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Spread the local love with COLAtoday’s Best

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Graphic by 6AM City
At COLAtoday, we bring you the best of Columbia — now it’s your turn to highlight the city’s top spots.

Introducing: COLAtoday’s Best

From coffee shops to event venues, we want your input on Columbia’s top businesses.

We’re celebrating local talent across various categories, including -


  • Food & Drink: Happy Hour, Tap Rooms, Breweries, Brunch, Fine Dining, Food Trucks, Coffee Shops
  • Lifestyle & Services: Spas, Gyms, Medical Centers, Home Services, Real Estate Agents
  • Entertainment & Culture: Music Venues, Theaters, Party Venues, Museums, Local Influencers
  • More: Coworking Spaces, Pet-Friendly Venues, Apartment Complexes, and more

How to Nominate:

Nominations open Monday, Sept. 15 – Friday, Oct. 3. Use your desktop or mobile to submit your nominations.

  • Select a category
  • Enter the business name or address and choose from the drop-down
  • Business owners can provide an email for updates
  • Click “Add nomination”
  • Already nominated? Click the thumbs-up to upvote.

For help, email todaysbest@6amcity.com.

What’s Next?

  • Voting opens: Monday, Oct 20, 2025
  • Winners revealed: Monday, Dec 8, 2025

Let’s celebrate Columbia’s best — nominate now: by mobile or by desktop.
Check out all the details

Event Spotlight

Colorful fireworks light up the night sky above Segra Park

Join the Fireflies as they swing for the fences. | Photo provided by Columbia Fireflies

The Fireflies are championship-bound. After taking down the Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2-1 in the South Division finals, the crew is headed to the Carolina League Championship Series — Columbia’s first shot at a pro-sports title since 1998.

The team returns to Segra Park tomorrow at 7:05 p.m., with a possible Game 3 on Wednesday.

Grab your tickets and get ready to glow.

Events

Monday, Sept. 15

Stargazing | 9 p.m. | Melton Observatory, University of South Carolina | Free | Get a good look at the universe on clear nights.

Tuesday, Sept. 16

Rooftop Dinner Series: Louisiana Creole Night | 6:30-9 p.m. | Savage Craft Ale Works, West Columbia | $80 | Lounge back with live jazz and tableside cooking.

Wednesday, Sept. 17

Ask the Gardener Happy Hour: All Things Beekeeping! | 4-6 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost | Price of purchase | Grab a drink and learn the process of caring for multiple bee hives, harvesting honey, and the nature of queen bees and their colonies.

Thursday, Sept. 18

Columbia’s 38th Annual Greek Festival | Thursday, Sept. 18-Sunday, Sept. 21 | Times vary | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral | Free | Celebrate Greek culture with authentic food, live music, traditional dancing, vendors, and cathedral tours at Columbia’s biggest cultural festival.

Friday, Sept. 19

Summer Nights at the Museum | 9 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum | $10 | The museum will stay open late on select Fridays through the summer season.

Koger Center Presents Live Outside: John Hollier with Prettier Than Matt | 5-7 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts Outside Stage | Free | Enjoy a free outdoor concert with Nashville folk-rock singer John Hollier and local duo Prettier Than Matt.*

Rock 4 Recovery 2025 with Yachtely Crew - America’s #1 Yacht Rock Band | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Icehouse Amphitheater, Lexington | $30 | Break out your sailing caps, puka shells, and boat shoes for this substance-free concert celebrating hope and healing, with all proceeds supporting LRADAC’s treatment and recovery programs.*

Saturday, Sept. 20

Jubilee: Festival of Black History and Culture | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Mann-Simons Site | Free | The annual celebration features live music and entertainment, artist demonstrations, and marketplace vendors selling a variety of wares, products, and art.

The 18th Annual Palmetto Peanut Boil | 2900 Block of Devine St., Columbia | Free | Come celebrate the state snack and try all varieties of peanuts.
See our full events calendar
Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash

News Notes

Mansion Monday

Rockbridge Lodge on Lake Wateree blends Adirondack lodge charm with relaxed lakefront living, thanks to a wraparound porch and a balcony perfect for sunset views. Enter through the castle-like doors to find timber-beam ceilings and plenty of space to entertain guests.

