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Started By
Message
Tell me about a South Carolina game weekend
Posted on 8/15/25 at 8:34 am
Posted on 8/15/25 at 8:34 am
Continuing to lean in on the Gamecocks and a buddy and I are heading up to the SC / Kentucky game at the end of September. Haven't spent any meaningful time in Columbia nor been to a game there. We were up at the Clemson / ND game a few years ago and that was great...very pretty part of the state, very "wholesome" small town vibe. I know Columbia is basically the opposite of that.
We've got an AirBnB just north of downtown. I've heard about 5 Points, I've heard about the frat lots, I know the stadium is off campus with not a ton around it. In the absence of anything specific on gameday we will usually do the Mobile Tailgate(TM) where we load up a disposable cooler with drinks and food and walk the stadium area until we find a fun spot to set up.
Are there any all inclusive tailgate parties near the stadium? Are there cool pregame traditions we should catch? Any places with good food and a cool vibe for Friday night? We're two 47 yr old guys who can still get after it pretty good. Hoping for a night game to get the real experience.
ETA: Any Carolina baws going to the season Charleston County Gamecocks kickoff party at Boone Hall Plantation tonight keep an eye out...a buddy and I will be there. I'll likely be wearing some sort of Badger flair
We've got an AirBnB just north of downtown. I've heard about 5 Points, I've heard about the frat lots, I know the stadium is off campus with not a ton around it. In the absence of anything specific on gameday we will usually do the Mobile Tailgate(TM) where we load up a disposable cooler with drinks and food and walk the stadium area until we find a fun spot to set up.
Are there any all inclusive tailgate parties near the stadium? Are there cool pregame traditions we should catch? Any places with good food and a cool vibe for Friday night? We're two 47 yr old guys who can still get after it pretty good. Hoping for a night game to get the real experience.
ETA: Any Carolina baws going to the season Charleston County Gamecocks kickoff party at Boone Hall Plantation tonight keep an eye out...a buddy and I will be there. I'll likely be wearing some sort of Badger flair
This post was edited on 8/15/25 at 9:31 am
8
Posted on 8/15/25 at 9:19 am to Chucktown_Badger
I went to the LSU game there in 2008. I can tell you something cool about every SEC campus, except South Carolina. I don't remember anything special about it. Well, I guess I shouldn't say campus since the stadium isn't on campus. They had the state fair during that weekend (not sure if it's always there or not). The only things that stand out were the train tailgates and Sandstorm. The rest felt like a generic college campus/area.
I'll also add that it wasn't like we missed out on things because we didn't know what to do or see. We stayed with a buddy that went to South Carolina.
I'll also add that it wasn't like we missed out on things because we didn't know what to do or see. We stayed with a buddy that went to South Carolina.
This post was edited on 8/15/25 at 9:20 am
Posted on 8/15/25 at 9:29 am to Chucktown_Badger
My oldest went to South Carolina and it is as good a place to see a game as anywhere. Gameday is a great time. Friendly people who are die hard fans without the attitude or god complex. Meaning they enjoy the experience, with or without the expectations. They show up and stay for the game. And I have never seen the student section empty.
Williams Brice sits on the state fair grounds which is about a 20/30 walk from campus. There are some private pay lots we used when we would go that are closer to the stadium for around $40 I think. The school game day activities take place on the fields in between their football ops building and the stadium. The team and band will all walk through there to get to stadium. Also where the big donors park and tailgate.
Columbia is a lot like Baton Rouge. The capital city with the university there also. Except they are right next to each other. 5 points is the place to go if you want to party like a student. Some great restaurants downtown. Liberty Tap Room was always good to us and the Columbia Oyster Bar is cool. If you want steak, Halls Chop House is the place and there are others on Main Street that are good too. Smoked and Cantina 76 are solid. Each Saturday there is the soda City Market that closes part of street for a street market with great food and local crafts. It is worth walking through and grabbing some hang over food.
What ever you do, be in the stadium for pregame. When Cocky comes out and is introduced and when they do Sandstorm just before kickoff should not be missed.
