Street: 2734 Devine St., 803-252-4339, shopvanjean.com) stocks a well-edited selection of designer wares — and you don’t want to miss their sales or the back room with marked-down inventory.

Whether it’s for football games in fall or flings in the spring, there’s always a need for trendy dresses, tops, handbags, jewelry and shoes. Make a trip to Wish (Five Points: 713 Saluda Ave., 803-5635135, ilovewish.com).

Skaters, Surfers and Runners Bluetile Skateshop (Five Points: 621 Harden St., 803-376-1880, bluetilesc. com), a skater-owned skate shop, carries a variety of skateboards, equipment, shoe and clothing brands. Bonus: It also hosts bands and screen films on occasion.

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Bluetile Skateshop is a skater-owned store.

Photo by John Carlos

Natural Vibrations (Five Points: 719 Harden Street) sells everything from clothes to jewelry to glass and smoking accessories in an incense-filled, friendly environment . Photo John Carlos

If you need a board, Salty’s Surf Shop (Devine Street: 2712 Devine St., 803-7489946, (facebook.com/SaltysBoardShop) is the place for board sports, gear, clothing and accessories. Salty’s also carries a full line of swimwear, sunglasses and flip-flops.

The locally owned Todd & Moore Sporting Goods (Vista: 620 Huger St., 803-765-0150, toddandmoore.com)

offers athletic wear and goods for all sports — plus a friendly, helpful stuff to help you figure out what you need.

For those into running, run straight to Strictly Running (Devine Street: 2515 Devine St., 803-799-4786, facebook. com/strictlyrunning). You’ll find running gear and running partners.

For the great outdoors, Half-Moon

Outfitters (Devine Street: 2912 Devine St., 929-0771, halfmoonoutfitters.com) has gear, clothing and footwear. The store occupies an expansive space just up the hill from Five Points.

Also for the outdoors, The Backpacker (Vista: 1215 Wayne St., 803-799-7571, backpackerqualitygear.com) carries all your favorites including Patagonia and The North Face.

Your Original Source for Authentic Brands like Medicali, Roor and much more.

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hungover to haul your ass further than the front door. For those times, these are our favorite options. Lots of other places listed in this section offer delivery, too; just ask. (And don’t be a jerk: Tip your delivery driver.)

The aforementioned Beezer’s sells big, tasty sandwiches — and delivers them until the wee hours.

Fast Eddie’s Calzones (817 Harden St., 803-764-3669, eddiescalzones.com) delivers till 4 a.m. These late-night food pockets have become legendary on campus.

Insomnia Cookies (2013 Devine St., 877-632-6654) delivers gooey, warm, slightly underbaked cookies until 3 a.m.

Tea Pot (829 Knox Abbott Rd., 803796-5888, teapotchinesecayce.com) offers cheap and tasty Chinese food and delivers within a wide radius.

More Chinese Food Other great Chinese options close to the university include Main Moon (2800-D Rosewood Dr., 803, 251-8990), Eggroll Station (135 Sunset Blvd., 803-791-4060) and Eggroll Chen (715 Crowson Rd., 803-787-6820, eggrollchen.com).

Late Nights Grilled Teryaki in Five Points is open super-late on the weekends. Photo by Jonathan Sharpe

Food C

hances are you’ll never eat as terribly as you do in college. You’ll find out quickly about the inescapable Freshman 15 — the 15 pounds freshmen typically pack on from too much pizza and not enough exercise or vegetables — not to mention the horrors of the unlimited dining plan.

Here’s a hint, though: Even if your diet would make a nutritionist weep, your wallet and your waistline will still fare better if you stay away from fast food chains and stick with food from local restaurants.

Columbia has plenty of wallet-friendly eateries catering to the college crowd.

College Delis These tried-and-true near-campus sandwich shops are a rite of passage for every Carolina student. Hell, your grandparents probably remember some of these places: Andy’s Deli (2005 Greene St., 803799-2639, andysdelisc.com) is a friendly and classic local deli.

Beezer’s (919 Sumter St., 803-7717771) makes great sandwiches fast.

Groucho’s Deli (611 Harden St., 803799-5708, grouchos.com) has been in business since the 1940s. The STP Dipper is legendary. If you’re not living near Five Points, there are other locations all over the city.

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Pita Pit (2002 Greene St., 803-7994557, pitapitusa.com) will make you feel virtuous (actual vegetables!) while still filling you up.

from the Greek Village.

Village Idiot (2009 Devine St., 803252-8646; 4517 Forest Drive, 803-7875005, villageidiotpizza.com) is a venerable institution with cheap pizza and even cheaper beers. A new location is opening soon at 612 Whaley St., in the Mills.

