Best of Carolina 2023

Columbia Metropo tan Airport

Columbia Metropo tan Airport

Middle of Nowhere cola

Middle of Nowhere cola

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Gracie Bryant

ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Tyler Sprague

LEAD DESIGNERS

Savannah Nagy

Leslie Arango

DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA

Sarah Scarborough

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA

Sydney Cranmer

ADVERTISING ADVISER

Parks Rogers

ART DIRECTOR

Krista Larson

CREATIVE SERVICES

Sabrina Hampton

Lily Ferguson

Ilona Donovan

Jada Mack

PHOTOGRAPHER

Jada Mack

COPY EDITORS

Bridget Tracy

Jessica Proulx

WRITERS

Alicia Caracciolo

Violet Raftery

Grace Farrar

Lauren Russo

Sarah Fulwider

AD SALES TEAM

Megan Chong

Sydney Evans

Ryan Forbes

Kylie Kurinsky

Donovan Ouzts

Sofia Sabatino

Sophie Smith

Dear Best of Carolina 2023 Readers,

Best of Carolina has been a staple for many years here in Garnet Media Group. We’ve been producing the publication since 2013 – showcasing your favorite spots. However, this one is my favorite.

During freshman year I became marketing director and was thrown into producing the publication. It was rough, but I was proud. Now I’m a senior. A lot with Best of Carolina has changed over the last four years. We changed the process of Best of Carolina to make voting more accessible, we’ve added and taken away categories, we’ve showcased various Columbia icons’ favorite places from Dawn Staley to college deans, we’ve gotten creative with our design, and more.

Despite all the changes, one thing has remained steady: Best of Carolina is yours. We spend an entire year collecting your nominations and encouraging you to vote to ensure that your favorite places are recognized. (PS: thank you to the writers, designers, photographers, and more that make every step of this process possible!)

However, this publication can never fully capture everyone’s personal relationship with these businesses, organizations, and staples. Your time spent in Columbia, whether four years or four hours, is special and should be commemorated in something like… say, a scrapbook? This is our Best of Carolina, but what’s yours? Use #MyBestofCarolina to share the places that make Columbia special, the places that would make it onto a page in the scrapbook of your journey here.

For now, whether you’re a family touring USC looking for a new place to dine or a student looking for an organization to join, this publication is for you. Enjoy!

PS: Don’t see your favorites listed? Nominate them to win Best of Carolina 2024!

Photos provided by Gracie Bryant

Gracie Bryant | Marketing Director Garnet Media Group

For the very first time, the Carolina Band, or the “Mighty Sound of the Southeast,” was voted best student organization.

The Carolina Band’s main mission is to perform for a community that shares the same love for USC that its members have. The organization positively impacts the gameday environment at all types of

Music from the band not only intensifies the energy of the crowd, but the organization also brings structure to that energy and unites Gamecock fans. The band does this by staying until the very end of every game, where they close out the event with the university’s alma mater.

At most game endings, there is a very small band members, but the moments after the South Carolina football matchup against the University of

“We always play the fight song and the alma mater crowd, but this time the entire stadium was there to sing along with us. It was a very special moment,”

The Carolina Band fosters an inclusive community for different majors and comes from all grades,

Members say that they have always felt wanted in the band, which is among many participants’ favorite things about the organization. Because of the large number of people in the band, members are constantly able to form new relationships and learn from one another.

“Carolina Band treats every member with respect, love and comfort. They don’t just tell you that you are welcomed, you know you are welcomed as soon as you walk through the door,” Isabella Nofal, a first-year piccolo player, said.

The band is an organization that requires commitment beyond comparison. Practicing nearly every day in the fall, in addition to their hours of gameday commitments, band members are truly dedicated to the organization and are passionate about what they do.

“It’s definitely a lot of commitment, and it can be tiring especially along with all of your other schoolwork,” Hames said. “But getting to spend time with my friends and get to go see some of the best college football makes it worth it.”

Photos by Ethan Lam | The Daily Gamecock

GREEK VILLAGE is full of different mansions housing many different sororities, but Kappa

the left when you enter Greek Village, is truly a home. 520 Lincoln Street is the place Blaire Browne, a member of the pledge class of 2019, has called home for four years now and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Kappa has always felt like home to me. The older girls were such role models to me when I was a newer member and I’ve also found best friends in my pledge class,” Browne said. “Living in the Kappa house was one of the best experiences, and I wish I could live there forever. There was never a dull moment in the house and living with 30 girls is the best time.”

