Sidebar On Main

Main Street Tavern is one of the best spots in Sumter! From the moment you walk in, you feel like a…read moreregular. The bartenders are incredibly friendly and possess the perfect blend of professionalism and personality that makes the whole experience memorable. The food here is fantastic! The wings are absolutely phenomenal. They're perfectly cooked with a great variety of flavors to choose from. The pizza is outstanding with that delicious thin crust that hits the spot every time. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but those wings and pizzas are must-tries! The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming with a great local vibe. It's the perfect place to unwind after a long day, catch up with friends, or enjoy some quality bar food and cold craft beer. They offer an impressive beer selection, featuring over 75 different domestic and craft options. One of the things I really appreciate is that it's a smoke-free bar, which makes for a much more comfortable environment. The prices are very fair, and the service is always professional and attentive. Whether you're a local or just passing through Sumter, Main Street Tavern is definitely worth a visit. Great food, great drinks, great people. What more could you ask for?

Tavern on Main is one of the few bars in Sumter that you do not need to be a "member" of. There is…read moreno smoking inside which is nice, and they have a good selection of beers. On the weekends it is moderately crowded with people playing pool and the games the have in bar. Truth or Dare Jenga is always fun. :) The only issue I have with the bar is the perceived cleanliness level. I am sure it is clean, but they have gross old couches in the front area and it always smells a little bit like a restroom. Good place to grab a drink or two after dinner.

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Rafters

4.4(11 reviews)

0.0 mi

Sophisticated but still fun. Craft cocktails and great wine list. Date night lighting with a good…read moremenu that ranges from craft pizza (gluten-free available!) to seared day boat scallops. One of the best espresso martinis ever. Shrimp with pasta was one weak note- Argentina Red shrimp could not compare to our local SC shrimp. Pasta was still delicious. Fresh mixed salad with grilled peaches and feta was fantastic. That strawberry Basil Vinaigrette should be bottled and available at the bar! Great choice for a date night, especially for the 35 and up crowd.

I've been here several times for various reasons - birthday parties, bachelorettes, dates...The…read moreambiance is excellent, and I think the interior is so chic. The only thing I will say is that the hours can be kind of dodgy. When it is open, though, it's wonderful!

Key Lime Pie Martini (tasty but too thick and sweet) and Espresso Martini (perfection!). View of bar.

After dinner drinks were great. Playlist was upbeat and fun.

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Scalloped potatoes

J O' Gradys

4.1(182 reviews)

0.1 mi

Always great for a sandwich or burger or tacos or onion rings or fries or beer and beer and beer!…read moreCan not recommend more when I'm downtown area. I always like the Chicken Fire Ant on Texas Toast, not sure why I capitalized every other word eit

Charming Pub located in the heart of Sumter on Main Street just a short walk away from the Hyatt…read morePlace where we were staying while in town. My party of 3 arrived around 5pm and decided to sit at the bar. The ambiance was casual and comfortable, very clean. Our bartender was amicable and attentive. We started off with drinks my husband and I decided on margaritas, they only offer classic no flavors but there were a few tequilas to choose from. Our cousin drinks red wine and they only offered a Cabernet so she went with that. The drinks were ok. I would not come here solely to drink since I'm into handcrafted drinks. Like most pubs they focus on beer, their selection in beers was fantastic. My husband ordered a burger and fries. The burger was huge and he said it was delicious and the fries were ok. Our cousin and I both ordered the Buffalo Shrimp Tacos. For my side I had the beer battered onion rings which came with a jalapeño ranch sauce, they were crispy and really tasty. My cousin had the coleslaw which she mentioned was average. The tacos were exactly as described but wasn't as flavorful as I was expecting, they were not bad but I wouldn't order them again. We had a great experience, customer service was stellar and if ever in town again I would come back.

Great bar!

Christian's Mainstreet Melt

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Sumter Original Brewery

3.6(57 reviews)

0.1 mi

This place is amazing. There's food, drinks, shuffleboard, ping pong, billiards, darts, live music,…read moreand trivia on wednesdays. There's three floors of entertainment that can last a whole evening. Bring quarters for the games! There's plenty of space for private conversations and loud parties. The beers were pretty good, the strawberry cheesecake shots were great, and the corn ribs were delicious. I wish they had more dessert options available though, the brownie was not very impressive.

Large spot in downtown Sumter. Nice assortment of house made beers, with choices for wine and…read moredrinks too. (The margarita was what dropped the review back to a 4.) Food was freshly made and on point. Order at the bar and they bring it to your table. Fun local live music. Enjoyed watching kids dance. College games on the TV.

