_Location:_ 115 S. Fifth St.
_Hours:_ Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m. – midnight
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.

If you’re searching for a true taste of Columbia spirit, fly down Fifth Street to Flat Branch Pub & Brewing.

You’ll recognize it by the ivy.

The sand-colored brick is framed by thick green leaves, which curl down the fence to the sidewalk. Don’t be mistaken by the factory-esque exterior. Flat Branch is about as home-y as it gets. Follow the ivy to the spacious outdoor patio, where you can pick a giant green umbrella to shelter you from the elements. Or, if you’re less adventurous (or the fall wind of CoMo is a bit overbearing), head inside to sit at one of the many tables.

The smell of beer and bread will hit you first. Don’t be alarmed; the waitresses don’t wash their tables with Bud Light and Blue Moon. Instead, Flat Branch brews its own beer in the building.

The pub offers more than 100 different kinds of beers, some of which are seasonal specialities. Others are everyday compliments to burgers and pizza. The pub also handcrafts eight beers and has a whole list of bourbons and scotches for you local connoisseurs.

But don’t think that’s all Flat Branch has to offer. Take a seat, peruse the menu, get lost in the rustic colors and warm atmosphere. Flat Branch is everything Columbia loves best: eclectic culture, good food and meaningful conversation. Take a minute (or an hour) to decide what you want to eat. There are more than 50 menu options, including classics like Beer Bread and the Pub Burger.

Stay as late as you want. At Flat Branch, there’s always room for dessert.