The Capital Club
The Capital Club
4.5
About
South Carolina's oldest and most dignified private gay bar, The Capital Club has been an established and integral part of our community for over 34 years. One of the oldest gay bars in the Southeast, and the oldest in Columbia, the laid-back and friendly Capital Club is right around the corner from PT's 1109 and a block from the state capitol building - it's along a stretch of Gervais that's been a big part of the city's recent gentrification, and you'll find several notable restaurants and mixed bars along this block and continuing south for a few more. This is a good place to mingle at the bar and chat with locals - there's a long bar on the left as you enter, and plenty of cozy spots to sit and chat
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
7 reviews
Excellent
4
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
0
bcamp0266
Columbia, South Carolina472 contributions
Sep 2011 • Friends
I'm sorry the other reviewer was not able to get in, but the club's website clearly states that if you are not a member you must call ahead. South Carolina still has some strange laws regarding private clubs, but being private allows us to stay open later and serve on Sundays without a special license.
I've been a member of Capital Club for almost 20 years, and I have found that many guests from out of town have called ahead and they've been admitted with no problems. But if you just walk in the door with tons of attitude, then the management/bar staff will not be very welcoming to you.
The club also has a very welcoming crowd, and some nights are busier than others. Happy Hour is 5:00 to 8:00 every night, and the bar remains open until 2:00 am. Sundays and Wednesdays have great drink specials, and Wednesdays is free pool all night. Sometimes you may find a football game on the large flat screen television, and other nights the club might be full of the theatre crowd celebrating a successful show.
I've travelled all over the world, and never have I found a gay bar that I like more than the Capital Club.
I've been a member of Capital Club for almost 20 years, and I have found that many guests from out of town have called ahead and they've been admitted with no problems. But if you just walk in the door with tons of attitude, then the management/bar staff will not be very welcoming to you.
The club also has a very welcoming crowd, and some nights are busier than others. Happy Hour is 5:00 to 8:00 every night, and the bar remains open until 2:00 am. Sundays and Wednesdays have great drink specials, and Wednesdays is free pool all night. Sometimes you may find a football game on the large flat screen television, and other nights the club might be full of the theatre crowd celebrating a successful show.
I've travelled all over the world, and never have I found a gay bar that I like more than the Capital Club.
Written September 24, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Duane H
Gray Court, South Carolina, United States21 contributions
Nov 2011 • Solo
I visited the Capitol Club last night and as an out of town visitor, I was very pleasantly surprised to feel so welcome here! Very friendly diverse crowd and Tracy and Bertha really made me feel soooo welcome and at home. Thank you for making my night wonderful!
Written November 5, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Neil J
Atlanta, GA20 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
Bartenders are nice and knowledgeable. We went on a Sunday before MLK and it was probably a little cliquish because no one wanted to make room for us at the bar. But, I get it. Sunday night and you just want to see your friends because MLK is tomorrow and you don’t have to work
Written January 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maureen D
Columbia, SC35 contributions
Dec 2017 • Business
Our office holiday "drop in" was held here. Beer/wine with light hors d'oeuvres during the cocktail hour. There was a lovely cheese tray. However, I was not sure how to cut the Brie as tongs were the only implement. Also, there were no crackers on which to place the cheese. There were cute mini shrimp cocktails in shooter cups, but the shrimp was hard and flavorless. There were mini chicken crustinis that were soggy.
The service at the bar was also lacking. It takes 2 seconds to pour a glass of wine, but had to wait while the two staff persons talked about a job one person should be able to handle.
I attended a Christmas party here back in 2002. The food and service were wonderful then. The food and service has steadily declined over the past few years. If you're looking for overpriced, substandard food, this is your place.
The service at the bar was also lacking. It takes 2 seconds to pour a glass of wine, but had to wait while the two staff persons talked about a job one person should be able to handle.
I attended a Christmas party here back in 2002. The food and service were wonderful then. The food and service has steadily declined over the past few years. If you're looking for overpriced, substandard food, this is your place.
Written December 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alan H
Columbia, SC268 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
My wife recently joined the Capitol City Club and we came here without reservations on a Friday night about 6:00 PM. We intended to have drinks and possibly have dinner. We asked the receptionist to see if they had an opening in the dining room for dinner and we headed to the bar. the view from this 25th floor was fantastic and it was a clear night all lit up below us.
The Dining Room Captain approached us while we were in the bar and indicated they had a free table and that they would accommodate us right away. The dining room was very ornate and quite elegant. We had a glass of wine, my wife ordered the surf & turf and I ordered a "Trunk fish" that was on their evening special list. My fish was overcooked, my wife's lobster tail was too smoked and neither of us liked the lobster. Her steak though was cooked perfectly and just the combination of spices made her steak perfect. We tried the small truffle for a simple dessert and left for the evening. It was professional, quiet and we will return.
The Dining Room Captain approached us while we were in the bar and indicated they had a free table and that they would accommodate us right away. The dining room was very ornate and quite elegant. We had a glass of wine, my wife ordered the surf & turf and I ordered a "Trunk fish" that was on their evening special list. My fish was overcooked, my wife's lobster tail was too smoked and neither of us liked the lobster. Her steak though was cooked perfectly and just the combination of spices made her steak perfect. We tried the small truffle for a simple dessert and left for the evening. It was professional, quiet and we will return.
Written December 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
pigwaller
Columbia, SC25 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
This is a fabulous club for the LBGT community. The bartenders are always delightful and quite skillful. Literally, however, the best martinis I have found in Columbia-consistently!
Written November 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ron B
Aiken, SC277 contributions
Apr 2016
Visited the Capital City Club for dinner. The She Crab soup is excellent, the seared scallops are fantastic. A nice selection of entrees.
Written May 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The Capital Club (Columbia) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about The Capital Club
- Hotels near The Capital Club:
- (0.11 mi) Hilton Columbia Center
- (0.15 mi) Hampton Inn Columbia - Downtown Historic District
- (0.10 mi) Cambria Hotel Columbia Downtown the Vista
- (0.16 mi) Hyatt Place Columbia / Downtown / The Vista
- (0.19 mi) Aloft Columbia Downtown
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- (0.03 mi) Pearlz Oyster Bar
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- (0.04 mi) Kaminsky's