Delivery Sometimes, you’re studying too hard to get off the couch — or you’re too

You’ll probably end up at Grilled Teriyaki (748 Harden St., 803-933-9950, grilledteriyaki.com) some night, wondering what exactly is in the addictive white sauce you just drizzled all over your fried rice.

The Whig (1200 Main St., 803-9318852, thewhig.org) isn’t for just any college student — it leans more Velvet Underground than Selena Gomez — but it serves great bar food (burgers, cheese fries) till late. Tuesday nights mean 75cent tacos.

If you’re up really late, there are a few Waffle Houses (wafflehouse.com) in the area, most notably in Five Points (916

Pizza Sure, you could order a pizza from a big pizza chain. But you’d miss out on these local gems: Dano’s (3008 Rosewood Dr., 803254-3266, danosdelivers.com) is a lowkey neighborhood joint with cheap pizza and lots of TVs. Nicky’s Pizzeria (2123 Greene St., 803-748-9661) serves New York-style pizza — Sicilian or thin.

Pizza Man (341 S. Woodrow St., 803252-6931) specializes in super-crispy, cracker-thin crust — a love-it-or-hate-it proposition — with cheap-slice nights on Tuesdays.

Thirsty Fellow (621 Gadsden St., 803799-1311, thirstyfellow.com) makes a kickass crust and has a great beer selection. Located right across Blossom Street

FOOD | FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE

Andy’s Deli on Greene Street has been around almost forever. Photo by John Carlos

2015 | free-times.com

THANKS FOR VOTING!

WINNER: BEST SOUTHERN RESTAURANT

2015 www.mrfriendlys.com I 803.254.7828

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RUNNER UP: BEST RESTAURANT BEST SERVICE

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WINNER: BEST RESTAURANTNORTHEAST

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The Whig serves great bar food across from the State House. Photo by Jonathan Sharpe

2015

WINNER Best Ta co B E ST HAP P Y H OUR B E ST MAR GA R I TA

Harden St., 803-799-0313) and next to Williams Brice Stadium (1210 Bluff Road, 803-544-9685).

If you’re out in the Vista, you might consider a trip to the 24-hour, recently renovated IHOP (1031 Assembly St., 803251-9165, ihop.com) for some late-night pancakes and sausage.

Hangover Helper Cafe Strudel (300 State St., 803-7946634, cafestrudel.com) is a good choice anytime, but it’s especially recommended the morning after you’ve been drinking. Order the Hangover Hashbrowns.

Likewise, Pawleys Front Porch (827 Harden St., 803-771-8001) is great anytime — but one of their massive burgers could be particularly helpful after a rough night out.

Dessert Got a hankering for some dessert?

You’ll want to check out Cupcake (1213 Lincoln St., 803-212-4949, freshcupcakes.com), Nonnah’s (923 Gervais St., 803-779-9599, nonnahs.com) and Kaminsky’s (930 Gervais St., 803-5509979, kaminskys.com).

2015 runner-up

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FOOD | FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE

Southern Comfort Missing grandma’s house? For true Southern comfort food, you’ve got two leading candidates: Yesterdays (2030 Devine St., 803799-0196, yesterdayssc.com) is a great non-fratty Five Points bar and a low-key Southern restaurant.

Lizard’s Thicket (818 Elmwood Ave., 803-779-6407; for other locations, see lizardsthicket.com) is a local meat-andthree chain that makes indispensable pot roast.

Now that you’re in Columbia, you’ll need to eat some barbecue. There are lots of worthy contenders; one of them is Hudson’s Smokehouse (4952 Sunset Blvd., 803-356-1070, hudsonssmokehouse.com).

Tacos and Mexican Food Want cheap, healthy burritos and tacos? Head to Five Points classic El Burrito (934 Harden St., 803-765-2188).

Tio’s (921 Sumter St., 803-252-7229, tioscolumbiasc.com) is a chill place for a smothered burrito and a Corona. Plus, they have delicious margaritas and specialty cocktails.

And Cantina 76 (1301 Main St., 803764-1769, and 2901-A Devine St., 803708-6004, cantina76.com) is a good place to impress a date — tasty margaritas, affordable tacos — without spending a million bucks.

Off the Beaten Path As a student, you’ll likely spend a lot of time eating burgers, sandwiches and pizza at downtown spots. But sometimes you’ll want to explore further out, too — either in your choice of cuisine or in your choice of location.

Parents in town? Take ‘em to Mr. Friendly’s (2001-A Greene St., 803-2547828, mrfriendlys.com), which serves up innovative New Southern cuisine.

Arkos Mojo Grill and Martini Bar (109K Old Chapin Road, 803-785-5660, arkosmojo.com) serves up ceviche, fancy salsas, paella, tacos and much more — and has a swank bar menu.

Tired of the same old food? Al-Amir (1734 Main St., 803-401-5882, facebook. com/Alamirofcolumbia) offers authentic and well-prepared Middle Eastern cuisine including hummus, falafel, lamb kabob, mujadara and shawarma.

