COLLEGE GUIDE 16/17
Welcome to Columbia
I
t’s even hotter than you expected, right? That’s Columbia, for you. But the city is also some other things. Columbia is a thriving state capital city with plenty of options for live music, museums, arts and eating out. It’s a city where the state’s flagship college, the University of South Carolina, and smaller schools, like Allen University, Benedict College and Columbia College, are expanding and fueling more housing, dining and shopping downtown. And this is a big city with big-city issues of crime, traffic, homelessness and trains that will block your path to class.
contents 30 Introduction to Columbia 30 City Map & Neighborhoods
Just be alert and cautious, you should do fine. Each year, Free Times assembles a guide to help college students navigate the city, which hopefully should encourage you to step outside campus or your housing complex. Let this not be the only time you pick up a copy of Free Times or visit our website — free-times.com. (Or go without our app.) Each week, we offer the region’s most comprehensive word on nightlife, music, art and food. We also have news about the universities and other happenings around Columbia. And it all comes at a price to fit your budget: It’s free. — Andy Shain
36 Shopping 42 Food
46 Music & Nightlife 47 Safety 48 Sexual Assault 49 Social Media 50 Sports ON THE COVER: USC’s Horseshoe. Photo by Andy Shain
City Map & Neighborhoods
R
ather than having one downtown district, Columbia has several — plus some farther-flung areas you’ll probably visit for recreation and shopping.
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 The Station, a big student housing project at Harden and Gervais 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.
Northeast / Clemson Road / Blythewood
Irmo / Harbison / Dutch Fork
Lake Murray
St. Andrews / Broad and Bush River Roads
Downtown
Forest Acres
Vista Lexington
State Street / West Columbia /
Cayce / Vista West
USC / South Main
Five Points / Devine Street / Shandon Fort Jackson
Olympia Rosewood
The Vista This converted warehouse district is largely known for its many dining options and art galleries, but it’s also home to several 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. 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.
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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 Good Life Café; Drip on Main is feeding the area’s caffeine addiction; Soda City Market keeps things busy on Saturdays; Mast
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General Store serves as a retail anchor; First Thursdays on Main has created an arts-district sensibility in the area; Tapp’s Arts Center has good art, music and programs; 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 twitter.com/freetimessc
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to nab some of the students’ so-called “disposable” income. Whether it’s coffee, 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 the massive Fort JackAugust 17-23, 2016
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State Street / West Columbia / Cayce / Vista West Just across the Gervais Street bridge sits an eclectic mix of nightspots, galleries, gift shops and restaurants — among them Café Strudel, Gallery West and Frame of Mind (all on State Street), which not only sells eyewear but also presents occasional cabaret and vaudeville shows. Of particular note to music fans: the long-running New Brookland Tavern, known for rock, metal and punk shows; and Bill’s Music Shop, the home of local bluegrass. 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 and Cayce Riverwalks.
Irmo / Harbison / Dutch Fork
Five Points | PHOTO BY JONATHAN SHARPE
son, 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.
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 the expansive Village at Sandhill shopping area, the Northeast also boasts some major employers, including Providence Northeast. Also sports such unique local spots as Solstice Kitchen and Wine Bar and the seasonal Sandhills Farmers Market.
St. Andrews / Broad and Bush River Roads Don’t let the gritty sprawl fool you: If you look closely, there are hidden gems in this area — especially if you like ethnic foods. Among the treats: 2 Gingers, Delhi Palace, Inakaya Japanese Restaurant and the Indian Grocery. It’s not all food, either: Manifest Discs, Sims Music and Heroes & Dragons Comics also call this area home.
The Vista | PHOTO BY THOMAS HAMMOND
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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. The area’s only Costco opened in August near Harbison. 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 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 nice stadium for the Lexington County Blowfish baseball team.
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.
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Services for men include “The Harrison Ford” — a scalp treatment, cut, hot towel service and beard trim with a beer or bourbon.
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Downtown Columbia | PHOTO BY THOMAS HAMMOND
You are not alone. We understand. We care.
Olympia | PHOTO BY THOMAS HAMMOND
Forest Acres Housing options abound in the tree-filled 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.)
Rosewood
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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, twitter.com/freetimessc
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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, and City Roots sustainable farm.
