Ask around Columbia for a great plate of wings, and one name keeps coming up. Publick House is a colorful neighborhood pub on Devine Street where wings, pool, and cold beer have been drawing crowds for years.
Wings are the most talked-about item in its reviews by a wide margin. Here is what makes this old-school spot worth a visit, and what to know before you go.
A Neighborhood Pub on Devine Street
Tucked along 2307 Devine St in Columbia’s 29205 area, Publick House sits right where locals like their hangouts: close to home and easy to find. It is a tavern at heart, the kind of place that serves American bites alongside billiards and big-screen sports.
The official description calls it a big, colorful pub with hearty bar food, a pool table, and dart boards. That sums up the appeal pretty well, though regulars would add one word right away.
Wings.
With a 4.3-star rating across 525 Google reviews, Publick House has earned a steady following. Wings alone come up in about 140 of those reviews, far more than any other topic.
When a single menu item dominates the conversation like that, it usually means something good is happening in the kitchen.
Some people stop in for a quick lunch, while others settle in for a full evening of games and drinks. Plenty of visitors call it simply a neighborhood bar, and they mean that as a compliment.
It feels lived-in, friendly, and comfortable in its own skin.
For anyone new to Columbia, it makes a handy introduction to the city’s casual side. For longtime residents, it is more like a familiar living room with a fryer.
Old Memories, Fresh Renovations
One longtime fan says he has been coming here since his college days, back when the formula was simple: wings, beer, and pool. He jokes that the pub has graduated right along with him.
That growth shows in a few ways. Reviewers mention renovations that opened up the space, giving the room a more inviting, airy feel.
Another visitor praised the new look and said the place now feels more open than before.
The menu and drink program have also become more polished over time, according to regulars, with an expanded wine and beer lineup. Yet the soul of the place has not changed much.
People still describe the ambiance as old-school cool, which is a tricky balance to strike after a remodel.
Many bars lose their character when they freshen up. Publick House seems to have kept the comfortable edges while sanding down the cramped corners.
Returning visitors still find the same easygoing spirit they remember, just with a little more elbow room.
The Wings Everyone Talks About
Friends and family of one reviewer call Publick House their go-to spot for the best wings in Columbia, and that reviewer does not even eat wings. That is how strong the reputation runs.
Comments about the wings tend to be short and enthusiastic. Visitors describe them as awesome, amazing, and exactly what they were craving.
One family on their first visit said the wings were just what they were looking for, and they plan to return soon.
Another customer who has watched the pub change over the years still rates them among the best wings in town. Even a more critical reviewer, who found most of the menu plain, admitted the chicken wings were the dish that really had something going for it.
The wing basket gets steady love too, with one guest calling it always good. Boneless wings are on the radar as well for folks who prefer skipping the bones.
If you only order one thing on your first visit, the regulars have made their choice pretty clear.
Pterodactyl Wings and the Extra-Crispy Ritual
Some people drive across state lines for barbecue. At least one traveler from North Carolina makes a point of stopping at Publick House every time they pass through Cola.
Their order never changes. Pterodactyl wings, extra crispy, paired with raw fries.
According to them, that combination is the only way to do it.
The name alone makes you smile, and it hints at a hearty portion. Asking for them extra crispy seems to be the insider move, giving the skin more crunch to stand up to sauce.
Flavor options include choices like spicy teriyaki, which one first-timer tried. They enjoyed it, though they wished for a touch more sauce, so it may be worth asking for extra if you like your wings well coated.
Half the fun is building your own ritual. Pick a sauce, choose your crispiness, and see why folks keep making the trip.
Raw Fries, Wing Chips, and Other Sides
Curious name, right? Raw fries come up again and again in reviews, and they are not what most people expect.
One diner described them as more like potato chips than traditional fries. Opinions split here.
A North Carolina fan treats them as a must-have alongside wings, while another visitor found their batch undercooked and not very crispy.
Wing chips also get a few mentions from guests, so the kitchen clearly enjoys playing with potatoes. For something more familiar, the crinkle-cut fries earned praise from one football fan who liked the good seasoning.
Combo meals usually come with a side. One reviewer paid $18 for a 10-wing combo with one side, which gives you a sense of how the pricing works.
The smart play might be ordering raw fries once to judge for yourself. If they are not your style, crinkle cuts are standing by.
Beyond Wings: Tenders, Melts, and Pub Bread
Not everyone in your group wants wings, and that is fine. The rest of the menu has its own small fan club.
Chicken tenders are a popular backup pick. One guest said they did not look or taste frozen and called them a super solid choice.
Mozzarella sticks show up often too, with one reviewer calling them generally above average, though a little hit-or-miss.
The chicken salad sandwiches have their admirers. A couple tried both versions on the menu and really enjoyed them, though another diner found the chicken salad melt a bit chewy.
Someone else raved about the pub bread, calling it great.
Daily specials keep things interesting for regulars, according to one family. Not every review is glowing, of course.
