The city’s venues can be hard to spot, so we’ve gone ahead and scouted out the best music joints in the area. We primarily looked for upcoming acts, venue vibe and menus. These are the five local music venues we’re obsessing about this week.
The White Mule, 1530 Main St.
The White Mule Music Pub and Eatery has set the scene for Columbia’s indie rock and acoustic acts. The intimate, underground venue keeps it casual with booth-lined walls and high-top tables, as well as a central bar serving up cold beers or cocktails with the night’s tunes. The small stage, made a little homier with area rugs and twinkle lights, allows artists a more intimate show and a chance to perform directly to the audience. The White Mule also wins with a nice menu of appetizers, pizzas, salads and pita wraps, making for the perfect dinner and concert date.
Tin Roof, 1022 Senate St.
Tin Roof Columbia, “a live music joint,” is one of five Tin Roof locations and doesn’t disappoint in achieving the same infamous “underground” hot-spot vibe. The bar and live music hub doubles as a lunchtime favorite with a full menu that puts “bar food” to shame. Several dishes — like the delectable white cheese and jalapeno dip served with Tin Roof homemade chips or the mouth-watering tuna melt — are a sure draw. With $5 pitchers and quesadillas on Tuesdays and two-for-one beers on Thursdays, Tin Roof does cater to an older crowd, with more established acts making the calendar.
New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St.
New Brookland Tavern in West Columbia has played host to many local and national acts over the years. A testament to its impressive track record with both small- and big-name acts are the many stickers, posters and signed concert paraphernalia adorning the walls. With a low stage and no backstage area, NBT engages its audience and fosters a relationship between performer and patron that many larger venues can’t accomplish.
The House, 2020 Devine St.
The House, formerly Elbow Room, is arguably the most popular local music venue in Five Points, competing with Bey’s and perhaps Delaney’s Speakeasy, which controls the jazz scene. The House has its market cornered with drink specials — including $2.50 vodka and bourbon — and a nice mix of local bands, DJs and solo artists taking the stage. Nestled in the heart of Five Points, opposite Yesterday’s, The House gets lots of traffic from the college crowd and pulls some big-name acts, including reggae rock group The Movement and alternative rockers Ballyhoo!, who will both perform there in February.
Bey's, 711 Harden St.
Striking the perfect balance among music venue, club and bar, Bey’s caters to guests of all ages and backgrounds. With its famous — possibly infamous — “F*ck Work” events on Thursday nights and diverse combination of local bands and DJs, Bey’s draws a hefty slice of college-age patrons. Conversely, with cheap drink specials and trivia nights, Bey’s is able to lure in older patrons looking to have a good time as well.