By Sarah Fulwider

KKG provided Blaire with a positive and broad college experience and does the same for all its members. They’re involved philanthropically with the JED Foundation, working to prevent suicide in teens and young adults by providing support and resources. Their values include truth, respect, optimism, trailblazing, and knowledge. Kappa sisters take breaks from school to focus on sisterhood by planning things like yoga classes, cooking classes, movie nights, spring break trips, They find ways to make a group

of 300+ women feel like a close-knit family.

KKG members strive to support each other through these close-knit bonds and also through development opportunities, giving back to the community and embracing their values.

Best Sorority Best Fraternity

WHILE THETA CHI might not have a physical house in Greek Village, the brothers of this other. A Theta Chi chapter was established at USC in 2015 and its members have since been involved on campus, pursuing philanthropy, attending conventions, and supporting each other.

They partner with the United Services Organizations (USO) through fundraising efforts and volunteer hours. This organization provides support to military service members by strengthening their connections to their families and to America.

Sam Wiley, a member of the 2019 pledge class, loves the opportunity to be philanthropic, but to also create friendships that last forever.

“I love Theta Chi because of the unforgettable memories and friends that its membership has provided,” Wiley explained. “I love the relationships between all of the grades in our fraternity because there aren’t exclusive groups; everyone hangs out with anyone. I also love that I am constantly surrounded by hardworking, motivated, and driven individuals who are able to push me to be the best and most successful person that I can be.”

Sarah Fulwider

File photo | Garnet Media Group

File photo | Garnet Media Group

File photo | The Daily Gamecock

SOME PEOPLE are easily excited about science, while others avoid it at all costs. Luckily for all students, Professor Milan Dhameja is here to help them better understand biology! Professor Dhameja has taught at the university for over a decade, and this is his second year winning Best Professor.

By Alicia Caracciolo

In his class, he compares scientific phenomena to real-life examples to help students understand the material. He finds ways to tie seemingly unimportant information to topics covered in the class, fostering a deeper type of learning.

According to first-year neuroscience

student Camden Svec, he makes an effort to personally connect with his students and makes himself available for conversations.

“He has helped me truly understand very specific aspects of biology, even with his unorthodox teaching methods,” Svec said.

File Photo | The Daily Gamecock

File Photo | The Daily Gamecock

EVEN THOUGH Fostering Felines only had its first club meeting in September 2022, the club’s mission has quickly attracted over 100 members. The organization partners with the Cat Around Town Project (CATP), a local non-profit, to help move stray cats from the streets and into foster homes.

“Our goals are to educate UofSC students on the importance of proper feline care and to raise funds for the cats and kittens,” Megan Dinh, club president, said.

By Alicia Caracciolo

The most popular event hosted by Fostering Felines has been its “Kitten Expositions,” which had CATP bring kittens eligible for adoption to campus. Students and staff were able to hold them for a donation, and the money raised went directly to support animals in the program.

“We’ve managed to raise enough to help with life-saving surgeries,” Dinh said.

Members of Fostering Felines contribute to the cause in any way that they can. Although there is not a set number of volunteer hours required, the club’s success comes from the dedication of its members.

“I couldn’t be more grateful for these [club members], and the effort they put in,” Dinh said.

Photos by Jada Mack | GMG

Photo by Jada Mack | Garnet Media Group

The Belgian Waffle Truck is a local vendor with a global history that brings a taste of Belgium to Columbia every weekend at Soda City Market!

Owners Jean Louis and Yvette Ledent have been in the food business for years. Their story began as restaurant owners in Belgium. After several years of success there, they moved to the U.S. to try and continue that success. They later closed those restaurants to work as food science professors at the University of Illinois, and after about 8 years of that, they managed retirement homes. Through it all, Louis and Ledent did everything together –including their move to the South. They came to Columbia because they had friends here and it was the perfect size to make a name for themselves, and soon established the Belgian Waffle Truck.

They take pride in the history that brought them here and the fact that they promoted and planned this business themselves from the beginning. This small business success story has also brought happiness to the people of Columbia. The truck can be found every week at Soda City and many of their regular customers depend on that.

“We’re established here. We have a lot of regulars,” Ledent said about their community presence. “Yvette will often knit or crochet little things for the children that come by. We know the people.”

