Columbia Bar Athletes makes bar-hopping a blast

WHAT: Columbia Bar Athletes.

WHERE: Various bars in Five Points and soon, the Vista.

WHEN: Varies weekly.

If you’ve been searching for a night out that includes trivia, bingo, shooting pool, corn hole and “water pong,” then put Columbia Bar Athletes on your radar.

Since expanding from Charlotte to Columbia a little over a year ago, general manager Jay Faraj says the organization has picked up momentum but he’s nowhere near done expanding its reach.

“We accept all on-comers from females to males of all ages,” said Faraj. “If you’re interested in having a good time and winning a prize, we will put you on the list to make sure you have the time of your life. Our objective is to ensure that the customers are having a blast, treating it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

So far, CBA has hosted events at several Five Points watering holes, including Moosehead Saloon on Devine Street, The Saloon on Harden Street, Breakers, Red Hot, Village Idiot, Group Therapy and Blazing Copper. They’ve also hosted a “Welcome Back Garnet & Black” bar crawl and a pool party at The Retreat on Bluff Road. But Faraj is looking to expand to bars in the Vista in the near future.

“I plan on hosting a pool tournament at Jillians or trivia at Pearlz,” Faraj said. “There are many ideas in the mix. It’s simply a matter of organizing them and putting them into play. The games or tournaments that we host vary on the clientele of the business establishment. To some bars, water pong is ideal, while to others, bingo or trivia is a better fit. I’m there to help grow the reputation of the business and attract more customers to the establishment.”

Spoken like a true bar athlete.

THE VIBE: Right now, it may be too college-centric for the professional crowd, but to the young professionals who still have friends in college or still have three roommates and consider a futon a real piece of furniture, then this is right for you right now. But with the expansion into the Vista on the horizon, it’s only a matter of time before you see 30-somethings excelling in trivia games, cleaning up at water pong or besting newbies in a game of pool.

THE VERDICT: For anyone whose scene is Five Points, this is right up your side alley. If not, give it a few months and check back for Vista events and locations..