Archive for the ‘Date Night’ Category

At the Chef’s Table: A Unique Way to Experience Greenville’s Food and History

Posted on by Erin Gorges |

🌟 Looking for a creative date-day idea or a local experience in Greenville, SC? At The Chef’s Table from Greenville History & Culinary Tours offers an unforgettable way to explore Greenville through delicious food and interesting history.

At The Chef's Table

I’ve lived in Greenville my whole life, and I thought I knew every nook and cranny of downtown Greenville. That is, until I took one of Greenville’s history tours, At The Chef’s Table, with John Nolan. This 2.5-hour walking tour blended the rich history of downtown Greenville with some of downtown’s most delicious restaurants.

It turned out to be one of the best date days my husband and I have ever had! It’s easy, fun, and absolutely delicious, the kind of food tour that will make anyone, from lifelong Greenvillians to first-time visitors, fall in love with the city. We loved the Saturday afternoon tour, but John also offers an At the Chef’s Table Tuesday Night tour as well!

Special thanks to John Nolan of Greenville History & Culinary Tours for inviting us on this tour.

The Storyteller Guiding Greenville’s History Tours

Local author and historian John Nolan has combined two of his greatest passions, Greenville’s rich history and booming culinary industry, into one unforgettable experience. His At the Chef’s Table tour takes guests on a walking culinary adventure through some of downtown Greenville’s best restaurants, complete with fascinating stories, historic photos, and relaxed conversation. After over 18 years of providing historic tours of Greenville, John has gotten really good at his job!

Greenville’s food scene has absolutely taken off in recent years. The city is now home to talented, creative chefs who blend local and international flavors to craft dishes that are as memorable as the stories behind them. All of the stops on the tour feature Table 301 restaurants, known for shaping Greenville’s modern dining culture with innovation and heart. John has created something special and unique, really showcasing how wonderful downtown Greenville is. It’s really interesting to think about the massive transformation the area has gone through in a little over a century.

At The Chef’s Table Tour: A Bite-Sized Preview

Dining at the Lazy Goat
Dining at The Lazy Goat

The Lazy Goat: Mediterranean Flavors to Start

Our first stop was The Lazy Goat, and from the moment we walked in, we felt like VIPs. The sous chef personally introduced the menu, describing how each course had been curated just for our group; many items weren’t even on the regular menu.

We started with tender lamb served with harissa sauce, creamy goat cheese, and a perfectly paired wine (I don’t drink wine often, but I trust that the flavors melded well). Then came one of Lazy Goat’s signature dishes: fried goat cheese balls with pistachio. Crispy, tangy, and melt-in-your-mouth perfect, these were so good! The staff shared how the restaurant takes inspiration from Mediterranean flavors with the idea that the flavors are meant to heighten one another. When Kristina went on the tour a couple of years back, her experience had her asking for “Just. One. More. Bite. My eyes were fighting with my full stomach as I stared down the dark chocolate tart at The Lazy Goat.”

It was the perfect way to begin our Greenville culinary experience. We learned about the various clocks that line the wall of The Lazy Goat behind our table, and were reminded to take the time to enjoy the our meal and the people we are sharing it with.

Strolling Through History on the Riverwalk

Between restaurants, John guided us on short, easy walks through downtown Greenville, pointing out pieces of history you’d probably miss on your own. We learned about the original Duke’s Mayonnaise plant, an old cigar factory, and how the area along the Reedy River once had train tracks running right through what’s now the Riverwalk, where artist studios and the Swamp Rabbit Trail collide.

He brought a binder along full of old photos and stories that made it feel like we were walking through time. I have lived in the Greenville area my entire life, and I learned things I’d never heard before, which made me appreciate Greenville’s growth even more. This part of the Greenville history tour made the day feel just as enriching as it was delicious, and John snuck in little tidbits of knowledge throughout each stop of the tour.

Entrance at Soby’s

Soby’s: A Taste of Transformation

Next up was Soby’s New South Cuisine, a literal Greenville staple. One of the most interesting parts about how Soby’s came to be is how many times the building transformed over the past century (I’ll let John tell you more about that). Now, Soby’s is one of Greenville’s top restaurants. Table 301’s vision to revitalize the building that houses Soby’s helped spark downtown’s culinary revival, beginning in the 1990’s, and it’s easy to see why.

Here, we were served one of our favorite dishes on the tour, which included a Southwestern-inspired breakfast dish with the softest short rib and a yummy runny egg; it was so savory! The meal was paired perfectly with the sommelier’s chosen wine. The chef came out to tell us about the ingredients and inspiration, and it was fun learning about why he chose the flavors he did. Our seat at Soby’s was right near the kitchen, so we could sneak a peek at what was going on behind the scenes while we ate.

