re: Columbia, SC - UGA vs USC... what to do?

Avoid 5 Points after the sun goes down. If you are looking for a great dinner and don’t mind dropping some money, Saluda’s in 5 Points is actually my favorite restaurant in Columbia. If you get a cheese board, 2 entrees, a bottle of wine, and a cocktail/dessert after dinner, be prepared to drop $200-250 or so. Excellent food and service, though. Unfortunately Home Team BBQ won’t be open in time for this game. The first one is down in Charleston and the owner is a UGA grad. It’s really fricking good.

There’s a new place called “J’s Corner” where Jaco’s used to be. Looks nice but I haven’t been yet.

Cottontown Brewlab just opened in my neck of the woods, out North Main St in between Cottontown and Elmwood Park. The owner, or one of the owners, is a UGA guy. River Rat Brewery is also out Shop Rd, close to the stadium. Craft and Draft isn’t a brewery, but they keep 12 different craft beers on tap and they have a lot of bottles and cans in cold cases. The owners, Andrew and Kellen, are diehard Cocks, but they’re really good dudes.

The Vista has gotten really shitty over the past few years. I tend to stay away these days. If fake tanned, obnoxious 40 year old woo-girls and dudes in flat bill caps are your thing, give it a try, though.

Henry’s and Nightcaps on Devine St will always and forever be my go-to bars. Henry’s also has a fricking amazing cheeseburger for lunch/dinner.

If you have questions about a particular part of town or specific type of food, just ask and I’ll give you my opinion.