It’s Labor Day weekend and Gamecock football is upon us. South Carolina opens the season at home versus Kent State at 12:25 p.m. Saturday.

USC starts the season with a different offensive coordinator and a new offensive line coach, but Quarterback LaNorris Sellers returns, and he’ll have some new talented players around him. Gamecock fans are excited and many West Columbia hospitality venues are looking forward to Saturdays filled with cheering crowds and the camaraderie that comes with the football season.

Where’s a good place to go to watch the game?  

Calloway’s Sports Bar and Grill at 2410 Augusta Road (in the Danwood Shopping Center) is a neighborhood venue with a laid-back atmosphere that has been open since 1998. It’s owned by Bill and Jim Muse and it opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday with expectations of a big college football viewing crowd. There are a dozen TVs, and there are pinball machines, pool tables and other games to entertain between kick-offs.

Do you like wings? If so, Calloway’s was chosen No. 1 for Best Wings, from a list of 21, by The State newspaper in March. Calloway’s got high marks for its double-baked hot wings. They are cooked from scratch, fried first, and then baked in an oven. The double-cooked hot wings are spicy, crispy and bursting with flavor. Calloway’s also has BBQ, lemon pepper, teriyaki, honey mustard, and Cajun wings.  

Pizza is another fan favorite at Calloway’s, according to Nathan who works behind the bar.

D’s Wing and College football go hand-in-hand

Terry Hayes, a D’s Wings kitchen supervisor, said the staff at D’s always looks forward to football season.

“We expect to serve up a ton of wings to hungry football fans. This place will be rocking Saturday when the Gamecocks play, and we expect a big crowd after the game of evening diners. When there’s a day game, we get a good crowd in here after the game.

D’s Wings is at 415 Meeting Street and sells more wings than anything else for tailgating. D’s will cook up-to 1,200 pounds of wings on a Carolina Game day. Teriyaki wings and lemon pepper wings are the biggest sellers. Other wing flavors include Cajun, D’s dry rub and medium Buffalo. Raw fries are another popular item on the tailgating menu. D’s sometimes cooks up-to 500 pounds of potatoes on game day. The restaurant has 11 television screens and it’s known as one of the best places in town to watch college football.

Savage Craft Ale Works

Savage Craft Ale Works is at 430 Center Street and Savage Craft General Manager Sunday Victoria Porter said football season is much-anticipated. There are multiple TV screens inside and on the outdoor courtyard at Savage Craft so you can always have your eyes on the game.

“We’ve been looking forward to the opening of football season and Labor Day weekend,” Victoria said. “We are having extended hours this Sunday for Labor Day and will be opening early on Monday. On Friday we’re open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday we’re open from 11 am to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. And on Monday, Labor Day, we’ll be open from 11:30 a.m. until 8 p.m.”

Victoria said the chefs at Savage Craft are putting together a special menu for the long football weekend. It includes: The Savage Burger, a 6-ounce patty, bourbon buffalo sauce, smashed avocado, candied bacon strip, Muenster cheese, onion rings on a pretzel bun. Other specialties are: chili dogs, chili fries, hot dogs, and BBQ smoked wings. Wings orders come in the half dozen and full dozen sizes and the sauces are lemon pepper rub, bourbon buffalo and stout BBQ.

West Columbia loves college football. And there are lots of places to get out and experience the excitement of the season.