A few people felt the food was standard pub fare without much flair, and one guest disliked the chicken noodle soup.
Overall, the safest bets stick close to the fryer.
Local Brews and a Well-Stocked Bar
Cold wings deserve cold beer, and Publick House takes that seriously. Reviewers repeatedly praise the beer selection, with several noting that many options are locally brewed.
One fan summed it up as craft beer and a local favorite. Another pointed out that the beer tastes just as good as the wings, which is high praise in a wing joint.
The cocktails get compliments as well. A regular said the hand-made liquor drinks always come out fresh and well made.
Others mention a decent liquor selection and drinks that arrive nicely chilled.
A small heads-up from one visitor: nonalcoholic options like lemonade and soda sometimes tasted watered down. If you are skipping alcohol, that is worth keeping in mind.
The bar itself is described as a nice spot to grab a drink, even if you are not eating.
Pool, Darts, and a Stack of Board Games
Picture a family celebrating a young soldier fresh out of Basic training, killing time over a game of pool. That is the kind of afternoon Publick House handles well.
Games are a big part of the draw. There is one pool table and two dart boards, according to visitors, plus tons of board games for anyone who prefers a slower pace.
Music plays in the background to keep things lively.
One couple came in specifically looking for a pool spot and had a great time. Another fan cheerfully described darts and pool tucked in the corner.
The catch? With just a single table, pool can get competitive on busy nights.
One reviewer docked a star for that reason.
Show up a little early if billiards is your plan. Otherwise, grab a board game and wait your turn.
Big Screens and Big Games
Soccer fans have fond memories here. One longtime customer still remembers watching the World Cup at Publick House and calls it a wonderful place to catch a Premier League match.
Big-screen TVs line the room, and guests say staff will usually have whatever game you want on. During a college football national championship, one visitor found the place packed but loved the energy.
There is one cautionary tale. During a World Cup match, a group said the TVs were turned off at closing time with stoppage time still running, despite a sign promising to stay open until games ended.
That left a sour note for them.
For late games, it may help to confirm plans with staff ahead of time. For most matchups, though, the screens and crowd create a genuinely fun watch-party feel.
Servers Worth Asking For By Name
Few things say more about a pub than customers remembering their server’s name afterward. At Publick House, that happens a lot.
Reviews mention specific staff members with real warmth, praising them as attentive, hospitable, and friendly. One family said their waitress made them feel right at home on their very first visit.
Another guest simply urged people to ask for a particular server.
Fast service comes up too. Diners mention food arriving quickly and fresh, with drink refills keeping pace.
One reviewer called the staff great and the place clean and well kept.
Not every visit is perfect. One guest felt a waiter’s comment about the soup came across as rude, though they appreciated that hair found in wings was taken off the bill.
Still, most feedback paints a crew that cares.
Laid-Back Vibes for All Kinds of Crowds
Good vibes. That phrase pops up in review after review, and it fits.
Families bring their kids and describe the atmosphere as laid-back and cozy. Couples drop by for pool dates.
College students turned grown-ups keep returning out of loyalty. Sports fans fill the room during big games.
One visitor called it a nice chill spot, while another happily grabbed a booth for four. The colorful decor and old-school feel make it relaxed without being sleepy.
It suits anyone who wants hearty food without fuss. If you are looking for fancy plating or a quiet dinner, this probably is not it.
But for wings with friends, a casual family meal, or a game night, it hits the mark.
What You Can Expect to Spend
Prices land in comfortable bar territory, though opinions vary slightly. Several guests call them reasonable, especially for a bar on Devine Street.
For real numbers, one diner paid $18 for a 10-wing combo with a side. Another said tenders and fries ran $21, which felt a touch high to them, even though they enjoyed the meal.
Wing fans tend to feel they get good value. One reviewer specifically praised the fair combo prices.
Daily specials could also help stretch your budget.
Bottom line: expect typical pub pricing, with wing combos as the best bang for your buck.
Hours, Phone, and Getting There
Planning ahead is easy. Publick House opens at 11:30 AM and closes at 10 PM, six days a week.
The one day to avoid is Tuesday, when the pub is closed. Wednesday through Monday, you can drop in for lunch, dinner, or anything in between.
You will find it at 2307 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205. For questions, call +1 803-256-2625, or check the website at publick-house.com for menus and updates.
Since the pub can get busy during big games, arriving early helps, especially if you want the pool table or a booth. Closing time is firm at 10, so plan late-night matches accordingly.
Worth the Trip for Wing Lovers
So, do the locals have it right? For wings, the answer looks like a confident yes.
Publick House is not trying to be trendy. It is a comfortable pub with crispy wings, local beer, friendly servers, and a few games to pass the time.
Some side dishes and the soup draw mixed reactions, and pool table access can be limited.
Yet the big picture is easy to love. Hundreds of reviews, a strong rating, and countless mentions of wings point to a place that knows its strengths.
Order the Pterodactyl wings extra crispy, grab a local brew, and decide for yourself.
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