Hunter Gatherer feels more like a rustic hunting lodge with exposed vats of beer behind the bar and walls lined with bags of hops and barley. Choose from four local brews made in-house—a rarity in this state. Enjoyed your beer? Ask for a growler- a jug for to-go orders of your favorite brew. Thursday night jazz is an equally delicious local gem. Skip Pearson leads a band that is a revolving door of Columbia talent. Oh, and the specials are an absolute must. I’d go with the marinated pork chop topped with pimento cheese.

Mouthwatering, locally bought food and crimson walls make Rosso Trattoria Italia a solid first date choice. If it’s your first Rosso experience, ask the head chef, Travis Rayle, to make you something unique to start your meal—he’ll be more than obliged! Jazz on Saturday is killer. Don Russo plays fresh, original renditions of everything from Bill Withers to the Beatles, and even Jason Mraz.

Speakeasy in Five Points, with its long mahogany bar and dark leather couches, exudes the style, class and panache akin to the 1950s, Rat Pack scene. Live jazz is on Thursday and Saturday nights. The sound is as classic as the venue—think Miles Davis and Coltrane, mixed with a bit more attitude as the night unfolds.