Olympia This area on the southwestern edge of the USC campus features such residential anchors as The Mills and Aspyre. The area also features California Dreaming, a longrunning 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. August 17-23, 2016
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Salty’s Surf Shop | PHOTO BY AUSTIN PRICE
Shopping
P
ockets of shopping are all around the Columbia area. There are some great stores in Forest Acres and along State Street in West Columbia, and a bit farther out are the region’s big malls, Columbiana Centre and the Village at
Vintage/Consignment/ Discount
Sandhill. But students wanting to stay a bit closer to campus can find some variety in Five Points and the Vista and along Main and Devine streets. Here are some highlights.
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Sid N Nancy: Consignment store for hip clothes and jewelry shoppers who enjoy the hunt — and like to sell and trade. (Five Points: 733 Saluda Ave., 803-779-6454, shopsidnancy.com)
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Clothing and More Mast General Store: Staple of the Carolinas has anything from outdoors clothes to button-down shirts to kitchen items to candy. (Downtown: 1601 Main St., 803-771-2300, mastgeneralstore.com/ columbia)
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LaRoque: Flagship store for maker of unique, eye-catching dresses, skirts and tops. (Shandon/Rosewood: 2700 Devine St., 803-765-6062, www.shoplaroque.com)
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Revente: A designer consignment shop that stocks the runway labels without the high-end prices. (Five Points: 737 Saluda Ave., 803-256-3076, shoprevente.com) Gentleman’s Closet: Retro and basic men’s clothing. (Five Points: 717 Saluda Ave., 803-256-3868, facebook.com/ Gentlemans-Closet-146078115437032)
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The OOPS! Co.: Catalog clothing at reduced prices along with quirky, creative gifts. (Five Points: 601 Harden St., 803-252-8734, theoopsco.com)
HandPicked | PHOTO BY JOHN CARLOS free-times.com
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Revente | PHOTO BY ANDY SHAIN
Urban Outfitters: Clothes smart, hip and flexible enough to go from the classroom to a night out. (Vista: 912 Gervais St., 803-254-5381, urbanoutfitters.com) Bohemian: Stocks stylish women’s clothing, accessories, shoes and jewelry. (Five Points: 707 Saluda Avenue, 803-256-0629, shop-bohemian.com)
Your Original Source for Authentic Brands like Medicali, Roor and much more.
Mainstream Boutique: Apparel, accessories and jewelry that is “out of the ordinary.” (Shandon/Rosewood: 3217 Devine St., 803-834-7330, www.columbia.mainstreamboutique.com)
For Stylish Guys Britton’s: Won a bit of fame for its howto video on tying a bow tie. Carries a full range of clothes and accessories for men and women. (Shandon/Rosewood: 2818 Devine St., 803-771-2700, brittonsofcolumbia.com) Granger Owings: Top brands in suits and trousers to shoes and shirts — casual or formal. Carries women’s clothing, too. Also head across Main Street to the store’s younger offshoot, Bespoke. (Downtown: 1333 Main St., 803-252-6714, grangerowings.com)
Off Beat Loose Lucy’s: A good place if you’re looking for hippie and bohemian threads and merchandise. (Five Points: 709 Saluda Ave., 803-252-1390, www.looselucys.com)
2013
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2015
Hip-Wa-Zee: Noted for eclectic costumes for themed parties — or vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories to wear every day. (Five Points: 940 Harden St., 803-376-1500, hipwazee.net)
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Accessorize Good for the Sole: Carries top shoe brands. (Five Points: 728 Saluda Ave., 803-254-9488, facebook.com/ GoodForTheSoleShoes) HandPicked: Creative and trendy jewelry. (Shandon/Rosewood: 2822 Devine St., 803-251-2946, behandpicked.com)
Outdoors/Sports/ Skating Todd & Moore Sporting Goods: Locally owned, offers athletic wear, shoes and goods for all sports. (Vista: 620 Huger St., 803-765-0150, toddandmoore.com) Strictly Running: Running gear and shoes as well as info on area races. (Shandon/Rosewood: 2515 Devine St., 803-799-4786, strictlyrunning.com) Half-Moon Outfitters: Gear, clothing and footwear. (Shandon/Rosewood: 2912 Devine St., 929-0771, halfmoonoutfitters.com) The Backpacker: First opened in 1973, carries gear and top brands. (Vista: 1215 Wayne St., 803-799-7571, backpackerqualitygear.com) Bluetile Skateshop: Skater-owned skate shop carries a variety of skateboards, equipment, shoes and clothing brands. (Five Points: 621 Harden St., 803-3761880, bluetilesc.com) Salty’s Surf Shop: Board sports, gear, clothing, accessories, swimwear, sunglasses and flip-flops. (Shandon/Rosewood: 2712 Devine St., 803-748-9946, saltysboardshop.com)
Natural Vibrations: Sells everything from clothes to jewelry to glass and smoking accessories in an incense-filled environment. (Five Points: 719 Harden St., 803-771-4144) free-times.com
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Andy’s Deli | FILE PHOTO
Food
C
hances are you’ll never eat as terribly as you do in college. But even if your diet would make a nutritionist weep, here’s a tip: 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 affordable eateries catering to the college crowd.