If you’ve never tried Indian food, you should. Delhi Palace (542 St. Andrews Rd., 803-750-7760, delhipalace.ms11. net) is a popular local spot, offering a buffet as well as traditional menu items.

That’s just a small sampling. Keep an eye on Free Times and Bites & Sights for restaurant openings and more.

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Music & Nightlife Y

ou might not have noticed if you’re new to the city, but Columbia is in the midst of a development explosion, with thousands of new residents (many students) moving in and roughly $1 billion in investment coming into the Vista district alone.

So if you’ve heard people say that Columbia’s kind of boring — that students just show up, do their time and then then use their degree to head off to larger nearby burgs like Atlanta or Charlotte, or vast metropolises like New York and Chicago — then your thinking is a bit outmoded.

Columbia’s music scene is on the upswing along with the city, flush with exciting local bands, an auditorium (the venerable Township) that’s recently raked in names like The Avett Brothers and Jack White and the Vista’s Music Farm, a sister to the legendary large rock club with the same name down in Charleston.

And if live music isn’t your thing, Columbia still has you covered. With a wide selection of dance clubs and cool bars strewn throughout the Vista, Five Points and other neighborhoods close to campus, you’ll rarely be without something to do. Just make sure you find time to study.

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Below, you’ll find a selection of the city’s nightlife highlights.

Music Venues Colonial Life Arena 801 Lincoln St., 803-576-9200 coloniallifearena.com You’ll go here for basketball games.

You’ll also go here for the area’s biggest concerts. Recent visitors include James Taylor, Paul McCartney and Florida Georgia Line. The arena doesn’t host many shows, but when it does host a concert, it’s a big deal.

Township Auditorium 1703 Taylor St., 803-576-2350 thetownship.org The Township hosts more shows, many of which are also a big deal. R&B greats, classic rock legends and popular modern artists are all on the menu at this beautiful 3,000-seat room.

Paul McCartney played the Colonial Life Arena this summer. Photo by Thomas Hammond

Music Farm Columbia 1022 Senate St., 803-252-9392 musicfarm.com With a capacity that exceeds 1,000, the new Music Farm brings Columbia the large rock club it has sorely missed for most of the last decade. Expect a mix of Americana up-and-comers, feisty indie rock bands and other cool events.

New Brookland Tavern 122 State St., 803-791-4413 newbrooklandtavern.com An endearingly dilapidated watering hole in West Columbia, New Brookland is the longest-running rock club in the area. It’s also a fine place to stop in for a cheap PBR — as well as the best place in town to catch local bands and on-therise touring bands.

Conundrum Music Hall

buy • sell • trade new & used cds lps • dvds

2014 GREENE ST. • 803.256.0095 WWW.PAPAJAZZ.COM MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE | FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE

USC CAMPUS / MAIN STREET Bourbon 1214 Main St., 803-403-1404 bourboncolumbia.com 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.

Hunter-Gatherer 900 Main St., 803-748-0540 huntergathererbrewery.com This stalwart brewpub boasts awesome bartenders, scrumptious entrées and an excellent beer and liquor selection. Looking to impress your date? You can’t go wrong here.

626 Meeting St., 803-250-1295 conundrum.us Looking to get weird? Go to Conundrum, a mecca for avant-garde jazz, outthere rock ‘n’ roll and basically any show that’s a little too out-there for the town’s other rooms.

Sheraton Rooftop Lounge

Breweries

1200 Main St., 803-931-8852 thewhig.org This dark, underground bohemia offers good, cheap beer and good, cheap liquor to go along with good, cheap eats. Has an awesome jukebox filled with classic punk, Motown, jazz and much more.

2014 - 2015

Voted BEST CD STORE BEST STORE FOR VINYL

Nightlife

If you’re into local beer — and really, who isn’t — you’ll want to get to know Columbia’s breweries, including River Rat (1231 Shop Rd., 803-724-5712, riverratbrewery.com), which features an outdoor deck with cornhole, along with Conquest (947 S. Stadium Rd., Bay 1, conquestbrewing.com) and Swamp Cabbage (921 Brookwood Drive, swampcabbagebrewing.com). Check their websites for special events.

1400 Main St., 803-988-1400 Not for the acrophobic, the Sheraton’s hip Rooftop Lounge offers a classy clientele, fine libations and desserts, plus a panoramic view of the Capital City.

The Whig

FIVE POINTS / SHANDON / ROSEWOOD The Attic 638 Harden St., 803-521-046 facebook.com/theatticsc Five Points’ only rooftop bar, with over 25 craft beers.

2015 | free-times.com

shepherd’s pie, fish-n-chips, pot roast and more.

