Shakeup in Five Points as Favorite Bars Face License Renewals

COLUMBIA: Shakeup in Five Points as Favorite Bars Face License Renewals

So, if you’re in Columbia and frequent the lively Five Points, you might be in for a surprise. Two of the area’s go-to spots for grabbing a drink after class—Group Therapy and Saloon—have just had their liquor license renewals denied. But don’t start to think your late-night hangouts are over just yet; they’ve been given a 90-day extension to sort out some pretty serious complaints that have been lodged against them.

What’s the Deal?

According to statements made by the South Carolina Department of Revenue, they’ll be having a hearing in the near future to discuss whether these bars can keep serving us our favorite cocktails. In the meantime, the bars can keep their doors open—and your drinks flowing—until October 20, so there’s no need to hit the panic button, folks!

Now, the pulse of this dispute boils down to complaints made by a former neighborhood association president, Coley Frank Adams. He’s accused the bars of ignoring the state law that requires establishments selling liquor to primarily serve food. He claims that both places operate during off-hours, much to the dismay of the locals who are looking for a little peace and quiet at night.

Big Names in the Mix

Group Therapy is a beloved institution around here and dates back to 1978. This bar isn’t just any place; it once hosted some of the early gigs of Hootie & the Blowfish! It’s also been owned since 2016 by former USC quarterback Steve Taneyhill. Look, we all know late-night revelry can get a bit out of hand, and folks like attorney and former state senator Dick Harpootlian are rallying against these bars, advocating for stricter enforcement of the liquor laws. He believes that the way these bars currently operate doesn’t align with what the law dictates.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Representing Group Therapy (and saying they’re going to fight for their right to party!) is none other than Bakari Sellers, a former state representative and CNN political analyst. He’s throwing some serious lawyer power behind Group Therapy and seems confident that they’ll come out on top. “Group Therapy is going to be around for a long time,” he promised. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is!

Rising Tensions

It’s not just about these two bars, either; complaints about the nightlife scene in Five Points span several years. Locals argue that there are too many bars catering specifically to college students, which leads to issues like public drunkenness and rowdy behavior that seeps into the quiet residential streets nearby. The crux of the argument here leans heavily on what kind of establishments are actually allowed to serve liquor.

Other Nightlife Changes

Meanwhile, it’s worth noting that nearby New Brookland Tavern—another venue beloved for its live music—has hit a snag too. Their liquor license expired as of August 31, leaving them temporarily high and dry. If you had plans to check out some shows there, you might want to hold off until they can get that sorted out!

With these ongoing disputes in Five Points and the community looking for visual changes, it feels like we’re standing at a crossroads. Are we here for a bar scene that caters to the younger crowd, or should we be leaning toward a more family-friendly atmosphere? With names like Harpootlian and Sellers poised for a legal showdown, one thing is for sure: the future of Five Points hangs in the balance, and the upcoming months are going to be pretty interesting. Cheers to watching how this all unfolds!