Gather Cola - A Food Hall in Columbia, South Carolina • The April Blake

The void has been filled, as Gather Cola, Columbia, South Carolina’s first food hall opened on December 5, 2025. It is located in the Bull Street District, and it’s official address is 1014 Freed Street, Columbia, SC. The best way to access it is by turning from Bull Street onto Freed Street at the stoplight by the Starbucks. There is plenty of parking all over the district, though follow signs to make sure you’re not parking anywhere restricted, as this can change as the district grows.

Gather Cola is the sister operation to Gather GVL, and has a similar shipping container construction look. There are 10 food vendors, two bars, a few rotating retail spaces, and a coworking space (coming soon as of December 2025). The two story, open air building features a second story bar area, and the lower level is where all of the food vendors are.

Food and Drink Options at Gather Cola

The food and bar vendors are:

Smoke It Up Express: Southern barbecue
Melt Cheesesteaks & More: cheesesteaks (incl. a vegan version)
Los Chicano’s Jr.: Mexican food
Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles: Soul food (incl. a vegan plate)
Gyromania: Greek food and gyros
Cocobowlz: Acai bowls and smoothies
Bull & Bread: Sandwiches (incl. vegan options)
Big Easy Seafood: New Orleans style seafood dishes
Bessie’s Burgers and More: Smashburgers, wings, fries, unusual desserts
Banh Sai Asian Fusion: Banh mi sandwiches
Remedy: cocktails, wine, beer
Session All Day Beer: craft beer

Each vendor functions independently, making Gather Cola a great place to go with a group, so everyone can choose what they want to eat and drink and come together at bar seating, picnic tables, high tops, or comfortable chairs clustered in front of the stage area.

Gather Cola Hours and Weather Concerns

Every vendor is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. They’ve also thought ahead for the variety of weather we get in Columbia, and have ample heaters to help keep people warm, and will give the same attention to keeping people cool in the scorching Columbia summers as well.

There is ample covered spaces for rainy days, but it is a good idea to wear a rain jacket or bring an umbrella for the walk in and uncovered spaces in between.

Since Gather Cola is open in the in-between meal hours, it may be ideal to check it out before or after lunch and dinner, and happy hour times especially in the beginning. Columbia residents love nothing more than a novel experience like this!

Gather Cola, part of the Bull Street District, will give residents in the area, office workers, and visitors to downtown plenty of more options plus an entirely new experience. It’ll be a great place to go before or after a Fireflies baseball game, to grab a drink while shopping, or to fuel up before enjoying the dog park at the back of the District. Leashed dogs are allowed on the first floor only of Gather Cola.

One of the most interesting things to me about the Bull Street District has been its transformation. See how it looked in 2013,then compare it to how it looked in 2019, and then now!