Oh baby, there is nothing like it. Under a Carolina sky and palmetto trees in the city of dreams and Gamecocks, Columbia is the place to be on an autumn weekend. Not only is this a fun city for students, as it’s practically a collegiate playground with nightlife, boutiques, sports, and tailgating. But also, Columbia is home to many families and young adults who share the same passion for the city’s ambiance. Being that I lived here for four years, I was able to gain a wholesome experience of both vibes the city offers and create many wonderful memories. So today, I am thrilled to share with you all the great eats, drinks, shops, and activities you can find in Cola! As I mentioned, there’s no better time than a fall weekend (home football weekend, of course) in Columbia, and once you’re through with this article I think you’ll agree. Here’s everything you need to know for when you visit my beloved second home, Gamecock Country.
Football
“I am a sea of garnet and black with a sound that doesn’t just pierce the air, it penetrates your soul...Where your wakeup call is our battle cry. Trespassers beware, to enter, is to sacrifice. It is Saturday in South Carolina…Welcome to Williams-Brice.” This snippet of UofSC’s football team’s field entrance gives me full body chills every time I hear it, even when I’m hundreds of miles away.
Willy B is a magical place and not to mention, one of the top 20 largest stadiums in all of college football. If you think your team’s fans are loud, I bet you mine will make your ears ring. With our contagious sandstorm, fun chants that make the stands vibrate, and unmatched school spirit, Gamecock fans will make your experience in Williams Brice unforgettable. So much so, that you’ll be wishing you were a Gamecock yourself. Game day Saturdays are also extra fun because the state of SC does not have an NFL team, which brings residents all across the state to Columbia to cheer us on (big community and major Friday Night Lights feel). Join the community of Gamecocks when you visit and plan to see a game! Here are the best spots to tailgate when you do arrive:
Fairgrounds Tailgating: The South Carolina State Fairgrounds property opens up each game day for visitors and families to tailgate the game. For just $40 a car, you can pack up your tailgate bundle of food, drinks, and gear and set up camp overlooking Willy B. Located right across the front side of the stadium, this is the most convenient tailgate spot for visitors and has a great backdrop for photos. Some student groups and alumni tend to join the party here as well, which makes the scene very fun and presents a nice welcome to Carolina sports. While there are season pass holders here, you will have no problem setting up your tailgate party here on the day of the game as it is a very expansive property.
Gamecock Park: you can also set your car in Gamecock Park, which is to the right side of the stadium, for a day of tailgating. At the same price as the Fairgrounds, Gamecock Park is based on a first come first serve basis and fills up relatively quick due to its small size. Nonetheless, a beautiful place to set up camp and take in the scene that is SEC game day!
Restaurants: If you’re looking to just head to local restaurants to grab a bite and a few drinks before, during, or after the game, there are two great ones in close distance to the stadium. Both River Rat Brewery and J’s Corner are great spots for hearty food, beer, and cocktails to prepare you for the game.
Food
There is such a big food scene in Columbia with restaurants for whatever vibe you’re looking for. Of course, my friends and I frequented the usual spots that we had grown to become more than weekly diners at, but that’s just because they are so damn good! Here are a few of our favorites and one’s you should definitely check out when you visit.
Cafes
Cool Beans - I shed a tear just thinking about Cool Beans and how far away I am from an iced caramel coffee right now. This cafe has a vibe that is similar to Central Perk from the television show Friends. With a very artsy and cozy atmosphere and tons of cafe drinks to choose from, this is the spot to be when studying for an exam or completing homework. I can confidently state that I sat in Cool Beans at least three times a week throughout college, prepping work while sippin’ on lattes. The barista eventually knew my name, y’all - that’s how often I was there. Absolutely go here when you visit Columbia and enjoy a coffee for me!
Drip - very strong espresso, enough to power me through a long night of accounting homework (and if you know me and business, you know how strong that espresso must be)
Blue Flour Bake Shop - the cutest lil’ bakery with fun cookie decorations and tasty coffee and tea
Breakfast
Diprato's - fantastic, mouthwatering brunch only on weekends, but always the spot to be on a Sunday morning
The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli - very good egg sandwiches with a side of a mini fresh, homemade cinnamon roll. And if you have a big sweet tooth like I do, you may even order a delicious specialty cinnamon roll all for yourself!
Carolina Cafe - best place if you’re craving a bagel or quick breakfast sandwich (spent a lot of mornings here after late nights out...the perfect cure)
Cafe Strudel - located in West Columbia but worth the extra 5 minutes in the car! There’s a self serve coffee bar, need I say more?
