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School
University of South Carolina
Stadium
Williams-Brice Stadium
Capacity
77,559
Conference
SEC
The neighborhoods where Columbia fans drink before, during, and after the game. Each district has its own vibe — here's where to find your crowd.
The legendary gameday district with packed bars, outdoor patios, and Gamecock traditions
Notable Bars
Upscale downtown area with craft cocktail bars, restaurants, and a more refined pre-game experience
Notable Bars
Historic downtown with local bars, breweries, and a mix of college and professional crowds
Notable Bars
Plan your game day around the University of South Carolina South Carolina Gamecocks home schedule
Sep 5, 2026
Sep 12, 2026
Sep 19, 2026
Sep 26, 2026
Oct 3, 2026
Oct 10, 2026
Oct 17, 2026
Oct 24, 2026
Oct 31, 2026
Nov 7, 2026
Nov 14, 2026
Nov 21, 2026
Nov 28, 2026
* Schedule subject to change. Always verify with the official athletic department.
Columbia's Midlands location brings hot, humid September games that cool to pleasant fall conditions by November. Williams-Brice Stadium's 77,000+ capacity and Sandstorm entrance create an intense atmosphere. October offers ideal weather for tailgating in the famous Cockaboose Railroad.
86°
High
67°
Low
77°
High
55°
Low
67°
High
45°
Low
These months offer the most comfortable conditions for outdoor tailgating and the walk to Williams-Brice Stadium.
The definitive guide to Columbia's college bar scene — where fans drink, what to order, and what makes each spot worth visiting on game day.
2.1 miles from Williams-Brice Stadium
Atmosphere
Five Points institution
Known For
2.0 miles from Williams-Brice Stadium
Atmosphere
College bar
Known For
2.2 miles from Williams-Brice Stadium
Atmosphere
Sports bar
Known For
3.1 miles from Williams-Brice Stadium
Atmosphere
Craft brewery
Known For
2.8 miles from Williams-Brice Stadium
Atmosphere
Upscale bar
Known For
2.3 miles from Williams-Brice Stadium
Atmosphere
British pub
Known For
The best order to hit Columbia's top bars on game day — optimized for walking distance, atmosphere, and crowd energy.
Start
Touchdowns, 2001 Greene St, Columbia, SC 29205
Est. Time
4–4.5 hours
Total Distance
1.3 miles
Start Here
Touchdowns, 2001 Greene St, Columbia, SC 29205
2001 Greene St, Columbia, SC 29205
2107 Greene St, Columbia, SC 29205
2112 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205
326 S Edisto Ave, Columbia, SC 29205
1402 Jim Hamilton Blvd, Columbia, SC 29205
End Point
Hunter-Gatherer Brewery at the Hangar, 1402 Jim Hamilton Blvd, Columbia, SC 29205
Five Points is the soul of South Carolina gameday — start here and work your way toward The Vista for a more upscale finish. Wear garnet and black, arrive 4 hours before kickoff, and make sure you're in the stadium for the Sandstorm entrance — it's worth every second.
What makes South Carolina Gamecocks game day unique — the rituals, chants, and moments every fan lives for.
When the Gamecocks take the field, Williams-Brice Stadium erupts to the pounding beat of Darude's "Sandstorm." The entire stadium — all 77,000 fans — jumps in unison song builds to its iconic drop. It is one of the most electric stadium entrance moments in all of college football.
The world's only permanent tailgate railroad — 22 custom-painted cabooses permanently parked on a rail spur outside Williams-Brice Stadium. Each caboose is privately owned and decorated in garnet and black. They are among the most coveted tailgate spots in all of college sports.
South Carolina fans chant "2-0-1" (the area code for Columbia) throughout games rallying cry. The chant unites the stadium and is a proud declaration of Gamecock identity. It is heard in bars, on the street, and echoing through Five Points on every gameday.
Five Points — the legendary bar district on Harden Street — transforms into a sea of garnet and black on gameday. Bars open at dawn for noon kickoffs, patios overflow with fans, and the energy builds for hours before the team takes the field. It is the heartbeat of Gamecock gameday culture.