Have a great time and Geaux Cocks!
Williams Brice sits on the state fair grounds which is about a 20/30 walk from campus. There are some private pay lots we used when we would go that are closer to the stadium for around $40 I think. The school game day activities take place on the fields in between their football ops building and the stadium. The team and band will all walk through there to get to stadium. Also where the big donors park and tailgate.
Columbia is a lot like Baton Rouge. The capital city with the university there also. Except they are right next to each other. 5 points is the place to go if you want to party like a student. Some great restaurants downtown. Liberty Tap Room was always good to us and the Columbia Oyster Bar is cool. If you want steak, Halls Chop House is the place and there are others on Main Street that are good too. Smoked and Cantina 76 are solid. Each Saturday there is the soda City Market that closes part of street for a street market with great food and local crafts. It is worth walking through and grabbing some hang over food.
What ever you do, be in the stadium for pregame. When Cocky comes out and is introduced and when they do Sandstorm just before kickoff should not be missed.
Have a great time and Geaux Cocks!
Posted on 8/15/25 at 9:32 am to contraryman
Super helpful info, thanks 
We're just hoping for a night game to allow for the slow build and to hit some of those spots you mentioned, and the temps to come down a bit. I've also heard the experience is way better for a night kick (not surprising).
We're just hoping for a night game to allow for the slow build and to hit some of those spots you mentioned, and the temps to come down a bit. I've also heard the experience is way better for a night kick (not surprising).
This post was edited on 8/15/25 at 9:33 am
Posted on 8/15/25 at 10:11 am to Chucktown_Badger
quote:
Haven't spent any meaningful time in Columbia nor been to a game there.
quote:
I know Columbia is basically the opposite of that.
I hope it’s a noon game and 90+ degrees with a ton of humidity so that you’ll move back to Wisconsin or whatever Yankeedom you’re from.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 10:15 am to Chucktown_Badger
Yep. Night game is special but unless you get an 8pm late September will still be daylight when it begins. But daytime games are still pretty good. Like, I said they don’t buy into the they hate us with all these day game syndrome. The nice thing about a day game when it is still warm there is the scenery will be excellent. ??
Posted on 8/15/25 at 10:21 am to Cockopotamus
quote:
I hope it’s a noon game and 90+ degrees with a ton of humidity so that you’ll move back to Wisconsin or whatever Yankeedom you’re from.
Well, that ain't happening, and I have lived here for two and a half years already and am fine with, actually like, the weather here. And this may shock you but I know and have talked to enough people to have an understanding of what the vibe is like at SC vs a Clemson game. This post was edited on 8/15/25 at 10:23 am
Posted on 8/15/25 at 10:23 am to contraryman
quote:
when it is still warm there is the scenery will be excellent. ??
That is the assumption we're going in with
Posted on 8/15/25 at 10:42 am to Chucktown_Badger
quote:
I have lived here for two and a half years already and am fine with, actually like, the weather here.
you live in Charleston. You have not experienced anything close to a September noon game in Columbia. You will melt quote:
I know and have talked to enough people to have an understanding of what the vibe is like at SC vs a Clemson game.
This game is played Thanksgiving weekend and is usually cold as hell
Just pack it up and move back out of the state. We’re already over our yankee capacity.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 10:47 am to Cockopotamus
quote:
This game is played Thanksgiving weekend and is usually cold as hell
Read this portion of the sentence again, but more slowly this time:
quote:
an understanding of what the vibe is like at SC vs a Clemson game.
quote:
You have not experienced anything close to a September noon game in Columbia. You will melt
I already said multiple times in this thread I'm hoping for a night game for multiple reasons, temperature being one of them.
Are you touched in the head, baw?
This post was edited on 8/15/25 at 10:56 am
Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:33 am to Chucktown_Badger
quote:
Well, that ain't happening, and I have lived here for two and a half years already and am fine with, actually like, the weather here. And this may shock you but I know and have talked to enough people to have an understanding of what the vibe is like at SC vs a Clemson game.
