Bourbon

Nice New Orelans style lounge restaurant. It's situated right downtown historic Colombia and within walking distance of the SC State Capitol building (see photo). Usually busy on the weekends and waits can be as long as hours and half. There is very limited street parking and although the establishment advertises free parking we were unable to access this and had to pay $5 per hour valet. We started out in the bar lounge next door which is really part of Bourbon but just separated by building access. It was quite lively and friendly waiter on hand to take our appetizer and drinks orders. You can't order and eat food from the restaurant here BTW. Appetizers tensed to take some time to arrive as our waiter was working both the bar lounge and the resto-lounge. They have over 600 different types of Bourbons and Whiskey so you are not limited on choice at all. Bar person does a really good job crafting cocktails as well which they have a nice selection or you can also craft your own. We had the crab dip appetizer and hummus with peanut and both were a delight. I didn't like the toasted saltine crackers though ..they could do better substituting that with sourdough garlic bread which we asked extra but came after we finished the appetizer and the plates had been cleared. On to the restaurant next door after a few drinks at the bar ..we went straight to the menu and ordered the variety of meals (see photos). Everything was good but portions tended to be small but adequate. After all this is not buffet!🙂 It was a bit chilly in the restaurant this period so they could consider space heaters during cold nights. So...if ever in the Colombia SC area, do take a visit to Bourbon!!

One of the best restaurants I've tried in Columbia. Food was amazing and everything seemed made with care from fresh ingredients (which is hard to find in restaurants around here!). The shrimp and grits was hands down the best I've had in Columbia, Hunter Gatherer's was a close second place. Will definitely be going back! Pro tip: you can park at the bank parking lot behind the building for free!

Lovely place! They seem to handle the over-flow of a walk-in only restaurant very well. We were quoted about 40 minutes with no seat preference and we went to their side bar (2 doors down) to grab a cocktail and the boiled peanut hummus (SO good). We were there for maybe 30 minutes before they called us back. Upon reflection, I do wish we had asked for an actual seat. The bar stools are comfortable enough, but they do not have a back. I will always slump on a stool, and after a long day of hiking and kayaking at Congaree, I should have waited longer for comfort. I’m not even old- just give people backs on their stools!! This isn’t a “we want you to be uncomfortable so you leave faster” vibe of a place. We were also seated at the bar stools directly in front of the door, and the air is COLD. yall- a thick curtain would cut down on a lot of that. I know it isn’t that cold here most of the year, but it’s February and it was 38 degrees outside. You can take it down in the warmer months! I’m so glad I had a wool shawl with me- I ate while completely wrapped up. Fortunately, these are my only complaints! Bar service was fantastic and attentive. The food was wonderful. We got the pork Mac and cheese, blackened salmon, and the viet- Cajun spare ribs. Everything was INCREDIBLE. We got beignets to-go and ate them hours later- STILL amazing. We debated getting a gumbo bowl to-go and eat later and we didn’t. I might regret this decision forever. Fantastic spot. Would definitely come back if I come back to Columbia.

Decided to try this place because we loved the food in New Orleans and was hoping for something similar. It did not disappoint. From the drinks to the appetizers and then the food. It was so good. The service was amazing. The brought us the wrong appetizer out (pimento cheese) and we didn’t even realize it at first. However, they made it better and brought out what we ordered (crab dip) and didn’t charge us and apologized multiple times. Both apps were amazing! My daughter got the cheese burger which she said was pretty good. She almost ate all of it so I say it must have been great. My husband and I both had the chicken sandwich. The bread is a little too much so we ate it without the bread. They set should offer the chicken as an entree as well. We had a couple of drinks which were different but also amazing. Our waiter Riley was exceptional and very helpful with suggestions. We will definitely be visiting this restaurant again.

My friend and I had dinner here last night and I was very disappointed at the service and the food. Our waiter told us it was his 3rd day and he hadn't tried anything on the menu and couldn't answer any questions. He basically bought out our food and drinks and I had to ask another waitress to tell him to come back. I have dined here before but tonight the food was terrible. For my started a had the Boudin Balls on a bed of collards. The boudin balls were rubbery and the bed of collards had wayyy too much broth that had an over powering taste of vinegar. For my entree I had Duck ratatouille the duck was severely undercooked and super chewy and the veggies all tasted like vinegar.The drinks were truly the highlight of the entire experience.

