National Bourbon Day is happening on June 14 and to make sure all Soda Citizens are ready to sip and celebrate, we wanted to get to know the owner of Columbia’s Bourbon + Black Rooster a little better.
Today we are sharing a recent Q+A with Kristian Niemi. For those who haven’t been to the cajun-inspired Bourbon restaurant or sat on the rooftop at Black Rooster — this is the man and mind behind these additions to Columbia’s culinary scene.
Did you know that outside of the kitchen, he also plays ice hockey in the famously hot capital city + he was a Farsi linguist in the Army? We didn’t either — so keep sippin’ and find out what Kristian’s favorite drink to order is, who he’s watching locally, and what’s next.
Kristian Niemi | Photo via Ashley Concannon
Convince a friend to move to Columbia in 15 words or less. Go.
Perfectly sized city with a small town feel.
What local dish do you crave + rave about?
Spicy Chicken Tacos at Duke’s Pad Thai
You’re ordering a drink from Bourbon or Black Rooster. What’s in it?
I’m partial to the original Mai Tai created by Trader Vic back in the 40s.
You just expanded Bourbon’s Main Street location, what’s next?
TIKI WEEK at Bourbon!! June 17-July 3!
How will you celebrate National Bourbon Day?
Hold on now. Let’s not forget it is also National Strawberry Shortcake Day, so I’ll be sipping on some fine bourbon and inhaling plates of my favorite dessert.
We're just getting started. Use the link below for 14 more questions and answers, including what bourbons Kristian recommends + what he thinks every Soda Citizen needs to know about in Columbia.
Show
- 1 or 2 Sessions Live | Fri., June 11 | 5-9 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion | Free | BYO chairs or blankets for a night of live music + local vendors.
- Paige King Johnson | Fri., June 11 | 8-11 p.m. | Market on Main | Free | Spend your night enjoying live country music.
Active
- Yoga and Rose on THE FARM | Fri., June 11 | 7-8 p.m. | THE FARM, 1127 Corley Mill Rd., Lexington | $25 | Enjoy an evening yoga class + wine. 🥂
Featured Event
Saturday
- Main Street Caribbean Festival | Sat., June 12 | 12-10 p.m. | 1800 Main St. | Free | Transport to a tropical island without leaving Main Street. 🌴
- Movie Night at Segra Park: Black Panther | Sat., June 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Segra Park | Free, register here | Celebrate Juneteenth with this free movie screening. 🎬
- SC AG+Art Tour | Sat., June 12-Sun., June 13 | Various times | Various locations | Free | A self-guided tour of Richland County farms featuring local artisans at every stop. 🌽
- Disney Brunch Trivia | Sat., June 12 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Main Course | Free | If you consider yourself an expert on all things Disney, this one’s for you. 🥞
Sunday
Head out to the farm this weekend and enjoy the sunshine + sunflowers in bloom at Clinton Sease Farms (located at 382 Olde Farm Rd., Lexington). Sunflower Weekends are returning this summer every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through the end of June — weather permitting.
Your ticket ($10+ per person) grants you access to the fields, walking paths, a wagon ride, and 1 cut-your-own-sunflower to take with you, in addition to all the photos your phone + Instagram could want.
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Weather
- 89º | Thunderstorms | 40% chance of rain
ComingSoon
- Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint is coming soon to Five Points at 711 Harden St., (next door to Bird Dog + across from Home Team BBQ). This is the first South Carolina location to open for the Virginia-based restaurant that offers 100% wagyu burgers + craft beer. 🍔
Development
- The CSX Railroad company will be making repairs to the rail crossing in the 1700 block of South Beltline Boulevard, which is near the Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport. The aging wood will be replaced with asphalt and rubber + there is currently no timeline on the project. (The State)
- West Columbia will soon offer new live-work residences options at the development located at 509 Center St. The St. Anns Alley community will consist of 2-story mixed-use buildings to include an office or retail space + 1 bedroom, kitchen, living space, and bathroom. Construction is expected to begin this summer. 🏡 (CRBR)
Coronavirus
- Soda City Market will host a COVID-19 vaccination event this Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in partnership with Prisma Health. The Pfizer vaccine will be available for those 12 and older and no appointment is required. 💉
- Beginning on Mon., June 14, Lexington Medical Center is moving its COVID-19 vaccination clinic location from the Brookland Baptist Church to 139 Summerplace Dr., West Columbia. No appointments are needed + vaccines will be available to anyone 12 and older Monday through Friday from 12-6 p.m.
Award
- Irmo-native Dustin Johnson was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor. Gov. Henry McMaster presented Dustin with the award after completing the first round in the newest PGA tour event — the Palmetto Championship. (PGA Tour)
Biz
- Nephron Pharmaceuticals purchased a county-owned building located in the Saxe Gotha Industrial Park as part of a new $100 million investment plan for expansion. The purchase of the $4.8 million facility will add 250 jobs. (The State)
Community
- The Leadership Columbia program is accepting applications for the upcoming class project from community organizations. Each year the class selects a project that will leave a positive impact + nonprofit organizations can submit a proposal by July 9 at 5 p.m.
Number
- 50,135. The number of residents reported in Richland County that receive SNAP benefits. Beginning on Aug. 1, the SC Department of Social Services will no longer max out the emergency food aid benefits following the lifting of the state’s emergency order last week. (WIS)
- 4,100 sqft. That’s the size of The Blood Connection’s new Lexington location. Schedule a donation appointment here. Ⓟ
WaterCooler
- Dawn Staley will lead the US Women’s Basketball training camp, which is scheduled to open on July 12, in Las Vegas. The preliminary games are planned for July 16 and July 18 against Australia and Nigeria, respectively. Fans will be permitted to attend and tickets go on sale next week. 🏀(ABC Columbia)
Dish
- DYK? The menu is always changing at Good Life Cafe. Be sure to check out their house-made bakery items (like the gluten free Funfetti cupcake) before they’re gone. 🧁 Ⓟ
Job
Drink
- Stop feeling intimidated by long, confusing wine lists. Bright Cellars helps vino-lovers level up their wine game, using a 7-question taste quiz to deliver a box of customized wines based on consumers’ unique, individual palates. Plus, they teach you about each bottle you receive. 🍷 Ⓟ
Answered: Our readers sure are smarties. Yesterday, we quizzed y'all on the origin of the Lace House's name + of the ~180 that responded, ~96% of you got it right.
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