In the context of your post and our conversation the “vibe” should be a reference to the weather.
But you’re a retard so that’s my fault for assuming you’ve got adequate reading and writing comprehension.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:51 am to Chucktown_Badger
So, forgive some comments in this thread. Not all are helpful.
Columbia in particular literally looks nothing like it did in 2008. So any advice from that time may as well be a different era altogether. So much of the area has been built up since then.
Tons of great places to hang and eat in the Vista on Friday night/Saturday evening. This is the professional/grad school area of town, vs 5 Points, which is the college bar scene. Don't know how old you are, but I'm guessing Vista is more your speed.
Soda City Market is on Main, and is a great milling about time, as has been mentioned. Traffic patterns to and from the stadium are rerouted for gamedays, so pay attention. You cannot rely on Google maps alone- thr university website has info about these patterns, so I'd suggest checking that out.
If you come from Chucktown, get there on Friday mid-day and walk the state house grounds. It's a fantastic museum in its own right, and there are dozens of monuments (and battle scars) to see.
Go check out the campus itself. There's an energy on Fridays before a game weekend that is palpable. Spend time on the Horseshoe- it's an absolute gem of the SEC as far as campuses go.
Regarding tailgating, find a spot, and walk around. Wear friendly colors, and make new friends. Tailgating at USC is a religion, and we've often joked that we're a drinking town with a football problem. There's no wrong way to do this - just be friendly and go see what's what. Check out the Cockabooses, and who knows, maybe SCROOSTER or SpringbokCock will invite you in to check one out.
The apron around the stadium has undergone major renovation in the last 10 years. The tailgate areas to the west of the stadium (near the practice facility) are also new in the last 10 years. Check out the Gamecock Walk - lots od schools do this, so it's not particularly unique, but it's a good time.
Columbia is a good-sized city, with loads to do on Sunday, too. No shortage of hiking/outdoors options (such as the Congaree forest, etc).
In mid/late September, it's going to be hotter than hell. But, prepare accordingly and, ahem, hydrate.
Report back. I don't make it to games much anymore, but I'm always curious what others think. W-BS gets derided because it's not on campus, but I can honestly say that as a student, I loved that. The school and football program aren't directly on top of each other. Made tailgating easier, but also kept our campus from looking like arse after everyone left on Saturday night, and you needed to go to the library on Sunday.
Columbia in particular literally looks nothing like it did in 2008. So any advice from that time may as well be a different era altogether. So much of the area has been built up since then.
Tons of great places to hang and eat in the Vista on Friday night/Saturday evening. This is the professional/grad school area of town, vs 5 Points, which is the college bar scene. Don't know how old you are, but I'm guessing Vista is more your speed.
Soda City Market is on Main, and is a great milling about time, as has been mentioned. Traffic patterns to and from the stadium are rerouted for gamedays, so pay attention. You cannot rely on Google maps alone- thr university website has info about these patterns, so I'd suggest checking that out.
If you come from Chucktown, get there on Friday mid-day and walk the state house grounds. It's a fantastic museum in its own right, and there are dozens of monuments (and battle scars) to see.
Go check out the campus itself. There's an energy on Fridays before a game weekend that is palpable. Spend time on the Horseshoe- it's an absolute gem of the SEC as far as campuses go.
Regarding tailgating, find a spot, and walk around. Wear friendly colors, and make new friends. Tailgating at USC is a religion, and we've often joked that we're a drinking town with a football problem. There's no wrong way to do this - just be friendly and go see what's what. Check out the Cockabooses, and who knows, maybe SCROOSTER or SpringbokCock will invite you in to check one out.
The apron around the stadium has undergone major renovation in the last 10 years. The tailgate areas to the west of the stadium (near the practice facility) are also new in the last 10 years. Check out the Gamecock Walk - lots od schools do this, so it's not particularly unique, but it's a good time.
Columbia is a good-sized city, with loads to do on Sunday, too. No shortage of hiking/outdoors options (such as the Congaree forest, etc).