It was very busy, we were able to only experience the lounge area. It was nice, will have to go back to try their food (other than the appiezters.

Outstanding drinks, food and service. Absolutely a must visit when in Columbia. Special shout out to amazing severs Anna and JaKOooB!

Sorry for this late review 8-15-24 my wife were in town visiting to see my little brother graduation for the army basic. That night we found this amazing place. Wow!!! Is an understatement the people and atmosphere was amazing. Jason, Allix, Grace were amazing. Then our food came out I a flaming young steak it was cooked by there new chief Oeante and I can say the was perfect!!!! (5*) I have received 30 plus places and by far the best steak I have ever had Really!!!! Amazing job guys I hope your owner reads this and treats you all well. Amazing team and job. I wish I did not live in Arizona I would definitely be back!!! Also amazing drinks highly recommend this drink in the picture.

Wow, what a place to have a fabulous meal and dinner drink. The parking is a bit tricky but true to the description on the web page. From the back parking lot there is a gate to the outside area, which is AMAZING. If your with a group and want to smoke a cigar and drink a glass, this is the pace. The food was perfectly seasoned. The staff are knowledgeable and made great recommendations. Went for the 450+ selection of bourbon and whiskey and had a great meal. Bourbon's service is second to none. We came in the back, and they quickly got us sorted. The staff was quick and it took about 20 minutes for us to recieve our food. The wine, bourbon and specials list are extensive but the bartenders know thier drinks and will be able to assist. Overall, the atmosphere, food, and service are on point. If your in town and looking for an unique experience then Bourbon is the place for you. Looking forward to my next trip to Bourbon in Columbia, SC.

Let me be clear: bourbon is at the top of the food chain when it comes to spirits. The selection is very extensive and an education in itself. A group of six of us stopped by for an early dinner during restaurant week. We were given a nice table in the back of the restaurant on the bar side. The noise level was acceptable. After some deliberation, we put in our orders. For drinks, I had my usual old-fashioned, which is nothing fancy but always enjoyable. My wife and several of the women enjoyed a peach spritzer For our appetizers, I chose the fried chicken livers; a couple of us got the crawfish bisque, and there were a couple orders of buratta. All in all the appetizers were well prepared. For example, my chicken livers were very crispy on the outside with a moist center; they were served with a crystal aioli and a bacon marmalade--nice! The bisque was was creamy and flavorful, and the buratta--while not boasting a super creamy center-- was tasty. Next up, six orders of beef bourguignon. A couple of us were able to clean our bowls--tender chunks of beef cooked low and slow is a flavorful sauce. The meat was served over mashed potatoes with some lightly steamed peas and carrots. For a couple of us, this French classic was a nightmare. After one or two bites of tender beef, we were blindsided-- practically the rest of our pieces of meat were overwhelmed with gristle--making this bites inedible. This turn of events ruined the entrée. Whoever selected the beef and or prepared it should've removed that gnarly gristle as much as humanly possible. Two desserts were offered on the fixed price restaurant week menu, a cinnamon roll " I don't think it's King Cake" bread pudding and a flourless chocolate cake--referred to as a bete noire. The bread pudding was rather delightful-- a melt in your mouth roll with just the right amount of cinnamon and sweetness. The old fashioned flourless cake--the bete noire was a culinary miss. I've made a few flourless cakes in my day, they tend to be fairly dense, but this offering was dry and hard! We had a great time with our friends laughing, talking and carrying on, but I would rate the meal a six out of 10, and that a bit generous. Let me see a few things about the service: the staff we interacted with was pleasant, friendly and professional. My wife has vowed never to return. OK, maybe for drinks, but hold the beef Bourguignon and the flourless cake! Note: recently, the owner reached out to me and graciously offered a detailed explanation, redress, and a sincere apology. In my opinion, definitely worth's a star!

If you desire a high quality crafted whiskey cocktail, or prefer your whisky neat, then this is your place! Our "go-to" whiskey drinks when trying out a new place is a Sazerac (for my friend) and an Old Fashioned (for me). Both these cocktails were very well done. The bar space is beautiful, it's next-door to a more formal dining and bar space, also Bourbon (there are two sides). Although not very busy service was quite slow. The bartender was very knowledgeable and experienced, but he was also clearly distracted and we weren't his priority.

