Thee Office Casual Food and Spirits: Burgers and Bar Fare in Columbia

What Thee Office Offers

Thee Office Casual Food and Spirits is a burger-focused restaurant and bar in Columbia that leans into the casual neighborhood vibe. The menu centers on made-to-order burgers, but the kitchen also handles wings, sandwiches, and fried sides—the kind of place where you can spend an hour over a burger and a drink without anyone rushing you out. The space itself feels like a local hangout: wood-toned interior, bar seating, and enough TVs that you can catch a game while you eat.

The burger construction here matters. Patties are cooked to order, and you can build yours with standard toppings or go off-menu if the kitchen is willing. Cheese options include cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, and blue cheese. The buns are toasted, and the fries come hot. It's straightforward burger logic—nothing molecular or deconstructed, just the fundamentals done with attention.

Beyond burgers, the bar program is a real draw. The drink list includes beer on tap (local and national), cocktails, and spirits. Happy hour pricing typically runs in the late afternoon, though you should confirm current times when you call. The atmosphere shifts a bit depending on when you go: lunch is quieter, evenings and weekends bring the crowd.

Key Takeaways

• Thee Office makes burgers to order with multiple cheese and topping choices, and the patties are cooked fresh rather than held under heat.
• The restaurant doubles as a full bar with beer, cocktails, and spirits, plus happy hour pricing during certain hours.
• The space is designed for lingering—bar seating, TVs, and a casual neighborhood feel make it a spot where you can spend time without pressure.
• Wings, sandwiches, and fried sides round out the menu if you want something other than a burger.
• Parking is street-level or in a nearby lot, typical for a Columbia neighborhood location.

The Burger Menu and Customization

The burger menu at Thee Office works on a build-your-own model. You choose your protein (beef patty is the standard), then layer on toppings from a list that includes lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, jalapeños, bacon, and sautéed mushrooms. The cheese selection gives you real choice: American, cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, provolone, and blue cheese all appear on different burgers or as add-ons.

Portion size is generous. A single patty burger is substantial; a double is a serious meal. The fries are hand-cut or shoestring depending on the day, and they're salted properly. If you're not in a burger mood, the kitchen makes sandwiches—chicken, fish, or steak—and they're built with the same care as the burgers. Wings come sauced or dry, and you can request heat levels.

Timing matters if you're in a hurry. Made-to-order means your burger takes 10 to 15 minutes, not 5. If you're stopping in during a lunch rush or game day, plan accordingly. The bar staff can tell you wait times when you call.

The Bar and Drink Program

The bar at Thee Office is not an afterthought. The tap list rotates but typically includes 15 to 20 beers—a mix of local South Carolina breweries (Westbrook, Palmetto, Creature Comforts from nearby Georgia) and national standards. If you're a beer person, ask the bartender what's on rotation; they usually know the breweries and can point you toward something you haven't tried.

Cocktails lean casual: margaritas, mojitos, old fashioneds, and house specials that change seasonally. Pricing is reasonable for a full-service bar in Columbia. The spirits selection covers the basics—bourbon, vodka, gin, tequila, rum—so you're not limited to beer and wine.

Happy hour typically offers reduced prices on beer and well drinks during late afternoon hours. The exact timing shifts, so call ahead if you're planning to come during that window. Weekends draw a crowd, especially if there's a game on the TVs.

Atmosphere and Seating

Thee Office feels intentionally unpretentious. The interior uses warm wood tones, dim lighting, and bar seating along a counter where you can watch the kitchen work or chat with the bartender. Booth and table seating fills the rest of the space. Multiple TVs are mounted around the room, tuned to sports during the day and evening—football, basketball, baseball depending on season.

The noise level is moderate during lunch, louder during evening and weekend service. If you want a quieter meal, come mid-afternoon on a weekday. If you're looking for energy and crowd, evenings and game days deliver that. The space accommodates groups easily; a table of 6 or 8 fits without crowding others.

Parking is street-level or in a nearby lot—typical for a neighborhood Columbia location. The restaurant is accessible by car, and the area has other shops and restaurants nearby if you want to make an evening of it.

What to Order Beyond Burgers

Wings are a solid second choice. They come bone-in, sauced or dry, and you can request heat levels from mild to hot. The sauces rotate but typically include buffalo, barbecue, and house specials. They're meant for sharing or as a meal on their own with a side of fries and a drink.

Sandwiches—chicken, fish, or steak—are built with the same attention as the burgers. The chicken sandwich is a good lighter option; the fish sandwich works well if you want something different. All come with fries and a choice of slaw or another side.

Fried sides include fries, onion rings, and sometimes fried pickles or jalapeño poppers depending on what the kitchen is running that day. These are meant to accompany a burger or sandwich, but they're substantial enough to share as an appetizer with drinks.

Hours, Location, and How to Find Them

Thee Office is located in Columbia, in a neighborhood setting that's walkable if you're nearby but requires a car for most visitors. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner most days, with extended hours on weekends. Exact hours vary by day, so call or check their social media before you go—restaurant hours shift seasonally and for special events.

The best way to reach them is by phone to confirm current hours, ask about specials, or check wait times during busy periods. They may take reservations for larger groups, though walk-ins are welcome. If you're planning to come during a major game or holiday, calling ahead is smart.

The restaurant is cash-friendly but also takes cards. If you have dietary restrictions or want to know about ingredients, the staff can answer questions—call during a slower period (mid-afternoon) if you want a longer conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I customize my burger with toppings not on the menu?

Most restaurants will work with you if you ask politely and the ingredient is something they have in the kitchen. Call ahead or ask your server when you arrive. The kitchen is usually willing to accommodate reasonable requests, but they can't may provide anything outside their standard prep.

Do you have vegetarian or vegan burger options?

Call Thee Office directly to ask about plant-based patties or vegetarian sandwiches. Many burger restaurants can make a veggie burger if they have the ingredient on hand, but it's not always listed on the menu. The staff can tell you what's possible when you call.

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

Mid-afternoon on a weekday (2 to 4 p.m.) is typically the slowest time. Lunch rush runs 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and evening service picks up around 5 p.m. Weekends are busier throughout the day. If you're coming during a game, expect a crowd.

Is there outdoor seating?

Call ahead to ask about patio or outdoor seating options. Some locations have it, some don't, and it varies by season. The staff can tell you what's available when you call.

Do you serve food during happy hour?

Yes, the full menu is available during happy hour—you just get reduced prices on drinks and sometimes appetizers. Call to confirm what's included in their happy hour pricing on the day you plan to visit.