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Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 38 years ago,
where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.
Unique wines and an inspired menu make Lula Drake Wine Parlour date night-right.
In the capital city of Columbia, date night takes on different flavors, depending upon your personal style and the kind of evening you’re envisioning.
Among the most popular settings for a couple’s night out is Main Street in the heart of downtown, though there are certainly reasons to branch out.
The options for fun, entertainment and great dining are rich and varied to suit whatever your purpose is, from just-getting-to-know-you activities to close encounters of the romantic kind.
Here are some suggestions for planning the perfect date night for you and your boo.
Wine and Dine
For couples who yearn for a refined date night, dress up and bask in a fine dining experience with world-class wines.
Lula Drake Wine Parlour 1635 Main Street, Downtown
The setting: Lula Drake is an intimate spot operating in a historic building. It's small, but just right for cozy conversations.
The cellar: Tim Gardner, proprietor and head sommelier, offers a rotating list of wines by the glass and bottle, as well as Madeira, sherry and rare vintages. This won the restaurant the 2024 James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program.
Perfect pairings: The daily menu offers Gardner's pairing suggestions for pickled strawberry salad, cacio e pepe, sherry shrimp and other delicious dishes. If in doubt, just ask your server.
Love notes: No reservations accepted. Be there when the doors open for the best chance of securing a table.
Hampton Street Vineyard 1207 Hampton Street, Downtown
The setting: Hampton Street Vineyard is a French-American farm-to-table fine dining establishment. Located just off Main Street, its Napoleon III–style building inspired the elegant French interior design.
The cellar: You will be impressed with the comprehensive list of rare and exquisite wines from around the world selected by proprietor Jonathan Lopez, who holds an advanced sommelier certification.
Perfect pairings: The sommelier will assist you in pairings for expertly prepared dishes like Parisian gnocchi, bouillabaisse, braised cab short ribs and French onion soup.
Love notes: Reservations are strongly recommended.
Halls Chophouse 1221 Main Street, Downtown
The setting: Halls Chophouse offers white-tablecloth dining with a focus on stellar service and excellent steakhouse cuisine.
The cellar: The wine list at Halls is extensive with approximately eight pages of domestic and international wines by the glass, half bottle and bottle. You can download it here.
Perfect pairings: Ask for sommelier guidance in selecting the best vintage for succulent steaks, seafood, chops, quail and duck.
Love notes: Do get a reservation as this restaurant is highly popular any day of the week.
Motor Supply Company Bistro 920 Gervais Street, The Vista
The setting: Housed in a renovated engine supply building from the late 1800s, Motor Supply Company Bistro offers upscale dining in a relaxed atmosphere.
The cellar: The wine list here has garnered multiple awards from Wine Spectator for its lineup of more than 200 vintages, some of them rare.
Perfect pairings: The servers here are well-versed in the art of food and wine pairings. You can feel confident about their suggestions for dishes like pan-seared swordfish, New York strip steaks, and shrimp and grits.
Love notes: Reservations suggested. When the weather is fine, opt for a patio seat.
Dinner and Music
Chayz Lounge 607 Meeting Street, W. Columbia
The mood: Chayz Lounge is a sophisticated venue where music and cuisine both take the spotlight to create a special date night.
The music: Smooth jazz and rhythm and blues from both local and national acts
Food and drink: Shareable small plates (crab cakes, Creole shrimp and grits, teriyaki salmon crostini), salads, vegan flatbreads and burgers, desserts, hand-crafted cocktails and fine wines
Love notes: Must purchase tickets in advance online. Dress code and venue etiquette can be found here.
The Joint @1710 Main 1710 Main Street, Downtown
The mood: There's a vintage jazz hall vibe at The Joint, so cozy up at a table and sway the night away.
The music: Local and regional jazz and blues acts
Food and drink: Tapas plates, hearty entrees (pasta, steak, shrimp and grits), desserts, plus all kinds of cocktails, beer and wine
Love notes: Space is limited and the dining room tends to fill up quickly for performances. Arrive early.
Ambrosia Taverna 1734 Main Street, Downtown
The mood: Classic and modern Greek influences define the dining room at Ambrosia Taverna. Upstairs you'll find The Loft, where the pulsing energy will lure you and your date onto the dance floor.
The music: Live bands, DJs and themed dance nights with everything from salsa to disco to country to hip hop to electronica
Food and drink: Authentic Greek dishes like flaming saganaki, egg-lemon soup, Greek salad, pastitsio, Mediterranean-style meat/seafood dishes, desserts, full bar and a nice wine list
Love notes: Make a reservation for the dining room and wear your dancing shoes.
The Aristocrat 1001 Washington Street, Downtown
The mood: There's a relaxed energy at The Aristocrat, a gastropub with a Southern touch and solid lineup of live musicians.
The music: Jazz and blues from regional and local performers and bands
Food and drink: Pizza, flatbreads, wings, salads, shrimp dishes, sandwiches and desserts
Love notes: Immerse yourself in the music by asking for a seat near the stage in the main dining room.
Fun and Games
Cheer on or challenge each other for a fun date night that is sure to fuel a few exciting sparks—the romantic kind, of course.
The Grand 1621 Main Street, Downtown
The Setting: A former vaudeville theater, The Grand is now a destination for modern date nights with a restaurant, full bar, boutique bowling alley, cozy seating and an outdoor patio with live music.
Playtime: Bowling (advance reservations strongly suggested), shuffleboard, Giant Jenga and patio games like cornhole and putt-putt
Love bites: Arrive early and have dinner in the dining room (small plates, street tacos, salads, steaks, chicken, pasta) or order nibbles from your server while you bowl.
Sips and swigs: Request your favorite cocktails from the bar or enjoy a lineup of beer and wines.
Score: Plan an after-bowling tête à tête. Make a reservation for a table at the Robinson Room, an intimate tapas, cocktail and dessert bar located in the basement of The Grand.
Transmission Arcade 1712 Main Street, Downtown
The setting: Transmission Arcade is a lively restaurant, bar and hopping arcade on Columbia's Main Street.
Playtime: Array of pinball machines and classic arcade games
Love bites: Shareable plates, wings, burgers, wraps, salads, sweets with a few vegan/vegetarian offerings
Sips and swigs: Full bar set-up with cocktails, South Carolina craft beer on tap and all your bottled and canned favorites
Score: Show up after 8 p.m. when the arcade transforms into an adult-only space for dinner, drinks and game play.
Bang Back Pinball Lounge 741 Saluda Avenue, Five Points
The setting: The Bang Back Pinball Lounge is a pinball lovers lair with dim lighting and a serious lineup of nostalgic machines.
Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 38 years ago,
where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.