Crescent Moon Wheat

Rooftop

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Under the Cover

4.0(1 review)

0.1 mi

Interesting store next to the restaurant we were dining at J O'Gradys. Our bartender asked if we…read morehad checked out Under the cover and if not we had not we should. We told the bartender that while walking pass the store we noticed the cats sitting in the display window and wasn't sure if it was a pet store or book store. She explained that they are cats that were up for adoption. The cats were huge but hopefully they will end up finding a good home. If you like romance books then this store is a wonderland full of just about every genre you can think of. All the details were cute the decor had a whimsical feel to it. They offer wine, mimosas and beer at the bar in the bookstore for the girls that like a good drink while reading a good steamy book. We didn't have much time to browse but I loved everything about this quaint little book store. Next time I'm in town I will definitely set aside some time to come back.

From the owner: A Romance Bookstore and Wine Bar, the first of its kind in South Carolina.read more

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Willie Sue's

3.8(362 reviews)

4.9 mi

Food was amaz, especially the candied bacon. Service was…read morerather slow. Ambiance was great. You should open another location in Manning, SC

The food was salty and the waitress Jessica promised large portions but it was a lie. Never againread more

Whole fried flounder with coleslaw.

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Jimmy's of Sumter

4.3(3 reviews)

5.3 mi

I love Jimmy's because the people are great. It's so easy to make friends here, even if you are the…read moreshyest person. The bartenders and karaoke djs are great. Oh, and it has karaoke FOUR nights a week! It also has darts, pool, and an old style arcade game. Jimmy's looks a little rough on the outside because of poor lighting, but looks can be deceiving. It is members only but it's easy to become a member. Peak hours are a bit unpredictable. Even on a Friday night, sometimes it's really busy and sometimes it is slow. Sometimes it's busy on a Tuesday. You just never know so if it's too slow or too crowded the first time you show up, try again.

Jimmy's is a great local bar with friendly staff and patrons. The service is quick and the bar is…read moreusually decently clean. They often have home cooked food out and welcome anyone to eat what they would like. Patrons also bring snacks to give to the bar which are given to guest free of charge when available at request. Karaoke with Ernie is absolutely the best. Other KDJs do karaoke on some nights and also do a good job, but nothing beats Ernie. Jimmy's is a melting pot of people and everyone is welcomed equally. You will find a wide range of ages of all types of beliefs and backgrounds having a great time together. Whether it is throwing darts, shooting pool, singing karaoke, or drinking cold beer at the bar. The only cons would be the lighting is poor at night and it does get very smokey. It is easy to overlook that, but it is something to consider if you have poor eyesight or breathing difficulties.

Hamptons

4.3(165 reviews)

0.0 mi

•$$$

We went here for lunch of a weekday and it was a wonderful experience. We requested to sit upstairs…read morein the rafters, which had a slightly less formal vibe than their main dining room. There was also an outdoor patio area. We had the entire room to ourselves and our waiter was great. He was super attentive, friendly, and professional. Our food and drinks were delicious. Our waiter even recommended good pairing wines to order. The poke bowl portion was huge. The crème brûlée was one of the best I've ever had. This place was beautiful and upscale, but not overly stuffy. We were allowed to dine in casual clothing.

My Family has celebrated many special occasions at this restaurant over the year, often with groups…read moreof 8-10 people.This weekend our party of 12was told that our bill could only be split into two checks per table - no exceptions...instead of trying to help, the manager repeatedly explained the policy and suggested we use Venmo, Cash App, or Apple Pay to reimburse each other. I understand that every business has policies, but customer service should never by simply quoting the rules. The way it was handled made my family feel like an inconvenience rather than valued, loyal customers. Sadly,we left feeling disappointed, unwelcome, and questioning whether our business was truly appreciated. As people of color, the experience also left us wondering whether we were being treated differently. Whether intentional or not that was the impact. We hope the restaurant will reconsider both this policy and how it is communicated. Good food brings people in...great hospitality is what brings them back. Sadly, some family members will not return. Signed someone who understands what great service and great hospitality looks like.

The rafters

Chicken Green Curry

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Interior

Shuckers

3.8(9 reviews)

2.7 mi

MEH.... We've had better..... the steaks used to be really good but have gone down hill…read moretremendously. The wings are not consistent at all. Sometimes you get big jumbo looking wings and other times you may get small wings. Maybe they should ask Legacies next door where they get their wings from! They are always on point!!