Shrimp and Grits at Nose Dive in Downtown Greenville
Shrimp and Grits from Nose Dive

Take a Nose Dive into Elevated Southern Food

A short stroll later, we found ourselves at Nose Dive, where comfort food meets creativity. We were served a true Southern classic, but with a twist. Shrimp and grits, but with a rich, savory gravy that had my mouth watering a little when they sat in on the table in front of me. We had little mini mimosas on the side, one of Nose Dive’s specialties! 

While we ate, John pointed out nearby architecture and how the building transformed into what it is today, and how you can still find some of the original building’s massive cabinetry right across the street. It was the perfect blend of storytelling and dining, exactly what makes this Greenville culinary tour such a unique way to see the city.

Apple tart from CAMP
Dessert at CAMP

CAMP – A Sweet Finish

Of course, my favorite meal was the dessert to end our tour. Every good meal deserves a grand finale, and CAMP delivered. For one thing, CAMP is so gorgeous and modern inside. It just felt so cozy, which I feel like is a very hard combination to achieve, but they did it! We were seated near the kitchen entrance and immediately greeted by the pastry chef. They served us the most delicious warm apple tart topped with apple sorbet and crumble. It was the perfect balance of tart, sweet, and cozy. Between the flavors and the friendly atmosphere, it felt like the perfect ending to a wonderful afternoon. Plus, John even mentioned that CAMP may be one of his favorites. Adding it to the future date night list!

Why At the Chef’s Table Stands Out

What makes At the Chef’s Table special is how personal it feels. Each restaurant welcomed us so warmly and treated John like they were old friends (which I am sure they truly are). The chefs and staff took time to share their stories and inspirations. Then, John tied it all together with the history that shaped Greenville into the food city it is today.

We had a great time conversing with the other couple we were dining with, enjoyed thoughtful wine pairings and a specialty cocktail, and felt like we were seeing Greenville through a whole new perspective. Nothing felt forced, it was truly inviting. It’s easy to understand why over 25,000 guests have taken this tour, and why many do it more than once. Every restaurant’s menu is curated just for your tour, often with off-menu dishes. Plus, John regularly refreshes the restaurants, so if you try it out another time in the future, you may get a totally new experience altogether. 

It’s a great time, whether you’re a local looking for a fun date or unique gift experience, a newcomer eager to learn about Greenville’s culture and flavors, or a visitor wanting to taste the best of the city in one afternoon.

Kristina also said that the tours are “perfect for date nights or getting together with friends. It doesn’t matter if you are a local or just visiting Greenville – you will enjoy this and learn just a little more about this wonderful place.”

Know Before You Go

At The Chef’s Table has both a Tuesday night option and a Saturday afternoon option. Both are great for a date night, or would make a fantastic gift to a family member or friend who loves food and culture. For the At the Chef’s Table tour, you should know: 

  • Duration: About 2.5 hours
  • Walking Distance: Just a few blocks — easy and accessible
  • Stops: Four top downtown restaurants
  • Includes: Food tastings, wine pairings, one specialty cocktail, and water
  • Can accommodate food allergies and special dietary needs if given a heads up.
  • Cost: Around $79 per person for the Saturday Afternoon tour
  • Book your Culinary Tour ticket here.

More Tour Options with Greenville History & Culinary Tours

John has a van! And he is ready to take you on a food and history adventure throughout Greenville. Aside from At the Chef’s Table, John also offers a couple of other tours you may want to check out that range from $49 – $79 per person. Culinary tours include:

If you’re looking to learn more about Greenville’s history, John also offers shorter tours that are primarily history-based, but he is really good at making things interesting. These include a Falls Park Walking Tour, Historic Neighborhoods driving tour, Photographic Journey of Old Greenville, just to name a few. These tours start around $25.

Give the Ultimate Experience Gift

Want to gift a tour as a gift, but not sure what will fit? You can get a gift card, so that whoever you’re looking to surprise with an amazing experience gift can choose which tour they would enjoy most! I highly recommend this experience as the ultimate gift for the foodie in your life; I have no doubt that they will love it.

Learn more about Greenville History Tours

864.567.3940
greenvillehistorytours@gmail.com
Greenville History Tours Website
Greenville History Tours Facebook

Have you ever been on the Culinary Tour in downtown Greenville?

Splatter, Glow, Paint & Play: Greenville’s New Color Me Greenville Is the Ultimate Creative Experience

Posted on by Kristina Hernandez |

Where can you splatter paint on a canvas, throw glow-in-the-dark paint against a wall, custom paint your own shoes, or even decorate a cake? At the brand new Color Me Greenville in Greenville, SC! We tried it out and have all the fun details. 

Thanks to Color Me Greenville for having us out so we could write this review!

