The semester may have come to a close and campus may be quiet, but Columbia’s nightlife is as bustling as ever headed into New Year’s Eve. For those still in the Columbia area, here are some fun ways to ring in the new year around the city:
Famously Hot New Year
At the Statehouse in the heart of Columbia, this free event boasts that it is the largest New Year's Eve celebration in South Carolina. Famously Hot New Year will open to the public at 6:30 p.m. and will feature a variety of food and drink vendors for visitors of all ages to enjoy. With performances throughout the night by Soda City Brass Band, Little Stranger and Grammy-nominated En Vogue, the event will culminate in a midnight firework display.
Dressed Up to Get Down
For a more age-specific experience, those above 21 can head over to Senate Street for a block party. With Matt Bennett Band performing at Tin Roof and DJ Apollo at The Senate, this event will open at 9 p.m. and continue until 2 a.m. A $20 general admission ticket will be available at the gate and an optional $100 VIP package is available for purchase in advance. Complimentary champagne toasts will also be included at midnight.
Dave and Buster's Family New Year's Eve Celebration
For those looking for something a little more family-friendly and laid-back, Dave and Buster's is offering exclusive packages that will include both food and games, one priced at $34.28 and a second at $42.28. Both packages are valid from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and will include an appetizer buffet, dessert and Power Cards for each guest, among various other perks.
New Years Cover Show at New Brookland Tavern
A staple of West Columbia, New Brookland Tavern is offering a unique concert at which a number of bands will cover mainstream classics. Performances include Barnwell as The Strokes; Dear Blanca as Black Sabbath; members of Husband, The Restoration and Marshall Brown as Fleetwood Mac; members of Real Work, Rejectioneers and The Lovely Few as Jimmy Eat World; and members of Real Work, Rejectioneers and Lights For Nero as Rage Against the Machine. The doors will open at 8 p.m., and $10 tickets are available online or at the door for those 21 years or older.