They’ve given Columbia the opportunity to experience Liege, Belgium – their hometown. In Liege, you’ll find the authentic and famed Belgian waffle. The smell of Liege waffles wafts from the windows of the stores and is carried through the town’s streets. This delightful experience is recreated on Main Street every week!

“I love the authenticity and environment. There’s always a line here and for good reason,” Soda City attendee Anna Moreno mentioned after enjoying

dinner. You can also opt for a savory option or a waffle sandwich to eat as more of a meal.

“We brought something new and different,

Photo by Jada Mack | Garnet Media Group

Kiki’s Chicken & Waffles has been serving up the best soul food and classic breakfast dishes in town since 2012, so it’s no surprise that it was voted Columbia’s Best Black-Owned Business.

The resturant’s menu is packed with southern favorites, but it’s Kiki’s chicken and waffle is the star.

Kiki’s Chicken & Waffles’ soul food plate comes with four wings, a corn muffin and a choice of two sides, which include grits, fried okra, macaroni and cheese, collards and more.The restaurant’s soul food menu also features baked chicken, barbecue ribs and smothered pork chops.

If you’re craving seafood, don’t miss the seafood platter, which entails two fish filets, seven fried

Kiki’s Chicken & Waffles can satisfy a sweet tooth too. Try out the chocolate chip waffle, red velvet waffle or fried apple pie to get your dessert fix.

The mouthwatering menu has earned the establishment plenty of news features, and owner Kiki Cyrus was even invited on the Rachael Ray Show to talk about women in the food industry. With this, it’s not just the menu that keeps guests coming back, it’s also the restaurant’s southern

“What makes Kiki’s stand out is that we are Black-owned and very family-oriented,” Manager Markeechell Dunlap said. “Kiki’s is an amazing

Over the past four years, one of Dunlap’s favorite parts of the job has been getting to know the customers, which Frank has experienced as well.

“The best part of the job is our patrons,” Frank said. “Whether it be our regular guests, local dignitaries or celebrities.”

Celebrities that have enjoyed Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles include WNBA star Brittney Griner, former NFL player Deion Sanders and President Joe Biden.

The restaurant has locations in northeast Columbia and Harbison, and it serves food at most Colonial Life Arena events. If you want to replicate its signature fried chicken at home, Kiki’s chicken breading is available for purchase in stores and online. Also, the restaurant hosts frequent events, so be sure to keep an eye out on social media.

It’s definitely worth the trip for what Frank calls “hands down, the best soul food in town.”

Photos by Jada Mack | Garnet Media Group

YOU HAVE PROBABLY VISITED the USC Barnes and Noble Bookstore if you are a Gamecock, but what makes it so special?

“A campus bookstore is a very unique environment,” General Manager Sarah Polley said. “We’re shoulder-to-shoulder with the students every day.”

And it is the students they have in mind when setting the scene. According to Polley, the USC Bookstore environment is somewhere that students can feel like they can succeed academically and a space where they can just come to chill-out and relax.

The store serves as a “one-stop shop” for academic and apparel

By Violet Raftery

needs, offering a substantial variety of products that include textbooks, headphones, calculators, flash drives, spirit gear, books, diploma frames, as well as apparel from Under Armour, Champion, League, Redshirt, Johnnie O, Peter Millar, Vineyard Vines and Southern Tide.

Polley says their recent bestsellers are LuluLemon apparel items, Colleen Hoover books and water bottles, specifically Hydro Flask.

The versatility of products offered, and its friendly atmosphere set the USC Bookstore up for success, making it the best bookstore in the Columbia area.

By Alicia Caracciolo

EVERY GAMEDAY POSES THE SAME QUESTION: What should I wear? Garnet and black are the obvious wardrobe choices, and the Best Place to Get Gamecock Gear for the third year in a row, Barefoot Campus Outfitter, is your one-stop shop for game day essentials!

Barefoot is home to not only school merch across all styles, but is also a great place to shop for stylish outfits!

Voters named Barefoot the best clothing store due to their up-to-date clothing selections and ability to personalize items that you buy.

The options are limitless at Barefoot. Are you looking for jerseys? Barefoot has it. Want to crop it? Barefoot can do it. Need a dress? Barefoot has that, too.

Jewelry, stickers, mugs and many other Gamecock-themed items can be found at Barefoot.

It is the store’s goal to provide customers with gear options that tailor to their style.

With its convenient location at 650 Lincoln near Colonial Life Arena, it is easy to walk to Barefoot from campus.

Barefoot is your one-stop shop for all things South Carolina, and it is easy to see why!

