Eat, Meet, Play: These Community Spaces Have It All

Remember meeting up with friends at the mall to hang out and hit the food court for giant pizza slices and chicken sandwiches? Now that you’ve matriculated into adulthood, you’ll be glad to know the concept graduated with you.

Urban community spaces are giving modern consumers more of what they want: an approachable, diverse, dining and entertainment experience that is people-driven and community-centric.

From renovated historic halls to industrial container courtyards to new town centers, friends and families are gathering for food, drink, games and entertainment all in one place.

Here are some examples of places where destination dining is being redefined for a new generation.

Gather COLA

2191 Pickens Street, Columbia

Concept/design: 10,000 square-foot, open-air food hall with multiple food vendors, two-story bar, events, live music, retail shops and co-working spaces

Location: Bull Street District

Sample eats: Bahn Sai (Thai/Asian), Big Easy Seafood (Cajun), Bull and Bread (sandwiches), Los Chicanos Jr. (Mexican), Gyromania Grill Express (Greek), Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles (Soul food), Smoke It Up Express (barbecue)

Play: Yoga, music bingo, trivia, live music, holiday happenings

Southern Weaving Food Hall

210 Fern Street, Easley

Concept/design: A 1200-capacity indoor-outdoor space with a variety of locally owned restaurants, a taphouse, ice cream, an amphitheater with a 40-foot stage, a shipping container bar and rotating food offerings during special events

Location: Housed in the historic site of a century-old former weaving mill

Sample eats: Home Slice (pizza), Doodle Noodle (Asian noodle bowls), Mac Daddy Chicken (fried chicken, mac and cheese), Burger Lab (smash burgers)

Play: Seasonal festivals, chef pop-ups, trivia nights, live music

The Power House

378 Technology Center Way, Rock Hill

Concept/design: Part of a 23-acre development with a still-growing lineup of food vendors, retailers, event spaces, residential spaces and a world-class indoor athletic facility; open on weekends only

Location: Situated in the heart of the newly revitalized University Center in the former mill district

Sample eats: Savvy’s (jerk chicken), Peaceful Palate (West Indian/Spanish-inspired dishes), Pour House (gastropub/market)

Play: Pilates, live music, seasonal events, yoga, vendor markets, rock bingo

BridgeWay Station 

1000 BridgeWay Boulevard, Simpsonville

Concept/design: Italian-inspired village with a stunning castle façade and European “Main Street” offering diverse dining, food hall market, dog-friendly courtyard and entertainment areas, shopping, co-working and residential spaces

Location: New construction just off I-385 with a pedestrian bridge connecting to the Swamp Rabbit Trail

Sample eats: Cabanas Rooftop Cantina (Latin), The Plank (raw bar and small plates), Old Europe Desserts, Mercato Café (coffee), Tavola Italian (Italian cuisine by Table 301), Rôtie By Stella's (French meets Southern), Restaurant Rocco (Upscale Italian)

Play: Yoga, Pilates, movie nights, live music, holiday happenings