Color Me Greenville is a brand new business located minutes from downtown Greenville, SC and is the city’s only dedicated splatter paint place – regular paint and glow-in-the-dark paint. My daughters (ages 11 and 14) absolutely loved our time there. The owners are so lovely and the entire concept is fun and whimsical and something you will for sure want to do again. 

Glow-in-the-Dark splatter painting
Glow-in-the-Dark splatter painting

About Color Me Greenville

When Susan McMakin and her husband tried splatter painting in North Carolina years ago, they thought it was awesome and in the back of their mind, considered it may be a cool idea for Greenville. They then tried similar spots in Georgia and decided to start up a dedicated place where people could come and throw paint on a canvas for fun in Greenville. But since Susan is a baker and cake decorator – she owns Couture Cakes, who I’m sure you’ve heard of – she wanted to also add in cake and cupcake decorating as an option so Color Me Greenville was born. 

The shop is run by Susan and her daughter, Eleanor, a senior at the University of South Carolina and a creative entrepreneur. Between the two of them, they’ve managed to put together quite an awesome venue off of N. Pleasantburg Drive in Greenville that is completely worth the trip.

The place is fantastic for a group party, birthday, date night, or just a fun family outing. 

Splatter Painting

If you’ve never done splatter painting or have any idea what I’m talking about or cannot even draw a stick figure, don’t worry, you’ll do just fine at Color Me Greenville. It’s more about the experience than the finished art (even though the canvases of my daughters turned out absolutely amazing) and the experience is certainly worthy of a wow factor. 

Splatter painting is just like it sounds: you literally throw paint at the canvas. You can also shoot it out of a water gun. Or you can use a paintbrush if you like. Or you can use a squishy ball and slingshot. Whatever you choose, I promise you’ll have an absolute blast doing it. 

Color Me Greenville splatter painting
Color Me Greenville splatter painting

We did both the regular splatter painting and the glow-in-the-dark splatter painting, which I’ll get to in a minute. For the regular splatter painting, we wore ponchos and booties for our shoes, gloves, and protective eyewear, which I promptly forgot to put on my eyes and which remained on my head. Whoops. 

How it works is that you have a canvas on the wall and a variety of paint toys and paint colors. Susan showed us some options for using the slingshot and water guns, and then we started throwing paint. If you’ve never done this, it feels freeing! There are no rules in splatter painting. You can throw paint right from the cup or bottle or use your hands to paint the canvas or use the water fun. It doesn’t matter. We live in a world of rules, and to have none is a lot of fun. 

The splatter painting sessions are 30 minutes, but you will want to stay longer. At least we did. But I think the time limit is actually good because if not, you’ll just throw so many colors at your canvas because it’s so much fun, and it will be all brown. If you like brown, that’s cool, though. 

Glow-in-the-Dark Splatter Painting

This is where it gets real at Color Me Greenville. The splatter painting is done under black lights, and all the paint lights up! It was so fun to do this and such a unique experience. My daughters figured out they could put paint on their hands and smash them up against each other’s full-body suits. It was hilarious.

Color Me Greenville glow-in-the-dark splatter painting
Color Me Greenville glow-in-the-dark splatter painting

Susan told me these sessions are their best-selling ones, and wow, I can absolutely see why. You can do this nowhere else in Greenville. The studio has darkening shades, which pull down, so they can hold these sessions anytime, day or night. The setup is the same, but I think the paint is different. You can book these sessions along with the classic splatter painting or even cake decorating.

Sneaker Painting & Cake Decorating 

If you’ve ever wanted to paint your own sneakers, this is the spot to go. They have a ton of items to give your shoes a glow-up like charms, glow-in-the-dark laces, and of course, endless paint colors. Sneaker painting sessions start at $45. 

Then there’s cake and cupcake decorating, which is really such a fun night out for date night or with friends or your kids. You’ll be decorating a Couture Cake or cupcake just for you. They also offer lots of different classes, many of which are seasonal or themed. Be sure to check the website for updated information and to get a spot.

Birthday Parties & Group Events

One of the first things I thought of when we started our splatter painting session was how cool it would be to have a birthday party here. It would be so fun for everyone! You can book Color Me Greenville for this very purpose for an hour and can add time in 30-minute increments for a minimum group of six people (even if you want to book it and have less than six people, you will be charged for six people due to having the space all to yourselves).

You can book the splatter paint sessions or cake/cupcake decorating for parties. They allow you to bring in your own food as well. 

If you are looking for something specific, just give them a call. They are the nicest people and are open to how to make your time there even better. 

Booking Your Session at Color Me Greenville

You can book whatever you want online at the Color Me Greenville website. All the details on pricing and what’s included are right there on the page. 

Classic splatter sessions start at $35/person, and glow-in-the-dark splatter sessions start at $50/person. Classes vary in price, so just check the website to see which fits best.

When you pull into the parking lot, Color Me Greenville is next to the radio room. They don’t have a sign up yet, but you can see through the window the name, and there’s a painted Maine Coon cat near the door.

