University of South Carolina
- Nightlife

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University of South Carolina - Nightlife - College ProwlerCollege Prowler5.00

Nightlife

Quick Stats

Primary Areas with Nightlife
  • Five Points
  • The Vista
Student Favorites
  • Group Therapy
  • Sharky’s at Five Points
  • Village Idiot Pizza & Pub
Other Places to Check Out
  • Dr. Rocco’s
  • Goatfeathers
  • Good Times
  • Hunter Gatherer
  • Local's Bar
  • Parrot Head's
  • Pavlov’s
  • Publik House
  • Salty Nut
  • The Whig
  • Yesterday’s
Local Specialties Local microbrews: Hunter Gatherer has its own microbrewery and produces some of the best beer in Columbia.
Favorite Drinking Games
  • A$$hole
  • Beer pong
  • Circle of Death
  • F the Dealer
Useful Resources for Nightlife www.sciway.net/tourism/columbars.html

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

The nightlife in Columbia revolves mainly around Five Points and the Vista, where bars and clubs are abundant with social students and good times. Drinking is a favorite pastime on weekend nights, which sometimes poses problems for the under-21 crowd. The busiest night of the week, “Thirsty Thursday,” sees students flocking to bars or buying kegs for parties. Underage students sometimes use fake IDs or scope out places that don’t card at all, but they’re still at risk of being caught by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Department (SLED) officers, who sometimes go undercover for the specific purpose of finding underage drinkers.

While almost all of the bars prohibit underage students (and only a few have designated “college nights” for students 18 and up), many of the dance clubs permit entry to the underage crowd. These are a mixed bag in terms of quality, but it does give the younger crowd something to do. Columbia nightlife would be better if there were more places that catered to younger students. Students believe that the best part about nightlife at USC is the numerous bars where they can have a drink. Underage students can participate, and often do, having their fun knowing the possibility of getting caught.

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South Carolina Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Nightlife at University of South Carolina

bfree0326

'15

Registered Nursing (RN)

3.8
B+

Nightlife

The nightlife is extremely vibrant because there are always many different options of what you can do. Whether it's going to a house party at a nearby apartment complex such as Copper Beach, the Woodlands, or the Retreat, or going to bars or clubs in Five Points or The Vista, there is always something exciting to do.

Dec 30, 2011

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Nightlife at University of South Carolina

dtnell

'15

Hospitality Management

1.9
C-

Get a Fake

Not the best nightlife if you're under 21, but there are plenty of house parties to go to if you're know people, and theres a party cab that operates which is really nice on weekends. But if you don't know people who have parties you're kinda screwed.

Dec 18, 2011

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Nightlife at University of South Carolina

MOORETC5

'15

International Studies

3.1
B-

Night Life

The nightlife In Columbia is give or take. Going to 5 points on the weekend can be dangerous or expensive but its mostly college students so its an ok atmosphere. For students under 21 it can be pretty dangerous with a fake id or drinking underage due to the excessive amount of police.

Nov 06, 2011

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Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the off-campus bar and club scene on the following topics

What is the party scene like on campus?

What’s the best way to get to the popular nightlife spots?

Facts

Club Crawler

There is a wide variety of clubs at USC, ranging in atmosphere, age group, and food selection. While options for students under 21 are limited, there are some clubs that designate one or more nights out of the week for the 18-and-up crowd. These are some of the most popular clubs where students like to party, grab a drink, and relax after a long week.

Bar Prowler

USC students love going to bars, and in Columbia, they certainly have a large selection to choose from. These are some of the most popular bars in the area:

Closing Time

2 a.m.–3 a.m.

Cheapest Place to Get a Drink

Most of the bars in Five Points and the Vista have competitive prices for drinks, with specials on certain nights

Organization Parties

Many organizations on campus throw good parties, particularly athletic and Greek organizations. In most cases, pretty much anyone can go to these by paying a minimal cover for the cost of the alcohol. Depending on the organization, there may or may not be alcohol involved, but either way, organization parties are generally well attended. Several different organizations will have parties on any given weekend, but pretty much the only way to find out about them is by word of mouth.

Club ListingsWhat's This?

