4 Gay Bars in Columbia, SC — LGBTQ+ Nightlife

If you're looking for a low-key spot with drag shows, karaoke, and male dancers, PT's 1109 is your place. This locally owned gay bar in the Vista area has been around since 2000 and welcomes everyone. Happy hour runs weekdays 5-8pm and weekends 6-8pm, with events most nights. The crowd leans mostly male, with some women too. It picks up around 11:30pm, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. The dance floor gets going with go-go dancers, and Sunday karaoke with Kevin Snow draws a regular crowd. There's also a nice deck out back. Yelp reviews note the bartenders are friendly, though some found the atmosphere a bit divey. Nearby, Art Bar offers a different scene if you want to bar hop.

The crowd here is mixed gay and straight, shifting more toward gay as the night goes on. Art Bar split into three zones: a quieter front bar for talking, a hopping dance floor in back with a DJ, and an outdoor patio with its own bar. The walls are covered in local art, and a hot dog vendor sometimes sets up outside. Hours run 5pm-2am most nights (Sunday from 8pm). Best nights are Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The Vista location puts you walking distance from Kelly's Pub for an after-hours stop. After Art Bar, you might head to Group Therapy for another round.

Most gay bars welcome everyone, but Capital Club requires membership or a call ahead. As Columbia's oldest gay bar since 1980, it offers a private, old-school feel with a beautiful wooden bar, signed theater posters, and indoor smoking. The vibe is casual and slightly exclusive, so plan ahead if you're visiting.

Group Therapy bills itself as a mixed gay-straight bar in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood, but the crowd leans heavily straight, especially on weekends. Expect a divey atmosphere with a dark interior, a back deck, and DJs spinning on certain nights. It's not the dedicated gay space some travelers look for. The hours shift daily, opening as early as 4pm most weekdays but later on weekends. Drink specials are a draw for the college-heavy crowd. If you're seeking a more reliably LGBTQ+ spot, Art Bar is a nearby alternative.