Was a Thursday night, 5 pm or so. Parking is crazy here. I paid a valet $25 I found across the street at another business. Now Bourbon has 2 sides...the restaurant was packed and over an hour wait...but next door, they have a "small appetizer " and bar so we went in there. Just walked in an seated promptly. Got the pulled pork Mac-n-cheese with an Old Fashioned. Both were delicious. Served in a single sided cast iron pan, just enough to shut your belly up. Our server was this young man who was quick to ask when the drinks got low. You never want to be empty. The building was gorgeous, inside and out. Now the bathroom was a single serve and I think for both genders. Yes, both genders, because there are only two genders people. lol. Anyway, highly recommend stop.

The atmosphere is great. Everything was delicious! Along with our whiskey drinks, we ordered the pork Mac and cheese, the shrimp and grits, and the pimento cheese dip. All were fabulous! Who knew that pork rinds go so well with pimento cheese? Not this Cali girl. Our server was also great. Would definitely return again!

Sat at bar for 10 min and multiple servers passed but did not greet or acknowledge. I think that's kind of rude, you know?

Low-key date night on a Friday evening. It was pretty packed, but the vibe was good. We did not want to wait, and they don't accept reservations, so we sat at the bar. The customer service was great. Everyone was very nice and hospitable.  I loved the fried saltines. The cajun crab dip had potential, but the imitation crab was throwing the dish off a bit. The crawfish hush puppies were a little underwhelming. The burger and fries were so delicious. That burger truly was flavorful and juicy. The cocktails were well made and packed a delightful punch. They have a variety of cocktails. Also, there were alcohol reps present providing drink samples which was pretty cool.

The food is god awful ! Cajun food with bourbon. Make that make sense? Had two drinks A cucumber and tomatoe feta salad. More like all Tomatoes ! Our server was either high or just plan stupid the way she talked was so unprofessional. Over priced tasteless crap is what they are serving .

We stopped by Bourbon to get a drink after dinner and honestly I would come back here often. It has such a relaxed vibe and beautiful atmosphere. We sat at the bar and the bartender was so nice. They have a drink called the ya-ya hurricane and I asked why they only limit 2 per customer and the bartender said because they give 4 oz while other drinks usually have 2 oz of liquor in them. So of course I got it and had my 2 limit lol. I could definitely see why they only limit 2. The first one though was okay, it was fruity, and you couldn't taste the liquor which I like. Then the second one was a little stronger and by half way through, I could most certainly feel it. It was a delicious drink and if you like fruity flavors, I recommend this. Please come visit and check the vibes, you won't be disappointed.

This is my favorite place in Columbia. I've probably been here close to 15 times. The food is generally consistent and well-priced. I love the chicken sandwich and the bounty salad, and you can get a decent bottle of wine to share for a good price. They are known for their cocktails, which are also quite good. Downside is they don't take reservations, however you can wait at their cocktail lounge next door until a table opens up and bring your drink over. The ambiance in both locations is nice. Service can be a bit slow sometimes, but nothing too crazy. I highly recommend.

Great cocktails and yummy food! I came in for dinner and had a couple of cocktails and the jambalaya. Service was really friendly and really fast, and both the food and the drinks were excellent!

It's a fun place for a beverage and some good food. I am in love with their pimento cheese! I prefer the bar for the ambiance and the service--the team seems more customer-focused in the bar section than in the restaurant part. They have a great selection of bourbons and whiskeys, as you should have if your name is Bourbon. Love that there is free parking in the lot behind them if you press the call button and ask.

The food and drinks were good and the service was great. I got a whiskey flight and the etouffee. The etouffee was a little too spicy for me, but still very good. The place is a bit small, but great ambience and I even met new friends!