The Cotton Gin 632 Harden St., 803-466-5566 In the space once occupied by Red Hot Tomatoes, this bar’s mission is “celebrating the Roaring ‘20s in style.”

Delaney’s 741 Saluda Ave., 803-779-2345 facebook.com/DelaneysMusicPub Delaney’s is as Irish as it comes here in the Bible belt. Personable staff, live music and a vibrant atmosphere round out the package.

Group Therapy

The Music Farm brings big club shows to the Vista. Photo by Thomas Hammond

Bar None 620 Harden St., 803-254-3354 Established in 1994, this is where the bartenders and servers go to wind down after all the other bars close. Relaxed atmosphere, smart playlists and absurdly delicious smoked wings.

CJ’s 749 Saluda Ave., 803-748-8694 cjsfivepoints.com

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 326 S. Edisto Ave. 803-251-4474 facebook.com/cocknbull.pub The Cock N Bull is an English-style pub with soccer matches aplenty on the tube. Pub food and daily specials include

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.

The Horseshoe 724 Harden St., thehorseshoecola.com Cheap drinks in a relaxed atmosphere — this new bar succeeds with a familiar Five Points formula.

Jake’s 2112 Devine St., 803-708-4788 jakesofcolumbia.com This Five Points institution offers lo-

cally sourced food, craft beer, multiple bar stations and a beautiful, relaxing courtyard. Plus: shuffleboard.

The Kraken Gastropub 2910 Rosewood Dr., 803-955-7408 facebook.com/thekrakengastropub A hip spot in Rosewood, The Kraken offers a wide swath of draft beers, signature beer-based cocktails, upscale bar-food menu and a swanky, cozy-cool vibe.

Lucky’s 2100-B Devine St., 803-929-1118 facebook.com/luckysin5points For the Vista experience in Five Points, Lucky’s is your place — good wine and beer selection and an outdoor patio.

Nightcaps 2722 Devine St., 803-771-6575 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.

Pavlov’s 2000-B 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.

Columbiana Station - Harbison 1220 Bower Parkway Columbia, SC 29212, Phone 803.227.8918 • www.thebritishbulldogpub.com free-times.com | 2015

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Pinch 640 Harden St., 803-708-6838 Next door to Lucky’s, Pinch, too, offers Vista atmosphere at Five Points prices.

On-tap beers are rotated frequently, and frequently feature high-class offerings.

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2307 Devine St., 803-256-2207 publick-house.com Exceptional beer selection, challenging trivia, hip music selection, überfriendly staff, good burgers and the best raw fries around.

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Publick House

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Salty Nut Cafe 2000 Greene St., 803-256-4611 saltynut.com Salty Nut is a lunch spot by day. By night, it’s the first place you hit coming down Greene Street from campus, and thus likely the first stop on many pub crawls. A great, cozy spot for a beer or some food.

MOON TAXI SEPTEMBER 26

The Southern Belly

DAWES

1332 Rosewood Dr., 803-667-9533 southernbellybbq.com A cozy bar that also serves barbecue with all kinds of delicious sauces. Soon to open a second location at 819 Harden St. in Five Points.

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EMANCIPATOR ENSEMBLE OCTOBER 4

Speakeasy 711 Saluda Ave., 803-255-0869 speakeasyfivepoints.com Delaney’s classy, hip younger sibling boasts a fine liquor selection, great beers and a top-notch staff, as well as fine cigars, comfy couches and weekly jazz nights.

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The Thirsty Parrot

CHERUB

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.

OCTOBER 14

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TLC Sports Bar and Grill 936 S. Stadium Rd., 803-251-3087 facebook.com/theloosecockaboose Want to party it up before or after a football game? The Loose Cockaboose is the ultimate Gamecock bar, located within a stone’s throw of Williams-Brice.

Village Idiot 2009 Devine St., 803-252-8646 villageidiotpizza.com Columbia’s quintessential collegetown 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.

Yesterdays Restaurant and Tavern NOVEMBER 11

STS9 NOVEMBER 15

2030 Devine St., 803-799-0196 yesterdayssc.com A Columbia landmark since 1978, this is a great place for an undergrad to take his or her squeeze out for some Southern comfort food without maxing out the credit card. Above-average beer and liquor selection. Bar in the back has its own entrance on Devine Street.

MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE | FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE

Jillians in The Vista. Photo by John Carlos

THE VISTA

cocktails and libations.

Art Bar

Kelly’s Deli & Pub

1211 Park St., 803-929-0198 artbarsc.com Cool but never pretentious, the Art Bar is good for people-watching, conversation and rock ‘n’ roll. Its Saturdays (and occasional Thursdays) are filled with fun touring bands and established locals.

Don’t miss Linda’s Carraoke on Wednesdays.

Blue.

721A Lady St., 803-251-4447 facebook.com/blueinthevista Blue, a tapas bar and cocktail lounge, features Columbia’s only ice bar and draws in big crowds for its popular ’80s night on Wednesdays. Cozy late-night spot as well.

