Temperatures are beginning to rise in West Columbia as spring is upon us. The forecast for this weekend includes sunny skies and 80 degrees. With warmer weather, there is the opportunity to visit some West Columbia restaurants and sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

Savage Craft Ale Works at 430 Center Street is in the historical Brookland City Hall and Fire Station. One of the additions to the brewery, when it was being renovated, was an iron staircase beside Savage craft’s massive brewing vat. That staircase leads to Savage Craft’s rooftop bar. Not only does the rooftop bar offer a great vantage point over the courtyard, you can get a bird’s eye view of West Columbia’s Meeting Street and the surrounding area.

“Our intention was to create a gathering place for family, friends and neighbors,” said Victoria Porter, Savage Craft manager. She said by offering the rooftop bar, which is usually packed, along with the outside courtyard, “the community can come to mingle.”

“We want to foster friendships and good times for our clientele,” said Porter. “The outside space is a place to encourage a sense of community.”

Many of Savage Craft’s customers dine outside, in the courtyard or on the rooftop.

Black Rooster, now serving an Italian menu, is at 201 Meeting St., West Columbia, in the Brookland Development. It’s at the base of the Gervais Street Bridge, at the corner of Alexander and Meeting streets and adjacent to the Congaree River.

“Black Rooster has an amazing rooftop bar,” said Val Thompson of West Columbia. “The view of Downtown Columbia and the bridge are amazing. I love to go up to the rooftop bar everytime I come to Black Rooster. It’s a scene that I’ll never get tired of.”

Black Rooster also offers sidewalk-level seating and diners can be seen sitting out and enjoying the atmosphere, especially as it gets warmer.

WECO Bottle and Biergarten, at 626 Meeting St., is West Columbia’s destination for retail beer and wine.

The site also offers the chance to gather and interact. WECO Bottle and Biergarten is housed in a former garden center and the property includes lots of shaded outdoor seating. The place also features food trucks with everything from Mexican cuisine and the Wurst Wagen to Korean food and the Belgian Waffle Truck for brunch on Sunday.

Cafe Strudel, West Columbia, is at 300 State St. It’s known as the top brunch destination in the area. There are plenty of seats inside Cafe Strudel, but when the weather permits, Cafe Strudel has a packed back patio for outside dining.

“There are some customers who like to get outside and dine,” said Trip Trubyfill, Cafe Strudel owner. “We love to use that area because it allows us to serve that many more people.”

Other West Columbia restaurants that have outside dining are: D’s Wings at 425 Meeting Street, beside the Interactive Art Park; The Hideout in WECO, on State Street, Breakfast at Ruiz; and Another Broken Egg.

Also: Come run or walk along the beautiful Congaree River and through the Cayce-West Columbia Avenues in the Inaugural CWC Cares Foundation Riverwalk Rabbit Run 5K. It’s at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 30, at Stone River, 121 Alexander Rd., West Columbia.

Funds raised will benefit the mission of the CWC Cares Foundation, which supports the Lexington
County 2 and 4 School Districts and businesses in the Greater Cayce-West Columbia area.

Kick off Easter Weekend with the Riverwalk Rabbit Run. The route will take you
through the Heart of West Columbia and Cayce and then along the beautiful Riverwalk. Enjoy the
beautiful views of South Carolina’s Congaree River and an Easter Egg Hunt will follow for the
kids. (Easter baskets not provided.)

“This is a wonderful run along the business and beauty of our community, all to raise funds for
local students who are our future leaders of our community” said Tim James, CEO of the CWC Chamber.

Day of Details:
9 am: at Stone River (121 Alexander Rd., West Columbia) for check in. Visit Strictly Running to get registered:
www.strictlyrunning.com

So don’t miss out. Get outside and visit one of the many West Columbia restaurants that feature outside dining. And join the run along the Congaree, too.

List of West Columbia restaurants:

• Grecian Gardens Restaurant – 2312 Sunset Blvd – 803-794-7552
• Cafe Strudel – 300 State St. – 803 – 926-5255
• Savage Craft Ale Works – 430 Center St. – (803) 888-6005
• WECO Bottle and Biergarten – (803) 851-1279
• The Hideout in WECO – State Street
• La Cienega Mexican Grill & Seafood – (803) 888-7471
• Breads and Such – 1220 C Ave. – (803) 851- 0566
• Buttercream Dreams – 1230 C Ave. – (803) 708-4485
• Hite’s BBQ – 240 Dreher Rd. – (803) 794-4120
• The Original Brunches – 2245 Leaphart Rd – (803) 791-7477
• Jimmy’s Mini Mart/Citgo – 812 Meeting St. – (803) 794-0090
• Maurice’s Piggie Park – 1600 Charleston Highway – 803-796-0220J
• Nick’s House of Pizza Restaurant- 1082 A Sunset Blvd – 803-794-9240
• DeLuccas 1720 Sunset Blvd. – 803- 926-5255
• Breakfast at Ruiz – 116 State Street – (803) 550-9681
• Ariana’s Greek Restaurant – 1720 Sunset Blvd. – (803) 796-4430
• Lizard’s Thicket – 2234 Sunset Blvd. 803 – 794-0923
• True BBQ – 1237 D Ave – (803) 791-9950
• Chick-fil-A -2299 Augusta Rd. – (803) 939-1600
• Rush’s 2332 Sunset Blvd. – (803) 796-5034
• Another Broken Egg – 101 State St. – (803) 829-0223