With cooler weather and the changing color of the leaves, fall is considered a special season. The fall is also the time for high school, college and pro football. The season is celebrated with Tailgating, Oktoberfest, Halloween and West Columbia’s Fall Back Fest.

The Gamecocks have played their first home game and there is another one this coming Saturday when USC welcomes Vandrbilt to Williams-Brice Stadium for a 7:45 p.m. The Gamecocks are 2-0 and ranked at No. 11.

There’s excitement in the air. And it’s not just football fans who are in luck. Coffee-drinkers can expect fall flavors to be added to the menu in West Columbia. Akera Sellers is the owner of Brickhouse at 729 Meeting Street.  He said his in-house “pumpkin spice” is alive and well at his shop this fall season.

“An Autumn favorite is our pumpkin spice macchiato,” he said. “It’s a hot or iced layered drink with pumpkin cream, espresso, a pumpkin spice whip and pumpkin drizzle.”

Another fall favorite at Brickhouse is the Cranberry Apple Tisane Tea. It’s made with dehydrated cranberries; apples; rosehips and hibiscus. Akera said it can be ordered hot or iced. Other fall drinks include: the caramel Macchiato Iced latte; Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate; and the Caramel Hot Chocolate.

Misty Miller is the manager of The Hideout in WECO at 116 State Street. Misty said Pumpkin Spice Latte and the Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte are fall additions. Also new is the banana nut bread latte and pecan crunch brew coffee.

If you like a sweet bite to go with your coffee, Always Original Bakery ay 501 Meeting Street prepares a multitude of seasonal favorites. George Grogan is the owner. He said the pumpkin cream cheese roll is a treat specially made for the fall season. Other fall themes recognized at Always Original Bakery are: football season, with a football-themed cake; Back-to-School; and Halloween cookies, cakes and pastries. 

“We also have gift baskets for any occasion,” George said. “We can fill the gift basket with anything you want to fit the season.” 

There are football viewing parties at Ds Wings at 415 Meeting Street and Savage Craft Ale Works. If you want something besides coffee to drink Savage Jack has made its fall return. Savage Jack is Savage Craft Ale Works’ bold and spiced pumpkin ale. For the first time ever, you can take it home in cans. The 6 packs available in the Savage Craft taproom. Draft and cans are available at your favorite grocery store, bars and restaurants.  

Savage Craft, at 430 Center Street, will present Oktoberfest 2025 – Hops to Harvest on Saturday, Oct. 4, from  11:30 a.m. until 11 p.m. This year’s Hops to Harvest theme celebrates the best of the season — from the fields to your stein. Here’s what’s waiting for you:

• Live Music All Day:
• Cody Webb – Kicking things off with country flair
• Chris Reed & The Bad Kids – High-energy rock to keep you moving
• Hijacked – Closing the night with an unforgettable set
•  Family Fun & Activities:
• Petting zoo with friendly farm animals
• Mechanical bull riding
• Local farmers market
• Face Painting
• Games and activities for all ages
•  Food & Drink:
• Classic Oktoberfest menu full of hearty Bavarian favorites
• Your favorite German beers poured fresh and cold
• Annual Stein Hold Competition — test your strength for prizes

Fall Back Fest in West Columbia

The 9th Annual Fall Back Fest in West Columbia is scheduled from 5:30 until 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 7. This FREE event is the perfect way to celebrate the fall season with live music, art, food, and drinks. It includes a Special Meeting Street Artisan Market Night Edition!

Local artists will paint temporary murals on the streets, and there will be a fantastic band lineup. Plus, food and drinks will be available from local vendors!

Live Music

• Civil Remedy: 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
• Lola Grace: 5:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

Come down to Fall Back Fest on November 7th and enjoy a fun-filled evening with the community!

Parking:

• Brookland Public Parking Garage, 310 Court Ave.
• Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting St. (FREE Valet Drop Off Area)
• Carraway Park at the Riverwalk, 212 Hudson St.
• Capitol Square Parking Lot, Enter from Meeting St.
• River District Baptist Church, 400 State St.
• The Warehouse, 312 State St.

The temperature is dropping outside, but there’s brews to warm you up and lots of eats and activities. So enjoy West Columbia as the fall season descends upon us. 

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
• Hite’s BBQ – 240 Dreher Rd. – (803) 794-4120
• 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