Carolina Ale House 708 Lady St., 803-227-7150 carolinaalehouse.com Southeastern chain grille-andgroggery 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.

Flying Saucer 931 Senate St., 830-933-9997 beerknurd.com Flying Saucer led the wave of craft beer love in Columbia. Offering more selections than most commoners could imagine, it’s a beer drinker’s paradise with a nice front porch — plus waitresses in schoolgirl uniforms.

Jillian’s 800 Gervais St., 803-779-7789 jillianscolumbia.com Jillian’s offers billiard tables, an arcade, walls of huge flat-screen televisions, a full menu and an extensive list of imports, domestics and other assorted

1001 Washington St., 803-254-4464 facebook.com/kellyspubcolumbiasc If this converted fire station reminds you of Five Points, it’s probably because its owners cut their teeth working for iconic Five Points spots like Group Therapy and Jungle Jim’s. These Gamecock fans host regular acoustic performances in addition to karaoke and open mic contests.

Liberty Tap Room 828 Gervais St., 803-461-4677 libertytaproom.com Affiliated with the brewpubs of the same name out on the coast, Columbia’s Liberty focuses more on other people’s beer than its own. But between the clientele, much-acclaimed menu and massive beer list, we doubt you’ll mind.

Pearlz 936 Gervais St., 803-661-7741 pearlzoysterbar.com Pearlz’ stylish ambience and signature martinis make it a hotspot for Columbia’s young, urban professional crowd. Serves up oysters, raw shellfish and regional seafood favorites. Plus, its upstairs room offers live jazz on the weekends.

PT’s 1109 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.

Rocket Man 700 Gervais St. (Suite B-2), 803-764-7529 rocketmancolumbia.com What’s better than a guy in the corner playing piano? Two guys in the corner

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playing piano. (Or ladies, as the case might be.) Features dueling piano shows Thursday through Saturday nights.

SakiTumi 807 Gervais St., 803-931-0700 sakifresh.com Sushi, sake and salacious servers ... what else could you want out of an über-hip Vista sushi bar?

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 Sports Bar

Social 918 Gervais St., 803-603-4313 socialcolumbiasc.com One of Columbia’s hottest nightclubs, drawing a variety of world-class EDM artists to get the party going, frequently without a cover charge.

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

Thirsty Fellow 621 Gadsden St., 803-799-1311 thirstyfellow.com The pizza is great — really, all the food is — plus, this close-to-campus bar is super-friendly, offers great beers and has a great deck area.

Tin Roof 1022 Senate St., 830-771-1558 tinroofofcolumbia.com Started in Atlanta in 1996, Tin Roof now has locations throughout the Southeast. Its calling cards: live music, good food and a laid-back atmosphere.

1125 Park St., 803-933-9833 Its no-frills, no-nonsense attitude has endeared this unassuming local bar to a loyal legion of regulars, but there’s always room for more.

Wet Willie’s 800 Gervais St., 803-779-5650 wetwillies.com Bahama Mama! Mojito Mojo! Grape!

Peach! Mango! Serves alcoholic slushies — er, daiquiris — and, as such, is a late-night Vista favorite. Also has a pretty kick-ass music room upstairs.

Bourbon serves higher-end Cajun-Creole cuisine — and great cocktails. File photo

Wild Wing Café 729 Lady St., 803-252-9464 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.

The Woody

Local. Fresh. Organic.

808 Lady St., 803-779-9663 woodywindham.com Named after beloved Columbia oldies disc jockey Woody Windham, The Woody is a popular Vista spot for shag and salsa dancing, but is way welcoming to partiers in their 20s, too. Offers nightly drink specials.

World of Beer

West Columbia 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.

A British Pub! As a student, you’ll like spend much of your time in Columbia’s downtown districts. But there’s life beyond the heart of the city, too. British Bulldog Pub (1220 E10 Bower Pkwy., 803-227-8918, thebritishbulldogpub.com) serves up Guinness, traditional U.K. cuisine and sports (including soccer) on big-screen TVs.

902-F Gervais St., 803-509-6020 worldofbeer.com/Locations/The-Vista Offers over 500 different beers. Yes, Virginia: Five hundred beers on draft and in bottles. Wine and cigars, too.

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21 Twitter Feeds Every Gamecock Should Follow I

f you’re not on Twitter, you’re probably out of the loop. We’re not telling you to drop Instagram or Snapchat, but when it comes to getting info you need in a hurry, Twitter is one of the best platforms around. As such, here’s a list of accounts that’ll prove useful during your time as a Gamecock. @FreeTimesSC: Whoa! How’d this get on this list? Follow for info on music, nightlife, food and all the nutty things that local and state politicians get into — some of which might actually affect you.

to stay in Columbia all the time — a day trip to Charleston might be just what you need after a long week of tests. This account highlights happenings around the city.