Development

Mungo Homes has submitted plans to build Cypress Bend, a 122-home subdivision on ~30 acres north of Fort Jackson. The proposed site sits off Percival Road, near Sesquicentennial State Park. (The State)

Outdoors

The SC Green Industry Association’s 22nd Annual Fall Field Day returns Oct. 2 to Modern Turf in Dalzell. Expect hands-on training, demos, and CEU credits for arborists, pesticide pros, and more. Over 40 exhibitors will be on-site.

Seasonal

Columbia’s peak fall foliage will likely fall around Monday, Nov. 3. That is, according to this interactive map, which also comes with a handy tool to report foliage colors to make future predictions more accurate. You’ve still got time to explore our parks and find where you want to see the leaves turn. (Smoky Mountains)

State

Prep your water cooler convo. SC’s remote workers received new rules: they’re limited to two non-consecutive work-from-home days per week, and new hires must earn this privilege after a full year in the office. Governor McMaster’s latest executive order is now in effect. (WLTX)

Watch

The destination is set for “The White Lotus” Season 4, and it’s looking very French. Filming hasn’t started yet, so there’s plenty of time to enroll in a crash course of the language — or, you could start planning your watch party meals with Hampton Street Vineyard. (Deadline)

Active

Want to stay independent as you get older? The Wellness Coaches at Still Hopes recommend simple exercises that help with everyday activities like sitting, climbing stairs, reaching overhead, and getting in and out of the car. Start moving smarter.*

Eat

Nothing beats a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup on a chilly fall day — perfect for cozy nights and easy, feel-good meals all season long.*

Real Estate

This 122-acre Goose Acres tract in Batesburg, SC, features mature pines, hardwoods, rolling land, and plenty of space for hunting, recreation, or a private retreat. Psst… It’s just a short drive to Lake Murray and scenic golf courses. Schedule a tour.*

Edu

The Clemson MBA program’s Executive Board Learning Series returns this fall, offering hands-on, practical sessions in innovative business decision-making. Classes are held on Mondays from Oct. 6 to Oct. 27, with in-person and online options available. Learn more + register.*

Seasonal

Got something big happening this fall? From new menus to limited-time promos, make sure your message lands in front of our 52,700+ highly engaged local subscribers. Get started on our business promo portal with zero long-term contract.

Pets

You insure your phone… but not your pet? One accident could cost $10,000. Pet insurance can help cover the unexpected, with plans starting at $10/month and offering up to 90% coverage. Learn more.*

Jobs of the Week

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City Guide

🐶 Sit + stay in Cola

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Ringo + a specialty dog beer from Craft and Draft | Photo via @ringoretriever_
Whether you’re in need of a drinking paw-tner at a local brewery, hitting the night market, or just dining out, well bone appétit. Get ready to dig into this guide for dog-friendly businesses around the 803.

Hunter Gatherer Brewery and Taproom | For those with high-energy pups, Hunter Gatherer has lots of space for them to explore (oh, and it’s right next to Owens Field park).

Jake’s on Devine | “We are always dog friendly on our back deck until 10 pm! Tuesdays + Thursdays are #YappyHour with drink specials and extra measures in place for our furiends! ” — @jakesondevine

Sweet Cream Co.| Your dog is in for a treat — Sweet Cream Co. makes frozen dog treats with yogurt, honey, and peanut butter, and even matches each dollar of proceeds to support local animal rescues.

Soda City, Main Street District | More like Dog City, check out what Soda City is like from a dog’s POV.
Fetch more spots

The Buy

Your go-to shoe for early fall: Birkenstock’s Buckley Suede Clog. These comfortable clogs are easy to slip off and on and are built on Birkenstock’s classic cork footbed for arch support and security.

Bonus: New HSN shoppers can use code WELCOME2025 for $15 off $35+ purchases.
More worth The Buy

Games

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The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Let the games begin

The Wrap

Today’s edition by: David

Get ready for an exciting week of events, including two of my favorites. On Thursday, Sept. 18, the annual Greek Festival kicks off at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral and runs through Sunday, Sept. 21. On Saturday, Sept. 20, I’ll be out at the Animal Mission’s annual Palmetto Peanut Boil returning as a judge for the third year. It’s always a great time — last year, Dawn Staley joined in as our celebrity judge.
Dawn Staley with the Palmetto Peanut Boil crew including COLAtoday City Editor David.

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