Photo by Jada Mack | Garnet Media Group

Best Black-Owned Business

For the second consecutive year, Soda City Thrifts has been voted Best of Carolina’s Best Student-Run Business.

The business offers local customers unique apparel and a community focus.

“Soda City Thrifts LLC is an apparel company specializing in selling hand-picked second-hand and vintage apparel to the student body at the University of South Carolina,” Founder Gray Thomas said. “It operates mainly on Instagram and in-person pop-up events.”

The business has been operating in the Columbia area since Thomas established it on March 22, 2020.

“The inspiration came from my passion for thrift shopping and finding unique, one-of-a-kind pieces of clothing while supporting the local community,” Thomas said.

Thomas later added a business partner, Zachary Christensen, who values the Gamecock community just as much.

“The university means so much to us, being Gamecocks, to have the support of the community that we’re most involved in,” Christensen said.

After all, they are students, too. Christensen is a business management major with a concentration in human resources and a minor in psychology, and Thomas recently graduated with a degree in advertising and a minor in media arts.

And it is their fellow South Carolina students and the greater Columbia area that have been the focus. The customers and the community mean everything to Christensen and Thomas.

“Operating a business on (USC)’s campus is amazing,” Thomas said. “The community of Columbia and the Gamecock student body has

played a major role on shaping who I am today,

Photo provided by Soda City Thrifts

Photos by Jada Mack | Garnet Media Group

THANKS FOR VOTING US BEST GYM

WE APPRECIATE YOU! @UOFSC_CAMPUSREC

Best Lunch & Best Breakfast/Brunch

By Lauren Russo

IN NEED OF A NEW LUNCH SPOT IN COLUMBIA? Look no further than The Gourmet Shop, this year’s winner of Best Lunch and Best Brunch/Breakfast. A Five Points staple since 1979, the establishment has something to satisfy your every craving.

Its cafe is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, offering indoor and outdoor seating during all times of the year. With extensive brunch and lunch menus, you are sure to find a way to please your taste buds.

One of The Gourmet Shop’s most prominent features is its madeto-order charcuterie boards. With these, you can choose from specialty cheeses and cured meats, all of which come with a french baguette.

When you’re done with your meal, don’t forget to check its on-site store, which has all of the ingredients and kitchenware you could ever need. The provisions section is home to a collection of equipment, spices, sauces, utensils, pans and any ingredient you could think of for cooking and baking.

With a list of over 1,500 wines, The Gourmet Shop’s selection is extensive and exquisite. Don’t forget to pair your choice of wine with one of the store’s amazing cheeses as well. They have brands hailing from all across the United States and Europe, bringing world-renowned excellence to Columbia.

Best Brunch/Breakfast

If you’re looking for a great atmosphere, a full bar and barbecue that will knock your socks off, Home Team BBQ is the place for you. Its menu features all of the barbecue staples, such as pulled pork, sliced and chopped brisket, smoked turkey and a myriad of sauces.

Feeding a crowd? Try “The Board,” a family-style platter featuring smoked wings, jalapeno cheddar sausage, a rack of ribs, pulled pork, turkey, grilled bread and three sides.

Though barbecue is the star of the show, the restaurant also offers

By Grace Farrar

sandwiches, salads, tacos and more. To quench your thirst, grab one of its eclectically-named cocktails, like “Snake in the Grass’’ or “Rub is a Battlefield.”

For the late night-crowd, a limited menu featuring queso tots and chicken wings is available from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.

If barbecue makes you feel brainy, you’re in luck. Home Team hosts team trivia every Monday at 7 p.m., and it awards gift card prizes for first-, second- and third-place winners.

Best Dessert

Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe first won Best of Carolina’s best dessert category in 2016. They have continued to earn the honor each year since, and 2023 is no different.

“Kaminsky’s entices visitors into its cozy atmosphere with a rotating selection of delectable desserts made in-house daily, in addition to heaping milkshakes, specialty coffees, and cold beverage creations,” their website says.

Whether you try its barbecue nachos or the classic brisket, Home Team BBQ is worth a trip to see why Southern Living named it one of “the South’s Best BBQ Joints.”

By Violet Raftery

And those milkshakes may just be the tastiest in the state! USA Today Travel has named Kaminsky’s as the “best place to get a milkshake in South Carolina.”

The extensive and delightful menu also offers teas, hot chocolate, soda, sundaes, floats, dessert martinis, a full-service bar and more.