@colatownfoodie: This account won big in our 2015 Best of Columbia reader’s poll. Helps you keep up on the latest restaurant openings and food events.

@UofSC_CampusRec: Believe us, studying isn’t everything. Sometimes it helps to go outside and get some sun. Follow for highlights on intramural sports, fitness classes and more.

@CarolinaAlert: A great day or night of fun can be ruined by a single moment of danger. Keep calm and follow Carolina Alerts for notices on criminal activity, inclement weather and areas to avoid around campus. @UofSCDining: Pro tip — Your eating habits don’t have to go to total s#!t just because you’re in college. Follow for information on healthier eating, and updates on new dining options in and around the Russell House. @Collegefessions: College kids are crazy. How crazy? Follow this Twitter account to read quick, humorous and possibly fabricated anecdotes on what college students around the nation will do for a case of beer or a ride to the mall. @DrinkingTicket: You’re going to have plenty of chances to consume alcohol during your college career. This Columbia-based account will help you find the cheapest deals on booze, while also providing updates about traffic delays and alerts to DUI checkpoints. @FunnyVines: The advent of these bite-sized videos has made it even easier to tumble down that slippery slope of unproductivity. Follow with caution. @GamecockFB: Football is kind of a big deal at the University of South Carolina. Follow for videos and interviews from your favorite SEC team.

@FacesPics: Don’t freak out or anything, but the world is watching. Follow to see faces in the most random places. @USCSquirrels: As a student of the University of South Carolina you will become very familiar with the many, many squirrels around campus. @dogsdoingthings: An excerpt — “Dogs gesturing grandly and reassuring you, ‘None of this will matter in like five minutes.’” @NickTheatre: If you’re a fan of film, you should be following the Nick, which highlights an assortment of movies including documentaries and indie productions shot on an iPhone. Oh, and you can also drink in the theater. @thegamecock: This is a student-run, daily newspaper that covers campus news, sports, music and film. It also has student columns that provide different perspectives on hot-button topics around campus. @usccp: Carolina Productions keeps you up-to-date on the latest comedy shows and musical performances around campus. The best part? Students get in for free. @USCCrushes: Submit anonymous declarations of love in hopes that the person you’ve had your eye on since freshman year feels the same way.

@Discover_SC: Columbia is a beautiful city, and this account aims to capture that beauty through images of sunsets, art exhibits, concerts, and, of course, food.

@UofSC: Giving your future alma mater a quick follow probably isn’t the worst idea in the world. Highlights both current and graduate student accomplishments, and posts updates on general campus occurrences.

@Ed2010News: “You need to get an internship” is something you’ll hear once or twice during your tenure at college, and Ed2010 maintains a steady flow of information on both internships (paid and unpaid) and job offers.

@UofSCStuLife: This is an account created to promote service and leadership opportunities. Follow for information about doing much more than just going to class. Résumé builder, anyone?

@ExploreCHS: Just because you’re a USC student doesn’t mean you have 21 TWITTER FEEDS EVERY GAMECOCK SHOULD READ | FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE

2015 | free-times.com

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Williams-Brice Stadium is the home of the USC Gamecocks. Photo by John Carlos

Sports L

ast year, the University of South Carolina football team was ranked No. 9 nationally in the pre-season Coaches’ Poll. Things didn’t quite pan out — the team ended the 2014 season at 7-6 — and this year, the Gamecocks are nowhere to be found in the Coaches’ Poll Top 25.

Still, when it comes to USC football, you should know that the excitement level in Columbia is always high. And ever since Coach Steve Spurrier took the helm in 2005, the team has done extremely well overall.

All that is to say that football tickets are a hot item in this town. So, how do you get your hands on them?

Free student tickets are doled out through an online ticket distribution system — the same goes for basketball and baseball. To use the system, you need a valid Carolina Card, which you can learn about at carolinacard.sc.edu.

The ticketing system penalizes students if they register for but don’t use a ticket — so don’t be a jerk. And if you miss out in your early years, don’t fret too much. The system assigns Loyalty Points for athletic attendance based mainly on seniority — meaning you’ll get more points for each game attended when you’re older — but also on things like showing up early for games and attending non-SEC games.

So, for all you freshmen, that Central Florida game shouldn’t be much of a problem. But Clemson? LSU? Florida?

Don’t hold your breath. Find out more about the ticket distribution system by visiting www.sa.sc.edu/studenttickets/.

