Welcome to Columbia, Mo., a moderately-sized town with the amenities of a much larger one, meaning there is an abundance of activities. So, get to exploring! To help out, here’s a list of the best Columbia has to offer.
**Best Club: Déjà Vu Comedy Club (405 Cherry St.)**
Good to know: Cover is $5, this location is within walking distance of campus and participates in the CHEERS program, which provides free non-alcoholic drinks to designated drivers. You’ll look out of place if you wear sweatpants, so dress up a little.
Déjà Vu is a particularly student-friendly venue. Every weekend, the club offers food and comedy acts in their upstairs area. After the comedy, patrons head downstairs to a full-fledged bar and dance club. Thursday nights are open to anyone 18 and up (be sure to bring your ID). For those over 21, Déjà Vu offers great specials to students with a local college ID on Saturdays, including [three free drink tickets for ladies and 30 percent off bar tabs for men, in addition to waived cover.] http://www.facebook.com/Tessarose23?cropsuccess#!/photo.php?fbid=10150273769670439&set=pu.60234020438&type=1&theater.
Why it wins: It’s big, it’s well-attended and it’s consistently fun. The music played is consistently good (mostly a top-40s mix). They have two bars, participate in the CHEERS program for minors, and have a dry bar to dance on if one gets the urge to showcase some smooth moves. The dance floor is bigger, better and often more packed than several other local clubs. After a long night of dancing, the Broadway Diner is open all night right next door for some cheap and delicious food.
**Cheapest Burger: Campus Bar & Grill (304 S. Ninth St.)**
Good to know: The food takes a while when Campus is packed, so this isn’t fast food. Bring some friends along to watch a game and spend time together.
On Sundays, clear your schedule for the afternoon and take a walk to Campus Bar & Grill, which features dollar burgers once a week. Granted, you have to pay more for condiments, but a burger, waffle fries, drink and tip will only total about $3. It’s an enjoyable atmosphere, with plenty of TVs tuned in to the ESPN family of networks. Campus is a great place to bring a few friends, hang out and get some cheap food.
Why it wins: …Burgers cost a dollar.
**Best Restaurant: Flat Branch Brewery (115 S. Fifth St.)**
Good to know: Bring a sweater —- it’s often cold inside. Flat Branch doesn’t take reservations, and the wait can be long due to the restaurant’s popularity.
Flat Branch Brewery, open since 1994, is a local restaurant and brewery, serving up classic pub-style food. They have a diverse menu of great food, such as sandwiches, steaks, fish, pizzas and pasta, and several menu offerings change with the season. Entrees will range around $7 to $15, and it’s definitely worth it.
Flat Branch also brews its own assortment of beers (about eight are available at any given time) and root beer. That handcrafted flair shows through in eccentric flavors like Green Chili Beer.
It’s is a great place to go for any occasion, but it’s especially great for a date or to show off downtown to the parents. In addition to the booths, tables and high tops, there’s a peaceful outdoor beer garden, which may be an even nicer place to sit.
Why it wins: Ambiance, great food for the price, and it happens to be in easy walking distance from campus.
**Best Park: Rock Bridge State Park (5901 S Highway 163)**
Good to know: Going into the caves is irresistible, so bring some water-appropriate shoes.
This category could be a tie, depending on what you’re looking for in a park. Stephens Lake Park off Broadway is good for family fun, with its swimming beach, playgrounds and picnic shelters. It’s a very well-kept park. However, students in pursuit of adventure may be more interested in Rock Bridge State Park, which offers more than 20 miles of trails and the longest cave found in any Missouri state park. The natural cave system includes the namesake rock bridge, sinkholes and an underground spring in the Devil’s Icebox (aptly named and extremely refreshing on a hot day).
Why it wins: The natural formations are beautiful, fun to explore, picturesque and very easy to reach. The trails are open to hikers, bikers and horseback riders.
**Best Pizza: Gumby’s (1201 E Broadway)**
Good to know: Always check the Add Sheet. Gumby’s puts out so many coupons, it’s unlikely you’ll ever have to pay full price. When placing orders on weekend nights, be sure to leave plenty of time for delivery. Columbia residents apparently all crave pizza at the same time.
For a Midwest college town, Columbia has great pizza options. There’s the classic favorite Shakespeare’s, the St. Louis style Imo’s, the Ninth Street Domino’s (fastest delivery to dorms) and Wise Guys, with enormous pizzas and a “Beat the Clock” deal between 5 and 7 p.m.
Despite these strong competitors, Gumby’s is a clear winner. For incoming students, Gumby’s has it all. The pizza is delicious (Pokey Stix, a close cousin of traditional cheese sticks, are addictive), and the prices are student-friendly, especially with the abundance of coupons.
Why it wins: Gumby’s takes delivery orders until 3 a.m. on weekends, they have great prices, and they have Pokey Stix.
**Best Place To Send Your Parents When You’re Busy: Les Bourgeois Vineyards (14020 W Highway BB).**
Good to Know: Entrees are a little expensive. That’s why you send your parents. Also, the Blufftop Bistro closes at 3 p.m. during the winter but is open until 9 p.m. from March to October.
Les Bourgeois Vineyards is in the small town of Rocheport, about 15 miles west of Columbia. Ever since the family-owned vineyard began producing homemade wine in 1985, the place’s popularity has rapidly expanded. Les Bourgeois Vineyards is the third-largest winery in Missouri and has its products sold all over the state.
It’s a great place to send your parents for a nice lunch or dinner at the Blufftop Bistro while you’re busy making friends and exploring Columbia.
Why it wins: It’s a nice place, and it’s outside of town (read: put some distance between you and your parents for a night).
**Best Place to Gain Some Columbia Street Cred: Ragtag Cinema (10 Hitt St.).**
Good to Know: The box office opens 30 minutes before the day’s first screening, there is a student discount on movie tickets, and the theatre can be rented for private screenings.
It’s a movie theatre. It’s an art gallery. It’s a café. It’s Ragtag Cinema, one of The District’s best hangouts. If you want to seem like you really know Columbia, you should probably stop by. Ragtag shows independent films that are often omitted from the bigger local theaters. The building also houses Ninth Street Video — for movies you want to take home — and food and beverages by Uprise Bakery. Ragtag also supports local artists by showcasing their work.
Why it Wins: You’ll probably never see any Oscar-nominated movies without going here.