The best fried chicken sandwich I've had in a long time! The vietcajun was crispy chicken perfection with an explosion of Vietnamese flavors on a slightly toasted bun. I'm writing this review the following day and I could eat this sandwich again right now! Their fries are also GREAT, cooked very crispy and salted to perfection. I didn't try the burger, but my friend enjoyed it. The pork Mac and cheese was ok. The spice blend was nice, but it was a bit too greasy and my friend and I both thought it was a bit low on pork. (It's named Pork Mac & Cheese). Staff was friendly and it was a a nice enough bar atmosphere, but the restaurant felt more like a bar centric spot than a dinner place as it had that sticky bar feel to it. Maybe that's just the Bourbon St vibe and it's not a bad thing. However, I'd favor this spot for beers and burgers with the boys(and a couple whiskey's off their fairly extensive menu) over a date night. Also take note of the Tuesday-Saturday 4-6:30p early bird special. A burger, a beer and a bourbon for just $12!! Come on now, Sign me up! If you're a chicken sandwich aficionado, get in to Bourbon's and try this sando right away!

The staff is the best part of this bar, by far! Everything else was pretty mediocre, but it's not outrageously priced, and is a cool enough atmosphere. I don't know why they don't have TVs to watch sports on though, but maybe the idea is that you're supposed to focus on the ambiance and your company. May or may not go back in the future, but glad I stopped in at least once. JaMarcus, the bartender, is a stud!

Lovely bourbon bar! They have other liquor options of course, but I couldn't leave without trying their old fashioned... AMAZING! Wish I could have stayed to try another drink! The bartenders are super friendly, food menu looked great too.

Ambiance - 5/5 Transportative. Feels like you've stepped in off the street from New Orleans. Service - 4/5 Hard-working, but often too busy talking amongst themselves to talk to the bar guests. Open Sesame- 5/5 Excellent cocktail with sesame-fat washed Rittenhouse Rye. Deep savory flavor. If I'd had more time I'd have wanted to spend more time sitting around sipping it. Truly excellent. Shrimp Jambalaya - 4/5 Flavor-wise exactly what you'd expect. Tasty, if a bit on the oily side. Overall, an excellent choice for a night out.

Celebrating our son's graduation from Drill Sergeant school at Ft Jackson this evening. Great service- thank you Michael! Fantastic bourbon cocktails (and we are discerning). Food was also great. So sorry I didn't take photos. Loved my Manhattan and Frankly my Dear. Had blackened salmon and Mac n cheese. All delicious! Great view of capitol building too as we drove in. Such a great spot. Would definitely be a barfly here if we were local!

5 star all the way! If you love bourbon then you will be amazed by their selection! Food was excellent and true foodie quality. Service was great. Menu included menu items marked gluten free option which was much appreciated for my daughter. BOURBON The selection was amazing, divided by manufactured state/country. Kentucky had biggest selection but other areas were great selections as well. They offer premium whiskeys as well as regular options. It was father's day weekend so I enjoyed a major treat of Pappy Van Winkle! They only offer it in a flight of 10, 12 and 15 year Pappy. The price was very reasonable given the bottles are very difficult to find and will cost you $3000 each if you are lucky. The bar tender brought the bottles to your table next to each 1/2oz pour for a good photo opportunity. Highly recommend the Pappy flight!!! FOOD They offer true foodie quality food. We starter with the Crispy Boudin Balls as an appetizer. They are meatballs made of Pork, White Rice, Collard Greens, Pot Liquor, Red Pepper Jelly. The collard greens were in a vinegar-based dressing and it really made the dish when eating a long with bite of meat. There was a little heat that sneaks up 9k you. Lamb Burger was amazing. I ordered it medium and the meat was still juicy, not dried out as lamb can be. It was topped with onion rings, Honey-Thyme Goat Cheese, and Smoked Tomato Jam. Very tasty. Beef Po'Boy was just ok. The type of Po'Boy rotates so it won't always be beef. ENVIRONMENT Great seating options indoors and out. They are super big so I can imagine they can get backed up with wait times to be seated. Luckily for us, we rocked in at 6:00pm on Friday and were seated immediately. I would eat where all the time if I lived in Columbia.

It is so widely known among locals that Bourbon is one of the best restaurants in town that it never occurred to me that the restaurant/bar needed a review. So for the uninitiated: be prepared to spend some dang money. Be prepared for southern hospitality. Be prepared for double shots and a history lesson of the wayward times of SC alcohol blue laws. The service people are top notch. The food is excellent. The whiskey is strong. Do it.

