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

Media
Best local news: WIS-TV
Best local TV personality: Susan Audé Fisher
Best weatherperson: Mark Pfister
Best sportscaster: Joe Daggett
Best local radio personality: Benji Norton
Best radio station: WMFX-FM
Best local writer: Michael Miller
Best local politician: Bob Coble
Worst local politician (tie): Carroll Campbell, Dick Harpootlian
Best state agency (tie): DHEC, none
Worst state agency: SC Highway Dept.

Food
Best new restaurant: Richard’s
Best overall dining experience: Al’s Upstairs Italian
Best 24-hour restaurant: Waffle House
Best drive-thru: Rush’s
Best quick lunch: Groucho’s
Best take-out food: Egg Roll Station
Best Sunday Brunch (tie): The Marriott & TGIF
Best service: Columbia’s
Best wine list (tie): Columbia’s, Goatfeathers
Best cup of coffee: Adriana’s
Best doughnut shop: Krispy Kreme
Best breakfast: Martin’s (EATS)
Best subs: Groucho’s
Best vegetable plate (tie): Lizard’s Thicket, The Basil Pot
Best soul food: The Back Porch
Best barbecue: Maurice’s
Best pizza: Parthenon
Best deli: Groucho’s
Best chicken wings: Rupert’s Wings
Best hot dog: Sandy’s Hot Dogs
Best hamburger: Rush’s
Best onion rings: Shoney’s
Best french fries: McDonald’s
Best salad bar: Quincy’s
Best steakhouse: Longhorn Steakhouse
Best Mexican restaurant: Monterrey
Best Italian restaurant: Al’s Upstairs Italian
Best Chinese restaurant: Egg Roll Station
Best French restaurant: Le Petit Chateau
Best Japanese restaurant: Kyoto
Best restaurant for non-smokers: Basil Pot
Best place for dessert: Goatfeathers
Best ice cream: Adriana’s

Music - National Performers

Best new artist (tie): Marc Cohn, Chris Whitley
Best live performance: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Best male vocalist: Garth Brooks
Best female vocalist: Bonnie Raitt
Best LP: REM, Out of Time
Best single (tie): "Losing My Religion", REM, "Smells Like Teen Spirit", Nirvana
Best music video: "Losing My Religion", REM
Best pop/rock band (tie): REM, Black Crowes
Best rap band: MC Hammer
Best jazz group: Chick Corea
Best blues/R&B band: B.B. King
Best country band: Garth Brooks
Best band to damage your eardrums: Metallica
Best local band: Hootie and the Blowfish
Best local musician: Reneé Russell
Best record/tape/CD store: Manifest Discs & Tapes
Best used record store: Papa Jazz Record Shop
Best musical instrument store (tie): Pecknel Music Co., Star Music Co.

Clubs & Bars

Best new club: Pavlov’s
Best bartender: William Durkin (Sneakers)
Best rock n’ roll club: Rockafella’s
Best jazz club: Pug’s
Best C&W bar: Bubba ‘n’ Buck
Best college bar: Cock Pit
Best gay bar (tie): Matrix, Traxx
Best karaoke bar: Nite Lites
Best people-watching bar: Group Therapy
Best club DJ: Kelvin Price (Night Lites)
Best jukebox: Opening Break
Best game selection: i.b.’s Sports Bar
Best happy hour buffet: Yesterday’s
Best pitcher cocktail: Yesterday’s
Best sports bar: i.b.’s Sports Bar
Best pool hall: Opening Break
Best bar to take a first date: Goatfeathers
Best place to dance (tie): Matrix, Nite Lites
Best bottled beer selection (tie): Goatfeathers, Rockaway Athletic Club
Best exotic drink selection: California Dreaming

Arts & Entertainment

Best art gallery: Andries Van Dam
Best local artist: Blue Sky
Best annual indoor event: USC Christmas Music
Best annual outdoor event: St. Patrick’s Day in Five Points
Best place to take children: Riverbanks Zoo
Best free entertainment: Sundays in Sidney Park
Best movie: The Silence of The Lambs
Best movie theater: Litchfield Cinemas
Best movie rental selection: Blockbuster Video
Best local actor/actress: Ron Hale
Best local theater production: "South Pacific"
Best current TV show: "Northern Exposure"
Favorite cable channel: The Discovery Channel
Best book: Daddy, Danielle Steele
Best play: Bonnie
Best magazine: Free Times

Goods & Services

Best bakery: Cribb’s Bakery
Best place for fresh seafood: Dixie Seafood
Best place for fresh produce: Fresh Market
Best natural food store: Rosewood Market
Best bookstore (new): Happy Bookseller
Best bookstore (used): G. Leon’s Bookstore
Best thrift store: Community Thrift
Best Gamecock store: Jewelry Warehouse
Best Clemson: store: Jewelry Warehouse
Best new age store: Superior Feet
Best hospital to have a baby: Baptist Medical Center
Best cemetary: Elmwood Cemetary

Sports & Leisure

Best public golf course (tie): Linrick, Northwoods
Best public tennis court: USC
Best public basketball court: USC
Best fitness center/health club: New Life Fitness
Best bowling alley: Brunswick
Best pro athlete: Magic Johnson
Best amateur athlete: DeChane Cameron
Best day trip from Columbia: Charleston
Favorite park: Sidney Park
Best SC beach (tie): Folly Beach, Isle of Palms
Best swimming pool: Maxcy Gregg