Liberty Tap Room - while only served on Sundays, Liberty's brunch is fantastic. Definitely start off your morning with the hot and fresh Mini Blueberry Muffins basket, they are so incredibly yummy.
Lunch & Dinner
Cantina 76 - this establishment took every penny I ever made and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Great tex mex tacos, salads, enchiladas, guac, and queso. And the margaritas...order the Strawberry Basil and thank me later.
Pawley’s Front Porch - the best burger in Cola is found right here in Five Points! My favorite is the Wadmalaw burger with a side of sweet potato fries. Be sure to get a basket of fried pickle chips as an appetizer, but save room for the entree because you won’t want to let a bite go to waste.
Publico Kitchen & Tap - excellent margaritas, palomas, and sangria that can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors on their back patio. You can also always count on Publico for a great quesadilla and nachos.
Taziki's - love Greek food? Look no further than Taziki's to satisfy your craving for a hand crafted gyro or traditional Greek lemon chicken soup!
Carolina Ale House - classic American food spot and a great fix if you’re craving buttermilk battered chicken fingers and fries
Thirsty Fellow - the Grilled Chicken Sandwich with a large side of ranch...that is all
Home Team BBQ - a relatively new restaurant since my time at school, but excellent barbecue food nonetheless! Also conveniently located in the nightlife area, Five Points, making a perfect meal before a night out.
Hibachi House - this small establishment across from the back of the SC Statehouse has the best hibachi in the city, no doubt. The grilled chicken and vegetables with rice and yum yum sauce is absolutely delicious.
Cola’s - a fancier establishment where college kids take their parents to when in town. Try the Pan Seared Crab Cakes or BBQ Glazed Salmon!
Hall’s Chophouse - steakhouse on Main Street that’s great for celebrating an occasion or just satisfying a craving for a nice meal and cocktail
Dessert
Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe - a cafe specifically dedicated to serving desserts? Yes, please. With a rotating selection of cakes and pastries, Kaminsky’s has new sweet treats daily that its guests drool over. My favorite dishes here are the Berry Cobbler, the Brownie Sundae, the Peanut Butter Cup Milkshake, and the Grasshopper Hot Chocolate.
Rosewood Dairy Bar - another spot I frequented weekly. Perfect spot for a quick milkshake after a long day of classes or to grab ice cream before a famously fiery Cola sunset.
Marble Slab Creamery - this ice cream shop makes sweet concoctions based on your preference of flavors and toppings. Just choose an ice cream base and whatever toppings you like and the staff will roll out your cup of ingredients on a marble slab and fold the toppings into the ice cream for deliciousness in every bite.
Drinks
Thomas Rhett said it best in his latest hit single, there is “nothing that a beer can’t fix.” Lucky for you, Columbia has a ton of spots where you can order up a longneck, craft beer, or mixed drink. For a more casual ambiance, head to Five Points where young adults and of-age college students hangout at their favorite spots. For a more upscale night on the town, head to Main Street or the Vista for a drink at the bar. Whatever mood you’re in, I got you covered. Check out my list of casual and fancier places to grab a drink or clink your glass.
Casual
Jakes on Devine - practically a haven for beer lovers, dog huggers, and people who just know how to have a good freaking time. During my senior year at UofSC, I was loyally at Jake’s every Wednesday night for pint night along with every one of our friends and classmates. This is simply the place to be and I’ve had countless nights spent here making memories with friends. Jake’s is the place I sing Morgan Wallen’s hit “This Bar” to, proudly and emotionally.
Salty Nut Cafe - LIT pitchers, Blue Moon pitchers, and lots of peanuts have been consumed here. This is another place that I will brag about for the rest of my life, I even have a shirt from this place - that’s how much I love it. You could always find us here on Wednesday nights, definitely losing in trivia but certainly having many laughs and good times.
Breakers Live - looking to dance to live music? B-Live is the place for you. This is one of my favorite bars to end the night with, singing along to classic hits the band strum out on stage, vodka soda in hand, and all my good friends dancing beside me. To be young and in college again, am I right?
Village Idiot - one of the best spots to watch Carolina sports games, specifically basketball in the Winter. Grab a pie of pizza and drinks for the table and cheer loudly for your Carolina Gamecocks. My friends and I watched UofSC’s men’s and women’s basketball take on the Final Four at Village Idiot and those are nights that will always make me smile looking back on.
