Wild Ace Pizza & Pub in Columbia: Wood-Fired Pies and Local Craft Beer

What to expect at Wild Ace Pizza & Pub

Wild Ace Pizza & Pub is a wood-fired pizzeria in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood that makes Neapolitan-style pies in a brick oven and pairs them with a rotating selection of South Carolina craft beers. The restaurant occupies a corner space with a casual, neighborhood feel—exposed brick, communal seating, and an open kitchen where you can watch the pizzaiolos work. The menu centers on thin-crust pizzas with traditional toppings alongside a few house specials, plus a small selection of appetizers and salads. It's the kind of place where you can order a single pizza and a local IPA and spend an evening without feeling rushed.

The wood-fired oven reaches temperatures that cook pizzas in minutes, giving the crust a charred exterior and a soft, slightly smoky interior. Pies arrive at your table still hot enough to require a moment before eating. The beer list changes regularly and focuses on breweries within South Carolina—places like Craft Beer Cellar, Westbrook Brewing, and other regional producers. The pub side of the operation means you can order beer without food, and the space works equally well for a quick lunch, a date night, or a group gathering.

Key Takeaways

• Wild Ace serves wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas with a focus on quality ingredients and traditional technique, with pies ready in minutes.
• The beer program emphasizes South Carolina craft breweries, with rotating selections that change throughout the year.
• The Five Points location has a casual neighborhood atmosphere with communal seating and an open kitchen view.
• The restaurant works for solo diners, couples, and groups, and you can order beer without ordering food.

The pizza menu and house specials

The core menu includes classic Neapolitan pizzas—Margherita, Marinara, and variations with local meats and cheeses—alongside house creations that rotate seasonally. Pizzas come in one standard size, designed to be shared or eaten as a full meal depending on appetite. The dough is made fresh daily and fermented to develop flavor, which you taste in the slight tang and complexity of the crust.

Toppings lean toward quality over quantity. You'll find local sausage from regional producers, fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and seasonal vegetables. The house specials change based on what's available and what the kitchen wants to experiment with, so asking your server what's new is worth doing. Prices fall in the mid-range for wood-fired pizza in the Southeast—expect to spend around $14 to $18 per pie depending on toppings.

South Carolina craft beer on tap

The beer list is curated specifically around South Carolina breweries, which means you're drinking beers made within the state rather than a generic national rotation. This approach supports local producers and gives you a chance to explore what's being brewed nearby. The selection rotates, so the beers available in summer differ from those in winter, and new releases get priority when they arrive.

If you're unfamiliar with South Carolina craft beer, the staff can point you toward styles you already like—whether that's a hoppy IPA, a smooth lager, or a darker stout. The beer program is taken seriously enough that it's worth asking what just came in or what the kitchen recommends with your pizza choice.

Location and hours in Five Points

Wild Ace sits on the corner of Harden and Devine Streets in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood, a walkable area with other restaurants, shops, and bars within a few blocks. Parking is street parking or nearby lots—not a dedicated lot, so arrive knowing you'll walk a short distance. The neighborhood itself is worth exploring before or after your meal; Five Points has developed into one of Columbia's liveliest dining and entertainment districts over the past decade.

Hours vary by season and day of the week, so checking ahead before you go is wise. The restaurant is typically open for lunch and dinner, closed on Mondays, and busier on weekends. During peak times—Friday and Saturday evenings—expect a wait, especially if you don't have a reservation.

When to go and what to know before you arrive

Weekday lunches tend to be quieter than evenings, which makes them a good time to go if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Weekends draw crowds, particularly Friday and Saturday nights, so arriving early or making a reservation ahead of time improves your chances of a short wait. The restaurant doesn't take reservations for small groups, so solo diners and pairs often walk in, but larger groups should call ahead.

The space is casual and doesn't require dressing up, but it's not a dive bar either—it's the kind of neighborhood spot where you can wear jeans and a t-shirt or something nicer depending on your mood. The communal seating means you might end up next to strangers, which is part of the Five Points experience. If you prefer a private table, go during slower hours or ask when you arrive.

Other food beyond pizza

The menu includes a small selection of appetizers and salads alongside the pizzas. Starters might include items like burrata, cured meats, or seasonal vegetables prepared simply. Salads use fresh greens and are designed to complement the beer and pizza rather than overshadow them. These sides work well if you're dining with someone who doesn't want pizza or if you want to share multiple dishes.

The kitchen keeps the non-pizza menu intentionally limited, which means they focus on doing a few things well rather than spreading themselves thin. This approach also keeps the ordering process straightforward—you're not spending twenty minutes deciding between fifty options.

Why Wild Ace matters in Columbia's food scene

Wild Ace represents a shift in Columbia's dining culture toward neighborhood-focused restaurants that prioritize craft and local sourcing. The wood-fired oven and Neapolitan technique signal that the restaurant takes pizza seriously, not as a casual afterthought but as a craft worth learning. The commitment to South Carolina beer means you're eating and drinking local in a way that's becoming more common but still notable.

Five Points itself has transformed over the past fifteen years from a quieter residential area into a destination for dining and entertainment. Wild Ace fits into that evolution—it's the kind of restaurant that makes a neighborhood worth visiting, where you can spend an evening without leaving the block and still have options for what to do next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation?

Reservations are not required for small groups, but they're recommended for parties of six or more, especially on weekends. Walk-ins are welcome, though you may wait during peak dinner hours on Friday and Saturday evenings. Calling ahead to ask about current wait times is a good idea if you're going during a busy period.

Can I order just beer without food?

Yes. Wild Ace is a pub as well as a pizzeria, so you can order beer and sit at the bar or a table without ordering food. The beer program is substantial enough to support that kind of visit.

Are there vegetarian or vegan pizza options?

The menu includes vegetarian pizzas like Margherita and Marinara, and the kitchen can customize pies based on dietary preferences. Ask your server about vegan options, as some toppings and preparations may need adjustment depending on what's available that day.

What's the parking situation?

Parking is street parking along Harden and Devine Streets or in nearby lots. There's no dedicated restaurant lot, so expect to walk a short distance. The Five Points area has enough parking nearby that finding a spot is usually not difficult, though it may take a moment during peak times.

Is Wild Ace good for groups?

Yes, especially if your group is comfortable with communal seating or doesn't mind sitting close to other diners. The casual atmosphere and shareable pizzas make it well-suited to groups. For larger parties, calling ahead to let them know you're coming helps the kitchen prepare.