THE WHIG | FILE PHOTO
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.
College Delis
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.
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:
Pita Pit (2002 Greene St., 803-7994557, pitapitusa.com) will make you feel virtuous (actual vegetables!) while still filling you up.
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., 803-2543266, danosdelivers.com) is a low-key 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., 803-252-6931) 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., 803-799-1311, thirstyfellow.com) makes a kickass crust and has a great beer selection. Located right across Blossom Street from the Greek Village. Village Idiot (2009 Devine St., 803252-8646; 4517 Forest Dr., 803-7875005; 612 Whaley St., 803-252-8646; villageidiotpizza.com) is a venerable institution with cheap pizza and even cheaper beers.
Delivery Sometimes, you’re studying too hard to get off the couch — or you’re too 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.
Dano’s Pizza | PHOTO BY IVORY WOODS
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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 USC 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 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 Drake — but it serves great bar food (burgers, cheese fries) till late. Tuesday nights mean 75-cent tacos. If you’re up really late, there are a few Waffle Houses (wafflehouse.com) in the area, most notably in Five Points (916 Harden St., 803-799-0313) and next to Williams Brice Stadium (1210 Bluff Road, 803-544-9685).
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white duck taco shop 612 C whaley st columbia, sc 29201 803-814-0374
whiteducktacoshop.com @whiteduckcola
Menkoi Ramen House | FILE PHOTO
Hangover Helper
Tacos and Mexican Food
Margarita Mondays $3 House, $5 Top Shelf - All Day
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.
Want cheap, healthy burritos and tacos? Head to Five Points classic El Burrito (934 Harden St., 803-765-2188).
Extraordinary food, great service, tons of free parking
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.
monday-friday 11:30-2pm - two tacos & a drink for $7 *pork belly & duck add $1 Taco Tuesdays - Any taco and a beverage, second taco free - 4-9pm
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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).
Off the Beaten Path
Southern Comfort
There’s are few greater late-night foods — and no greater sick-day food — than real Japanese ramen. Menkoi Ramen House (Vista: 1004 Gervais St., 803-708-1569) has the good stuff.
Missing grandma’s house? For true Southern comfort food, you’ve got two leading candidates:
Lizard’s Thicket (818 Elmwood Ave., 803-779-6407; for other locations, see lizardsthicket.com) is a local meat-and-three chain that makes indispensable pot roast.
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And Cantina 76 (1301 Main St., 803-764-1769, and 2901-A Devine St., 803-708-6004, cantina76.com) is a good place to impress a date — tasty margaritas, affordable tacos — without spending a million bucks.
Got a hankering for some dessert?
Yesterdays (2030 Devine St., 803799-0196, yesterdayssc.com) is a great non-fratty Five Points bar and a low-key Southern restaurant.
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Tio’s (921 Sumter St., 803-252-7229, tioscolumbiasc.com) is a chill place for a smothered burrito and a Corona.
Now that you’re in Columbia, you’ll need to eat some barbecue. There are lots of worthy contenders; our favorites include Hudson’s Smokehouse (4952 Sunset Blvd., 803-356-1070, hudsonssmokehouse.com) and True BBQ (612 Whaley St., 803-803-252-8646, true-bbq. com) — and Palmetto Pig (530 Devine St., 803-733-2556, palmettopig.com) is a center-city classic.
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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.
