Try the cheesesteak special on Monday night with mushrooms. | Photo by Transmission Arcade
We’ve all been there. You’re leaving a late-night show or wrapping up a night on the town, and the midnight munchies hit. But it seems like the lights are off and the grills are cold at all your favorite restaurants.
Well, that’s not quite true — because there are definitely joints that cater to nighttime eaters with late-night meals of everything from pizza to burgers to falafel. Save this list for the next time you’ve got an after-hours craving.
Eclectic eats
The Dragon Room | Tuesday-Thursday until 12 a.m. + Friday and Saturday 2 a.m.
A stylish lounge known for its creative cocktails, this Vista spot offers a cool space for late-night gatherings with shareable dishes to keep you fueled.
Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe | Open until 1 a.m. on Friday + Saturday
From cake slices to milkshakes, Kaminsky’s is the go-to spot for indulging in sweets well into the night.
Tio’s Mexican Cafe | Open until 11:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
Located across from the Historic Horseshoe at USC, is a great “chips on the table” spot to conquer the hunger when that night time craving for queso calls.
Village Idiot Pizza has been a Five Points institution for over 30 years.
Photo provided by Village Idiot Pizza
Grab a slice
Eddie’s Calzones | Open until 4 a.m.
Located in Five Points, Eddie’s is the go-to spot for a calzone after you’ve been out at the bars or are just getting off work.
Squeeze in a booth for a late night slice at this longtime Five Points favorite.
Bar food
Bar None | Open until 4 a.m.
A favorite among the service industry and a Five Points staple, this is a great spot to share cheese fries with friends and fill up on the Five Points Special.
Transmission Arcade | Open until 12 a.m. Sunday-Tuesday + 2 a.m. Wednesday-Saturday
Named Columbia’s best late night spot by Free Times readers, the downtown arcade is a great spot to bring a group of friends for a late dinner or pick it up to-go.
8th Annual Fall Back Fest | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | 100-300 State St., West Columbia | Free | The free event welcomes the community and visitors to celebrate the fall season with live music, art, food, and drinks.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Palmetto Luna Arts’ Day of the Dead Celebration | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | Free | This free annual event includes a Day of the Dead altar, arts and crafts, live music, folkloric dances, a live painting session, and other cultural activities.
Native American Heritage Month Storytime | 10:30-11 a.m. | Richland Library Sandhills | Free | Gather together for a storytime featuring books by Native and Indigenous authors and illustrators with stories, songs, and more.
Soda City Market | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Main Street | Free | Find everything to satisfy your brain, body, and belly — and made with love by local vendors.
Yoga, then Mimosas | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Savage Craft Ale Works, West Columbia | $30 | Start your morning with some zen + end it with a toast.
Woofstock | 12-4 p.m. | Lexington Icehouse Amphitheater, Lexington | $10+ | Dress up your pet for a costume contest and maybe even find your new furry friend among the adoptable dogs available on-site.
Saturday, Nov. 9
First Look | Saturday, Nov. 9 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Charleston Southern University, Charleston | Free | Prospective students are invited to Charleston Southern University’s open house to tour the campus, meet faculty, and attend financial aid + admissions workshops.*
Get into the holiday spirit at this electrifying event
Presented by Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
A seasonal staple, Wild Lights is the brightest event of the season. | Photo provided by Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is set to make your holiday season merry and bright with its annual Wild Lights event. Get amped for a glowing wildlife safari with dazzling larger-than-life animal displays and interactive activities that will spark joy — no matter watt.
On select nights from Friday, Nov. 15 to Sunday, Jan. 12, the Zoo will transform into a twinkling wonderland, sure to leave guests of all ages feeling lit with holiday cheer. This magical event is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and also features:
Larger than life photo ops: Capture unforgettable moments with stunning backdrops.
Visits with Santa (through Dec. 23): Bring the kids to meet Santa and share their holiday wishes.
New this year: Private Igloo rentals to enjoy a cozy experience with friends and family in your own igloo.
And more
Wild Lights tickets go on sale today, Nov. 1, so snag your tickets for this de-light-ful event.
Broomsedge Golf Club, a new classically designed course in Sumter County, has begun limited preview play. Located 30 minutes from Columbia, the course features elevation changes and a Golden Age-inspired design by Kyle Franz and Mike Koprowski. (Columbia Business Report)
Open
Ageless Vintage, a new permanent vintage shoe and clothing store, is now open at 1727 Harden St. in Five Points. Known for its local pop-ups, the shop now offers a permanent location, attracting college students and streetwear enthusiasts. (The Post and Courier)
Health
City of Columbia, Prisma Health, and National Fitness Campaign unveiled two new outdoor Fitness Courts at Greenview Park and Finlay Park. Greenview’s court is open, while Finlay Park’s court will debut after the park’s construction project concludes in 2025.
Biz
Fontaine Business Park off Farrow Road is under new ownership led by Dunean Capital Management and Pintail CRE. Planned renovations include modernized facilities and a new Prisma Health Bright Horizons location, aiming to establish the park as a premier business destination. (SC Biz News)
Traffic
Miss the Columbia East Traffic Improvement Plan meeting? Share your feedback on the plan’s recommendations via the Central Midlands Council of Governments survey, open until Sunday, Nov. 3.
Listen
Will Bryce Young show continued development when the Carolina Panthers host the New Orleans Saints? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Finance
Inflation may be cooling, but car insurance premiums aren’t. Why? All insurance is now priced in real-time — so repair times, parts shortages, and credit scores all play a part in the final price. Take Money’s questionnaire on your best car insurance experience to see if you can save.*
The Buy
The Buy
A whole room space heater. Save $30 on a small but mighty space heater with a focus on safety — it has tip-over protection, a cool touch case, and will automatically shut off if overheated.
On Wednesday night, I took The Wild Honey Pie crew out to The Dragon Room in the Vista. We were looking for a restaurant that catered to gluten-free and vegan diets and the staff there took care of us. They brought out a special gluten-free menu and customized some dishes for our table. After that, we went to Art Bar and ran into the Halloween edition of Wednesday karaoke. It was a fun little introduction to Columbia for the visitors from New York.
