It's a Starbucks, what can I say? Good service, attentive barista, good location. Ample seating, they are in a city. If you need to use the restroom, you will need a code from the staff. Apparently, it's standard in a lot of places in the area, to deal with the homeless population. It was a first for me. Good amount of outdoor seating.
(4)
Linda K.
I remember coming here long time ago with friends when I was a kid. I had the best times here! There's usually a seat available and your drink comes out pretty fast.
(5)
Chase N.
The thermostat, all year, must be kept at approximately 62-65oF. I live within a block, but almost always take my business elsewhere due to the uncomfortably low temperatures. People often complain about it, but nothing changes. There are inconsistent days where it's pleasant. On the whole, while the workers may be warm, the customer experience is a frigid 2 stars at best. Additionally, while there are some truly excellent staff, others are immature, rude, and loud or obnoxious while working. Undergraduate employees?
(2)
Ginnifer S.
Favorite location. The staff here truly care about each other and their guests, are hilarious, and always remember their regulars. Mornings at this place are the best! Parking is sometimes a pain, and it's always cold, so bring a sweater if you're planning to stay awhile!
(5)
Jason F.
Awesome location in the five points Columbia, SC. Inside seating leaves a little to be desired but they have great outside tables and a huge table inside for those large college groups. Coffee like any other location.
(4)
Anna D.
eh, it's just another starbucks. I can't give it 5 stars because i went there once and its nothing extremely special. i can't give it 4 starts either because although it's just a normal starbucks (which would get a 4 star just because they're them) they gave me inconsistent information. I had initially walked in carrying my dog, i asked far from the bar if it was okay to order a drink with her in my hand. The barista said, "yes, as long as you're holding her face tucked into your arm then you can. it's a sanitary issue". I totally understood that and obeyed. when i got through past the line and ordered the cashier said, "you can't have that in here". Okay, i'm totally fine with that, BUT i did ask to be clear... so i told her that i was told something different and i was very sorry. The cashier publicly looked displeased and pretty much called out the other girl in front of everyone. Yikes, very unprofessional. I was able to get my drink and i ended up sitting outside but that really was not professional and for a company of that size, they really should have consistent information throughout the staff.
(3)
Robert V.
Very nice SBUX located in 5-Points. The space is ideal for studying, and this location gets a lot of students. There's excellent outdoor seating, as well, if you want to sit out with friends, or a book.
(4)
Keegan C.
Great location but other than that a pretty unsatisfactory experience. Both employees were unpleasant at best, it was dirty and they did not keep condiments stocked. Gave it two stars only because coffee can only be so bad.
(2)
L R.
Eh. This Starbucks is small and unkempt. The staff don't seem pleased to be there. I mean, at least pretend. And don't talk about how you cannot wait to leave in front of a customer. One of the worst Starbucks ever.
(2)
Sam G.
Starbucks has always been about a nice atmosphere with more-or-less average/expensive coffee. This particular one is nice, being straight in the middle of Five Points. The fountain outside is a good view, and as always, the wi-fi is useful and a nice touch. The employees are nice, but seem to have a sense of nervousness, even if there's no one else in line. The coffee is tough to work with, and you practically have to dump half the container of milk in to make it taste good. The bathroom has a password key on the door and you have to ask the employees for the daily code, which is a tad frustrating. Overall, this Starbucks is about like any other, just a little above average.
(3)
Zacc Z.
As can always be expected of Starbucks; it is home, away from home. The staff here are very friendly. They have a very good memory, remembering their regular customers, and are very welcoming to their regular customers' guests.
(4)
Art A.
This is MY favorite Starbucks, though my wife and her friends prefer the one on Garner's Ferry Rd. The coffee is the same pretty much from shop to shop, but I love watching the bums, college kids and crack heads walking by only feet away but not bothering me while I enjoy a nice cigar. Staff always friendly enough, speed of service is standard to faster than usual. Best feature is the location for people watching, the music drifting overhead and the sheltered outdoor seating from the sun in the horridly humid summer afternoons and the chilly breezes in the winter.
(4)
Tom H.
This location only has 10 tables and seating for 22, so it's a bit on the small side. The staff was friendly and Starbucks coffee is always good. This location is within walking distance of the Greyhound station and a perfect place to wait out a 5 hour layover.
(4)
Louis G.
