Pop, fizz, clink

Your NYE weekend itinerary has arrived.

It’s New Year’s Eve weekend in the Capital City – time to pop bottles + celebrate all you did this year. 🍾 (Like subscribe to this daily email that made you so much more informed about everything in Cola, amirite?)

Photo by @famouslyhotnye

First thing’s first, let’s talk about how you’re spending your final days of 2017: like what you’re doing with all your friends who came to spend their holiday weekend with you in Soda City + where you’ll be for Sunday’s midnight smooch (that never goes quite as you planned in your head).

We’ve put together an NYE weekend itinerary for y’all so you don’t have the stresses of doing all the research. You can thank us later.

📆 Friday | Dec. 29

11 a.m. // Brunch | We’re still on vacation, so let’s not overexert ourselves by waking up early. (If you’re working today, let’s pretend you’re not.) Kick off the day with brunch + a mimosa kit at Gourmet Shop in Five Points. Pro tip: Snag a table outside – I mean, where else can you comfortably eat al fresco at the end of the December?

1 p.m. // Shopping | Show your friends/family around the shops in Five Points, Devine St., or Main St. 🛍 (It’s always great to have company while you return interesting Christmas presents you got at a white elephant party or from Aunt Karen. Also: here’s your chance to buy that last minute NYE outfit. 👔 👗)

2:30 p.m. // Culture | There’s only two days left for Historic Columbia’s Historic Holiday Tours – so it’s now or never (er, now or next December).

Evening // Relax | Cola’s not that busy tonight – so it’s a good time for a low-key evening. You’ll need to save your energy for Sunday. BUT. If you want dinner/drinks/entertainment out: head to the Briefs section of today’s newsletter.

📆 Saturday | Dec. 30

9 a.m.-1 p.m. // Shop + eat | Soda City Market is your one-stop-shop for breakfast AND cool finds. (Today is National Bacon Day, so make sure your food truck-find has bacon on it. 🥓) Grab a bite to eat, a cup of coffee + wander around a while. (Bonus: Rent Zapp scooters and cruise to the market that way. 🛵)

2 p.m. // Play | Walk up to the 1600 block of Main to spend the afternoon at The GRAND: bowl a few games, play life-size Jenga, have a checkers match, hangout in the mini arcade… it’ll be a grand time. And you’ll probably run into me. 👋

6:30 p.m. // Dinner | Try a new restaurant you may not have gotten to in 2017, like: COA Duke’s Pad Thai, 1801 Grille or Lima Peruvian Cuisine.

8 p.m. // Show | Fantasia is performing at The Township Auditorium for $51-$76. (Remember her from American Idol? Circa 2004?)

📆 Sunday | Dec. 31 | New Year’s Eve

Today’s the day, y’all. It’s also National Champagne Day. 🥂 Coincidence? I think not.

11:30 a.m. // Brunch | Yeah, we’re brunching again. Because breakfast is a weekday thing. Some fun options:

• Bourbon. Because we didn’t get tickets to their NYE party – but if there are still some left, we suggest you hop on that, stat.
• Publico. Because chilaquiles + BOGO drinks = always a good idea. (Pro tip: first drink: s’mores cold brew; second drink: blood orange mimosa.)
• Twisted Spur. Because their chicken + waffles is to die for.

Alt plans, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. // ForKids | If you have little ones to entertain this afternoon, EdVenture is hosting a New Year’s Eve at Noon – complete with a giant illuminated ball for the countdown to noon.

2 p.m. // Game | Those 2017 National Champs (a.k.a Gamecock Women’s Basketball) are playing Texas A&M at Colonial Life Arena. 🐔🏀

Alt plans, 2-6 p.m. // ForKids | Continue the family fun (for kids 6+) at City of Columbia’s New Year’s Eve Party for Kids at Main Street ICE, on the corner of Main + Hampton, with games, food, karaoke, face painting, ice skating + more (festival free; $8-10 to ice skate).

Evening // Party | Time to ring in the new year, Cola-style. 🎊 So many choices:

📍 The Vista

• New Year’s Speakeasy at Flying Saucer | 9 p.m.-2 a.m. | throwback to the ‘20s with a live DJ and prohibition era-themed cocktails + decor | $5; includes champagne toast at midnight
• New Year’s Eve at Pearlz | 5 p.m.-2 a.m. | dinner specials, live DJ starting at 10 p.m. + complimentary champagne toast at midnight | free
• Vista Union’s NYE Bash | 9 p.m.-2 a.m. | heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music
  + complimentary champagne toast at midnight | $16.62
• 7th Annual New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party at The Woody | 8 p.m.-2 a.m. | complimentary mask, champagne toast + ball drop (with cash) at midnight | $25

📍 Main St.

• Famously Hot New Year | 6:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. | street party with live concert by headliner Elle King (Ex’s & Oh’s); Nappy Roots (Good Day); local FatRat Da Czar + SondorBlue; food vendors; cash bar; countdown to midnight + biggest NYE fireworks display in S.C. | free | Pro tip: Wherever you go, make this your end destination. The Insta-worthy fireworks are worth the Uber ride over to the State House.
• GRAND New Year’s Eve Bash at The GRAND | 9 p.m.-2 a.m. | bowling, hors d’oeuvres, drink tickets + champagne toast at midnight | $50 in advance, $55 at the door
• New Years Eve at the Oak Table | heavy hors d’oeuvres + open bar | $157.06
• New Year’s Eve Party at Lula Drake | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine + champagne toast at midnight | $144.17
• New Year’s Eve at Main Street Public House | 5 p.m.-2 a.m. | dinner specials, live music + champagne toast at midnight | $5

📍 Others

• Tallulah NYE Dinner | three seatings: 5 p.m., 7 p.m. + 9:30 p.m | three-course prix fixe meal | $45-75
• New Years Eve Bash at Five Points Saloon | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | live DJ + champagne toast at midnight | free
• Uncle Fester’s NYE Party | 10 p.m.-until | live DJ, karaoke + champagne toast at midnight | free
• Timeless Edition Red Carpet Event with Columbia Chamber | 8 p.m. - 2 a.m. | black-tie/formal attire, food, drinks + 2 levels of entertainment | $20-450
• New Years Eve Party at Bluemoon Ballroom in West Columbia | 8 p.m. - 12 a.m. | live music from Soda City Dance Band, heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer + wine, champagne toast at midnight (plus BYOB allowed) | $50+
• New Year’s Eve dinner at Cellar on Greene | 3-course meal with special treats | call 803-343-3303 for reservations

I assume everyone is dying to know my plans for the weekend, naturally. I have friends coming in town from Charlotte + Charleston – so tomorrow we’re hitting up The GRAND for a little bowling + shuffleboard, and Sunday night we’re doing Cantina 76 – Main Street’s New Year’s Eve Bash (taco bar, nacho bar, two cocktails + champagne… all for $50) along with Famously Hot New Year. So excited for Nappy Roots. #FBF to 2009 when my sister and I made a music video to Po’ Folks.

Be safe this weekend, y’all. And Happy New Year.

–Sam

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