Media | Food | Music | Clubs & Bars
Arts & Entertainment | Goods & Services | Sports & Leisure

Media
Best local news: WIS-TV
Best local TV personality: Dawn Mercer
Best local TV anchorperson: Susan Audé Fisher
Best weatherperson: Jim Gandy
Best sportscaster: Rick Henry
Best hair: Dawn Mercer
Best local radio personality: Jonathan Rush
Best radio station: WARQ-FM
Best talk radio station: WVOC-AM
Best local writer: Danny Flanders
Best member of local government: Bob Coble
Scariest member of local government: Gov. David Beasely
Best activist group: City Year
Best use of public funds: Parks
Biggest waste of public funds: David Beasely and his airplane

Food
Best new restaurant: Ruby Tuesday’s
Best overall dining experience: Richard’s
Best 24-hour restaurant: Martin’s EATS
Best quick lunch (tie): Rush’s, New York Bagel, Richard’s on the Run
Best take-out food: Egg Roll Station
Best Sunday Brunch: The Marriott
Best service: Richard’s
Best wine list: Richard’s
Best cup of coffee: Courtyard Coffeehouse
Best breakfast: IHOP
Best subs: Subway
Best vegetable plate: Lizard’s Thicket
Best bagel: New York Bagel
Best barbecue: Maurice’s Piggie Park
Best pizza: Pizza Hut
Best deli: Andy’s Deli
Best chicken wings: The Publick House/Wings on Wheels
Best hot dog: Sandy’s Hot Dogs
Best hamburger: Rush’s
Best onion rings: Piggie Park
Best french fries: McDonald’s
Best salad bar: Ruby Tuesdays
Best steakhouse: Outback Steakhouse
Best ethnic restaurant: Touch of India
Best Mexican restaurant: Monterrey
Best Italian restaurant: Dianne’s
Best seafood restaurant: Red Lobster
Best Chinese restaurant: Egg Roll Station
Best Japanese restaurant: Kyoto
Best place for dessert: Goatfeather’s
Best ice cream: Adriana’s

Music
Best new local artist: The Spanish Tonys
Best live performance: Hootie and the Blowfish
Best out-of-town show: REM
Best local male vocalist: Darius Rucker
Best local female vocalist: Danielle Howle
Best LP (national): Cracked Rear View, Hootie and the Blowfish
Best LP (local): Cracked Rear View, Hootie and the Blowfish
Best single: "Hold My Hand", Hootie and the Blowfish
Best local solo artist: Danielle Howle
Best local jazz artist: Elliott and the Untouchables
Best local blues/R&B artist: Drink Small
Best local country band: Break the Silence
Best record/tape/CD store: Manifest Discs & Tapes
Best used record store: Papa Jazz Record Shop
Best musical instrument store: Star Music Co.

Clubs & Bars
Best new club: Hunter-Gatherer
Best bartender: Stephen Scoff (Art Bar)
Best brewpub: Hunter-Gatherer
Best rock club: Rockafella’s
Best C&W bar: Bubba ‘n’ Buck
Best college bar: Elbow Room
Best dance club (tie): Art Bar, Night Works
Best gay bar: Metropolis
Best neighborhood pub: The Publick House
Best people-watching bar: Art Bar
Best club DJ (tie): "the guy at Chippendoll’s", Timmy (Elbow Room), Chris Q
Best sports bar: Garrett’s
Best pool hall: Opening Break
Best bottled beer selection: Goatfeather’s
Best draft beer selection: The Publick House

Arts & Entertainment
Best art gallery: Portfolio
Best local artist: Bill Davis
Best annual indoor event: Artists Against AIDS
Best annual outdoor event: St. Patrick’s Day in Five Points
Best free entertainment: St. Patrick’s Day in Five Points
Best movie: Apollo 13
Best movie theater: Regal Cinema 7
Best movie rental selection: Blockbuster Video
Best local actor/actress: Stan Gwynn
Best current TV show: "Friends"
Favorite cable channel (tie): ESPN, The Discovery Channel
Best book: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, John Berendt
Best magazine (tie): People, Vanity Fair

Goods & Services
Best dry cleaner: Tripp’s
Best car dealership: Saturn of Columbia
Best auto repair: 3 Guys Auto Repair
Best bank: NationsBank
Best tanning salon: Island Tan
Best furniture store: Madison Hall
Best bakery: Cribb’s Bakery
Best place for fresh seafood: Fresh Market
Best place for fresh produce: Fresh Market
Best natural food store: Rosewood Market
Best bookstore (new): Happy Bookseller
Best bookstore (used): Book Dispensary
Best thrift store: Community Thrift
Best new age store: Joyful Alternative
Best alternative clothing: OEO
Best vintage clothing: OEO
Best electronics store: Best Buy
Best Internet provider: America Online

Sports & Leisure
Best Gamecock store: USC Bookstore
Best Clemson store: Jewelry Warehouse
Best Panthers store: Tood & Moore
Best bike shop: Outspokin’
Best outdoor store: The Backpacker
Best Sporting Goods store: Columbia Sports
Best public golf course: Linrick
Best fitness center/health club: The Firm
Best bowling alley: Brunswick Capitol Lanes