History
The inaugural bridge dinner was in October of 2015 and was the first public event able to be held after the Great Flood. It was the first date in which first responders were able to assist with a public event, and they were honored guests that evening in what turned out to be a much-needed moment of catharsis. Since then, the event has donated over $250,000 to local charities and become a staple event for the community.
Experience
Autumn welcomes cool temps for this outdoor event and inspires much of the food and beverage. The party gets going at 3:00 pm for VIP and 4:00 pm for general admission. Before dinner, take some time to walk the bridge, dance a bit, and snap pictures of the view while you sip on cocktails by Bourbon. Guests will dine family style with seasonal dishes brought to their table (vegan and gluten free options will be available). Following dinner, desserts from Ally and Eloise Bake Shop round out the evening.
The Important Details & Pro Tips
The ticket procedure has changed a bit from years past, so you'll want to be ready. Tickets go on sale September 8 at noon, and they tend to sell out quickly. Instead of individual tickets, this year you'll need to round up a few friends and purchase a table for eight. The ticket includes all drinks, food and parking for the event. Parking is available at the South Carolina State Museum.
Dress for the event is snappy casual, and with an event that starts mid-afternoon and goes on past sundown you may want to wear layers. The trek from one end of the bridge to the other is not a short one, so comfortable shoes are recommended as you'll want to explore all the event has to offer.
To start getting excited about the event, we recommend following the Gervais Street Bridge Dinner on Facebook and Instagram as more information about food, music and more is announced.
For more events and happenings around Columbia SC, be sure to check out our events calendar.
