Ever found yourself craving a merely adequate cocktail or a decent-but-not-great burger? Neither have we. In Columbia, SC, settling for second-best isn’t an option. That’s why we’ve scoured the city to bring you the definitive list of bars where the drinks dazzle and the atmosphere absolutely sings.
Transmission Arcade
$ | (803) 667-9140 | WEBSITE
Whether you grab a seat at this arcade bar or get your cocktail to go, you’re drinking the best Paper Plane in Columbia. Transmission Arcade specializes in fun, and every single game we’ve played is somehow better than the last. Like the classic arcade cabinets, a colorful collection of retro entertainment that pairs perfectly with so many different drinks and snacks you can barely choose.
Try the smoked wings, a simple plate of expertly seasoned chicken with White BBQ Sauce to dredge until the plate looks wiped clean. While Transmission Arcade may resemble most spots up and down this strip of Salem, the lively atmosphere and friendly bartenders set it apart.
Greenes Bar-BQ
$ | (803) 337-6127 | WEBSITE
Greenes Bar-BQ is the grown-up spot that gets better with every night out. The atmosphere is effortlessly sophisticated and the security is set to the perfect level of reassuring presence. It used to be one of the liveliest places to be—it’s more relaxed on weeknights, especially since they stay open until 2am on Thursdays—but Greenes is worth the cover anyway.
The drinks are consistently fantastic, but count on the staples like the zesty Margarita, surprising New Yorker Surprise, and some form of scrumptious bar food to be available (which means they should also be in your hand).
Bar None
$ | (803) 254-3354 | WEBSITE
Bar None is a rarity in Columbia. The bar restaurant is stripped bare and serves perfect bar fare catnip for the wings-and-beer crowd. And while basic spots with a fondness for country music and blue cheese dips can be forgettable, Bar None pulls it off with soul. Deceptively simple-looking dishes stand your tastebuds at attention, prompting you to ask, “What the f*ck did I just eat?” This is no temple to tiny plates.
It’s a food laboratory disguised as a cool bar for spicy-wing-fueled gossip nights or beer-fueled hangouts. But where some places in a space like that might infuse strain, Bar None infuses flavor. And each bite hums.
Backstreets Grill
$ | (803) 834-3857 | WEBSITE
Backstreets Grill is a college-town spot we like to swing by regularly because they always maintain that lively, dependable vibe. The menu stays consistent enough that even classic dishes feel comforting because you know they’ll be there when you want them. But you can still count on favorites like the big hamburger and the meatloaf, which remind us that sometimes simple is best.
Or dishes like the Cajun Chicken Pasta and chicken ranch wrap, which feel like something you’d make at home (but theirs comes with those perfectly crunchy vegetables). The outdoor patio adds to the appeal, and even though it’s popular, it never feels overcrowded. Make sure to time your visit because game nights can get busy with the local crowd.
Hendrix
$$$ | (803) 834-5132 | WEBSITE
Hendrix is a downtown destination—the rooftop stunner has twinkling lights and a setup that feels like it’s on loan from a secret garden. At this upscale Southern restaurant in Columbia, the details matter, including Old Fashioneds that get stirred with care, or personal rooftop views that make you linger. The place operates with the quiet confidence of a local favorite. Hendrix knows how good its tender Short Rib, perfectly seasoned and cooked, is.
Or, the Spicy Lamb with delicious grits that make you forget your manners when there’s only one bite left. And it’s not just a dinner spot. Celebrate a special occasion or fend off the weekday blues at the bar with a plate of Crispy Brussel sprouts and a refreshing Gin and Tonic made with Hendrix gin.
MOA Korean BBQ & Bar – Columbia
$$ | (803) 722-4117 | WEBSITE
MOA could be named, ‘The Restaurant That Makes The Best Korean Barbecue You Will Ever Eat.’ But we get that might have been difficult for the Columbia spot to squeeze onto a sign. When the Premium 2 combo arrives, dump each piece onto the sizzling grill. Then, grab the short ribs with your tongs, as is both customary and irresistible. It’s fun. The short ribs, grilled right at your table, arrive so tender they fall apart at the slightest quiver.
