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South Carolina Fans - Travel Question
Posted on 7/22/15 at 8:51 am
Posted on 7/22/15 at 8:51 am
We've got a group coming to South Carolina for the LSU game in October. What is/are the best sports bar(s) in the downtown area or near the Stadium to watch a game? Any preferred golf courses in the area? Any information would be greatly appreciated. 
5
Posted on 7/22/15 at 8:59 am to AdamDeMamp
Hit up the train cars where they tailgate. Five Points is a cool bar area that you can hop around. There's a huge Walmart size beer/wine/liquor store in Columbia. It should be a good time, see you there.
This post was edited on 7/22/15 at 9:04 am
Posted on 7/22/15 at 9:20 am to AdamDeMamp
quote:
What is/are the best sports bar(s) in the downtown area or near the Stadium to watch a game?
The Loose Cockaboose near the stadium is a good time.
As for downtown, you can hit up The Tin Roof, Liberty, or (my favorite) Wild Hare for the game. There's also a Wild Wing Cafe, and a Carolina Ale House, Flying Saucer, and a World of Beer.
It's been a hot minute since I've been around that area, but that's all my memory is pulling back.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 9:22 am to AdamDeMamp
Vol fan here but live in SC and did in Columbia for about a year.
The Vista area is the best area to do your drinking unless you are in college. Then I would focus on Five Points.
I like Liberty, Carolina Ale House and World of Beers for drinking and watching games in the Vista area.
It is not in walking distance of the stadium and tailgating area so you need to take that into account.
You can booze there and Cab it down to the fairgrounds and meet up with another tailgate just fine but if you are wanting to park where you tailgate and walk to bars for a bit and come back that doesn't work there.
The Loose Cocckaboose is the only bar in the stadium area (that I know oof they are making it a lot better so there could be more now) but it is slammed on gamedays so get there early if you want to drink there.
Come down to Charleston if you want to golf.
Deprado's is a great lunch spot. Cantina 76 is a good dinner spot IMO. Pizza Man is some of the be3st pizza I've ever had.
The Vista area is the best area to do your drinking unless you are in college. Then I would focus on Five Points.
I like Liberty, Carolina Ale House and World of Beers for drinking and watching games in the Vista area.
It is not in walking distance of the stadium and tailgating area so you need to take that into account.
You can booze there and Cab it down to the fairgrounds and meet up with another tailgate just fine but if you are wanting to park where you tailgate and walk to bars for a bit and come back that doesn't work there.
The Loose Cocckaboose is the only bar in the stadium area (that I know oof they are making it a lot better so there could be more now) but it is slammed on gamedays so get there early if you want to drink there.
Come down to Charleston if you want to golf.
Deprado's is a great lunch spot. Cantina 76 is a good dinner spot IMO. Pizza Man is some of the be3st pizza I've ever had.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 9:30 am to AdamDeMamp
I like Carolina Ale House for gamedays personally. It's an open air sports bar with tons of TVs and good atmosphere. If you have graduated college go to the Vista. Still in College go to 5 Points. Neither is close to the stadium. SC fans are really friendly and feel free to wander around the Fairgrounds or Farmers Market.
I'm not sure what you are looking for with golf, but my favorite course is Northwoods. Pete Dye's son designed it. It's in decent shape, but it's a fun course and you can bring coolers and such. If your wanting a nice course, Cobblestone Park is it but it is about 25 minutes from Downtown. I can suggest more depending on what kind of course you want.
I'm not sure what you are looking for with golf, but my favorite course is Northwoods. Pete Dye's son designed it. It's in decent shape, but it's a fun course and you can bring coolers and such. If your wanting a nice course, Cobblestone Park is it but it is about 25 minutes from Downtown. I can suggest more depending on what kind of course you want.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 9:59 am to TheMightyTerrier
Appreciate all of the responses. Very much appreciated. We'll be tailgating, etc. on game-day around the stadium. I was more looking for somewhere to watch sports maybe the 1-2 days before after playing golf, etc. We're not college aged and don't want to be the creepy old dudes so I appreciate the explanations as to what is college aged, etc. 
Thanks again. Any other feedback is welcomed.