If you don’t like football, you’re going to feel out of place, as it consumes campus culture during the entire fall semester. Our best advice: Avoid the south ends of Rosewood Drive and Assembly Street if you can, and the Olympia neighborhood altogether. Gameday traffic occupies much of Assembly and Blossom streets close to campus; Rosewood Avenue and Bluff and Shop roads are often bumper-to-bumper as well. If you are going to the game, your best bet is to walk to Williams-Brice Stadium — even if you live on the far end of campus.

free-times.com | 2015

There’s also a gameday shuttle, which picks up at the Colonial Life Arena and at Capital City Stadium.

Obviously, the university offers other intercollegiate sports, some of which consistently compete at the highest levels — for instance, the women’s basketball team, which made it all the way to the Final Four in the 2015 NCAA tournament and was in the Sweet 16 the year before. Led by Dawn Staley, women’s basketball has generated amazing energy on campus, sometimes drawing 15,000 fans or more to the Colonial Life Arena. Given the team’s popularity, you’ll want to get your tickets early — especially for the biggest games.

Then there’s USC’s baseball program, which has stumbled a bit lately but nonetheless has a strong history, having made it to the NCAA tournament 30 times and the College World Series 11 times since 1970. The team even won back-to-back national championships in 2010 and 2011. The pre-game atmosphere for baseball is a little more laid back than the tailgating hoopla for football, but attendees at the beautiful Carolina Stadium will still find a festive atmosphere. Cheer hard, but no cursing: They’ll throw your ass out!Traffic crunches pretty hard in Olympia during baseball, too, but the shutdown typically doesn’t last all day. Check first-pitch times and plan accordingly.

Should you not dig baseball, football or basketball, USC’s soccer and trackand-field teams hold their own as well.

Or if you’d rather participate than watch, USC offers a whole host of intramural and club sports, including flag football, soccer, softball and — somewhat surprisingly — ice hockey. Go to the games or play your own. Either way, the university’s sports culture is something you probably can’t avoid during your time on campus.

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Alcohol & Drugs B

y the time you get to college, chances are you’ve already tried a little whiskey from the liquor cabinet, downed a beer or two at a friend’s house or been to a full-blown kegger on a spring-break trip.

How much do teens and college students drink? By the end of high school, 66 percent of students have had more than a few sips of alcohol and 50 percent say they’ve been drunk, according to the Monitoring the Future survey. Still, rates of drinking are significantly lower than in the past; excessive drinking is about half the level it was 20 years ago.

While drinking might have been just an occasional illegal foray in high school, though, it’s a way of life in college. From fraternity parties to tailgating at football games, drinking becomes a whole other ballgame, so to speak.

You’ll probably meet people who are using fake IDs to getting into bars in Five Points and the Vista, and you might want to get one, too — but you should know that bouncers have seen every trick there is, and getting busted with a fake ID is a serious offense.

If you use someone else’s ID to buy alcohol, you could get popped with $100 fine or 30 days in prison on your first offense — yes, we said prison — as well as having your driver’s license suspended for 90 days. If you alter a driver’s license — as opposed to just lying about your age — you could face up to a $2,500 fine and six months in jail, and your license could be suspended for six months.

So, yeah, that’s serious stuff.

Driving while intoxicated will get you in serious trouble, too. How bad could it be? Fines, jail time and a suspended license. Even a first offense could land you in jail for up to 90 days.

If you do get popped with an alcoholrelated ticket, you’ll need some advice.

Drinkingticket.com, founded locally, knows the ropes when it comes to alcohol citations. (It can also help you avoid getting busted in the first place by tipping you off to which bars cops are at.) There are also local lawyers who specialize in this sort of thing — so if you (or your parents) are looking for a lawyer, make sure it’s one with a track record.

Still, your best bet is to stay out of trouble on the front end: Don’t use a fake ID, don’t drink more than you can handle and make sure there’s always a designated driver. Also recommended: If you decide to drink, have a couple of aspirin handy.

Drugs It’s inevitable: You walk into a party and someone hands you a bong.

You go to a friend’s apartment and there’s a guy sitting on the couch hunched over a line of coke.

ALCOHOL & DRUGS | FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE

Welcome to college, where drugs aren’t some abstract concept your parents are lecturing you about — they’re being sold door to door in your dorm.

Popular drugs on campus include pot; spice/K2 (synthetic pot); prescription painkillers like Percocet, Vicodin and OxyContin; and MDMA (also called Ecstasy or Molly).

Thankfully, heroin use — which had been on the upswing — has leveled off. But there are different variants of drugs emerging all the time, as well as new names for old drugs. Fentanyl, for example, is an opioid that is 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin — meaning it can easily kill you. Visit drugabuse. gov/drugs-abuse/emerging-trends for a heads up on new and super-dangerous drugs.

Bottom line: If you’re on a college campus, there are drugs around.

What do you do now?

There might be someone whose answer is “call the cops on the guy across the hall,” but Free Times has never met that person. In the real world, your choices most likely come down to: (1) Do you partake? (2) If so, can you do it safely? (3) What do you do if things get out of control?