They’re savory but rich, full of warm marinade, and unbelievably satisfying. Finish the Korean barbecue tour de force with a bowl of well-seasoned calamari and drinks, or, perhaps, more short ribs.
Oyster Bar Columbia
$$ | (803) 799-4484 | WEBSITE
At first, Oyster Bar Columbia is hard to find. The rustic, bustling space is tucked away in a downtown corner with limited parking. You might wonder what the hell you’re doing circling the block for a spot when you could be eating already. But once you’re welcomed inside and handed that first freshly shucked oyster by Jim, any bit of frustration disappears. Dinner consists of platters of straight seafood.
Each bite builds on the last and is served at the perfect temperature with light drizzles of sauce or minimal seasoning. It’s blissful seafood matrimony.
929 Kitchen & Bar
$$ | (803) 764-3825 | WEBSITE
929 Kitchen & Bar quietly serves the best Korean food in the city. All of the classics are accounted for at this Columbia spot—bulgogi with outstanding flavors that’ll satisfy your deepest cravings, beautifully presented cocktails like the well-balanced Golden Lantern, and fantastic Korean dishes that could pass as a culinary journey. Even making a meal of the recently revamped menu with its several vegetarian options can inspire someone to take an extra long dinner.
Add in the consistent service from a remarkable server and the fast, friendly staff, and you might find yourself getting another cocktail to stay.
CJ’s of Five Points
$$ | (803) 708-0560 | WEBSITE
At CJ’s of Five Points, each sandwich feels like it was made for you because you have an in with the owners right up front. In other words, this is Columbia’s best late-night spot. The beloved Five Points joint’s grilled cheese is perfectly crisp with a little tang from the melted cheddar, the popcorn has been buttered to high heaven, and the flaky, toasted bread dissolves into fluffy, house-made fillings.
CJ’s is for a relaxed weeknight when you’re in the mood for a grilled cheese or to make friends with the regulars who sip drinks and play pool nightly.
Cantina 76
$ | (803) 764-1769 | WEBSITE
Lunch at Cantina 76 is all hits, no misses. The Main Street restaurant does the whole taco thing better than the rest. Flavors and textures so perfectly complement one another—chicken teriyaki tacos leading into finger-quick bites with craft beers—that once the margaritas hit the table, the meal becomes personal, as though Cantina 76 reached into your soul and created food meant solely for you.
No matter how many times we eat at Cantina 76, or what specials rotate on the menu, the experience remains unchanged.
Cola’s Restaurant
$$ | (803) 451-0051 | WEBSITE
Cola’s Restaurant serves the most satisfying Southern comfort food in Columbia, reimagining classic dishes and flavors like lamb and grits into perfectly cooked rack specials or the creamy sauce on flaky apricot-glazed flounder. The restaurant and bar started as a local favorite for families and quickly became known for consistently delightful meals almost as soon as it opened.
Now a full-fledged dining destination slightly off the main route, there are even more incredible entrees, decadent desserts, and seafood options. Go here for dinner or a family outing and watch everyone around you share bites of shrimp and risotto cakes with genuine enthusiasm. No wonder the warm ambiance constantly fills the cute, open space.
Art Bar
$ | (803) 929-0198 | WEBSITE
The vibe at Art Bar is so infectious that we’d gladly endure the weekend crowds and cover charge just to soak it in. If you’re looking for a lively hangout with character, this is the one. Order the mozzarella sticks and what arrives is a golden, gooey revelation that lives up to its reputation as the best in town, alongside a refreshing pasta salad that hits all the right notes.
Everything here is like a perfect party mix: cool and casual on the surface, but packing a fun-filled punch underneath. And while you might drop a few extra bucks on drinks compared to other spots, the skilled bartenders and entertaining atmosphere make every penny worthwhile.