If you are looking to celebrate somewhere else, Kaminsky’s offers full cake, cheesecake and pie orders, as well as cookie and brownie trays for online order and pick-up.

They even appeal to special occasions with a variety of specialty dessert orders and seasonal drinks.

And just when you thought it could not get any better, they offer a number of gluten-free alternatives so that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat.

So, the next time you find yourself on Gervais Street, the Best of Carolina voters would recommend giving Kaminsky’s a try.

Photos by Jada Mack

Photos by Jada Mack | GMG

If you are a student with a meal plan at the University of South Carolina, there’s a high chance that you have been to Fresh Greene’s. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear that many students frequent the dining hall: the welcoming atmosphere and delicious food are a significant draw. While the food speaks for itself, the man behind it all is Chef Robert Evans. Known as “Bear” to many, he is often seen interacting with students and making their days a little brighter on campus.

During his childhood he grew up in Virginia, splitting time between Richmond – a bustling city – and the Northern Neck of Virginia, full of farming and fishing towns. These contrasting experiences made him gain an intense appreciation for culture and learning in his life. He was given the opportunity to adapt to the teeming energy of a city while also building a bond with the land and grasping the importance of sustainability.

Beyond Virginia, Bear has traveled throughout the world. While pursuing a robust education and earning five degrees, he lived in a multitude of countries before settling back in America. Throughout his time in Spain, Northern Africa, and Central America, he cherished the moments

By Francesca Cumello

where he could bond with locals. His appreciation for community was further deepened as he formed relationships that he would never have cultivated if not for his love of culture and cuisine. This is apparent in the relationships that he has formed with students who frequent Fresh Greene’s. Bear knows many of them by name, taking a genuine interest in their lives and making them feel at home while at college.

As a chef, one would expect that Bear could name his favorite food with ease. However, this is not the case: indeed, he is adamant that he does not have one. The possibilities are endless when it comes to cooking and creating new dishes, and he maintains that there is always something new out there to try. To him, it would be unthinkable to choose only one dish out of the many that he has loved over his years in the culinary field.

Bear’s diverse, multi-cultural experiences have opened his eyes (and taste buds) to an array of dishes, many of which he brings to students at Fresh Greene’s. The cuisine is not like any that a student will find elsewhere on campus. Bear consistently finds ways to incorporate new flavors and ingredients to the rotations of meals that he and his employees serve. He seeks to bring the joy of eating “a spicy boiled peanut at Soda City in downtown Columbia” or “drinking a Café con Leche while sitting in a café in Granada, Spain” to USC.

To truly appreciate food and to learn to cook, Bear recommends that students absorb their surroundings. By traveling, going to museums, raising animals, or doing something as simple as reading a book, one can value the emotion that goes into making a stellar meal. This, therefore, will translate into one’s own creations. To try Bear’s dishes, head over to Fresh Greene’s: a must-try dining hall on campus, where Bear will likely be there greeting students with a smile.

SPONSORED CONTENT FOR CAROLINA FOOD CO.

Photo provided by University of South Carolina

With only a few units left, now is the time to make your move to Hub!

Hub Columbia offers students everything they need to achieve a balanced lifestyle. Our residents enjoy upscale amenities and spacious apartments near USC, all within minutes of Columbia’s best shopping and dining.

IF YOU ARE SEARCHING for your next dinner date destination or simply want to get all dressed up to go out with friends, Halls Chophouse on Main Street is the spot for you.

Their main attraction is their specialty steak. A customer’s many options include filet mignon, dry-aged steaks, New York strip steaks, ribeye steaks, porterhouse steaks and more.

While Halls is a chophouse at heart, their menu offers a variety for everyone to enjoy — from salad to seafood to dessert.

The interior of the restaurant itself has a friendly, comfortable environment, too.

By Violet Raftery

“Halls Chophouse had it all: the finest steaks money could buy, an extensive wine list, hearty family-style sides — but it was the service and warmth of the staff that set them apart,” their website says.

Halls was first established in Charleston in 2009, and they have expanded to Greenville, Nexton, and — of course — Columbia.

They are open every day of the week, serving brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert and drinks. And they are ready to host your next special occasion.

Photo provided by Hall’s Chophouse

Best Ice Cream

File Photo | The Daily Gamecock

FOR THE 11TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, Cool Beans Coffee Co. has claimed its title as the Best Coffee Shop.