South Carolina fans take their gameday colors seriously — garnet and black are worn by virtually every fan in the stadium. The sea of garnet inside Williams-Brice is one of the most visually striking sights in the SEC, and visiting fans are immediately outnumbered by the passionate Gamecock faithful.
The annual game against Clemson — the Palmetto Bowl — is the defining rivalry of South Carolina football. The entire state divides along garnet and orange lines every November, and the winner earns bragging rights for the entire year. It is one of the most passionate in-state rivalries in college sports.
Top spots to eat before or after the game — ranked by proximity, quality, and game day vibes.
Southern Comfort Food · 2.0 miles from stadium
A Five Points institution since 1975, Yesterdays is the quintessential Gamecock gameday meal stop. Their shrimp and grits — creamy stone-ground grits with Gulf shrimp and smoky andouille — have fueled generations of South Carolina fans. The patio fills with garnet and black hours before kickoff.
Farm-to-Table Bistro · 2.8 miles from stadium
The Vista's most celebrated restaurant and a gameday splurge worth every penny. Motor Supply sources from local South Carolina farms and changes its menu daily. The pimento cheese board and fried chicken sandwich are gameday staples. Reserve weeks in advance for Clemson and Georgia weekends.
Brewpub & Kitchen · 2.1 miles from stadium
Columbia's beloved craft brewery with a full kitchen serving gameday-perfect food. The smoked brisket nachos paired with their house amber ale is the ultimate Gamecock pre-game combo. The outdoor beer garden fills with garnet-clad fans 3 hours before kickoff.
Southern Meat & Three · 3.2 miles from stadium
The ultimate South Carolina comfort food institution — a local chain beloved by Gamecock fans for decades. The fried chicken plate with three sides is the definitive gameday fuel-up meal. Cheap, fast, and absolutely delicious. Multiple locations make it easy to grab before heading to Williams-Brice.
Burger Bar · 2.0 miles from stadium
Five Points' favorite burger joint with a gameday special named after the Gamecocks. The Gamecock Burger — topped with house-made pimento cheese and a crispy fried green tomato — is the perfect pre-game fuel. The front porch fills with fans in garnet and black on every home game Saturday.
Gourmet Food Truck · 0.5 miles from stadium
Columbia's most popular food truck parks near Williams-Brice Stadium on every home game day. The loaded BBQ pulled pork fries — topped with slow-smoked pork, cheddar, jalapeños, and house sauce — are the best stadium-adjacent bite in Columbia. Cash and card accepted, lines move fast.
The top districts in Columbia for game day bar crawls and nightlife.
The legendary gameday district with packed bars, outdoor patios, and Gamecock traditions
Upscale downtown area with craft cocktail bars, restaurants, and a more refined pre-game experience
Historic downtown with local bars, breweries, and a mix of college and professional crowds
Turn your love of South Carolina Gamecocks football into income. Organize bar crawls on game days, build your crew, and get paid doing what you love.
Everything you need to know before you arrive at Williams-Brice Stadium
The world's only permanent tailgate railroad — 22 custom cabooses parked outside Williams-Brice. An iconic USC tradition.
Harden Street bar patios overflow with Gamecock fans. The most electric pre-game street scene in Columbia.
Official tailgate lots surrounding Williams-Brice with RVs, tents, and Sandstorm energy.
Rideshare Drop-off
Uber/Lyft drop-off on George Rogers Blvd near the stadium. Expect surge pricing on game days.
Shuttle Service
COMET Transit runs free game day shuttles from remote Park & Ride locations to Williams-Brice Stadium.
Top hotels near Williams-Brice Stadium for game day weekend
Everything you need to know about Columbia game day bar crawls
Information sourced from official and authoritative references
South Carolina Athletics
Official schedules, tickets, and parking for Williams-Brice Stadium.
Williams-Brice Stadium Guide
Stadium policies, bag rules, and gameday information.
Experience Columbia SC
Official Columbia visitor guide, hotels, and local events.
SEC Official Site
Conference standings, schedules, and broadcast information.
ESPN College Football
Live scores, schedules, and game day coverage.
Explore every bar district, find the best spots near Williams-Brice Stadium, and discover where South Carolina Gamecocks fans drink on game day.