Arkos Mojo Grill and Martini Bar (109K Old Chapin Rd., 803-785-5660) 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. August 17-23, 2016
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Music & Nightlife
Y
eah, Columbia’s not the biggest place in the world. It’s not New York or Chicago. It’s not even Atlanta or Charlotte. I doesn’t boast the variety of entertainment and nightlife options that those larger cities have. But that doesn’t mean Columbia’s boring. The local music scene is on the upswing, flush with exciting local bands; an auditorium (the venerable Township) that has names like Jill Scott, Jason Isbell and Bob Dylan scheduled for the coming months; 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, there’s pretty much always **something** to do. 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. Upcoming concerts include Maroon 5 and Carrie Underwood. 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.
Breweries 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.
Nightlife
USC CAMPUS / MAIN STREET
Sheraton Rooftop Lounge | PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN BARKER
Bourbon
Sheraton Rooftop Lounge
1214 Main St., 803-403-1404 bourboncolumbia.com
1400 Main St., 803-988-1400
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
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
1200 Main St., 803-931-8852 thewhig.org
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.
Main Street Public House 1556 Main St., 803-834-3409 mainstreetpublichouse.com
New downtown hangout offers a wellstocked bar with wide tap selection to go along with fancy-bar-food eats.
This dark, underground bohemia offers good, cheap beer and good, cheap liquor to go along with good, cheap eats.
FIVE POINTS / SHANDON / ROSEWOOD Bar None
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 shepherd’s pie, fish-n-chips, pot roast.
The Cotton Gin
Established in 1994, this is where the bartenders and servers go to wind down after all the other bars close. Relaxed
This bar’s mission is “celebrating the Roaring ‘20s in style.”
632 Harden St., 803-466-5566
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.
1022 Senate St., 803-252-9392 musicfarm.com
Group Therapy
With a capacity that exceeds 1,000, the Music Farm offers a crucial large-sized club option for the local music scene. Expect a mix of Americana up-and-comers, feisty indie rock bands and other cool events.
2107 Greene St., 803-256-1203 grouptherapybar.com
Columbia’s quintessential college bar was recently bought by former USC QB Steve Tanneyhill.
New Brookland Tavern
The Horseshoe
122 State St., 803-791-4413 newbrooklandtavern.com
724 Harden St., thehorseshoecola.com
Cheap drinks in a relaxed atmosphere — this new bar succeeds with a familiar Five Points formula.
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-the-rise touring bands.
Jake’s
2112 Devine St., 803-708-4788 jakesofcolumbia.com
Friendly to all people — and during the popular Yappy Hours, dogs — Jake’s is more refined and relaxed than your typical college bar with multiple drink stations
River Rat Brewery | PHOTO BY JOHN CARLOS
MUSIC&NIGHTLIFE | FREE TIMES COLLEGE
atmosphere, smart playlists and absurdly delicious smoked wings.
620 Harden St., 803-254-3354
Music Farm Columbia
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Salty Nut Cafe
wallet-friendly weekly specials and a heaping helping of revelry.
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 USC’s campus, and thus likely the first stop on many pub crawls. A great, cozy spot for a beer or some food.
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.
The Thirsty Parrot
734 Harden St., 803-708-4768
Like Jimmy Buffett? You’ll most likely dig this place, which offers fine burger and spirits in an easygoing atmosphere.
TLC Sports Bar and Grill
Music Farm | PHOTO BY THOMAS HAMMOND
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
936 S. Stadium Rd., 803-251-3087 facebook.com/theloosecockaboose
Safety Columbia has roughly 133,000 residents, which means you’re not just surrounded by students on campus, but an entire urban area as well. Part of staying it safe is knowing what’s going on in your community and who to call when things get out of hand.
2100-B Devine St., 803-929-1118 facebook.com/luckysin5points
Emergency
For the Vista experience in Five Points, Lucky’s is your place — good wine and beer selection and an outdoor patio.
Columbia Police Department
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 longtime stomping ground of college revelers and serves as hallowed ground for many in the fraternity and sorority circles.
Publick House
2307 Devine St., 803-256-2207 publick-house.com
Exceptional beer selection, challenging trivia, hip music selection, über-friendly staff, good burgers and the best raw fries around.
