The adults come out to play at Goat's in Five Points! If you have a love for espresso martinis,…read moreyou'll definitely want to check them out!

Goat's was a really cool restaurant, and was a great change of pace compared to the other…read moreestablishments in the area. When I walked in, I was amazed at what I saw inside, as it definitely was not what I was expecting (and I mean that in a good way!). I loved how dimly lit it was inside, which was complemented by miniature lights that were strung from the ceiling. Speaking of the aforementioned change of pace, I also appreciated how there were no TVs inside, which created an intimate atmosphere that focused more on conversing with your friends than watching whatever may have been on TV. Finally, as someone who always pays attention to a restaurant's artwork... I absolutely LOVED the artwork that was on display at Goat's. They had so many cool pieces of eclectic artwork, that you could almost consider it as much a small art museum as a restaurant. My favorite art piece is kind of hard to describe, but I guess you could say that it was of a God-like man in a suit controlling somebody who was playing golf. (I know, it's hard to describe, but like I said, it's eclectic.) My one (1) downside to Goat's, and the only thing keeping it from a five-star review, is that the bartender and servers were all pretty rude and arrogant. This is speculation, but maybe Goat's is one of those places that considers itself a "regulars" bar, and isn't very nice to people who aren't regular customers, but the three (3) employees I interacted with weren't all that inviting. All in all, Goat's was a great experience, and if it were an option, I'd probably give it something like 4.5 or 4.8 stars if I could. If the servers were a little less full of themselves, or maybe just in a better mood, I'd consider it a five-star experience. Nevertheless, Goat's was a great experience, I'll definitely be back, and I'd recommend that anybody stop in if they're looking for a unique experience in Five Points!

Brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays are always amazing and fun. If you enjoy karaoke, amazing…read morefood, and drinks you'll love it there! Definitely a go to for brunch if you want to catch a good vibe!

The Joint @ 1710 Main in Columbia is one of those spots that effortlessly blends good food, live…read moremusic, and a whole vibe Walking in, you immediately feel the energy--dim lighting, chandeliers, and a packed room full of people enjoying themselves. The live band set the tone for the entire night . Smooth, soulful, and engaging--honestly felt like a mini concert while you're dining. The food came through too! The Fly Town Fries were stacked, flavorful, and had just the right kick , and the shrimp quesadilla was crispy, melty, and packed with flavor--definitely a must-order . Everything felt like elevated bar food done right. Drinks were on point--a chilled white Moscato paired perfectly with the meal , light, smooth, and refreshing for the vibe. The crowd was lively, diverse, and really added to the experience--this is definitely a social spot. Great for date night, girls night, or just getting out and enjoying downtown Columbia If you're looking for good music, good eats, and a great atmosphere all in one place, The Joint is it. Definitely coming back!

Great Food, Service, and the best Bourbon selection in South Carolina. Can't wait to return!read more

Perfect place for an amazing dinner right before catching a show! The holiday cocktail menu was…read moreinteresting, but the hubby opted for a smoked bourbon. It delivered on smokiness to the point of entertaining me too! My glass of rose was great, a normal choice for me. The gumbo had excellent flavor and the small whole bird on top was such an interesting presentation. The crispy skin had great flavor as did the chicken itself, complemented the creole flavor of the gumbo perfectly. I hate to admit that the tomato broth, dare I say gravy, kind of stole the flavor show. We both loved it. I nearly forgot I had grilled bread to accompany it as I was spooning up mussels and the delightfully flavorful tomato broth. Service was totally on point until the very end, when getting our check was a bit slow. We had a new server respond to our rescue though, and they did discount our check a bit, which was more than we were expecting. The seating arrangement for us ended up being at a communal long dining table, not a private booth. It wasn't our first date, and we loved being in the middle of the room and watching all of the dishes and drinks flow by. The view of the booth tables by the window would also make for a great view when the street is busy with ample people watching. Great experience, would definitely recommend. Take note, they do not take reservations so either come early or allow time to wait.

Came in with high hopes but left underwhelmed. I ordered the Cajun chicken pasta, but it came out…read moremore like a soup. It was so watered down. The bartender looked completely overwhelmed, even though it wasn't that busy, and I waited way too long just to get a drink. The atmosphere inside was oddly dark and uncomfortably hot, which didn't help the overall vibe. Definitely expected better.

Cute rooftop bar. Enclosed, Wish there was seating outside great view. Good drinks and friendly bar…read moretender

The Dragon Room is one of those spots that just gets it. From the moment you walk in, the staff…read morestands out--super unique, welcoming, and consistent from the front of the house all the way back. You can tell everyone's on the same page, which makes the whole experience feel intentional and smooth. The small shared-plate setup is perfect if you like trying a little bit of everything, and every dish hits with flavor and creativity. Pair that with really solid, well-crafted drinks and you've got a place that's easy to settle into and hard to leave. Intimate, flavorful, and full of personality--The Dragon Room is definitely worth every penny.

I have to say it but it really isn't all that good. I feel like the food is trying to be a fusion…read moreof everything with no distinct taste. Though you do get a lot for how much you pay. Also the servers just weren't that professional. The restaurant itself was dark and cozy though.