Carolina Western Pub - y'all...if you want to get a taste of the south, you have to check out this pub. CWP is a line dancing pub where you can stomp your boots to the beat and learn new dances from those who have line danced their whole lives. Being a New Yorker, I had absolutely no idea how to line dance and I was even nervous that I would look like a fool compared to the women who could be professionals next to me. Ten minutes later and with a little help from the crowd, I learned the moves and was line dancing like a pro. That was hands down one of the most fun nights I had, full of laughter and new experiences with a bunch of northerners learning a little bit about the South.
And if you’re looking for the best breweries to visit while in Cola, look no further than this article I wrote a few months back detailing the best of the best.
Formal
Vista Union - this is a very hip spot in The Vista where locals and visitors can enjoy playing billiards or just chatting among cocktails at the bar. Vista Union has weekly specials including $3 mules on Mondays, Tipsy Bingo on Tuesdays, and Service Industry and College Nights on Sundays.
Bourbon - creatively designed cocktails and (you guessed it) lots of whiskey can be found here. While definitely a more formal vibe, Bourbon is a fun up-scale atmosphere located on Main Street near the SC Statehouse.
Hendrix - a rooftop bar located on Main Street that’s a great place to catch the sunset and cheers a glass on a Friday night. Excellent service, sleek and modern interior, and unique drinks can be found at Hendrix.
Soda City
How to best spend your Saturday mornings would be to stroll down Main Street for a few hours taking in all that the Soda City Farmers Market has to offer. The street is blocked off to cars these days and becomes home to hundreds of tents with various vendors beneath them. Food trucks and stands, apparel shops, jewelry designers, coffee on wheels, home decor vendors, fresh grocery stands, and local businesses align the sides of Main Street for the city to engage with. I’ve never seen an empty Soda City market before and I frequented the farmers market on many weekends throughout the four years I lived in Columbia. This place is always packed and bustling with people (and lots of dogs) who are all happy to enjoy a beautiful morning outside and support local businesses. I’ve purchased handmade paintings on wooden canvases made right in front of me, bracelets made from a small business owner, and tons of fresh food from the market before. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday (rain or shine), Soda City puts on this amazing event that you must see for yourself! Take a peek at their Instagram here to get a glimpse of what the farmers market is all about.
Live Music
The music scene in Columbia is shockingly amazing for such a small city. Being a college town with tens of thousands of students definitely helps attract many artists and bands as well. During my time at Carolina, I saw many big name artists and groups, such as Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Post Malone, and Chris Lane. If you love to scream and sing at the top of your lungs in a big arena or enjoy a smaller scene where you're only feet away from the artist on stage, you’ll love a concert in Cola. Here are the venues where you can count on seeing some great performers, once covid clears and live music returns, of course.
The Senate - a 1200 capacity event hall located conveniently in The Vista where bands and artists perform, some well known and established and others just beginning in the industry. This is a great location because it’s walking distance from the university, many restaurants and bars, and great hotels. Performers who sang on stage here when I was in school included Loud Luxury, Morgan Wallen, Riley Green, Lauv, Chris Lane, Bryce Vine, Fitz and the Tantrums, Granger Smith, Hardy, Chase Rice, Jimmie Allen, and many more.
Colonial Life Arena - home to the University of South Carolina and the Carolina Gamecocks men’s and women’s basketball teams, Colonial Life Arena is a very large venue for concerts, events, sports, and more. Seating 18,000 people, the arena has hosted loud and large concerts - ones that i’ve happily joined in singing along with. Artists and groups who performed here in the past few years include the following: Jason Aldeen, Ariana Grande, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Trey Songz, Hootie & the Blowfish, Cardi B, Elton John, The Eagles, Gucci Mane, The Weeknd, Thomas Rhett, Dan & Shay, Luke Bryan, Brett Eldredge, Post Malone, and more.
Tin Roof, Jake’s, and Breaker’s Live also have live music in their bars on certain nights as well, definitely something to check out for when you'll be in town.
Boutiques
Who doesn’t enjoy shopping? No one. What’s special about Columbia’s shopping scene is that the city is home to many boutiques, all varying in brands and styles, which makes for a unique wardrobe that others will envy to replicate. With most shops located in Five Points, it’s fun to make a day hopping around the different shops and piecing together outfits that others will definitely get their hands on if you don’t. Here are a few of my favorites:
Vestique - can always count on Vestique for fun prints and patterns, as well as, textures! They also have the cutest accessories, shoes, and jewels.