Color Me Greenville 
50 Liberty Lane, Greenville | 864.724.6863
Color Me Greenville Website | Color Me Greenville Instagram

Splatter, glow, paint and play at Color Me Greenville, SC

Want to see more like this? Color Me Greenville is a great place to visit when you’re looking for something artsy to do, looking for an indoor adventure, or a date night activity. AND, we have lots of content on all those things!

Express Your Inner Artist at Hearts of Clay

Posted on by Kidding Around Team |

Are you looking for a place to take your family for some creative fun? Hearts of Clay, right here in Spartanburg, is the perfect place for almost any occasion. It’s more than just a pottery studio, and we’re going to tell you why our family loves spending time there!

About Hearts of Clay

For over twenty years, families have been creating memories with Hearts of Clay (Formerly Flying Saucers). In that time this family-owned business has expanded to include glass fusing, canvas painting, and more.

A trip to Hearts of Clay is the answer whether you’re looking for some family fun time, gifts for family members, a fun place to host a birthday party, or even a place to bring the kids for a parent’s night out.

Hearts of Clay Studio in Spartanburg, SC

Our family has visited so many times, I don’t even remember the first time we went. Since that first time, we have celebrated my son’s fourth birthday there, commemorated every month of my daughter’s first year of life, and enjoyed a mommy and son date night. I even eat my morning cereal out of a Hello Kitty-inspired bowl I made there.

If you feel like you aren’t artistically inclined, you shouldn’t be intimidated. The pieces available range from beginner to intricate, and there’s always someone around to help. If you mess up, the glaze can be rinsed off and you can start over. Any age can have fun painting pottery, the glaze used is non-toxic and will not stain clothes. For the more artistically inclined you have the option to use the pottery wheel to “throw” your own piece to paint. Once your item is painted, you leave it behind to be kiln-fired and it’s ready in about a week. There are also pre-fired items that can be painted with acrylic paint if coming back is not an option.

Hearts of Clay offers options for everyone

If pottery isn’t your thing, they also offer canvas painting and other classes in the studio. The classes and events cost between $5-$12, and reservations are encouraged. I’m always looking for mom’s night out activities and canvas painting and margaritas, sounds like the perfect night!

Hearts of Clay also offers Kids events. With their convenient location, it’s the perfect opportunity to have a date night or get some holiday shopping done. You won’t have to worry about the kids, they’ll be fed dinner and get to create something. Reservations are required, and the cost is $5-$12 per child.

Home school families can register for the art enrichment classes offered once a month on Thursdays during the school year. These 60-minute classes cost $12 per child.

Preschool age children receive $2 off the item they paint as part of the “5 & under club” on Wednesdays.

If your church or school is looking for a fundraiser idea, Hearts of Clay can help with that too! They’ll include everything you’ll need to make pottery of your choice. This can even be utilized as just a fun activity for a large group. And a percentage of your cost will be donated to your school, church, or organization!

There are so many reasons to visit Hearts of Clay! I encourage you to check out the event calendar and head over to make some memories.

Hearts of Clay crafts, Spartanburg

Plan a visit to Hearts of Clay

Visit the Hearts of Clay website.
Tuesday-Thursday 11 am – 5 pm
Friday-Saturday 11 am – 7 pm
Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm
660 Spartan Boulevard, Suite #20, Spartanburg
864.576.2228

Have you ever visited Hearts of Clay?

Food, Fun, & Brews at Magnetic South: Greenville, SC

Posted on by Maria Bassett |

Have you visited Magnetic South Brewery before? Better known for their Anderson location, Magnetic South also has a location in Judson Mills in Greenville. This location is the perfect spot for a casual date night out or a place to meet up with friends. It’s also a kid-friendly place where the whole family can have some fun playing pool, pinball, and other arcade games.

Magnetic South Brewery in Greenville, SC

The Magnetic South Greenville location is in a bit of an off-the-beaten-path spot, located on the interior corner of Judson Mill beside The Foundry music venue. They have some outside space in front of the brewery for hanging out or playing corn hole. Inside you’ll find a large and open space with lots of seating.

Magnetic south sign
Magnetic South outdoors

Order both your beverages and your food at the bar. They’ll text you when your food is ready, so you’re free to enjoy the space instead of waiting in line!

Magnetic South Beer and Ciders

You’ll find a rotating draft menu board at Magnetic South. If you’re really particular about your beer choices you can always see what’s on tap today at the Magnetic South beer menu online.

We enjoyed the Red Carpet red ale, the Ale Earndardt rye beer, and a slightly sweet pineapple cider. They were all delicious. My personal favorite was the red ale, as it had a full flavor without being heavy.

