11 Things To Do At Night In Columbia, South Carolina

things to do at night in columbia sc
Ryan Joshua
Ryan Joshua 
Updated
| 5 min read

Being the capital of the State of South Carolina, the city of Columbia offers a lot of fun activities to do and enjoy. Whether you are in town for a weekend getaway or for college, you will surely find plenty of parks, live music, concerts, activities, and other entertainment options that will surely leave you happy and enjoyed, any time of the day. At Columbia, there will be always something for you to do, in the daytime or even at night. So choose among the best hotels and Airbnb vacation rentals for your accommodations and check out the list below. We have compiled the best things to do at night in Columbia, activities that you can surely start as soon as the sun goes down.

1. Enjoy a round of drinks and live music at The White Mule

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

We had a rocking show with Stop Light Observations this past weekend Check out our last post for this weeks schedule! & Stay tuned for details about our show tomorrow

Posted by White Mule Music on Tuesday, September 10, 2019

For some fun things to do with friends, head down to The White Mule on Saluda Avenue. Besides live music, this venue also hosts comedy sets and spoken word poetry. The intimate bar setting is great for those who just want to enjoy a drink and a show without having to deal with a huge crowd. Beer, cocktails, and other cold drinks are available.

The White Mule

Address: 711 Saluda Ave, Columbia, SC 29205

Website: The White Mule

Opening hours: 5pm - 12am (daily)

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2. Sample delicious wines at Lula Drake Wine Parlour

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Lula Drake Wine Parlour on Wednesday, August 19, 2020

If you love a good vintage, set aside one evening to visit Lula Drake Wine Parlour on Main Street. When the proprietors went to check out their new space, they found a trunk with the personal possessions and calling card of a fascinating woman from the 1920s named Lula Drake, who the parlor was named after. Inspired, they set about creating a place where wine enthusiasts and eccentrics could meet and create memories.

Today, they offer a rotating wine list that ranges from rare vintage wines to bottles created by small wineries. If you’re interested in seeing their current selection, be sure to check out their website.

Lula Drake Wine Parlour

Address: 1635 Main St #2817, Columbia, SC 29201

Website: Lula Drake Wine Parlour

Opening hours: Tue - Wed: 5pm - 10pm; Thu - Sat: 5pm - 12am

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3. Dare to try ax-throwing at Craft Axe Throwing

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Release the stress of the long week this weekend with your friends at Craft Axe! Reserve your lane for this weekend now!

Posted by Craft Axe Throwing on Thursday, March 18, 2021

Ax-throwing is a fun group activity if you’re on a trip to Columbia with friends. Forget the typical movie or bowling night and head to Craft Axe Throwing for a more thrilling indoor activity. Participants with no experience need not worry - trained instructors are there to help you out! You can easily book a lane on their website. College students can also enjoy College Nights and get unlimited ax throws for just 15 USD per hour.

Craft Axe Throwing

Address: 700 Gervais St b2, Columbia, SC 29201

Website: Craft Axe Throwing

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 11pm; Sun: 2pm - 9pm

Price: from 20 USD

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4. Watch stand-up performances at the Comedy House

Winn Dixie Columbia SC (6852296798)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mike Kalasnik used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Visit the Comedy House if you want to spend the night laughing over a glass of beer or wine. The Comedy House is a stand-up comedy and entertainment venue that caters to people from all walks of life. They offer various shows by some of Columbia’s best stand-up comedians during the nights of Wednesdays to Sundays as they serve a full dinner menu and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Perfect for a fun and laughter-filled date with your significant other.

The Comedy House

Address: 2768 Decker Blvd, Columbia, SC 29206, USA

Website: The Comedy House

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 10am - 5pm; Fri: 10am - 11pm; Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 4pm - 8:30pm (closed on Mon)

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5. Go for a movie at Regal Columbia Cinema

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

There’s nothing more entertaining than watching the latest movie flicks from Hollywood or from all over the world at the cinema. The best cinema place in Columbia is the Regal Cinemas Columbia Cinema 7. Watch your favorite movies in their comfortable seats and their very clear screens that project in high definition. They also serve the best popcorn and soda for an even better viewing experience.

