History
Photos provided by Historic Columbia
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Origins:
Down Under Columbia was a short-lived luxury, opening in 1972 and closing five years later in 1977. It was modeled after Underground Atlanta, which opened in 1969. Down Under Columbia opened its subterranean doors in 1972 below the Equitable Arcade Mall and building (which was built in 1922) on Main Street, just blocks from the state capital. Mimicking the speakeasy bar scene thriving in Atlanta, Down Under Columbia was the place to go in the early 70's. It gained a reputation as a popular night spot for University of South Carolina students and Fort Jackson soldiers. It also had a thriving daytime crowd, catering to the Main Street business crowd.
Underground Atlanta and Down Under Columbia struggle and close:
Underground Atlanta was based on the hot destination of New Orleans. Local newspapers documented celebrities hanging out at Underground Atlanta. And for good reason: Fulton County, which incorporates downtown Atlanta, was the only place in the state where you could buy a mixed drink. As neighboring counties began allowing "liquor by the drink," attendance at Underground dropped. Additionally, the 1970’s saw the start of “white flight” from the
inner cities to the suburbs. Cities, including Atlanta and Columbia, struggled with poverty, crime, and a lack of patrons. Underground Atlanta struggled and eventually shut down in 1980.
Down Under Columbia faced similar issues. Additionally, rumors persist that Down Under was the scene of fights between anti-war students at the University of South Carolina and Fort Jackson soldiers. Other rumors suggest the owners of Down Under turned the place into their playground, with too much of an eye on fun not enough on business. Others say prostitution, tattoo parlors, and drug use further harmed the downtown area.
The Future?
Underground Atlanta closed in 1980, three years after Down Under Columbia closed. Yet Underground Atlanta re-opened in 1989, reinvented as a shopping center and dubbed the "New Underground."
Is there a similar future for Down Under Columbia? The current owner of the Arcade building has expressed interest in resurrecting the scene, but coding and costs remain a major obstacle.