Beers at Magnetic South

Food at Magnetic South

The Greenville menu at Magnetic South offers Cuban-inspired flavors, including rice bowls, burritos, tacos, salads and snacks like nachos, chips & queso, and even street corn. We found the menu to be quite affordable, with menu items ranging from $6 to $13.

Food portions are not huge, but they are the perfect companion to a beverage or two where you don’t want to be too full anyway.

And, at those prices, you can definitely order a couple of items if you’re extra hungry. If you’re bringing the family, you could definitely order a few snacks to share to accompany your meal choice so everyone gets to try a few things.

Cuban bowl at Magnetic South in Greenville, SC

I enjoyed the Mojo bowl, which was Cuban rice with marinated pork, black beans, corn, and tomatoes. It came with my choice of sauce and the curry mustard that I picked was so delicious. I would order it again in a heartbeat.

There are other bowl choices including one with grilled chicken and one where you can build your own by selecting a protein and toppings.

My husband enjoyed the Cuban Pork Burrito which was actually quite similar to my bowl, except in burrito form.

Here’s the whole Greenville Magnetic South food menu.

Playing pool at Magnetic South

Things to Do at Magnetic South, Greenville

We are pretty terrible at pool. Like 97.5% of the balls I actually got in the pockets were accidental. But that’s ok. We had a great time doing it!

The two pool tables at Magnetic South, as well as the arcade games, are coin-operated. There is an ATM machine and a coin machine beside the games, and that worked perfectly for us.

A game of pool is just $1.25. I had a $5 bill on me, we turned it into quarters at the change machine and played several games of pool.

Arcade area at Magnetic South

The other games like skee ball and pinball were both a dollar, also taking quarters. Another $5 bill had me losing a couple of games of skee ball to my husband. You know, these things happen. But it was really fun.

I loved that while there were several game options, the overall atmosphere wasn’t the loud, flashing lights, chiming bells, and sometimes overwhelming environment you might think of when you imagine an arcade. Magnetic South is not an arcade, they have just one corner of the space with games and they aren’t exceptionally loud. It’s really the perfect blend.

At the end of the day, it was a really affordable date night, with good food in a super fun place. We definitely will be back, and I wouldn’t hesitate to bring the kids sometimes, either.

Magnetic South Greenville location:
Judson Mill
701 Easley Bridge Road, Suite 4155, Greenville

Magnetic South Anderson location:
516 N Main Street
Anderson, SC 29621


Family Friendly Breweries in Greenville, SC

Sound good?
There’s more where that came from!

Check out these family-friendly breweries in Greenville, SC

Laugh Out Loud at Alchemy Comedy: Greenville, SC

Posted on by Kidding Around Team |

If you need a new date night idea or something one-of-a-kind for your next event, we’ve got the perfect idea for you. Alchemy Comedy Theater in Greenville, SC will make you laugh so hard your stomach hurts. Every show is different. Every show is hilarious. And every show will keep you on your toes. 

Alchemy Comedy Greenville SC

Overview of Alchemy Comedy

Located inside Coffee Underground in downtown Greenville, Alchemy Comedy Theater has been making people laugh since 2011. Weekly offerings include a combination of improv, stand-up, and sketch comedy.

All shows are live and incredibly energetic and interactive, featuring different local performers each week. The atmosphere is also laid-back and casual—no stuffiness about it. Coffee Underground offers food, coffee, and alcoholic beverages on its menu for patrons to enjoy before, during, and after the show.

What Alchemy Comedy Offers

Alchemy Comedy Theater offers a variety of different shows, classes, and special events throughout the year. You can even hire them for your next event!

Comedy Shows: Improv, Stand-Up, and Sketches

Fans of shows like “Whose Line is it Anyway” and skits on the “Tonight Show” will love Alchemy’s improv shows. I have no idea how they come up with things so quickly that are so funny. They’re truly unique comedic experiences.

If you attend, you may even get the opportunity to participate in the fun on stage! It’s been said that the more shows you attend, the funnier everything gets. All upcoming improv, stand-up, and sketch comedy shows can be found on Alchemy Comedy’s calendar.

Improv Comedy Classes

The Alchemy Comedy Theater offers improv classes throughout the Greenville area. Each 6-week-long class is held weekly from 6:30-9:00 pm. There are a variety of classes based on experience, but in order to reach the next level, you need to graduate from the previous class. The only graduation requirement is to attend at least 4 of the six classes.

However, there’s no comedy or theater experience needed in order to take Improv 101. Alchemy Comedy Students also get free admission to their shows while enrolled in a class! You can read more about their classes on Alchemy’s website.

Comedy Workshops and Shows at Your Next Event

You can also hire Alchemy Comedy for your next event! Whether it’s for business or personal fun, the theater offers group workshops, private shows, and even performances. These specialty workshops are great for businesses, students, and birthday parties. They even did a private show for TEDx Greenville. Read more details about hiring Alchemy Comedy. 

