Celebrating St Patrick's Day in Columbia is a big deal. This is the 37th annual celebration where all of Five Points will literally turn green (even the iconic fountain). This event draws a huge crowd of around 45,000 people from all across the Southeast. You can find 25 live bands in various blocked off sections of Harden Street, green beer, tons of food, and a fun parade that we participate in each year. 

Our favorite way to spend the day is heading over to a local bar with great atmosphere, good company, and even better beer. More specifically, Guinness, the most celebrated Irish beer on this glorious day. 

As local community experts, we took it upon ourselves to spend an evening showcasing 3️⃣ of the best places around Columbia to enjoy a nice, cold Guinness.

 #GuinnesswiththeGuys #GuinnesswiththeGals maybe we can get that trending?

Flying Saucer

📍 931 Senate St, Columbia, SC 29201

The great thing about Flying Saucer is that they have 200 other beers that are local beers and national brews. They know how to pour you a Guinness correctly here. The weather is getting better enough to hangout in the outside giving you the best ambiance being right in the heart of the Vista. You also can't beat the great eats this place has. On March 6th they'll have 4 commemorative 20 oz. Guinness glasses with artwork from the iconic Gilroy campaign. Buy a Guinness + keep the glass.

Cool fact: With their U.F.O Club you become a BEERKNURD® which means after you've tried 200 beers here, you get your name in the Ring of Honor (which is what you'll see all over the walls).

For more info, click here.

Publick House

📍 2307 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205

Looking to experience a Little Bit of Ireland right on Devine Street? Publick House is your place! This big, colorful pub has every kind of beer on tap, big screen TVs, darts and pool tables. They're also well known for their flavorful wings and Guinness pie. It also has the best view for you to watch the St. Pat's parade.

Guinness Fact: Pouring a glass or pint of Guinness is a skill. A “perfect pour” should take 119.5 seconds. This is the result of pour at an angle of 45 degrees followed by a rest. This is crucial. Most Irish people would cringe if they saw anyone pour it any other way.

For more info, click here. 

The Kraken Gastropub

📍 2910 Rosewood Dr, Columbia, SC 29205

They're well known for their 29 craft, delectable beers. They've released this pub in 2012 creating a really cool atmosphere and unique menu with all kinds of frites and mussels. Michael highly recommends the Pacific Rib Wings which he claims are "the best in town". Kraken also hosts trivia nights during the week. Located in Rosewood, this is an ideal place to go if you want a break from everything going on right in Five Points.

Guinness Fact: Guinness is so dedicated to settling the sort of obscure debates born in bars that in 1954, managing director Hugh Beaver launched a compendium of little-known facts called the Guinness Book of Records.

For more info, click here.