For 26 years, Cool Beans has provid ed USC students with a place to relax, study and hang out with friends.

Surrounded by university buildings in a location that has always historically been a coffee shop, Cool Beans’ late hours allow students the opportunity to either study or socialize in a com fortable environment whenever they please.

Cool Beans is a shop that speaks for itself. The shop does not advertise beyond selling T-shirts, which show cases the reputation of the shop, as

Photos by Jada Mack | Garnet Media Group

Best Lunch

Founded in 2013, River Rat Brewery is named in tribute to the rivers that surround Columbia and the men who built the original Columbia canal. Since their start, they have been on a mission to create the perfect beer to enjoy after a long day of work.

Their drinks menu features seasonal and year-round stouts, IPAs, ales, lagers and just about any other kind of beer you can think of. The 803 IPA is the perfect summer beer — slightly sweet, very refreshing and it goes great with barbecue and burgers.

By Grace Farrar

The dog-friendly rooftop patio is the perfect place to kick back after a long week or host an event. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out their full menu, including the pimento cheese quesadilla, wings, sliders and more. You can even keep up the boozy theme with fries topped with 803 IPA beer queso.

Stop by on a Sunday to indulge in their brunch menu. Choose from the normal selection of drinks, try out a “beermosa” or sip on a Jack Rudy Bloody Mary. Keep an eye out for

Photo by Emily Neglia | GMG

Photos by Jada Mack & File Photo | Garnet Media Group

The Best Local Musician 2023 winner is none other than Bull Street Garage! Band members Josh Blibaum, Parker Lubin, Joe DiGregorio, Doug Neubauer and Jack Barrett all attended the University of South Carolina and graduated this past year, but they are continuing to reflect on their time together and look forward to the future.

Bull Street Garage credit the quarantine of 2020 as the biggest factor in the band getting together. After getting sent home from classes, Lubin released a self-produced song that caught the ear of Blibaum. At the time, Blibaum was also recording

When asked when they knew there was something special with Bull Street Garage, the members said it was during their first practice with drummer Barrett. With the addition of Barrett to the band, all the members were able to play instruments they were more confident in.

Finding the right people and coming together is one thing, but having the courage to put yourself out there and start a band may be a daunting task for some, but not for Bull Street Garage. They said that all the members knew they had strong potential and wanted to share their love for music

No one’s ever said therapy is fun, but that’s because they’ve never been to Group Therapy, this year’s winner of Best Five Points Bar.

Founded in 1978, Group Therapy is the oldest bar in Five Points and has been a Columbia staple ever since. Open seven nights a week, there is always something going on at this outstanding venue. With two different bars on the inside, there is never a long wait, allowing people to keep the party going. The establishment also offers a shuffleboard game set for anyone who is in the mood to have some friendly competition.

By Lauren Russo

Group Therapy’s most unique feature, however, is its outside DJ area. With more than enough room for dancing and a third bar, it is the perfect place to spend your night. TVs also line the walls, so you can watch any big game while you socialize.

There is a reason this bar has been around for almost 45 years, so you don’t want to miss it. From the awe some music to the timeless decor, Group Therapy’s atmosphere will keep you dancing your worries away until the last call.

Photos by Jada Mack | Garnet Media Group

It’s no surprise that Willams-Brice Stadium has won Best Sports Venue once again. In all honesty, I don’t think anything will come close. (Although, Dawn Staley is building something special in Colonial Life Arena with her women’s basketball team.) Saturdays in South Carolina are a memorable experience for all Gamecocks. Whether you’ve been a fan for 50 years or five minutes, listening to the opening “Welcome to WilliamsBrice” video will send chills down your spine.

I’ve gone to every home football game that I could since freshman year. Whether it was 95 degrees, raining or a cold November night, missing out on the game has never been an option. Now, as a senior, I’m glad that I took hold of those Saturdays and cherished standing in the student section screaming “we must protect this house” with all of our might.

However, this year Williams-Brice Stadium felt extra special. It was upgraded to have colored LED lights that flashed along with music, videos and Sandstorm. I didn’t know lights could have such an impact, but I was so wrong. When the stadium went dark and came back red for the “Don’t Stop Believing” video in the season’s first game, I felt chills across my body. When it happened again during my last game as a student, I hugged my friends tight and may have shed a few tears.