Regal Columbia Cinema

Address: 3400 Forest Dr #3000, Columbia, SC 29204, USA

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6. Play 10-pin bowling at AMF Columbia Lanes

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by AMF Bowling Co. on Thursday, January 19, 2017

Bowling is definitely one of our most loved activities to do when we are bored. It is also one of the reasons why you would want to hit the pins at the AMF Columbia Lanes. Enjoy playing a round of bowling at the AMF Columbia Lanes, even hit the arcades and play a few rounds of pool while also enjoying their very delicious food and drink options. Perfect for a Friday or Saturday game night with your friends and family.

AMF Columbia Lanes

Address: 1732 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA

Website: AMF Columbia Lanes

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 1pm - 12am; Sat: 12pm - 1am; Sun: 1pm - 11pm

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7. Drink whiskey at Bourbon

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


A good meal is perfect when partnered with an exclusive glass of bourbon, and as this restaurant is named after this great drink, it is surely a restaurant you would want to visit. Bourbon is the latest addition to Columbia’s busy Main Street. Enjoy an authentic American whiskey in their complete and fabulous cocktail bar and their tasty Cajun-Creole restaurant. Perfect for Friday or Saturday nights or even after payday!

Bourbon

Address: 1214 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201, USA

Website: Bourbon

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 4:30pm - 2am (closed on Sun & Mon)

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8. Listen to live music at the Senate

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


On the hunt for the best live music venues and concerts in Columbia? Well, look no more as the Senate is the one you are looking for. Formerly known as the Music Farm, the 1,200-people capacity music venue is one of the best places in Columbia for music lovers and concertgoers to hang out. Listen to the music of the local artists or even catch a show of some of America’s best bands and singers as they perform live in front of you at The Senate.

The Senate

Address: 1022 Senate St, Columbia, SC 29201, USA

Website: The Senate

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9. Wander around Five Points

Five Points Fountain
Source: Photo by Flickr user geraldbrazell used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Known as the center of Columbia’s annual celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, Five Points is a shopping, restaurant and nightlife area that attracts people from the University of South Carolina which is just nearby. You can just walk to shops, casual restaurants, bars, events, and many other activities in the vicinity of this ever-vibrant area.

Five Points

Address: Intersection of Greene St. and Harden St

Website: Five Points

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10. Go for a late night snack at Tios Mexican Cafe & Cantina

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Tios Columbia on Monday, May 16, 2022

Tios Mexican Cafe & Cantina is one of the local’s most favorite place to eat Mexican food. They offer a lot of choices that are even friendly to vegetarians. On your visit, make sure to try their fried chicken, veggie burrito, salsa, and margaritas.

Tios Mexican Cafe & Cantina

Address: 921 Sumter St, Columbia, SC 29201, USA

Website: Tios Mexican Cafe & Cantina

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 12am (closed on Sun)

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11. Explore the night sky at the South Carolina State Museum

SCstatemuseum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Akhenaton06 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

South Carolina State Museum, South Carolina’s largest and most comprehensive museum, offers a unique, fun, and educational experience to visitors of all ages all in its 225,000-square feet (20,903-square meter) facility that is found in the center of downtown Columbia’s Congaree Vista. Get to see one of the most treasured artifacts, a textile mill, and check out the southeast region’s largest planetarium. Here, you can watch an interactive 4D movie and have a glimpse of space through a vintage telescope.

While the museum is typically open until 5 on most days, a yearly event called Night at the State Museum is held here. Guests can sleep overnight at the museum and enjoy hands-on activities, a seasonal planetarium tour, and dinner from Little Caesars Pizza. Those planning to participate must register in advance.

South Carolina State Museum

Address: 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201, USA

Website: South Carolina State Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)

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Have fun in Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina Skyline, Night
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Tim used under CC BY 2.0

These are just but a few fun activities you can try at night in Columbia. There are still a lot more to explore in this great city, including rooftop bars and other tourist attractions. If you’re on a date, you’ll find many romantic things to do as well! So make sure to experience all of these on your next visit to Columbia. Enjoy!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Ryan is a Computer Engineer with a heart for traveling and writing. Born in Pasay City, Philippines, and raised in Melbourne, Australia, he is now based in the Philippines' City of Smiles, Bacolod...Read more

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