Food was absolutely amazing! Their batter they use on the fish is A+++ The service was amazing as…read morewell.

Back cover

Front Cover

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Page 1

Sylvia Jo's Family Restaurant

4.2(5 reviews)

1.1 mi

I don't know exactly the server was she had longer hair and brown blonde hair, however my boyfriend…read moreand his coworkers came in on their lunch break. The sever was beyond rude, was mad because they were dirty from working and sat in her section, i am a server and i have never ONCE gotten mad because a blue collar man is dirty from work. i've never been the one to complain but this is absolutely disgusting how she acted. she proceeded to talk horribly about them 5 ft away. horrible experience!!

This is an old timey family friendly diner that serves "plates" cafeteria style. The food was…read moreamazing (home cooked) and the service was great! A plate was a choice of meat and 3 sides. This is a place you might just drive by if you didn't know to stop. Definitely a 'locals' kind of place.

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3 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Jonathan W.

236

155

138

3 years ago

Well, slap my taste buds and call me impressed! So there I was, galivanting in Sumter, and my pals threw a curveball of deliciousness my way - Sidebar, they said. Let me tell you, it's like they injected hospitality into the air, because we were ushered in faster than you can say "brewski." We snagged a spot by the outdoor wind wizard (aka the big fan), and let me tell ya, it was breezier than a palm tree on a tropical vacation. But hold your horses, the real star was our waitress. I can't recall her name, but I'd put my money on her secretly being a Jedi with how attentively she catered to our whims. I mean, customer service on this level? I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. And now, let's talk food. The chicken wings? Let's just say they should be crowned the Wing Royalty of Sumter. Each bite was like a flavor explosion in my mouth, a taste bud fiesta! And my motley crew of eaters? They were all grinning like Cheshire cats. My boy, oh my boy, he devoured a burger that apparently shattered his burger space-time continuum. He declared it 'the best burger I have ever had' and even skipped breakfast the next morning, still riding high on his culinary conquest. Ladies and gents, if you find yourself wanderin' 'round Sumter, Sidebar ain't just a pit stop - it's a pilgrimage for your palate. read more

Alexandria S.

0

1

0

8 years ago

Service was amazing and quick! The food was delicious and bartender (George) was very kind. Will definitely be our next date night out. Can't wait to go back! read more

Shannan W.

0

3

0

7 years ago

Great food and a fun vibe. A must in downtown Sumter, SC.

Sidebar On Main - bars - Updated August 2026

People who viewed Sidebar On Main also viewed

Willie Sue's

3.8

(362 reviews)

Food was amaz, especially the candied bacon. Service was…read morerather slow. Ambiance was great. You should open another location in Manning, SC

The food was salty and the waitress Jessica promised large portions but it was a lie. Never againread more

J O' Gradys

4.1

(182 reviews)

Always great for a sandwich or burger or tacos or onion rings or fries or beer and beer and beer!…read moreCan not recommend more when I'm downtown area. I always like the Chicken Fire Ant on Texas Toast, not sure why I capitalized every other word eit

Charming Pub located in the heart of Sumter on Main Street just a short walk away from the Hyatt…read morePlace where we were staying while in town. My party of 3 arrived around 5pm and decided to sit at the bar. The ambiance was casual and comfortable, very clean. Our bartender was amicable and attentive. We started off with drinks my husband and I decided on margaritas, they only offer classic no flavors but there were a few tequilas to choose from. Our cousin drinks red wine and they only offered a Cabernet so she went with that. The drinks were ok. I would not come here solely to drink since I'm into handcrafted drinks. Like most pubs they focus on beer, their selection in beers was fantastic. My husband ordered a burger and fries. The burger was huge and he said it was delicious and the fries were ok. Our cousin and I both ordered the Buffalo Shrimp Tacos. For my side I had the beer battered onion rings which came with a jalapeño ranch sauce, they were crispy and really tasty. My cousin had the coleslaw which she mentioned was average. The tacos were exactly as described but wasn't as flavorful as I was expecting, they were not bad but I wouldn't order them again. We had a great experience, customer service was stellar and if ever in town again I would come back.

Gahnzales

4.8

(6 reviews)

Had a great experience here! The restaurant has such a great vibe and atmosphere, and the service…read morewas excellent from start to finish. The food was delicious -- I especially loved the green chile chicken enchilada. Everything was flavorful and really hit the spot. Definitely a place I'd come back to!