I'm a big fan of coffee (a "coffeeholic" as I like to call it) and I've been to enough low lit jazz playing coffee houses to know a good cup of coffee when I see one. Sadly this Starbucks does not, but what it does have is the atmosphere and the ambiance of a fairly decent coffee house with the bonus of having free Wi-Fi, so you can chat away while emptying out half of the cup to pour in more cream and sugar with the hope it turns the sludge into something drinkable. The staff (like the other reviewer stated) are indeed very friendly and answered any questions I had about the drinks while I was there. The one thing that bugged me was the I needed a pass code to use the restroom, but when I thought about it I realized it was probably just a precaution to make sure freeloaders wouldn't walk in and use it any time they liked. I'd recommend it to anyone who needed a place to meet new people or surf the internet, but steer clear of the coffee unless your getting one of those fancy foamy drinks which are unbelievably good.
(4)
Cathleen M.
Employees are so distracted they didn't even finish writing my name on my cup. They wrote the wrong name on my husband's cup and some other customer took it. We had to wait 20 minutes to get his coffee. Employees didn't seem to care. Needless to say, we won't be coming back to this location.
(1)
Jeremy G.
I love this Starbucks! I visit this location 4-5 times per week and it is easily the best in the Columbia area. Very friendly staff, quick service, delicious coffee. While some of the other Starbucks locations in the area are constantly dropping the ball lately, the Five Points Starbucks continues to stand above the rest. Now I'm craving a latte just thinking about it...
(5)
Carl S.
Usual Starbucks with friendly staff. Pretty busy during the rush hours, but well trained staff keeps the lattes churning. Parking is sometimes a problem.
(4)
Morgan M.
Definitely my favorite Starbucks around the university area. Friendly staff, great coffee.
(5)
Jimmy D.
I guess I was wrong when I made the assumption that all starbucks are the same. I walked in here because I needed to use the restroom and was thinking of buying a coffee. Well you need to stand in line and order a drink before you can get the passcode for the bathroom...seriously? The employees here seem a bit confused when my friend asked about an iced chocolate coffee. I know he has an accent but his English is perfectly understandable and we ended up with a mocha frappachino. Blech it tasted like crap. I think it would have been better to walk around and look somewhere else. I'm going to put this on avoid if possible.
(2)
Justen L.
Staff is awesome I go here before class all the time and I'm usually in and out and the staff knows my order and my name it's awesome
Robin C.
It's a Starbucks, what can I say? Good service, attentive barista, good location. Ample seating, they are in a city. If you need to use the restroom, you will need a code from the staff. Apparently, it's standard in a lot of places in the area, to deal with the homeless population. It was a first for me. Good amount of outdoor seating.
(4)Linda K.
I remember coming here long time ago with friends when I was a kid. I had the best times here! There's usually a seat available and your drink comes out pretty fast.
(5)Chase N.
The thermostat, all year, must be kept at approximately 62-65oF. I live within a block, but almost always take my business elsewhere due to the uncomfortably low temperatures. People often complain about it, but nothing changes. There are inconsistent days where it's pleasant. On the whole, while the workers may be warm, the customer experience is a frigid 2 stars at best. Additionally, while there are some truly excellent staff, others are immature, rude, and loud or obnoxious while working. Undergraduate employees?
(2)Ginnifer S.
Favorite location. The staff here truly care about each other and their guests, are hilarious, and always remember their regulars. Mornings at this place are the best! Parking is sometimes a pain, and it's always cold, so bring a sweater if you're planning to stay awhile!
(5)Jason F.
Awesome location in the five points Columbia, SC. Inside seating leaves a little to be desired but they have great outside tables and a huge table inside for those large college groups. Coffee like any other location.
(4)Anna D.
eh, it's just another starbucks. I can't give it 5 stars because i went there once and its nothing extremely special. i can't give it 4 starts either because although it's just a normal starbucks (which would get a 4 star just because they're them) they gave me inconsistent information. I had initially walked in carrying my dog, i asked far from the bar if it was okay to order a drink with her in my hand. The barista said, "yes, as long as you're holding her face tucked into your arm then you can. it's a sanitary issue". I totally understood that and obeyed. when i got through past the line and ordered the cashier said, "you can't have that in here". Okay, i'm totally fine with that, BUT i did ask to be clear... so i told her that i was told something different and i was very sorry. The cashier publicly looked displeased and pretty much called out the other girl in front of everyone. Yikes, very unprofessional. I was able to get my drink and i ended up sitting outside but that really was not professional and for a company of that size, they really should have consistent information throughout the staff.
(3)Robert V.