1 Justice Square Columbia, SC 29201 803-545-3500
University Police Department 1415 Henderson Street (1600 Hampton Street Annex) Columbia, SC 29208 803-777-4215
Student Health Services 1409 Devine St. Columbia, SC 29208 803-777-3957
2009 Devine St., 803-252-8646 villageidiotpizza.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.
THE VISTA Art Bar
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. Saturdays (and occasional Thursdays) are filled with fun touring bands and established locals.
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.
Capital Club
Columbia’s quintessential college-town pizza joint in a pub atmosphere. It’s the perfect place for delicious fare, cold beer,
1002 Gervais St., 803-256-6464 capitalclubsc.com
This long-running, low-key gay bar is
Humble Pie Best Pizza! Thank you for voting Mellow Mushroom
Carolina Alert system carolinaalert.sc.edu @CarolinaAlert facebook.com/CarolinaAlert
Campus Counseling Center Close/Hipp Building, Fifth Floor 1705 College St. 803-777-5223
Publico serves tacos, has a nice tap selection, and whips up a great, spicy house margarita — all of which goes great with the big retractable windows during the warmer months.
USC Campus Safety Hub
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Village Idiot
2030 Devine St., 803-799-0196 yesterdayssc.com
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Publico
2013 Greene St., 803-567-5738 publicokitchenandtap.com
Want to party it up before or after a football game? The Loose Cockaboose, TLC for short, is the ultimate Gamecock bar, located within a stone’s throw of WilliamsBrice.
Yesterdays Restaurant and Tavern
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1009 Gervais St. • 933-9201 MellowMushroom.com/Columbia 5364 Sunset Boulevard Lexington • 359-0778 MellowMushroom.com/LexingtonSC facebook.com/freetimes
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members-only — but it’s not hard to become a member, and then you’ll always have a home at this friendly spot.
the clientele, much-acclaimed menu and massive beer list, we doubt you’ll mind.
Carolina Ale House
902-B Gervais St., 803-888-6462 facebook.com/MoriartysPubSC
708 Lady St., 803-227-7150 Carolinaalehouse.com
Southeastern chain grille-and-groggery 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.
Kelly’s Deli & Pub
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 South Carolina coast, Columbia’s Liberty focuses more on other people’s beer than its own. But between
Moriarty’s Irish Pub
James Pickle, the beloved Columbia bartender who formerly slung drinks at Uncle Louie’s and other establishments, owns this new Irish pub that offers 32 beers on tap and a nice cocktail selection.
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.
SakiTumi
• 4,054 females and 932 males received service from sexual assault centers across South Carolina in 2015. Source: S.C. Coalition
Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
• 1,016 of the perpetrators that could be identified were either friends or acquaintances. Source: S.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
• 753 sexual assaults were cases involving substance abuse, which included alcohol, narcotics and other drugs. Source: S.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
• It is estimated that 1 in every 6 women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. Source: Rape Abuse Incest National
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Network (RAINN).
Sushi, sake and salacious servers … what else could you want out of an über-hip Vista sushi bar?
Social
918 Gervais St., 803-603-4313 socialcolumbiasc.com
One of Columbia’s hottest nightclubs, drawing a variety of EDM artists to get the
621 Gadsden St., 803-799-1311 thirstyfellow.com
The pizza is great — really, all the food is — plus, this close-to-campus bar is superfriendly, offers great beers and has a great deck area.
www.sc.edu/about/initiatives/safety/ stop_sexual_assault/index.php 803-777-8248
Office of Student Conduct James F. Byrnes Building, Ste. 201 www.sa.sc.edu/osc 803-777-4333
University Police Department 1415 Henderson St. (1600 Hampton St. Annex) 803-777-4215
2711 Middleburg Dr., #212 803-256-2900
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Wild Wing Café
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. 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.
The Woody
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.
Uncle Fester’s Sports Bar
World of Beer
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.
Offers over 500 different beers. Yes, Virginia: Five hundred beers on draft and in bottles. Wine and cigars, too.
522 Devine St., 803-748-9897
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.
South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
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.
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.
1125 Park St., 803-933-9833
3830 Forest Dr., Ste. 201 803-771-7273
800 Gervais St., 803-779-5650 wetwillies.com
729 Lady St., 803-252-9464 wildwingcafe.com
1022 Senate St., 830-771-1558 tinroofofcolumbia.com
Uncle Louie’s
Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands
Wet Willie’s
Tin Roof
Tsunami
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention
MUSIC&NIGHTLIFE | FREE TIMES COLLEGE GUIDE
party going, along with live rock bands on the spacious patio.
