Which bar in the Columbia area is the best? Vote now in our poll

A city’s nightlife is its heartbeat, often becoming the highlight of a resident’s life or a visitor’s experience.

At the center of this energy are bars, acting as third-places, which are social gathering spots that exist outside the pressures of home and work. The magic of these hubs is simple: They take away a person’s worries, at least for the night.

Whether you’re there to celebrate a milestone, catch up with old friends or sing a questionable karaoke solo, a great night out is about the atmosphere and the company, not just what’s in your glass.

In Columbia, there are dozens of diverse bars to explore. From Five Points’ energetic atmosphere and the vibrant charm of the Vista to the sophisticated corridors of Main Street, there is a bar waiting for you. Columbia has everything from roaring sports bars to tucked-away speakeasies.

Now, The State wants you to vote for your favorite from a list of 22 places in the 2026 Columbia Bar Poll.

For the unscientific poll, we tried to select the widest range of bars possible so that everyone could vote for their favorites. This is not an exhaustive, comprehensive list of every single bar in the Columbia area. Rather, it’s a wide-ranging selection representing the variety our city offers.

You have until 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 1, to vote in the poll below. The restaurants are presented in alphabetical order.

You can vote as much as you want, so be sure to vote early and often, and continue to enjoy the nightlife that Columbia has to offer.