Thanks again. Any other feedback is welcomed.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 10:15 am to AdamDeMamp
This link will help, and lead to other links about Columbia.
https://www.secrant.com/rant/gamecock-sports/2015-road-trip-to-columbia/56596727/
Basic rule of thumb:
If you're over 25+ years old, go to The Vista area of town
https://www.vistacolumbia.com/
If you're under 25 years old, go to 5 Points area of town
https://fivepointscolumbia.com/
There are so many bars/clubs in both locations, you're going to find something you like.
Sports Bars:
Wild Hare in the Vista
Carolina Ale House in the Vista
Jake's Bar & Grill in 5 Points
Near the stadium? You're going to have more fun walking around with a cooler meeting people or just tailgating yourself than going to a bar.
Golf
https://www.windermereclubsc.com/ - You need to call well ahead here to reserve a tee time, not always open to the public.
https://www.oakhillsgolf.com/ - This is a solid course for the cost.
https://www.timberlakecountryclub.com/ - This is a good one, especially cost wise, out by Lake Murray (west of the city.) It's further out than the other 2 above.
Then there's always Cobblestone (the Old University Club, we have a new club now.)
Strip Club
Platinum Plus near Greystone Blvd.
Food
Mr Friendly's - Southern Food, but $$$
Lizard's Thicket - Southern Food, but cheap (a meat and 3 for $7.)
Palmetto Pig - BBQ, close to campus by Colonial Life Arena.
Motor Supply Company - $$$ but food is really good.
Terra - Across the river in Cayce, SC, but still close to The Vista. Chef Davis is the 2014 SC Chef Of The Year. $$-$$$. Really good duck dishes/specials.
If you're looking for any specific food options, let me know.
https://www.secrant.com/rant/gamecock-sports/2015-road-trip-to-columbia/56596727/
Basic rule of thumb:
If you're over 25+ years old, go to The Vista area of town
https://www.vistacolumbia.com/
If you're under 25 years old, go to 5 Points area of town
https://fivepointscolumbia.com/
There are so many bars/clubs in both locations, you're going to find something you like.
Sports Bars:
Wild Hare in the Vista
Carolina Ale House in the Vista
Jake's Bar & Grill in 5 Points
Near the stadium? You're going to have more fun walking around with a cooler meeting people or just tailgating yourself than going to a bar.
Golf
https://www.windermereclubsc.com/ - You need to call well ahead here to reserve a tee time, not always open to the public.
https://www.oakhillsgolf.com/ - This is a solid course for the cost.
https://www.timberlakecountryclub.com/ - This is a good one, especially cost wise, out by Lake Murray (west of the city.) It's further out than the other 2 above.
Then there's always Cobblestone (the Old University Club, we have a new club now.)
Strip Club
Platinum Plus near Greystone Blvd.
Food
Mr Friendly's - Southern Food, but $$$
Lizard's Thicket - Southern Food, but cheap (a meat and 3 for $7.)
Palmetto Pig - BBQ, close to campus by Colonial Life Arena.
Motor Supply Company - $$$ but food is really good.
Terra - Across the river in Cayce, SC, but still close to The Vista. Chef Davis is the 2014 SC Chef Of The Year. $$-$$$. Really good duck dishes/specials.
If you're looking for any specific food options, let me know.
This post was edited on 7/22/15 at 10:23 am
Posted on 7/22/15 at 10:18 am to CockInYourEar
I'll throw in Hickory Tavern in the Vista behind Flying Saucer, it's a great sports bar with maximum TV/sq ft coverage.
Word of warning--do not park at Flying Saucer if you do not go in there, you will get towed.
Word of warning--do not park at Flying Saucer if you do not go in there, you will get towed.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 10:22 am to CockHolliday
Great info. I should have started on the SC board. We'll be strictly taxi or Uber the whole trip so parking will be no worries.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 10:23 am to AdamDeMamp
quote:
We'll be strictly taxi or Uber the whole trip so parking will be no worries.
That's a good idea.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 10:27 am to AdamDeMamp
Stick to the Vista.
Five points is very young, almost underaged. I'm 25 and even I feel out of place out there at times.
Pawley's is a cool restaurant in 5Points with good burgers, outdoor seating and lots of TVs but that's about it as far as sports bars... it's mainly college dive bars out there.
Devine Street is about a block away from 5points and they also have good bars and restaurants you might wanna check out, it's really close to 5points but for some reason students typically don't wander up that far so it's kind of a hidden gem of an area. I love Publick House on Devine, great vibe and trivia.
