Mint Club Down Town Columbia SC: A Nostalgic Look Back at a Bygone Era

In the early days of downtown Columbia's nightlife scene, one club stood out from the rest - Rumors, which opened its doors in 1982 and quickly became the premier dance spot in town. Founded by Joseph Berliner, a legendary DJ who prided himself on playing the hottest underground tunes before they hit the radio, Rumors was a sanctuary for the LGBTQ community at a time when same-sex marriage was illegal and felony sodomy laws were still on the books.

With its large capacity - holding up to 2,000 people on the dance floor - Rumors was the place to be seen. Berliner himself recalls the club's heyday, saying, 'People used to call Rumors 'the closest thing a South Carolinian could see to Studio 54.'' This was an era when Columbia's nightlife scene was thriving, with multiple clubs attracting patrons from across the state and beyond.

But times have changed. Today, Columbia is home to only two gay bars - PT's 1109 and The Capital Club, which has been in operation since 1980 and claims to be the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the Southeast. Founded by Bill Skipper, who has been its president since day one, The Capital Club has seen it all.

Skipper, affectionately known as 'Grandma,' is a fixture at the club, often staying late to watch the drag shows and enjoying happy hour with his fellow old-timers every day. He's lived through a time when being openly gay was not accepted, and he's proud of the progress that has been made.

As the city looks back on its rich history, it's clear that Rumors played a significant role in shaping Columbia's nightlife scene. Though times have changed, The Capital Club remains a beloved institution, providing a safe space for the LGBTQ community to gather and socialize.

In conclusion, Mint Club Down Town Columbia SC was a place where people could come together, let loose, and be themselves - a true haven in an era when acceptance was hard to find. While the city may have lost some of its luster, The Capital Club remains a shining beacon of hope and inclusivity, and we can learn from the lessons of the past as we move forward into the future.

Mint club down town columbia sc