Five Points, Columbia

Five Points in Columbia, South Carolina is where history, quirk, and community meet at the intersection of Harden Street, Devine Street, and Santee Avenue. Just steps from the University of South Carolina, this vibrant area is a beloved hub for shopping, dining, and nightlife, drawing visitors from both campus and the wider Columbia metro area.

Officially recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019, Five Points began as Columbia’s first neighborhood shopping district and has been a cultural landmark for over a century. It holds a string of local “firsts”: Columbia’s first supermarket (an A & P), the city’s first Chinese restaurant (Kester’s Bamboo House), and South Carolina’s first legal cocktail at the Stage Door, after mini bottles were approved in 1973.

In the streetcar era, Five Points served as a key transit hub, connecting downtown Columbia with the growing residential area of Shandon. But long before the boutiques and bars, this area was a low-lying wetland drained and restructured in 1915, when Rocky Branch Creek was redirected underground.

Today, Five Points still hums with the energy of generations past and present. It's a place where business professionals grab lunch al fresco, artists set up easels and shopfronts, students dig through vinyl or sip craft brews, and third-generation customers continue to support beloved family-run shops. Each March, the neighborhood becomes the epicenter of Columbia’s spirited Saint Patrick’s Day Festival, keeping its community spirit alive and kicking.

Whether you’re exploring galleries, hunting down the perfect outfit, or just soaking in the village vibe, Five Points offers that rare combination of history, hospitality, and just enough oddball flair to keep things interesting.