Thirsty Fellow
807 Gervais St., 803-931-0700 sakifresh.com
Sexual Assault Okay, you’re an adult now — so they tell you — which probably means that sex will be a constant theme during your college experience. Have fun, but be safe. And if you’ve been a victim of sexual assault, don’t hesitate to get help. You are not alone.
Jake’s | PHOTO BY KEVIN KYZER
Twisted Spur
705 Gervais St., 803-764-0203 facebook.com/twistedspurbrewing
902-F Gervais St., 803-509-6020 worldofbeer.com
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.
Columbia’s newest brewery is also a bar and full-service restaurant that stays open until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
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Social Media Accounts Every College Student Should Follow @FreeTimesSC (Twitter) @columbiafreetimes (Instagram)
@Dawnstaley (Twitter)
Want to know what’s happening around Columbia? We’ve got you covered. 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.
Whether she’s warming up the fans, joking with former players or tweeting about her latest meal, it seems like USC’s women basketball coach is always having a good time.
A BRITISH Pub with an INTERNATIONAL flavor in FOOD, SPORTS & SOUND (2015-16)
BEST SPORTS BAR
@GamecockFB (Twitter/Instagram) Football is kind of a big deal at the University of South Carolina. Follow for videos and interviews from your favorite SEC team.
@Colatownfoodie (Twitter/Instagram) This account is always a top choice in our Best of Columbia reader’s poll — and for good reason. It’s one of the best at promoting local restaurants around the Midlands.
@DrinkingTicket (Twitter) You’ll have plenty of chances to drink 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.
@SodaCitySC (Twitter/Instagram) The Soda City Market on Main Street always draws a crowd and features items from both local and regional food and craft vendors. It’s like a community block party every Saturday rain or shine.
(2011-16)
BEST LOCAL BAR (2015-16) (RUNNER-UP)
@NickTheatre (Twitter/Instagram) If you like movies, you should be following the Nick, which showcases lesserknown films, documentaries and even indie productions shot using an iPhone. Beer and the occasional special cocktail are added plusses.
@UofSC (Twitter/Instagram) Giving your future alma mater a quick follow probably isn’t the worst idea in the world. Highlights the accomplishments of both current and graduate student, and posts updates on general campus occurrences.
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Sports
I
n Columbia, sports — mostly college sports —are a really big deal. Major Gamecock squads are on the upswing. Men’s basketball tied a 46-year-old school record for most wins in a season last year. Women’s hoops won a third-straight regular-season SEC title, received a fifth consecutive NCAA tournament bid and drew a national-best 14,364 fans per game. USC Baseball, the 2010 and 2011 national champions, reached the super regionals for the first time in three years. And football … has cool new black helmets? After its worst season in 16 years punctuated by the mid-season resignation of coach Steve Spurrier, USC hired former Florida coach Will Muschamp to turn around the program. He’s brought some excitement with recruiting and a new catchphrase, “Spurs Up,” though that might not be enough to win games in the SEC this season. But even in the worst of years, the electricity inside the 80,250-seat WilliamsBrice Stadium remains high enough to power the State Fair. And SEC football is a key reason why some (OK, many) students choose to come
Williams-Brice Stadium | FILE PHOTO
to Columbia. Free student tickets for football, doled out through an online ticket distribution system, will be in high demand.
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Some advice on going to football games: • Know the keys to snatching football seats: having a valid Carolina Card; using tickets you receive to avoid having privileges revoked for the season; and building points by attending non-SEC games or double-point games in other sports. (Learn more at www.sa.sc.edu/studenttickets) • Put on walking shoes. Unless you like sitting traffic, the best bet is to walk to Williams-Brice Stadium. Sure, gameday shuttles are available, but they run into the same roadblocks as any other vehicle. • Stay for the whole game. Nothing is more depressing than seeing a half-empty student section. “Sandstorm” is just not the same.
C
olumbia has another school that plays football on Saturdays, one that offers more a small-college experience than USC. Benedict College, a private historically black school, will have five homes games this year in the 11,000-seat Charlie W. Johnson Stadium just north of downtown Columbia. Even though the Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference school has not had a winning season in six years, Benedict’s Marching Tigers Band of Distinction is a game-day highlight.
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