Doing illegal drugs is, well, illegal, and we don’t recommend you do stuff that could cause injury to yourself — or land you in the slammer. Just because pot is legal in Colorado, Oregon, Washington State and Alaska doesn’t mean police in South Carolina will cut you a break. Trust us — they won’t.

Our advice? Don’t do drugs. But if you do, don’t be an idiot about it. Taking something you’ve never heard of is idiotic; so is taking something from someone you don’t know. Taking a large dose of anything is idiotic. Doing heroin or fentanyl is a lot more dangerous than taking a puff off a joint. And taking anything without being in the presence of people you know and trust is just asking for disaster.

Should disaster strike, don’t wait to call for help. If there’s immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, consider USC’s Substance Abuse Prevention & Education line at 803-777-3933 (@SAPEatUSC on Twitter or sape@sc.edu via email) or the Lexington/Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council (lradac.org) at 803-7269300 (Richland County) or 803-7269400 (Lexington County).

2015 | free-times.com

Former state Prosecutor, over 14 years experience practicing law.

free-times.com | 2015

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The average student racks up almost $30,000 in debt during college. Photo by John Carlos

Money I

s it possible to spend $1,000 on pizza and Chinese takeout?

Yes, it is.

Luckily, you’re too smart to do that. A 2013 Pew Research report shows that millennials are more financially cautious than their parents and are carrying less credit card debt. Among college students, the average credit card debt is just $499, according to creditcards.com.

That’s the good news — the bad news is that debt can explode if you’re not careful. As nice as it is to buy iPhones and to eat out whenever you want to, it’s not the smart play.

Here are a few College Board tips for how you can avoid falling into the credit card debt trap: (1) consider using a debit card (which deducts from your checking account) instead of a credit card (which is a loan you have to pay back).

(2) beware of introductory teaser rates, late fees and rates on cash advances. (3) pay bills promptly, and pay the full balance off if you can (4) use credit only if you’re certain you are able to repay the debt (5) avoid impulse shopping on your credit card (6) save your credit card for a money emergency.

Bottom line: Know what you are spending, and don’t spend more than you have to.

That’s where a budget comes in. It will help you get a handle on your monthly expenses — rent, food, car, phone, everything — and figure out how much you can reasonably afford to spend on pizza or beer. Make it easy on yourself: Download a budget app now. Some popular ones include Mint, Pennies, Left to Spend, Slice, Moneydance and Jumsoft Money.

As important as your monthly budget is, it’s also important to think about the bigger picture of how much you’re spending to be in college. There’s a good MONEY | FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE

chance that you, your parents or both are racking up a fortune in debt to pay your tuition.

The average student racks up almost $30,000 in student debt — a number that increases every year — but there are variations: Students at public schools pile up slightly less debt, while students at private and for-profit schools generally end up deeper in debt.

Now, there’s a difference between “good debt” and “bad debt.” Loans to pay for your education are generally considered good — because the earnings potential of a college graduate is much higher than that of someone who has only a high school diploma.

Still, you should take into consideration the amount of debt you’re taking on in relation to the earnings potential of your particular field. Science, computer, technical and health care fields, for example, will generally offer more earnings potential than journalism, English and art history. We’d never tell you not to develop your creative potential, but when your parents hassle you about coming up with a backup plan, it’s not because they’re jerks — it’s because they don’t want to be paying on your $100,000 debt after you land a $24,000 job. See how that math works?

Regardless of what field you’re in, only take out as much in student loans as you absolutely need. If you can offset the amount of loans you need with a parttime job, do it: It could take years off what you are paying back later. Plus, if you can limit the amount of money you need to borrow now, it might give you more flexibility when it comes to deciding what job to take after you graduate.

2015 | free-times.com

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free-times.com | 2015

FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE

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POWERED BY

WELCOME BACK STUDENTS!

FROM THURSDAY 8.20-9AM TO SUNDAY 8.23-MIDNIGHT

DOWNLOAD THE APP TODAY!

ALL RIDES ARE ONLY 99¢ A HALF HOUR!

APP IS AVAILABLE IN THE APP STORE AND GOOGLE PLAY. Search SCOOTAWAY SCOOTERS

(Normally $2.99)

EVERY SUNDAY BETWEEN 1-6PM at the Fieldhouse across from TLC- 936 S. Stadium Rd. • HOW TO USE THE APP • HOW TO RIDE SAFELY • ½ HOUR CLASSES

Each participant will get a free T-shirt and $10 towards scooter rides

www.SCOOTAWAY.com Like or follow us to look for specials

scootawayscooters

@scootawayscoot

Rent scooters from your phone by the hour or in 30 minute increments. $2.99/30 min. Gas, parking, insurance and helmet included. Pick them up and drop them off at any of our multiple locations around Columbia and USC.

2015 | free-times.com