Special Events Throughout the Year

Alchemy Comedy Theater produces four major events throughout the year:

Attend an Alchemy Comedy Show

Thursday-Saturday shows start at 7:30 pm and 9:00 pm
Purchase tickets online or at the door.

Again, this would be perfect for your next date night!

Improv classes are offered throughout the year. You can view upcoming class details and register online on Alchemy Comedy’s classes page.

Alchemy Comedy Theater
1 E Coffee Street, Greenville (in Coffee Underground)
864.256.1467

Have you ever been called up on the stage at Alchemy Comedy? Did you steal the show?

Grown-ups' guide to Greenville, SC

Looking for more things to do for grown-ups in Greenville? We’ve got your Ultimate Adulting & Guide to Grown-Up Things to Do in Greenville, SC.

Group Therapy: Greenville’s Indoor Playground for Grown-Ups

Posted on by Kristina Hernandez |

Are you in need of some Group Therapy? Greenville has an indoor playground for adults that will bring out your inner child for a little fun. Group Therapy Pub & Playground is a great place to play, for everyone!

Group Therapy Pub and Playground in Greenville, SC

Sometimes you just need some space to chill out, play some games, and belt out some karaoke, or if you’re like me, just cheer on the brave souls who do. All of that and more is at the new Group Therapy Pub & Playground at Camperdown Plaza in downtown Greenville. 

(more…)

50+ Nostalgic Arcade Games Are Waiting to be Played at the Upstate Pinball and Arcade Museum!

Posted on by Kristina Hernandez |

An awesome arcade that has the best games from the 80s and 90s is located in Simpsonville, SC and we just had to try it out! Thanks to the Upstate Pinball and Arcade Museum for having us come by to do this review.

When I see an old-school Pac-Man machine, I immediately think of my mom and how much fun we used to have to play it (and constantly getting eaten by ghosts). Super Mario Brothers bring back memories I had of my friends and me playing it together in middle school. Yes, I’m dating myself but I don’t even care because there’s a place in Simpsonville where I can now go and play all these retro games and share my own great memories with my kids and make new ones as well.

Upstate pinball and arcade museum
(more…)

18 Things to Know About Topgolf Greenville Before Your Fun Family Outing

Posted on by Kristina Hernandez |

Have you practiced your putt and drive at Topgolf? Greenville golfers love Topgolf for the combination of entertainment venue, sports bar, and practice area. Though we aren’t golfers by any stretch of the imagination, we had a blast and we know you will too! The facility is incredible and we learned a ton of cool stuff about it, which we are sharing here because seriously, we can’t keep all this to ourselves. Perfect for a date night, or a family outing, Topgolf Greenville is the place to go if you are a golf lover!

Topgolf Greenville

1- Topgolf is for the entire family

You can bring your whole family for a fun time at Topgolf to hit balls around, eat, and enjoy the facility. They even have clubs for kids and toddlers, which are as adorable as you are imagining. Parents are encouraged to hang out on the lower level when they bring their kids.

2- Line Dancing was part of the interview process

This made us wish we had interviewed just to have fun and line dance. We heard it was a three-hour interview process and prospective employees had to line dance.

3- There are five huge TV screens at the bar/restaurant

The screens actually span from floor to ceiling in a two-story bar and restaurant. That’s 28 feet of video wall along with over 200 HDTVs throughout the facility. It’s amazing and perfect for anyone who loves watching their favorite team. Probably better than seats right on the field.

4- The golf balls all have microchips

Topgolf spared no expense to make sure their guests have a cool experience and microchipped all the golf balls so you can see on a screen how far you hit the balls and other stats.

5- The employees are ridiculously happy

They all seemed genuinely happy to be working at Topgolf and the smiles they all sported were contagious. We left happier than when we came. The Topgolf Greenville location is regularly hiring. Learn more about their careers at their site.

6- You don’t have to know how to play golf to enjoy Topgolf

They have instructors on-site if you want to learn how to play but the staff there can also give you a couple of pointers before you start whacking the balls. In fact, 51% of Topgolf guests aren’t golfers at all. Our editor, Bethany, can attest to this as her golf game is pretty terrible but she had fun!

7- Topgolf has other games you can play

They have an outside turf area where corn hole can be set up and they also have indoor foosball on every level of their bar/restaurant space.

8- Topgolf is an all-weather facility

It doesn’t matter if it’s sunny, raining, or snowing because you are sheltered when you play and they have heaters and fans to keep you comfortable.

9- There are 72 bays so a lot of people can play/eat

A bay is basically a separate place where up to eight people can hang out at a table and six people can golf. There is a turf launching pad and golf clubs at each bay and a hostess takes care of each bay so you can order drinks and food while playing.