The Vista is where you should go for sports bars. Park your car and walk around until you find a place to your liking. My favorite place to watch away games when I was in college would have to be Wild Wings Cafe. I visit Columbia once every 6 months and there's always a new bar in the Vista... My friends took me to this new bar called Whiskey Tavern, great atmosphere there and it's close to the basketball arena (for parking, so you can shuttle to stadium).
I don't golf, but most of my friends do and golf is huge here in SC so you should have no problem finding good courses. My friends use Cobblestone Park, which is actually the facility for USC Golf. It's really nice. It's in Blythewood, about 20 minutes up 1-77 north.
Five points is very young, almost underaged. I'm 25 and even I feel out of place out there at times.
Pawley's is a cool restaurant in 5Points with good burgers, outdoor seating and lots of TVs but that's about it as far as sports bars... it's mainly college dive bars out there.
Devine Street is about a block away from 5points and they also have good bars and restaurants you might wanna check out, it's really close to 5points but for some reason students typically don't wander up that far so it's kind of a hidden gem of an area. I love Publick House on Devine, great vibe and trivia.
The Vista is where you should go for sports bars. Park your car and walk around until you find a place to your liking. My favorite place to watch away games when I was in college would have to be Wild Wings Cafe. I visit Columbia once every 6 months and there's always a new bar in the Vista... My friends took me to this new bar called Whiskey Tavern, great atmosphere there and it's close to the basketball arena (for parking, so you can shuttle to stadium).
I don't golf, but most of my friends do and golf is huge here in SC so you should have no problem finding good courses. My friends use Cobblestone Park, which is actually the facility for USC Golf. It's really nice. It's in Blythewood, about 20 minutes up 1-77 north.
This post was edited on 7/22/15 at 10:31 am
Posted on 7/22/15 at 10:30 am to DorchesterGamecock
Great info. Thank you. I visited the Vista website linked earlier and our hotel is there and I see all of the bars/restaurants mentioned within a 10-15 minute walking distance from where we are staying. Sounds like we lucked out picking where we wanted to stay.
to All.
to All.Posted on 7/22/15 at 10:44 am to AdamDeMamp
No problem, anytime.
I recommend staying in The Vista to visiting fans as much as possible. It's a centrally located area so it makes sense and that's where the nice hotels, bars and restaurants are. Still needs a few more hotels out there, but more are planned.
Also, if you're staying in the Vista you can walk up to Main Street and find more restaurants and a few bars. There's a Brazilian steakhouse on Main Street that I love.
Once the season gets closer, check out the SC board.. fans from visiting schools will want information on Columbia and we tend to get really detailed over there.
I recommend staying in The Vista to visiting fans as much as possible. It's a centrally located area so it makes sense and that's where the nice hotels, bars and restaurants are. Still needs a few more hotels out there, but more are planned.
Also, if you're staying in the Vista you can walk up to Main Street and find more restaurants and a few bars. There's a Brazilian steakhouse on Main Street that I love.
Once the season gets closer, check out the SC board.. fans from visiting schools will want information on Columbia and we tend to get really detailed over there.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 12:38 pm to AdamDeMamp
Adam...if you like fried chicken, I just want to recommend one joint down from Willams-Brice. Has the best fried chicken I've ever had outside of my grandmother's. It's called Bernie's and you will absolutely love it.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 1:33 pm to Carolina_Girl
quote:
Carolina_Girl
Whoa Whoa. Back off. I'm married. Jeez..
I'm kidding. Fried chicken sounds awesome. Thank you for the recommendation.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 2:35 pm to AdamDeMamp
Golf in the Columbia Area especially Downtown is really bleak, fairly close is Indian River, which is in West Columbia not too far from the Airport, but the planes are a non factor. Ive played it many times. Its a good course and isnt too expensive, it will be offseason as well. If you have the GolfNow app on your phone you can get 18 w/ cart for around 19 bucks. Food and everything else has been touched on by now. If you need other golf recs come to the Carolina board and ask and ill answer there.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 3:04 pm to TheMightyTerrier
quote:
I like Carolina Ale House for gamedays personally. It's an open air sports bar with tons of TVs and good atmosphere. If you have graduated college go to the Vista. Still in College go to 5 Points. Neither is close to the stadium. SC fans are really friendly and feel free to wander around the Fairgrounds or Farmers Market.
This
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