West Columbia is warming up as spring is upon us. The forecast heading into the weekend includes sun and temperatures in the 80s. As the weather, there is the opportunity to get out and enjoy everything in West Columbia, including city-sponsored events and restaurants where you can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

An event that took place last weekend was the Meeting Street Music Fest. It was the third time the music fest was held and crowds flooded Meeting Street in West Columbia. There was a sea of music fans, especially for the nationally famous band and Headliner Sugar Ray. Several bands played into the night and the crowd swelled as the day progressed into night. There was also a vendors market, dance lessons by Bill’s Pickin’ Parlor and a pet pool presented by Whetzel’s Automotive Repair. The day was hot, but a strong breeze made it nice in the afternoons, and the evening shows played under perfect-weather skies.

“We had 7,500 for the whole Music Fest weekend,” said Anna Huffman, West Columbia Assistant City Administrator of Public Affairs. “The event was a huge success thanks to the support from our City Council, city staff and volunteers who worked so hard to put the event together, provide safety and security, and create a phenomenal two day event.”

And there’s another city-sponsored event scheduled for May.

The 8th Annual Art on State in West Columbia is Friday, May 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The free event takes place on the 100-300 blocks of State Street, featuring live music, food trucks, local art vendors, and live mural paintings.

Art on State features: Live mural art, artisan vendors, live music, food, and family-friendly activities
Cost: Free admission  The event brings together artists, musicians, and the community to celebrate art in the West Columbia River District.

Where can you go to dine this spring?

Ikie Lu Record Club

The ribbon was cut at the Ikie Lu Record Club, 601 N Lucas St., West Columbia, on April 2. Ikie Lu Record Club is a Jazz Kissa, Restaurant, Wine and Cocktail Bar, that plays vintage records. Matt Catchpole is the owner. He spent about a year renovating the building, that is just off of Sunset Boulevard.
Early reviews of the place are very complimentary.

Savage Craft Ale Works

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

Savage Craft Ale Works at 430 Center Street is in the historical Brookland City Hall and Fire Station features an iron staircase that leads to Savage Craft’s rooftop bar. The rooftop bar offers 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.

“So much of our clientele loves our rooftop bar,” said Victoria Porter, Savage Craft manager. “The rooftop bar is packed, especially on the weekends. And with the warmer weather, the outside courtyard at Savage Craft is filled, too. And we always have live music.”

Black Rooster

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 a rooftop bar with a view of Downtown Columbia and the bridge. 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.


Café Strudel
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.

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.

It’s springtime in West Columbia, and it’s getting warmer. Get out and enjoy all that the city has to offer.