Damn good cocktails and bites. I would love to be a regular. The beignets are also to die for.

I didn't take any pictures of the food but baby the food and service was amazing. I had the pork Mac and cheese with shrimp and grits... I met some amazing people at the concert(I stepped on a lil lady and end up eating with them at this restaurant. The waitress name is Neka and it was her grandmother I stepped on at the concert but they were great company to have with the great food.

Great cocktails and service! The food was good, but very limited options that were all pretty appetizer-like. I'd definitely go back but be sure to grab a bite elsewhere first (ie: I wouldn't go here thinking it'd be my dinner again).

Awesome vibes, great bartenders, atmosphere is sexy and laid back at the same time. Had the old fashioned and it was 8/10. When in Columbia run over.

I freakin' love this spot when I'm late night in Cola. The drinks are bangin', the food is delicious, service is always great, and the vibe is perfect with the dark wood and music and long bar.

Food : in pic forward my son had bourbon gumbo bowl, i had shrimp Etouffe right, back my husband had "shrimp and grits" (no grits and white rice and beans were a sub) . We all ate our food . The place had a great service and friendly, they made my husband's request for no grits possible and gave him rice and beans for a small extra charge. The ambiance seemed excellent! Bourbon- whiskey , beers and food and people gathered ,, very cozy and had a great time. I am no expert on southern food, but favs is in this order: shrimps and grits plate (no grits but ask for rice and beans ) was first place! Yummm! Second place was etouffe, very tasty, last and this is only because im not used to gravy like meals is the gumbo : this las dish was not what I was expecting at all. I was looking for a brighter gumbo either chicken, shrimp and sausage. This was a chicken leg had dark gravy , okra and sausage. But bottom like we all ate all the food and had a great time.

If you love Bourbon like I do, you have to go here. The restaurant has a amazing vibe, on side is a full restaurant and the other side is cigar bar. The service here was also great. The food was amazing.

We thoroughly enjoyed the dinner and drinks here - the ambiance and de or of the building was particularly cool! Enjoyed everything except the wait lol

Very disappointed. Came to enjoy a place I heard had good bourbon and good food. Had three drinks not even whiskey and spend over 120 each with three other co workers, waited 40 minutes for the waitress to come back to deny us from taking a shot or sample of their bourbon. Manager wasn't pleasant at all and didn't seem understanding. Almost seemed a little discriminatory based on the individuals in the group and us being there having a nice outing laughing and carrying on.

Just moved here and cannot get enough. I've been three times already! Twice on the restaurant side and once on the lounge side. Great service, even better food. The shrimp and grits and jambalaya were perfection The boudin balls for an appetizer are incredible! Great beer selection and super friendly staff!!

Excellent experience. The wait staff were welcoming and service was very good. There are several local beers to choose from, an Old Fashioned drink was perfect! The shrimp and grits as well as the gumbo were delicious.

We have been to Bourbon previously and greatly enjoyed the service, drinks, and food, but our experience Friday night was disappointing. The server clearly was unfamiliar with the menu delivering the wrong wine and not understanding the name of bourbons on the website. The staff person was unprofessional, not properly trained, and should not have been on the floor.

This place is a fantastic place to really branch into the bourbon world. They have almost 500 bourbons/whiskeys available. I love coming here because everyone is so friendly and kind, they take extremely good care of you. It's very cozy and great for either just a drink alone, or with friends/a date. A staple in Columbia for anyone looking for a finer experience to sit down and relax! I like their food, however the spice palette is just not my style. It's great if you try it on your own!

What a great find!! The inside is fairly small and cozy but the seating is maximized and plenty of bar seating as well. The vibe is chill with light music playing. The service was amazing and they are clearly well skilled at craft cocktails. They take the time to find out what you like, and also put a lot of thought and craft into their specialty drinks which I really appreciated! Drinks were delicious and we ordered the pimiento cheese appetizer which came with saltines and pork rinds- I was thrilled because it was keto friendly and tasted fantastic to boot!!! Would definitely come here again when in town :)

Service in terms of bartending was solid with some great cocktails, but their new tiki menu and theme, just not feeling it and very disappointing with what they've offered before. Currently, drinks yes, anything else no. Please migrate away from this. Thanks!