Great restaurant! So many choices of great margaritas! The fajitas were excellent! Nice…read moreselection of tequilas too. Do yourself a favor and order the street corn side. Service was fast and polite, you can tell the staff is new as they don't check in often and the classic, "thank you for dining with us tonight" was missing on the way out as we passed several of the staff and the hostess, they are sooo close to being an incredible place once they get some more experience. Don't hesitate to go...make a reservation!

Sumter Cut Rate Drugs and Coffee Shop

4.1

(24 reviews)

I was once a fan of this place but I can no longer support it bc of the clear profit taking they…read moreare trying to pull. Yes I understand how things work and there are issues with the supply chain, but I can not believe for one second that costs have gone up 50%! Time to find another establishment to spend my hard earned money at! Do not recommend!

I went to try the burger because relatives had said it was the best burger in Sumter. It wasn't…read morethat good but I'd go back again. I liked the atmosphere and the employees were nice. The burger and fries were good, I just wouldn't say the best but better than average.

Leo's Wings

3.4

(67 reviews)

Leo's is by far one of Sumter's best value places to eat for quality and for the dollar…read more Simply put, I think they have some of the best food in town. They're have some of the better chicken wings, wraps, and definitely the best raw chips in town. And if quality of food isn't what you think it is, the quantity is undisputed (they pack the to-go trays!). And if not that, they have the best prices for their food. $30 for 20 wings, a large side and 2 fountain drinks (dine-in only) is the best chicken wing deal in town that I've seen. In addition, being able to get their wraps and sides for roughly the same price as your typical fast food opt (and even less with the burger wrap option) Sumter has only so few local restaurants with the majority being local cha, but this has been one of my favorite places to go to. And if you go at night, you'll notice too because it's like family night there!

This was the first time trying their food at home we ordered online and i got the hamburger thats…read moreit just the sandwich it had lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion and some cheese, the burger was super thin like a school burger the bun was huge so more bread than burger and it is 10: 42 pm now i have been sick since i ate it literally sick to my stomach and using the restroom at the same time since i ate it the pain in my stomach is terrible. Needless to say i am very disappointed and sick now and will not ever eat herre again after this , i feel like it is food poison. I generally don't even do a review but this has made me sick and I don't know what it was the meat or something on this burger was not good and my body is letting me definitely know it . Amd please if your gonna make burgers don't serve paper thing Burger on a giant bun like this was just awful all the way around .

Sylvia Jo's Family Restaurant

4.2

(5 reviews)

I don't know exactly the server was she had longer hair and brown blonde hair, however my boyfriend…read moreand his coworkers came in on their lunch break. The sever was beyond rude, was mad because they were dirty from working and sat in her section, i am a server and i have never ONCE gotten mad because a blue collar man is dirty from work. i've never been the one to complain but this is absolutely disgusting how she acted. she proceeded to talk horribly about them 5 ft away. horrible experience!!

This is an old timey family friendly diner that serves "plates" cafeteria style. The food was…read moreamazing (home cooked) and the service was great! A plate was a choice of meat and 3 sides. This is a place you might just drive by if you didn't know to stop. Definitely a 'locals' kind of place.

Guignard Diner

3.6

(14 reviews)

Great local spot in Sumter. The restaurant is clean. The service is helpful and the food very…read moretasty. Since visiting I have told many of my friends and family about it and encouraged them to try it out.

had my first visit here today, and it was wonderful! The service was beyond what I expected. The…read morefood was phenomenal! Keep up the excellent work and I will be back.

Genuine Flava

3.3

(9 reviews)

If you love soul food then you have to try this spot! It was SO good. I don't know which Auntie in…read morethe back was cooking, but they knew what they were doing! The service and members working there are so nice and personable. There was no "menu", just a whiteboard with what they had. No prices to be seen (ended up paying $17 for fried chicken, yams, Mac and cheese, greens, cornbread and sweet tea!). And honestly I am ok with that! They had oxtails while I was there (I didn't get them) but a large amount of people came in because they heard that they had them today so that says something. Good size portions, with great homemade flavor from the greens to the cornbread. Now, the outside and inside are not the best, definitely a hole in the wall spot. The food is so worth it!

Arrived at 10:30 and was told to come back at 11:00. Arrived at 11:00 and was told to come back at…read more12:00. No thanks. Probably great but between a sucky parking lot, disgusting cleanliness and not telling me the first trip to return at noon, the oyster place will get my money today.

Mariachi's

3.6

(85 reviews)