The lights weren’t the only things lighting up Willy-B this season though. During the 2022 season, the South Carolina Gamecock football

The next week, we beat Clemson on its home turf, ending the Tiger’s 40-game home winning streak. As a Carolina fan for life, that one felt extra special. Over the last year, I’ve also gotten to watch my sister fall in love with football and Willy-B like I did as a baby Gamecock, which was so heartwarming. I’ve made a lot of memories in Williams-Brice Stadium in the last four years, but senior year was something extra special.

Willy-B won Best Sports Venue for a reason, and I hope that all current and future Gamecocks never forget the special moments that have been, are being and will be created in those stands. I’ll never stand in the student section again, but I’m counting down the days until I can yell “Go Cocks!” as an

Aerial image by Daniel Hou | Garnet Media Group

Photos provided by Gracie Bryant

By Lauren Russo

It may not look like much six days out of the week, but 1110 Shop Rd. transforms into the biggest party in Columbia on Saturdays during Gamecock football season. The Fraternity Lots are a gameday staple for many USC students, earning it the title of Best Tailgating Spot.

The lots are a 2-acre field packed with 14 tents, one for each fraternity on the USC campus. Under every individual tent, fraternities have a full set of speakers with a DJ, ensuring that there is a spot that matches whatever vibe you and your friends are looking for.

The lots are open on every football game day, so they have become the best pre-game spot to get students and friends hyped up for the big matchup.

However, in order to keep the party going beyond football season, the lots hold special holiday events throughout the entire school year. From Christmas, Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day to the spring football game, the lots is the place to be for every big occasion.

With performers and special appearances regularly, time spent at the Fraternity Lots is something to remember.

File Photo

Photo by Amelia Farrell | The Daily Gamecock

Vista Union is a hidden gem in the heart of the Vista, with an extensive menu and great deals. The best part? There’s something new to try every night of the week!

Sip on $3 specialty mules every Monday, and on Tuesdays treat yourself to $2 tacos and margaritas and then try your hand at Tipsy Bingo at 8 p.m. Kick back on Wednesdays with $3 Bud Light drafts and vodka drinks. Indulge in happy hour on Thursdays — all day long. If you’re still hanging in there by the weekend, stop by on a Sunday and enjoy 50% off food and 20% off drinks.

Aside from the specials, their menu is packed with good eats, from the mac and cheese burger to the sriracha honey bacon BLT. I recommend the Irish nachos: curly fries topped with cheese, bacon, pico de gallo and more.

Looking to host a private event?

Vista Union is Columbia’s biggest bar available to rent, and it’s a go-to for fraternity and sorority functions.

No matter which night of the week you go, Vista Union won’t disappoint.

Photos by Jada Mack | Garnet Media Group

File Photo | The Daily Gamecock

Photos by Jada Mack & Josh Warner | Garnet Media Group

If you are in need of a fresh cut or new hairstyle, try stopping by Vivid: Color Cut Style on Harden Street, the winner of the Best Hair Salon in Columbia.

Vivid is a “full-service hair salon, specializing in creative color in cuts,” shop owner, stylist and educator Lydia Catherine said.

Her salon is customer-centered and emphasizes fostering a friendly atmo sphere.

“We have created this great all-in clusive, comfortable and accepting space for people to just express and be themselves,” Catherine said.

By Violet Raftery

And the Best of Carolina voters

Photos by Jada Mack | Garnet Media Group

BEFORE IMMACULATE PIERCING opened its doors in 2007, owner Sarah Wooten had a vision for the studio — and the perfect name to describe it.

“It means perfectly, unquestionably, spotlessly clean,” Wooten said. “It seemed a good fit for how we do what we do.”

She set out to provide the Columbia community with a reputable piercing studio, and Immaculate Piercing is still going strong 16 years later.

By Grace Farrar

Immaculate Piercing offers a wide array of services, but the most popular is earlobe piercing — they did almost 1,000 last year. Other popular piercings include the helix, nostril, conch and tragus.

Appointments are required and they fill up fast, so be sure to book in advance! There are limited hours for walk-in jewelry shopping each week.

Their pricing varies, but each piercing has a service and jewelry fee. If you want multiple piercings in one appointment, there is a $10 discount on

each additional piercing. Regardless of what piercing you get, you can be sure you’re getting the best service in town.

“Our core belief is that everyone deserves safe, appropriately performed piercings, with quality jewelry that can last a lifetime, delivered by friendly people in a welcoming atmosphere,” Wooten said.

Photos by Daniel Hou | Garnet Media Group

File Photo | Garnet Media Group