Entourage - you can almost always find something here to sport at the next game day tailgate. Whether it be new shoes, a tube top, or a flirty sundress, Entourage will have you leaving with a bag of goodies in hand.
My Kim Collection - check out the shop’s Instagram here to see the beautiful pieces they have before you head in to try them on!
Wildflower Boutique - feminine and chic pieces found here. Take a look for yourself and get some inspo for your wardrobe from Wildflower.
Dakotas - trendy, artsy, boho. Dresses, sweaters, skirts. Fall collection, gameday pieces, and a comfy selection. Need I continue?
EverRow - my favorite pair of denim shorts and white booties are from this cute lil’ boutique in Five Points. I’ve worn these two pieces a handful of times and the end of their wear and tear is not in the near future, let me tell you.
Activities
Last, but definitely not least, are some activities to add to your list while in Cola. On nights when we weren’t heading down to Five Points or days when we didn’t have classes, my friends and I would go into the city or beyond searching for things to do. Here are a few ways to enjoy the outdoors in Columbia on a sunny day and evening or to have some fun inside if it’s chilly or raining.
Craft Axe Throwing - not as dangerous as you think it may be, but definitely as fun as you imagine! Sam and I had ourselves a night at Craft Axe Throwing in The Vista and surprised ourselves and the staff with how quickly we were able to get a hang of the sport.
The Grand on Main - the Grand is essentially a glorified game night for adults. With bowling lanes, giant Jenga, cornhole, billiards, and more, you can expect to have a fun and interactive night here. Guests can also enjoy a meal, drinks, and a few beers on tap at the Grand (which you can pour yourself)!
The South Carolina State Fair - did I mention that Columbia hosts the state’s largest fair and has the BEST fried foods?! Every single year, I enjoyed a night at the state fair, as did many other students and families in the area. There are so many rides, games, petting zoos, and little performances happening throughout the night. And the food, y’all...so delicious. I've decided that the saying “a moment of the lips forever on the hips” does not apply to fair nights. Indulge in deep fried Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Oreos, funnel cakes, corn dogs, elephant ears, cotton candy, candy apples, soft serve ice cream cones, and caramel corn.
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden - also a very popular spot for families is the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. Families love going here on weekends to walk the botanical garden and many parents take their children to see the animals on nice days. The Zoo also puts on such a wonderful Halloween trick or treat event for the local children in which many UofSC students volunteer at.
Cayce Riverwalk - my friend group definitely took advantage of the Cayce Riverwalk and enjoyed some strolls along the river after a morning of classes or on beautiful sunny weekends. Many locals head here to ride bikes, walk with their families, or jog along the path for an exercise with a view.
Lake Murray - the beautiful and serene Lake Murray is just a short 30 minute drive away from Columbia and UofSC’s campus and is a great spot to check out if you’re in town. During the warmer days and summer season, you can rent kayaks and sailboats to take out on the lake, but what’s amazing year-round is the watercolor sunset that fades beyond the lake’s horizon. We used to grab milkshakes or ice cream on the way to the lake and park near the dam to enjoy our treats as the sky painted a beautiful picture.
Walk the Horseshoe - UofSC has a truly beautiful campus and I’ve been telling everyone I know how great it is since the day I committed to the school. I’ve definitely soaked up every ounce of this campus’ beauty over the course of the years - doing homework outside on the Horseshoe and taking the scenic route to classes among the trees and historic buildings. Each time that my parents came to visit, we’d always find ourselves walking through the Horseshoe until it became an annual tradition. The campus blooms with flowers and greenery in the Spring and is colored all shades of oranges and reds in the Fall. Walking around our campus is an absolute must when you’re in the city, and then you’ll see why every Gamecock speaks so highly of our pretty school.
Congaree National Park - there are many state parks in South Carolina, as well as, a large load of historical sights and plantations the further East you travel. One that is not too far from Columbia is Congaree National Park in Hopkins, SC. A 30 minute drive Southeast will bring you to the park where you can camp, hike, canoe or kayak, and stroll through the nature trails.
South Carolina is a beautiful state and Columbia is a very fun city all in all. Whether you’re there for a long weekend as a tourist or four years a student, know that you are in such a beloved city. It truly is something special and I cannot be more thankful for all the memories I’ve made at UofSC, as well as, in and around the Columbia area. I will always hold a special place in my heart for the Palmetto State and I’m counting down the days until I can be under a Carolina sky again.
So here’s a health to you, Carolina. Forever to thee.