Very nice SBUX located in 5-Points. The space is ideal for studying, and this location gets a lot of students. There's excellent outdoor seating, as well, if you want to sit out with friends, or a book.
(4)Keegan C.
Great location but other than that a pretty unsatisfactory experience. Both employees were unpleasant at best, it was dirty and they did not keep condiments stocked. Gave it two stars only because coffee can only be so bad.
(2)L R.
Eh. This Starbucks is small and unkempt. The staff don't seem pleased to be there. I mean, at least pretend. And don't talk about how you cannot wait to leave in front of a customer. One of the worst Starbucks ever.
(2)Sam G.
Starbucks has always been about a nice atmosphere with more-or-less average/expensive coffee. This particular one is nice, being straight in the middle of Five Points. The fountain outside is a good view, and as always, the wi-fi is useful and a nice touch. The employees are nice, but seem to have a sense of nervousness, even if there's no one else in line. The coffee is tough to work with, and you practically have to dump half the container of milk in to make it taste good. The bathroom has a password key on the door and you have to ask the employees for the daily code, which is a tad frustrating. Overall, this Starbucks is about like any other, just a little above average.
(3)Zacc Z.
As can always be expected of Starbucks; it is home, away from home. The staff here are very friendly. They have a very good memory, remembering their regular customers, and are very welcoming to their regular customers' guests.
(4)Art A.
This is MY favorite Starbucks, though my wife and her friends prefer the one on Garner's Ferry Rd. The coffee is the same pretty much from shop to shop, but I love watching the bums, college kids and crack heads walking by only feet away but not bothering me while I enjoy a nice cigar. Staff always friendly enough, speed of service is standard to faster than usual. Best feature is the location for people watching, the music drifting overhead and the sheltered outdoor seating from the sun in the horridly humid summer afternoons and the chilly breezes in the winter.
(4)Tom H.
This location only has 10 tables and seating for 22, so it's a bit on the small side. The staff was friendly and Starbucks coffee is always good. This location is within walking distance of the Greyhound station and a perfect place to wait out a 5 hour layover.
(4)Louis G.
I'm a big fan of coffee (a "coffeeholic" as I like to call it) and I've been to enough low lit jazz playing coffee houses to know a good cup of coffee when I see one. Sadly this Starbucks does not, but what it does have is the atmosphere and the ambiance of a fairly decent coffee house with the bonus of having free Wi-Fi, so you can chat away while emptying out half of the cup to pour in more cream and sugar with the hope it turns the sludge into something drinkable. The staff (like the other reviewer stated) are indeed very friendly and answered any questions I had about the drinks while I was there. The one thing that bugged me was the I needed a pass code to use the restroom, but when I thought about it I realized it was probably just a precaution to make sure freeloaders wouldn't walk in and use it any time they liked. I'd recommend it to anyone who needed a place to meet new people or surf the internet, but steer clear of the coffee unless your getting one of those fancy foamy drinks which are unbelievably good.
(4)Cathleen M.
Employees are so distracted they didn't even finish writing my name on my cup. They wrote the wrong name on my husband's cup and some other customer took it. We had to wait 20 minutes to get his coffee. Employees didn't seem to care. Needless to say, we won't be coming back to this location.
(1)Jeremy G.
I love this Starbucks! I visit this location 4-5 times per week and it is easily the best in the Columbia area. Very friendly staff, quick service, delicious coffee. While some of the other Starbucks locations in the area are constantly dropping the ball lately, the Five Points Starbucks continues to stand above the rest. Now I'm craving a latte just thinking about it...
(5)Carl S.
Usual Starbucks with friendly staff. Pretty busy during the rush hours, but well trained staff keeps the lattes churning. Parking is sometimes a problem.
(4)Morgan M.
Definitely my favorite Starbucks around the university area. Friendly staff, great coffee.
(5)Jimmy D.
I guess I was wrong when I made the assumption that all starbucks are the same. I walked in here because I needed to use the restroom and was thinking of buying a coffee. Well you need to stand in line and order a drink before you can get the passcode for the bathroom...seriously? The employees here seem a bit confused when my friend asked about an iced chocolate coffee. I know he has an accent but his English is perfectly understandable and we ended up with a mocha frappachino. Blech it tasted like crap. I think it would have been better to walk around and look somewhere else. I'm going to put this on avoid if possible.
(2)Justen L.
Staff is awesome I go here before class all the time and I'm usually in and out and the staff knows my order and my name it's awesome
(5)