Dave & Buster’s Columbia
$$ | (803) 576-4800 | WEBSITE
Whenever asked to imagine a dream night out with the family, the game room at Dave & Buster’s Columbia comes to mind. The mall-area spot’s game room arrives as a giant playground of flashing lights, buzzing sounds, and friendly competition that we all but launch into as if shot out of a cannon. It’s got this lively, welcoming, and accommodating vibe we cannot stop ourselves from enjoying until we’re scraping the last tokens from our game card.
Something about the bits of laughter spiking the evening with ribbons of fun and shared moments itches our lizard brain. Especially when surrounded by helpful staff led by manager Jacqui, tasty vegetarian options, and massive glasses of cold drinks.
Tin Roof
$ | (803) 771-1558 | WEBSITE
Nothing compares to the energy radiating from Tin Roof’s stage. When you want to soak up that energy and get the best Nashville hot wings in the city, head to Tin Roof in Columbia. These wings are delivered by a friendly server, made of a fiery substance (perfectly spiced chicken), and imbued with communal magic (generously portioned and shareable). You don’t just eat these wings, you experience them.
Tin Roof shares its space with games like connect four and jenga, so grab a couple of amaretto sours over a massive plate of delicious wings.
J’s Corner Restaurant & Bar
$ | (803) 862-0702 | WEBSITE
J’s Corner Restaurant & Bar operates on a level most neighborhood spots only dream of. Despite its extensive menu featuring flavorful dishes like the Cowboy burger, catfish bites, and unique chicken tenders, the Columbia spot never gets bogged down or skimps on quality. Everything runs like clockwork, as though it’s been serving up happy hour specials and casual dining since the beginning of time.
Whatever you’ve come here for—a proper Saturday night with live music and corn hole tournaments, or a simple BLT with onion rings—J’s Corner handles any situation with ease.
Nightcaps
$ | (803) 771-6575 | WEBSITE
Sometimes you just want to unwind at a capital-B Bar, a place with friendly vibes and tasty bites. And that’s why you head to Nightcaps in Columbia. There’s genuine care in these dishes, and the low-key space is set up like some cozy neighborhood hangout with a kitchen for a heart. While no one’s wandering around selling shots, someone is circling with a basket full of spicy teriyaki wings and egg rolls.
And a steady flow of staff dropping off pizza and mozzarella sticks in easy succession at your table. Everything at Nightcaps is built for a night when you need to relax, enjoy solid food, and let someone else handle the details—even if that’s just for drinks.
The Hoot
$ | WEBSITE
Lifelong Columbia residents who grew up grabbing late-night bites or weekend hangout spots will instantly recognize The Hoot’s style of comfort. It’s part neighborhood pub and part Southern kitchen, all blended together into something uniquely local. This mostly sit-down cozy spot’s savory, perfectly fried Veg-fil-a, crispy hush puppies, and hearty Philly will expand your definition of what constitutes satisfying bar food.
The salads here hit just right, including house salads that have the same fresh flavor as any of the mains. This laid-back joint holds it down—and if extra patience is needed, ask as much as desired from the friendly staff The Hoot keeps on hand.
Seven Sports Bar & Lounge
$ | (803) 807-9201 | WEBSITE
No one at Seven Sports Bar & Lounge is out to impress you, outside of serving excellent shrimp pasta and ribeye steak. Here sports bar fare is served with great drinks and music. Everything is fantastic, like the $2 wing specials on Tuesdays that are highly praised, or the popular Thug Passion cocktail enjoyed for its taste. The somewhat loud music during dinner gives Seven even more energy, as does the vibrant atmosphere and the addition of a hookah bar.
But despite its chaos, Seven is for everyone, whether you want a grown and sexy environment or a place to let your friends enjoy fried broccoli and attentive service from staff like Diamond.