Cherrywood BBQ and Ale House: Low Country Barbecue and Craft Beer in Columbia

What to expect at Cherrywood BBQ and Ale House

Cherrywood BBQ and Ale House is a barbecue restaurant in Columbia that pairs smoked meats with a rotating selection of craft beers, many from South Carolina breweries. The restaurant sits in a casual, wood-heavy space designed to feel like a neighborhood gathering spot rather than a formal dining room. You order at the counter, find a seat in the dining area or on the patio, and the kitchen brings your food out when it's ready.

The menu centers on traditional barbecue: brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken smoked over wood. Sides include mac and cheese, collard greens, cornbread, and beans—the standard Low Country accompaniments. Sandwiches come on soft rolls; platters come with two or three sides of your choice. The beer list changes regularly but typically includes IPAs, stouts, and lighter options from breweries across the state, with a handful of national selections.

Cherrywood operates as a walk-up counter service restaurant, so there's no table service or reservations. The space fills quickly during lunch and dinner rushes, particularly on weekends. If you're planning to eat during peak hours, expect to wait in line and for tables to be occupied.

Key Takeaways

• Cherrywood smokes its barbecue in-house and serves it with traditional Low Country sides like collard greens and mac and cheese.
• The restaurant pairs its barbecue with craft beers from South Carolina and beyond, with the beer selection rotating regularly.
• You order at the counter and seat yourself; there is no table service or reservations.
• The patio is open year-round and offers a less crowded alternative to the indoor dining area during busy times.
• Lunch and dinner service both draw crowds, so arriving outside typical meal hours (late afternoon or early evening) can mean shorter waits.

The barbecue and what makes it different

Cherrywood's barbecue reflects Columbia's position between the Lowcountry and the Midlands—the menu includes both the vinegar-forward sauces of the coast and the mustard-based sauces of inland South Carolina. The brisket comes sliced thick, the pulled pork shreds easily, and the ribs have a visible smoke ring. The restaurant doesn't rush the smoking process, which means the meat sits in the smoker for hours rather than being rushed through.

The sides matter as much as the meat. The collard greens are cooked with pork, the mac and cheese is creamy rather than crispy-topped, and the cornbread is slightly sweet. These are the sides you'd find at a family dinner table in South Carolina, not shortcuts. You can build a plate around the meat or around the sides—many regulars come for the vegetables as much as the barbecue.

Beer selection and pairing options

The beer program at Cherrywood is built around South Carolina breweries. You'll typically find selections from Palmetto Brewing Company in Charleston, Westbrook Brewing in Mount Pleasant, and Columbia-based breweries like Conquest Brewing and Craft Hound. The rotating list means the specific beers change, but the focus on local producers stays consistent.

The restaurant doesn't push formal beer-and-barbecue pairings, but the staff can point you toward options that work with what you've ordered. A lighter IPA cuts through the richness of brisket; a stout complements smoked ribs. If beer isn't your preference, Cherrywood also serves soft drinks and sweet tea.

Location, hours, and how to plan your visit

Cherrywood is located in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood, an area known for independent restaurants and shops. The restaurant is walkable from nearby parking and sits on a street with other dining options, so you can explore the neighborhood before or after your meal.

Hours vary by season and day of the week, so check ahead before you go. Lunch service typically runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 or 10 p.m., though these times shift. The restaurant is closed on Mondays. Weekend brunch is not offered, but the patio is open for lunch and dinner service both days.

If you're visiting during a holiday or special event, call ahead to confirm hours. The restaurant occasionally hosts private events or closes early for staff gatherings, so a quick phone call prevents a wasted trip.

The patio and outdoor seating

The patio at Cherrywood is one of its main draws. It's covered and heated in cooler months, so you can sit outside from fall through spring without being uncomfortable. In summer, the patio is shaded and has ceiling fans, making it more pleasant than the indoor dining area during hot afternoons.

The patio seats about 30 people and fills up quickly during peak hours. If you arrive early—before 11:30 a.m. for lunch or before 5:30 p.m. for dinner—you're more likely to find a table outside. The patio is also quieter than the indoor space, which matters if you're trying to have a conversation.

Pricing and what to budget

Barbecue platters at Cherrywood range from about $14 to $22, depending on the meat and number of sides. Sandwiches are less expensive, typically $10 to $14. Beers range from $5 to $8 depending on the brewery and style. A meal for one person—a platter, one beer, and tax—usually comes to $25 to $35.

The restaurant accepts cash and card. There is no table service charge or gratuity line at the register, though a tip jar sits at the counter if you want to leave one.

Why Cherrywood matters in Columbia's food scene

Cherrywood represents a shift in how Columbia's restaurants approach barbecue and beer. Rather than treating them as separate categories—a barbecue place here, a beer bar there—Cherrywood builds its identity around both. The restaurant sources its beer from South Carolina breweries, which means your money stays in the state and you're tasting what local brewers are making right now, not what was popular five years ago.

The restaurant also operates as a neighborhood gathering spot rather than a destination you drive across town for. It's the kind of place where regulars know the staff, where people linger over a second beer, and where the patio becomes an extension of the street. That matters in a city where many newer restaurants prioritize turnover and efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a reservation or call ahead to hold a table?

Cherrywood does not take reservations. You order at the counter and seat yourself. If you're concerned about wait times, calling ahead to ask how busy they are can help you time your visit, but you cannot hold a table in advance.

What if I don't drink beer?

The restaurant serves soft drinks, sweet tea, and water. The barbecue and sides are the main event; the beer is optional. Many people come for the food alone.

Is the food good for people with dietary restrictions?

The menu is meat-heavy, but the sides—collard greens, beans, mac and cheese—can work for vegetarians if you order them as a meal. The restaurant can tell you which items contain gluten or dairy if you ask at the counter. Call ahead if you have severe allergies so the staff can give you detailed information about preparation.

Do you have outdoor seating in winter?

Yes. The patio is covered and heated during cooler months, so you can sit outside from October through March. The heating makes it comfortable even on cold days.

What's the best time to go if I want to avoid a wait?

Mid-afternoon (2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) is typically the slowest time. Lunch rush runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and dinner rush from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Weekday visits are generally less crowded than weekends.