Columbia South Cackalacky

The Vista area is a one stop shop for bars and restaurants. Other than that area, I like going to The Kracken. Great mix of bothe good food and beer

 

Craft and draft is probably the best (imo) local hang out spot. Both a bottle shop and great place to have a beer. Staff is also great. To be honest the breweries here aren't the best. Conquest makes the best beer (again imo). The vista is also great like previously mentioned

 

I'd vote for a visit to River Rat for a brewery.

Food: depends on what you like but if you love Thai and want a small but eclectic beer list, Baan Sawan fits that bill. It's a little pricey but everything is made by hand in house and it is so delicious.

Favorite dive bar with great food and beer selection: The Whig Their fries are magic and they are open late.

Craft and draft is a great local hangout too- heads up they don't serve food but sometimes have beer trucks. This could be a good pre-show visit.

New hot place that opened up with small plates and cool beers and wines: Lula Drake on Main St.

If you decide to stay until Saturday morning the Soda City market on Main Street is wonderful

 

All the breweries in Columbia are very mediocre. I can't recommend any!

 

I've only had Conquest and River Rat...Conquest stuff was OK, if I was visiting, I might check that brewery out for a cool one-off or special release. I didn't care for anything that I tried from River Rat

 

Conquest beers that come in 6-packs are brewed and bottled by Thomas Creek. You know it's bad, when you have a mediocre brewery's beers brewed by an even more mediocre brewery.

Almost sounds like a tongue twister!

 

Ha, yes. My bad!

 

Second the Baan Sawan rec from @gothedistance. My favorite restaurant in town.

World of Beer and Flying Saucer are best bet for getting good beers. They are way more commercialized than Craft and Draft though, and agree that Craft and Draft is better hangout spot.

Conquest has a few good beers, but I can't recommend a columbia brewery very strongly right now. Best bet for that is to go to Craft and Draft and see if they have some SC local stuff from Birds Fly south, Revelry or Carolina Bauernhaus

 

Sit at the bar and strike up a conversation with Sam. He loves wine (and beer) and is as skilled at food pairings as anyone I've ever met.

 

Ever tried Bierkeller? We recently got chosen by a national publication as one of 8 breweries to watch in 2017. Happy to treat you to a beer if you're in town.

 

Bierkeller makes great beer!!

 

Bierkeller is the best, by far. Prost!

Check out Green's Piney Grove for an excellent selection of beer to take back with you, they have fantastic belgian selections.

 

I couldn't agree with this more!! While they might not be independently owned, they are by FAR, the best bottle shop I have been to in SC and Ive been to them all. Wes and his staff are 100% first class and completely informed about every beer they sell. Their pricing is the best I have ever seen and you are likely to find beers available that have been long gone elsewhere.