Jungle Jim's

Jungle Jim’s has been a staple to the underage USC crowd for years now. Often the starter-club for freshman at USC, Jungle Jim’s is located in the Five Points area and a short walk to and from most freshman dorms. However, its doors are filled to capacity on weekends during the school year.

724 Harden St.

(803) 256-1390

Tabu

Tabu has become one of Columbia’s most popular clubs in the past few years for the 18 and older crowd. Located in the Vista, Tabu is often the end destination after a night of eating out at the Vista’s many restaurants. Tabu offers Ladies’ Night specials—a feature that packs its dance floor every weekend.

700 Gervais St.

(803) 253-6382

www.tabuofcolumbia.com

Jillian’s

Jillian’s provides a perfect outlet for the dining sports fan, as well as the college student itching for a night out on the town. It is not as college-oriented as many of the clubs in town. It caters to the interest of crowds ranging from college students to middle-aged adults. Some perks include the 15 television monitors and 13 big-screen televisions, as well as a full dining menu and music from DJs and live bands. You must be 21 to get in after 9 p.m., and there is sometimes a cover for special events.

800 Gervais St.

(803) 779-7789

www.jilliansbilliards.com

Club ICE

Club ICE, located in the Vista, is a fairly new club that opens its doors to crowds 18-and-up (alcohol is served to those over 21). Playing some of the best dance music in Columbia, Club ICE has proved very popular with both USC students and the young professionals of Columbia.

920 Lady St.

(803) 765-1574

Headliners

Headliners is the premiere music venue for Columbia and the Vista area. While major bands do not headline the marquee, Headliners brings nationally recognized talent to its stage every weekend (and sometimes during the week). For USC students, tickets are relatively cheap, and is within walking distance from campus.

700 Gervais St.

(803) 796-2333

Bar ListingsWhat's This?

Village Idiot Pizza & Pub

The Village Idiot Pizza & Pub doubles as one of Columbia’s most popular bars after 9 p.m.

2009 Devine St.

(803) 252-8646

www.villageidiotpizza.com

Art Bar

Despite its name, Art Bar is not an art gallery, though it does constitute one of the most decorative bars in Columbia. Located in the Vista area, this deceivingly large bar is packed every weekend, and has a reputation for attracting Columbia’s trendy and intellectual crowd. Its doors are open to adults 21 and older.

1211 Park St.

(803) 929-0198

www.artbarsc.com

Delaney’s

Delaney’s has a casual Irish atmosphere and live original and acoustic music, both Irish and American styles. The full-menu pub offers a variety of alcoholic beverages, specialty imported beers, desserts, and specialty coffees. There is no age requirement and no cover charge except for special events, making it cheap and easy for college students.

741 Saluda Ave.

(803) 779-2345

www.delaneyspub.com

Group Therapy

Enduring the hustle and bustle of Columbia’s nightlife for the past 25 years, Group Therapy knows how to please its customers. While this Group Therapy will not relieve you of your traumatic mental and emotional experiences, you can at least drown your sorrows with a glass of imported beer, although you must be at least 21. They have live music with Acoustic Therapy Thursdays and a DJ on Saturdays.

2107 Greene St.

(803) 256-1203

www.grouptherapybar.com

New Brookland Tavern & Restaurant

Like local music with your bars? In addition to its diverse drink menu, New Brookland Tavern offers its small venue up to Columbia’s local bands, including those of USC students. Those 18-and-up may attend a show at New Brookland Tavern.

122 State St.

West Columbia

(803) 791-4413

www.newbrooklandtavern.com

Sharky’s at Five Points

At Sharky’s, you can choose from over 100 kinds of beers or order from their menu. They have appetizers, wings, calzones, hamburgers, and chicken. It’s a convenient place for college students to go, especially since there is no cover, and the minimum age is 18. Or, if you don’t feel like leaving your dorm, they offer free delivery by calling 256-BUDS. Their specials include $2 Jim Beam, $2 vodka all the time, and free pizza during happy hour Monday–Friday.

636 Harden St.

(803) 779-8337

What to Do if You're Not 21What's This?

18-and-up Clubs

Not many of Columbia’s bars have under-21 nights; however, multiple clubs are 18 and up. Jungle Jim’s, Club Ice, and Tabu are usually packed with an underage crowd for dancing, or people can go catch some live music at either Headliners or New Brookland Tavern.

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