07.31.2023

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Today’s Forecast

66º | Heavy thunderstorms | 90% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. | Sunset 5:32 p.m.

It’s a date

Date night ideas for every type of Columbian

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Find ways to fall in love around Columbia. | Photo by @brett.cr3

Kids, this is the story of how I met your mother, and it was all thanks to COLAtoday.

Ok, so maybe that’s not exactly how the 2000s sitcom went, but if Ted Mosby had consulted us for date night ideas, we could’ve shaved the show down to two seasons (and saved his kids a lot of time). Regardless of whether you’ve met “the one” or are hoping to impress someone new, we’ve got 25+ local date night ideas that are legen — wait for it — dary.

For the ones who want a night out on the town

Whether you want to share a special moment at a pottery studio crafting unique pieces together, or looking for athletic, art, or cooking classes, we’ve got recommendations for how to keep learning around Columbia.

S.C. State Museum Boeing Observatory — SC State Museum Boeing Observatory | Photo by @rea_mass

Embark on an otherworldly adventure by stargazing as a couple at two local observatories — one at the South Carolina State Museum and the Melton Observatory on the University of South Carolina’s campus.

If the way to their heart is through their stomach

Lula Drake — Enjoy wines from a James Beard Award Nominee restaurant. | Photo by @patmikekelly

Step into a James Beard Award Nominee + historic wine bar, sipping exquisite wines paired with a selection of fancy cheeses and create an unforgettable evening at Lula Drake Wine Parlour.

For the ones who like to play games (just not with your heart)

Unleash your inner child at a bar arcade restaurant, savoring drinks + playful competition with classic arcade games at Transmission Arcade.

Hit the lanes at various bowling alleys around the Midlands, including The Grand, Bowlero, JC’s Lexington Bowl, or Royal Z Lanes, rolling strikes and spares together for an entertaining date night.

If you’re really hoping that it works out

Get in sync with dance classes around town, moving to the rhythm and sharing some elegant twirls on the dance floor at Blue Moon Ballroom, Esmeralda Dance Studio, or Columbia’s Ballroom Company.

Engage in the fun and competitive spirit of playing pickleball, serving up excitement and creating lasting memories.

More date night ideas

Asked

What’s your go-to activity for a memorable date?

A. Romantic candlelit dinner
B. Cozy movie night at home
C. Adventurous outdoor activity
D. Other

Share your thoughts with us

Events

Tuesday, August 1

Toucan Tuesday | Tuesday, Aug. 1 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 500 Wildlife Pkwy., Columbia | Price of admission | Guests visiting the zoo will receive buy-one get-one admission to the park and buy-one get-one Icees with a donation of two non-perishable food items.
Flying Biscuit Cafe’s One Year Anniversary | Tuesday, Aug. 1 | 7 a.m.-2 p.m. | The Flying Biscuit Cafe, 936 Harden St., Columbia | $5 | To celebrate, the Bacon and Eggs Breakfast will cost $5 all day for dine-in customers.
Sip & Plant Workshop: Adding Texture with Ferns | Tuesday, Aug. 1 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | $45 | Join Gardener’s Outpost for an educational sip-and-plant workshop

Wednesday, July 5

Blythewood Farmers Market | Wednesday, Aug. 3 | Times vary | Doko Meadows Park, 171 Langford Rd., Blythewood | Free | This market has food, live music, and special promotional events throughout the year (don’t miss the free wine tasting every 3rd week).

Thursday, August 3

First Thursday on Main Street | Thursday, July 6 | 6 p.m. | Main Street, Columbia | Free | On the first Thursday of each month, businesses in downtown Columbia participate in First Thursday on Main by keeping their doors open late, offering a mix of specials, events, entertainment, and more.

Friday, Aug. 4

Countdown to Kindergarten | Friday, Aug. 4 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | EdVenture Children’s Museum, 211 Gervais St., Columbia | Free | EdVenture’s free Countdown to Kindergarten event, hosted by First Steps, features activities to calm nerves, generate excitement, and prepare young students and their families for their next chapter.*

Say goodbye to July

Click here to have your event featured.

Theater

Culture

Snag tickets for Town Theatre’s 104th season

Presented by a COLAtoday Partner

Production shot from “The All Night Strut,” part of Town Theatre’s 2022-23 season. | Photo by Andrew Mills

Memberships are now available for Town Theatre‘s 104th season, which includes favorites like:

The Sound of Music
White Christmas
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
and more.

If that list got you excited, you might want to become a member. Members get to reserve their tickets in advance, score their favorite seats, and pay less per ticket. (Read: A Patron membership is $190, getting you 10 tickets for $19 each rather than the general admission price of $25.)

See membership options and the full season

News Notes

Civic

The City of Columbia’s Parks and Recreation Department’s after-school program begins on August 16 for kids aged 5-12. The program includes recreation, academic enrichment, sports, and arts activities, running from 2 to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, following the Richland School District 1 calendar. Find more information about registration.

Shop

The Devine District announced it will be hosting a sidewalk sale during tax-free weekend, happening Friday, Aug. 4 through Sunday, Aug. 6. Find local deals for your home, health, family, and back-to-school wardrobes. See a list of participating businesses.

Concert

Morgan Evans is coming to Columbia on Friday, Dec. 1. He and Erin Kinsey will play at The Senate at 8 p.m. during his “Life Upside Down” tour. Tickets are on sale now.

Travel

Where is your favorite place to visit in SC with your friends and family each year? The SC Vacation Guide is collecting photos and write-ups of your traditions and stories for future features.

Food

🥞 Let there be brunch

40+ great brunch restaurants to try in Columbia

The Hangover Hashbrowns at Cafe Strudel are a crowd favorite. | Photo by @mirandafen

In our opinion, brunch is always a good idea. Whether it’s an order of the Hangover Hashbrowns from Cafe Strudel or a quick stop at The Gourmet Shop for a panini on grilled ciabatta, the combination of breakfast and lunch is something we hold very close to our hearts.

Fortunately for us, Columbia is home to plenty of brunch options. Here are a few we’ve been loving recently:

the Western breakfast wrap from Sandwich Depot
The Proper Southern Breakfast from Smoked
The Eggs Charleston dish — a twist on Eggs Benedict with crab cakes — from Di Prato’s Delicatessen

Which one will you be going to and what classic brunch beverage will you order? Let us know.

37 more brunch options

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The Wrap

Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam

From the editor

Live, work, or play in Columbia? We’ve probably got a guide for that.

You may have noticed we write a bunch of guides — whether it’s a roundup of dog-friendly businesses, recommendations for $10 lunches, exploring different farmers markets, or a roundup of top industries.

Now, all those guides (and more) are on one convenient webpage — completely free + 100% local.

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