Had the Brussels sprouts and gumbo, very delicious. Mallory was a delightful server, answered our questions with a smile.

Bourbon is always an easy choice when in Columbia. Nice walkable location, great ambiance, great food.

It's a busy bar perfect for a nightcap. Has exquisite drinks and the bar maids truly know how to mix a cocktail. Certainly is one the pricer side for the drinks as well but it's perfect if you have a date. Bathrooms were clean as well which can't say that for most bars in the area.

Bourbon has food I am told and I'm sure it's great but I'll never know because when I come to Bourbon I'm there to do one thing..., drink rare whiskey that's been perfectly handled and carefully curated. I've had so many firsts at this place with my friends with rare labels of whiskey. In terms of labels, this place is unmatched in Columbia. The ambiance is great with luxurious wood and brass and a huge bar filled with staff who Love this bar. When my guy friends come in from out of town we always Uber to Bourbon and hang out at the bar sippin, catching up and talking whiskey. This place is a treasure nestled in the shadow of the capitol.

Cool place with friendly service, cool vibe, great food, good strong drinks and amazing bourbon selection. You can opt for the lounge if just looking for apps and drinks or the restaurant side. It is small and fills up quickly. The Jambalaya was really good but not like a traditional Jambalaya and not spicy. The Cajun Lemon pasta was delicious and had a nice kick of heat, no lemon taste. Beignets were delicious! The Hurricane drink goes down easily and packs a punch

Food was great! I got the Cajun pasta and it definitely had a kick to it. The dessert tho was AMAZING definitely get the beignets and service was very fast and friendly. Highly recommend! Very fairly priced as well

Best place to smoke cigars outdoors . They have a private patio. Service is 10/10 . Finger foods need attention.

I would like to give this place a higher rating. The drinks and atmosphere were good but our waiter was not very welcoming. We would've stayed longer but he never came around to check on us for more drinks, service etc. ultimately the manager Debby/Debra came by and brought us our checks. She was awesome and I wish our waiter had an ounce of her personality.

There are two entrances. One for the dinner, one for the apps & drinks. We sat on the dinner side at the community table because they were packed! This place stays busy. The vibe was a mix of locals, business men & women after work, couples, friend groups. So nice mix. The bar was well lit & had plenty of seating (people were in them) but great seating! I'm going to have to give this place one more try! Food was "ok" but I'll try another item next time. Drinks! Good.

Shenika s gamble of Elgin went with a date to try it out and truly enjoyed it I may come and enjoy the atmosphere because she truly loves it

A random night out in Columbia .. we decided to try out Bourbon ... Dope vibe as soon as your walk into the door .. the bar display is awesome... if you enjoy spirits ... ask for the drink list with all the options it like 20 pages.... I started the night with a Jacc and Coke with the Black eyed pea hummus... this was perfect combination with the salted pita bread ... for my entree I order a Uncle Nearest and ginger ale with the lamb burger and Frite Fries ... my lamb burger was cooked medium well with bourbon Batter Onion Rings, Honey-Thyme Goat Cheese, Smoked Tomato Jam, Brioche Bun, With Side Of Fries be sure to get the Garlic fries .. the tomato Jam meshed perfectly with the flavors of the them lamb... side note I added mayo ... overall great meal for a random Wednesday in Columbia

Burger was ok, Banana Pudding was very very good. Happy hour deal was also nice, and the overall atmosphere of the place was cute.

With what appears to be hundreds of whiskeys/bourbons at the bar, it still does not overshadow the food.

The first time I cAme to Bourbon a few years ago, I was blown away. It was so nice to have such high quality food with great ambiance in Columbia. I also remembered it as having a great burger. Saturday night we went back for some late night sustenance after attending a Christmas party and I wAs stoked to try that delicious burger again. Unfortunately, something had changed. The burger was a flavorless little densely packed puck that tasted like one of those frozen Bubba burgers from the grocery store, except not as good. Really a let down. Also the ambiance wasn't quite like I remember. It was a little bright in there. On a side note, the boudin balls are still fantastic! Hell I wish the burger patty was made of boudin. Hopefully we just caught them on an off night, or maybe the late night kitchen pumps out different cuisine than earlier in the evening.