West Columbia is warming up as spring is upon us. As the weather improves, 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.

The Meeting Street Music Fest was April 17-18. A crowd of 7,500 flooded Meeting Street in West Columbia to see all the bands, including nationally famous band and Headliner Sugar Ray. Several bands played into the night and the crowd swelled as the day progressed into night.

“The Meeting Street Music Festival was a huge success,” said West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles at the April 20, City Council meeting. Additionally, he applauded all of City Staff for their hard work and dedication to make the event come to life, as it takes all hands on deck to ensure seamless execution.”

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.

The Rhythm on the River Concert Series will be played on the Savage Craft Ale Works at 430 Center Street and there will be five Pop UP Band concerts at Black Rooster; Chayz Lounge; WECO Bottle and Biergartin; D’s Wings; and Ikie Lu Record Club.

Savage craft is the Premier music venue in West Columbia. Because of some construction around the Riverwalk Amphitheater we moved Rhythm on the River to the Savage Craft stage. We’re bringing in top-notch bands for the community to enjoy for free, in partnership with the City of West Columbia, the Chamber, and our small businesses,” said Steve Cohen, a Rhythm on the River volunteer for 22 years. “And it’s an incredible feeling to be able to bring people together for such a positive and uplifting event like live music.”

Tim James, C-WC Chamber President and CEO said the music locations are beneficial to everyone.

“For over two decades the Rhythm on the River has been in existence- bringing in great music acts to our community. This is the only free music show consistently running for this long,” James said. “One of the most important goals of Rhythm on the River is to promote business for the area, attracting people to enjoy music, while also visiting area businesses. With this in mind and having a donated “main stage” at Savage Ale Works, we have decided to stretch the event into a summer series and at various locations throughout West Columbia.

Below is the Rhythm on the River and Pop-Up Bands Schedule:

• The first Pop Up Band show is from 5-8 p.m. on May 28 at Black Rooster with Vince Dwayne.
• Rhythm on the River begins on May 30, it’s from 6-9 p.m. at the Savage Craft Stage, featuring Root Doctors.
• Rod Foster and Company plays Chayz Lounge from 6-9 p.m. on June 4
• Sunday June 5, Sam and Illia play at WECO Bottle and Biergartin from 7-9 p.m.
• Rhythm on the River resumes on Saturday, June 6, with One Irish Rover playing from 6-9 p.m. on the Savage Craft Stage.
• Vince Dwayne plays at D’s Wings from 5-8 p.m. on June 11.
• Queens of the Country are the featured Rhythm on the River band, playing on June 13, from 6-9 p.m. on the Savage Craft Stage.
• Vince Dwayne plays again from 5-8 p.m. on June 18 at Ikie Lu.
• The final Rhythm on the River Concert is June 20, featuring Captain Mike and the Shipwrecked from 6-9 p.m. on the Savage Craft Stage.  

Also:

Chayz Lounge on Meeting Street in West Columbia, offers live jazz, soul, and R&B on weekends, typically Friday and Saturday nights, along with special events and wine pairings. The venue, which requires a reservation, offers an intimate, upscale atmosphere, requiring a business or dressy casual dress code.

Upcoming Events & Schedule (2026):

• May 09: Play That Band – Soul Jazz Grooves (8:00 PM)
• May 14: Stories in the Glass: Wine Pairing (7:00 PM)
• May 16: Charles Page & Company (8:00 PM)
• May 21: Dick Goodwin Big Band Experience (7:00 PM)
• May 23: Jamie Wright – Songs of Phyllis Hyman (8:00 PM)
• May 30: The Kevin Staley Project (8:00 PM)
• June 06: Reggie Graves & Jazz Theory (1:00 PM)
• June 13: Hank Bilal and Phil Denny (5:00 PM & 8:00 PM)

Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor in West Columbia features live music and dancing, open Thursday-Saturday with popular Friday night bluegrass jams. Key events include 7 PM Friday open stages, Saturday night live bands/dancing, and Thursday night lessons. Typical admission is an $8-$10 donation. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Weekly Operating Hours (2026):

• Monday & Sunday: Closed
• Tuesday & Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Events 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Shag/Line Dancing)
• Friday: 10:00 AM – Midnight (Open Stage/Bluegrass Jam 6:00 PM – Midnight)
• Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Evening Events 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Live Band/Dancing) [1, 2]

Regular Weekly Events:

• Friday Nights: Bluegrass & Acoustic Open Stage & Jam. Doors open 6 PM, open stage 7 PM, jam until midnight. $8 donation.
• Saturday Nights: Live Band & Dancing. Doors open 6 PM for dance lessons, live band 7 PM – 10 PM. $10 donation.
• Thursday Nights: Line Dance lessons or Modern Shag night (8:30-11 PM)

Rhythm o the River is a long-running West Columbia tradition. Get out and enjoy it along with all of the other live music opportunities available in the West Columbia spring.