In mid/late September, it's going to be hotter than hell. But, prepare accordingly and, ahem, hydrate.
Report back. I don't make it to games much anymore, but I'm always curious what others think. W-BS gets derided because it's not on campus, but I can honestly say that as a student, I loved that. The school and football program aren't directly on top of each other. Made tailgating easier, but also kept our campus from looking like arse after everyone left on Saturday night, and you needed to go to the library on Sunday.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:05 pm to RoyalAir
Thanks for the thoughtful post. Buddy and I are both 47 so will give the Vista a look...it appears to be closer to where we're staying and walkable to the horseshoe. ETA: just checked, we're staying a 20 minute walk from the Vista
Buddy's coming from Charlotte so we'll both be able to get there around lunch on Friday.
If there are any worthwhile BBQ places I'd love to hear about those...could be a good stop for lunch on the way out of town Sunday.
Buddy's coming from Charlotte so we'll both be able to get there around lunch on Friday.
If there are any worthwhile BBQ places I'd love to hear about those...could be a good stop for lunch on the way out of town Sunday.
This post was edited on 8/15/25 at 12:08 pm
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:12 pm to Chucktown_Badger
Williams-Brice Stadium early in the season is like watching a game on the surface of the sun.
Only time I've been was for the 2010 Georgia/South Carolina game and it felt like the equator.
Only time I've been was for the 2010 Georgia/South Carolina game and it felt like the equator.
This post was edited on 8/15/25 at 12:15 pm
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:19 pm to VADawg
Hottest games I can remember attending in person:
- Badgers @ Arizona St in Mid Sept
- Packers @ Buccaneers in Mid Sept (day game)
Will be interested to see how this stacks up.
- Badgers @ Arizona St in Mid Sept
- Packers @ Buccaneers in Mid Sept (day game)
Will be interested to see how this stacks up.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:23 pm to Chucktown_Badger
Save your money and fly to Madison for a nice fall weekend with a Badgers/Packers game.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:26 pm to Chucktown_Badger
quote:
there are any worthwhile BBQ places I'd love to hear about those...could be a good stop for lunch on the way out of town Sunday.
This is a topic of much debate. Palmetto Pig or Doc's is the East Coast/ West Coast rap war of our time. I'd do some digging onilne for other joints that may look interesting.
If coming in on Friday for lunch, saddle up in 5 points and go to Home Team, Salty Nut, the OG Groucho's, or Village Idiot for pizza.
I hate that Yesterday's is closed. Was the GOAT.
A few blocks from 5 points is the Publick House. Definitely one of my favorite haunts from a generation ago.
Tl;DR: lunch in 5 points on Friday. Walk around State House and campus Friday afternoon. Drinks and dinner in the Vista on Friday night. Figure it out on Saturday morning, and party all day. Recover on Sunday, and get some brunch before a hike or a lazy afternoon at the river. Have a great time, and frick the haters.
This post was edited on 8/15/25 at 12:31 pm
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:28 pm to Paul Allen
I love fall weekends down here and we'll be seeing the Pack when they play at Pittsburgh in October. That'll be enough "norther fall" for me.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:32 pm to RoyalAir
quote:
Palmetto Pig or Doc's is the East Coast/ West Coast rap war of our time. I'd do some digging onilne for other joints that may look interesting.
If coming in on Friday for lunch, saddle up in 5 points and go to Home Team, Salty Nut, the OG Groucho's, or Village Idiot for pizza.
I hate that Yesterday's is closed. Was the GOAT.
A few blocks from 5 points is the Publick House. Definitely one of my favorite haunts from a generation ago.
Will look into these places. Would be a good way to explore 5 Points before the students fill it in. I'm a HomeTeam junkie and consider it my "everyday BBQ" joint down here...Lewis when I am more interested in the food and less interested in the vibe and access to game changers.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 1:15 pm to RoyalAir
quote:
Spend time on the Horseshoe- it's an absolute gem of the SEC as far as campuses go.
It’s got nothing on the Quad.
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