Both higher-end and casual options depending on what you want. Small space so there may be a wait…read moretime, but we got lucky on a raining evening. The food was excellent. There are small bites to choose from as soon as you are seated which are easy to fill up on. We then ordered stuffed mussels - which were could-have-just-ordered-this-all-night delicious. Then I ordered the Cavatelli al Modo Mio, which was a perfectly al dente pasta and chopped squash cooked with sage and brown butter. Save room for dessert! We ordered the Dark Chocolate Budino which we would get again! So good. The wine selection is modeled after Venetian wine bars - the staff is friendly and very knowledgeable to help with recommendations to pair with your meal. We were excited about the Negroni selection and cocktails but need to explore the wine menu more next time.

This place is a true hole in the wall. The vibes are homey and they have outdoor seating that has a…read morelittle bit of a private feel to it. Our server was so nice and incredible. And the food. So amazing. I'm very particular about when I get pasta bc often times it is overpriced for what it is, which this place is still expensive, but their pasta is so so good!!! Can't recommend enough.

Located in the Sheraton, it's an old bank turned hotel and bar. Very charming! It's a small bar…read morelocated in what was the main banks vault. Great drinks and super friendly service.

It's expensive. I'll leave it at that. 2 drinks for 2 adults ran us $60. I had a wine and SO had a…read moreMoscow mule. If you are on business travel and you have an alcohol allowance for clients, do it. The rest of Columbia does not have the wallet or the stomach for these kinds of prices. Space is cute but tiny. Good, fast service. Bartender was helpful. It was great, highly recommend if you want to pay for a very private location with low foot traffic. If you need to have a serious conversation or an intimate date, this would be a good option. We wanted to knock it off our Columbia bucket list. Now that it is done, we would not go back due to the cost.

Greeted and sat immediately when walking in. This was a place my brother chose to celebrate his…read moregraduation! A unique experience of its own. The place is very well air conditioned, and the space is very intentional. Visiting from out of state the waitress seemed a bit shy/new but curious about Wisconsin she warmed up a little bit. It's really cool that you can see the chefs in their element behind a glass wall while you wait. The silverware, or should I say Goldwear was beautiful. I started out with the All American Spritz- it was good but nothing extraordinary. However when I tried the pistachio martini, I was in disbelief! I was skeptical to order it as I've never even heard of one before and was unsure how pistachio would translate into a martini. It was creamy and somehow savory and sweet at the same time, the alcohol taste was nonexistent. And the rim was coated in pistachio crumbs. Both the drinks presentation was beautiful. I personally ordered the bbq chicken sandwhich, with mac and cheese instead of fries for the side. The sandwich was smoky, I could not stop eating it! If anyone was wondering what so special about the mac and cheese, it's the name of the noodles. And yes, the waitress will sound it out with you lol! The Mac and cheese wasn't creamy, and I found it a bit bland unfortunately. There was no order the same in the group I came with. The truffle fries were on the thinner crispier side, neat that there were different color of potatoes used. The duck wings came out like their very own presentation. I tried the alligator bites, that were served with 2 sauces, I thought there were kind of chewy , and weird enough I guess I have a preference with how my alligator is served since having tried some at the Wisco State fair. I love that the menu feels curated, you know what you're there for and it's not overwhelming to pick from the options of something new. The bathroom was very cute too! And the bar area was lit up, a cool atmosphere.

When my family in Columbia suggested a "forest to table" restaurant, I wasn't sure what to expect…read more But The Hollow surprised me in the best way. The concept centers on wild game. Bison, elk, boar, rabbit. These are proteins you don't see on most menus. The restaurant leans into a woodland theme with greenery hanging throughout the space. It borders on a bit much, but the open kitchen visible from the dining room grounds the whole experience and adds a nice touch of theater. The seating was comfortable and well spaced, perfect for a family dinner where you actually want to hear each other talk. Our server was outstanding, easily 5 out of 5. She knew the menu cold, offered thoughtful recommendations, and struck that ideal balance of attentive without being intrusive. She made the evening better. The drinks were mostly a win. Two cocktails were excellent, creative and well balanced. A third was over iced and fell flat. Minor miss, but worth noting. The food is where The Hollow really shines. The charcuterie board was a fantastic start, featuring a well curated spread of wild game meats, quality cheeses, fig, and mustard. The mains delivered across the board: salmon, elk, and bison all came out beautifully with great flavor and generous portions. The sides deserved their own applause, which isn't something I say often. The dessert menu was the one soft spot. Nothing grabbed our attention, so we ended up heading across the street to Kaminsky's for something sweet. For a kitchen that puts this much care into everything else, the dessert offerings felt like an afterthought. A couple of notes on the bill to be aware of: we were charged a few dollars for swapping a vegetable side. There was a 3% credit card surcharge that caught us off guard. When you're out with the family and the tab runs into the hundreds $, most folks are paying with a card. That's a fee I'd want to know about upfront. On the menu, from the server, somewhere visible before the check arrives. The bottom line: The Hollow is a creative, well executed restaurant with standout food and excellent service. If you're in Columbia, it's well worth a reservation.