10- The driving range is 215 yards long

Don’t worry, you’re not going to be hitting cars along I-85 with the huge driving range and enormous nets. And your car in the parking lot will be safe too.

11- There are more than 9 games at each bay

Scores are tallied through a touch screen at each bay and kept track of through membership cards (a one-time $5 cost for each golfer). Games can be played by anyone, novice to expert, and include 20 balls each.

12- You pay per hour for each bay, not per person

Pricing for Topgolf is done by the hour per bay, not per game or per person, and depends on the time of day. Before Noon daily, the cost is $30- $35/bay per hour, from Noon – 5 pm, it’s $40-$45/bay per hour, and after 5 pm, it is $50-$55/bay per hour. Friday – Sunday is always the higher of the price range, and Tuesdays offer half-price bay/hr deals all day!

13- Topgolf has summer camps for kids

Send your kid, ages 6-12, to summer camp at Topgolf for a week where they can learn how to play, or at least learn a respectable swing. It’s Monday-Friday from 9 am – Noon and costs $225/child.

14- Birthday parties are all the rage at Topgolf

You’ll probably be Parent of the Year if you have your kid’s birthday party at Top Golf. Birthday party packages come with a lot of perks and include 2 hours of playtime.

15- Topgolf is three stories so you can see for miles when you’re golfing

Being up on the third level is pretty cool. You can see for miles on a clear day and it’s just a fun experience.

16- It costs nothing to rent golf clubs

Most of us non-golfers don’t have a full set of clubs in our garage. Thankfully all Topgolf bays have clubs you can use for free. You can bring your own though if you have them!

17- You don’t need to dress like a golfer to come to Topgolf

As long as you’re not dressed like you’re going to the beach, you’ll be fine. Bethany and I were both wearing cute dresses and we did just fine.

18- There’s an app for that

Topgolf has its own app, where you can track your score, reserve a bay, and even control what you watch in your bay (each one has its own TV).

About Topgolf Greenville

Topgolf Greenville
201 Clifton Court, Greenville
864.315.3351


Looking for more golfing adventures with your family? 3’s Greenville offers a 12-hole golf course, perfect for younger kids to dip their toes into golfing! Thinking mini golf may be a better route? Check out Takeoff Mini Golf, located right beside the Greenville Downtown Airport!

3's golf
3’s Greenville
Takeoff Mini-golf
Takeoff Mini Golf

Things to Do in Greenville, SC

The Ultimate Guide to
Things to Do in Greenville, SC

Restaurants and Breweries with Live Music near Greenville, SC

Posted on by Kidding Around Team |

Are you looking for places to enjoy live music at restaurants in Greenville, SC? Here you will find several spots where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy music. We can thank our contributor Andrea Beam and additions by local Kidding Around Team members for this great list of places in Greenville and nearby communities that offer live music while you dine!

live music in restaurants greenville, sc

For more great restaurants near Greenville, SC, don’t miss our Guide to Restaurants in Greenville, SC!

One of my favorite things to do is to enjoy live music… it doesn’t matter if I’m eating out or shopping, the whole experience is made better with live music in the background. And when the temperatures pick back up, there’s nothing quite like enjoying local, live music outside. Here’s a list of my favorite local places to sip on a drink and eat delicious food while listening to live music. Take out your pen and pad: You’ll want to write these down!

Looking for some ideas to help you plan the perfect date in Greenville, SC? Our Guide to Date Nights in Greenville is loaded with restaurant ideas, activities and things to do, bed and breakfasts, day trips for couples and so much more!

Live Music Restaurants: Greenville, SC

Thomas Creek Brewery

Thomas Creek offers both indoor and outdoor seating spaces with a wide variety of brews on tap, plus a few wine and cider options as well. They have live music on select dates in the brewery.

The dates and times will vary, but follow Thomas Creek on Facebook to see what’s happening and when. Then head to the brewery to enjoy some wings and small plate bites with locally-crafted beer with a side of live music.

Live music at Thomas Creek
Thomas Creek beer tap room

Fireforge Crafted Beer

Located in downtown Greenville, Fireforge Crafted Beer’s events calendar features live music on various nights throughout the week, usually starting around 7 pm (with some daytime shows during the weekend). Grab a bite to eat and enjoy their locally-brewed beer while tapping your toes!

Smiley’s On The Roxx

Looking for live music 7 nights per week? Then you have to check out Smiley’s on the Roxx in Downtown Greenville! The music lineup regularly features local artists you may notice in the Greenville music scene, plus they have a have a decent menu of small plate options and entrees to choose from.

Blues Boulevard Jazz

To really amp up the romance on a romantic date night, Blues Boulevard Jazz should be on your radar. The jazz club in Downtown Greenville regularly features some of the best jazz and blues musicians in the area.

Plus, they have a food menu to choose from, so you can sip a cocktail and enjoy a meal while listening to some smooth music. Ladies, they also have a night just for you every Thursday is you are looking for a girls night out.

Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack

You can enjoy delicious Nashville-style hot chicken along with acoustic musical performances at Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack. The shop is located at 420 Laurens Road in Greenville near Pleasantburg Drive, and will have music during the spring and summer months with their Wings and Strings series.

Music usually happens Wednesday night from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Keep up with what bands are playing through the Rocky’s Wings and Strings website.

Gather GVL

Located near Fluor Field, Gather GVL is an outdoor food hall built out of shipping containers. The food and beverage vendors at Gather GVL promise something yummy for everyone, especially frozen drinks from Juice Box Wine Bar. At the heart of this colorful and kid-friendly outdoor space is a stage on which you can regularly find a local troubadour doing their thing.

Their event calendar regularly features live music, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. Be sure to read our review of Gather GVL before you pop over there.

Frose from Juice Box at Gather GVL

13 Stripes Brewery

Located at the Taylors Mill, 13 Stripes Brewery always has something fun going on. The brewery regularly has live music, so you will want to follow their Facebook to see special live music events.

Chicora Alley

Chicora Alley has delicious food, and often pairs the meal with live music. Musicians that frequent Chicora offer funk, rock, acoustic, jam band, jazz, Caribbean fusion, and just excellent music that you can dance to! Chicora has two locations, one in Downtown Greenville near Falls Park, and one in Travelers Rest.

The Radio Room

The Radio Room may be known to many as a small, local music venue, but their menu features yummy sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, appetizers, and signature drinks. The venue is an excellent choice is you’re looking to see live music, but also maybe need a little bite to eat during the concert.

Their event calendar is loaded with live music coming to Greenville in addition to special events and trivia nights.

Fountain Inn Taproom at The Mill

The Fountain Inn Taproom offers a variety of events throughout the year, including live music. They have a wide selection of beer and wine to go along with your food, which includes snacking items like paninis, bratwurst, pretzels, and nachos.

Vaughn’s Food Hall

Located in Simpsonville, Vaughn’s Food Hall has it all! Not only can you grab delicious food from a variety of cuisines, but they regularly host bands for live music nights. You’ll find their upcoming music schedule on their Facebook page.

The Taphouse also has great brews if you want to grab a drink before heading out to the large open space to hang out. Check out our full review of Vaughn’s Food Hall to see everything they have to offer.

Vaughn's Food Hall
Backyard of the Vaughn’s Food Hall

The Whistle Stop

It’s no secret The Whistle Stop at The American Cafe is is one of my favorite destinations, but what’s even better than their menu is the rooftop dining area. Yes, you heard that right – eating dinner on the roof! Throw in a live band and you have the perfect spring evening. Check their website and/or Facebook page to see if they have anyone hitting the stage!

Spartanburg, SC Live Music Restaurants

Ciclops Cideri and Brewery

Ciclops Cyderi and Brewery in the heart of Spartanburg regularly features live music and trivia. Plus they’ve got their tasty signature brews and bites! The Ciclops Cyderi and Brewery calendar page has a a packed schedule.

Fr8yard

Also in downtown Spartanburg, Fr8yard is an outdoor biergarten built from repurposed shipping containers. They regularly welcome regional acts to their stage. Their master calendar has a full list of upcoming live music acts. Bonus: Their menu sounds like the perfect pairing to live music and tasty beverages!

New Groove Artisan Brewery

Just 30 minutes from Greenville, Boiling Spring’s New Groove Artisan Brewery serves pub fare and includes a menu “for the groovy kids.” Beverages include their beer, as well as specialty crafted sodas. To keep up with their live music schedule, follow their Facebook or Instagram pages.

With the continued growth of the restaurant, bar, and brewery scene in the Upstate, I’ve brushed the surface of places around town to enjoy live music while grabbing a bite to eat or perusing the stacks. However, my son would probably like to eat dinner so I had to stop at some point. As always, we’d love to hear from you if you have anything to add.

It looks like I’ve planned quite a few weekends for you!

You can thank me later.

What live music venue would you like to add to our list?

This article was originally written by Andrea Beam and has been updated by the Kidding Around Team.

5 Romantic Restaurants in Spartanburg

Posted on by Kidding Around |

Looking for romantic restaurants in Spartanburg, SC for a special date night? You’ve waited for what seems like forever to have a date night with your spouse. Now where to go for dinner? We asked our readers where they like to go for a romantic meal out. Here’s where Kidding Around Spartanburg readers suggested.

Romantic Restaurants in Spartanburg, SC
Spartanburg SC Restaurants

There are tons of delicious restaurants in Spartanburg – be sure to check out the best ones in our full guide!

(more…)

Greenville Guides

Family Fun in Greenville, SC

"I'm bored" is a solved problem. Ask 'em how we know.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter