09.20.2024

Today’s Forecast

85º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. | Sunset 7:23 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

A Message From Our Team

Don’t miss out to have your voice heard. Today’s the last day to submit your votes for COLAtoday’s Best. Voting closes today at 5 p.m. Tell us your faves here.

Food is in the forecast

Dine outdoors in Cola

Street View of Patio (by KNOX AND MAGNOLIA).jpeg

Enjoy the sites and sounds of the Main Street District at Hampton Street Vineyard. | Photo by Knox and Magnolia

Is it just us, or does eating outside make food taste better?

Catch some rays or laze in the shade at one of these 40+ Columbia patios. Pro tip: Don’t miss the shade level we’ve included for each of these locations.

Restaurants

Backstreets Grill | 2400 Devine St. | Fully shaded
Perfect for both small and large groups year-round, Backstreets Grill’s patio is a neighborhood go-to spot. The restaurant also hosts “Carolina Calls,” the Gamecock sports call-in radio show.

Blue Marlin | 1200 Lincoln St. | Fully covered
The classic Cola restaurant is a great place to bring visitors and is a regular spot for locals. Be sure to make a reservation to enjoy patio dining and try the award winning shrimp and grits.

Hampton Street Vineyard | 1207 Hampton St. | Partially shaded
This French bistro-style patio seating offers the sites and sounds of the Main Street District and makes for a perfect spot for happy hour or date night.

Ratio | 566 Spears Creek Church Rd., Elgin | Fully covered
Relax on the outdoor patio while enjoying creative Latin American and Peruvian tapas from Chef Javier Uriarte.

wecobeer_1724702732_3443378552320604120_20480249945.jpg — WECO Bottle and Biergarten features a new food truck each night.
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Photo by WECO Bottle and Biergarten

Bars and Breweries

Bierkeller Brewing Company | 600 Canalside St., Suite 1009 | Partially shaded
Bierkeller brings a true German biergarten experience to Columbia’s riverfront. Enjoy freshly brewed German-style beers in a shaded outdoor setting, paired with traditional food like bratwurst and pretzels.

Columbia Craft Brewing Company | 520 Greene St. | Fully covered + partially shaded
Sip on a Famously Hopped brew at Columbia Craft’s patio, perfect for soaking up the sun while enjoying local beer. Parabellum Mobile Eats is on-site with a full menu. Pro tip: Try the Parabellum Poutine fries with Wisconsin cheese curds and a French onion soup gravy.

Coffee shops

Curiosity Coffee Bar | 2327 Main St. | Fully covered
A neighborhood hangout, this coffee spot offers seasonal bevs and frequently collaborates with local artists and musicians.

35+ more spots

Poll

Should outdoor dining areas be pet-friendly?

A. Yes, it’s better to dine with fur-iends
B. No, no pets allowed while dining

Whoof whoof

Events

Friday, Sept. 20

City of Columbia Food Truck Fridays | Friday, Sept. 20 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | REI Co-Op Parking Lot | Price of purchase | Grab lunch from a variety of local food trucks lined up at the REI Co-op parking lot.
Bierkeller Oktoberfest | Friday, Sept. 20-Sunday, Sept. 22 | Bierkeller Columbia | Price of purchase | Enjoy festive fun at Columbia’s original riverfront biergarten, brewery, and restaurant.
Columbia’s 37th Annual Greek Festival | Friday, Sept. 20-Sunday, Sept. 22 | Times vary | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church | Free | Enjoy the music, atmosphere, food + drink, and learn a little about Greece.

Saturday, Sept. 21

Children’s Storytime | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 10 a.m. | All Good Books | Free | Ashley Blas will be reading from her picture book “Animal Party: A Book of Fun from A to Z.”
Artist Pop-Up | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Columbia Visitors Center | Free | Join local artists Bobby Baker and Jason Schoonover with work on display and for sale in the outdoor space.
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. University of Akron | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Williams-Brice Stadium | $55+ | It’s Saturday in South Carolina, and this time, you’ll be watching the Gamecocks take on Akron under Willy-B’s stadium lights.
Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Mann-Simons Site | Free | This one-day festival by Historic Columbia features headliner Sunshine Anderson, live entertainment, artist demos, historic storytelling, and vendors.

Sunday, Sept. 22

Baby Goat Yoga | Sunday, Sept. 22 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, Cayce | $30 | The class will be taught by a certified yoga instructor, with 30 minutes after class for pictures, yoga, and snuggles with the goats.

100+ more events

Click here to have your event featured.

Wellness

🚶‍♀️ Improving older adult safety, one step at a time

Three older adults walking the West Columbia River Walk

The sensors used in the study detected falls with more than 90% accuracy. | Photo provided by Still Hopes

Did you know? Groundbreaking research developing systems for safer aging is happening right here in Columbia.

Studies conducted at Still Hopes show that walking gait can indicate fall risk. How? Researchers use sensors that detect floor vibrations to measure walking speed and stride length — two indicators of future health outcomes (like your chances of falling).

One day, this non-invasive system could be utilized in other older adult communities to predict and detect falls. And eventually, it could even help prevent them.

Learn more + see what's next

News Notes

Health

MUSC Health is investing $30 million to expand its emergency department at Columbia Medical Center. The expansion, starting in December, will nearly double bed capacity to meet growing demand. The project has an anticipated completion date of early 2026. (WLTX)

Arts

City Art Gallery welcomes back North Carolina artist Tim Turner with his “Songs of Celebration” series. Turner’s joyful abstract works, inspired by personal health battles, are on display now through December with a reception happening Thursday, Nov. 21 at Vista Lights.

Concert

EarleJam returns to Earlewood Amphitheater on Sunday, Oct. 13, from 1-6 p.m. Enjoy free, family-friendly fun with food, drinks, and live music. Pack up your chairs, blankets, and enjoy an afternoon in the park. Reach out to volunteer.

Feel Good

Actor + comedian Adam Devine, star of HBO series The Righteous Gemstones, was spotted at Publico. He’s in town as the show films scenes locally.

Today Is

It’s PARK(ing) Day in downtown Columbia. Check out 12 parklets on Main Street and vote for your favorite in the design contest. The theme is “Park less, ___ more.”

Announced

Introducing Jobs, our new virtual bulletin board featuring local job openings in all industries. It’s simple: Post your listing (it’s free for a limited time), and watch those applications roll in.

Sports

Clemson vs. NC State: The Textile Bowl rivalry heats up. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Clemson Tigers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Eat

Looking to add some new dinners to your rotation? We’re saving the recipes for Swiss mushroom burgers and shrimp and pumpkin grits because they’re creative and sound like fall.*

Finance

Rates just dropped. Now could be the perfect time for you to tap into your home equity — calculate your payment.*

Sports

All pedal, no breaks

USA BMX Gold Cup Championship rolls into Lexington

BMX riders hit the dirt humps. | Photo by Lexington BMX

Beginning today through Sunday, Sept. 22, Lexington BMX Track will host the USA BMX Gold Cup Championship Southeast, bringing hundreds to the Midlands, ranging from amateurs to professionals.

Expect high-octane racing across dirt tracks filled with jumps, tight corners, and intense straightaways. Events begin today at 5 p.m., with races continuing Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m.

Beyond the races, BMX enthusiasts can explore Lexington BMX, one of only three sanctioned tracks in South Carolina, with others in Rock Hill and Spartanburg. Keep an eye out for young local standouts like Rylan Ready, Nolan Ready, and Donavon Borgman tackling impressive jumps + twists.

The Buy

The Buy 9.20.24 (Affiliate)

This lightweight, breathable men’s pullover —it’s a great basic slim fit and offers soft elasticity for wrinkle free wear.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

Rounding up all of those outdoor dining spots really made me hungry and excited try some new restaurants. Thanks to everyone who shared their favorite outdoor dining spot, but if we missed yours, drop us a line here.

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