Columbia is a decent place compared to other South Carolina cities for meeting trans men and women. However, if you’re expecting a new face every night, it might not be the place.
The trans community is easygoing and tight-knit, creating an “everyone knows everyone” atmosphere due to the limited venues.
Luckily, there’s a thriving presence of trans individuals on online dating sites.
So whether you want to date or make trans friends, gear up as I guide you through the best ways to connect with TGs in Columbia.
Table of Contents
List of TG Friendly Venues in Columbia
1. Bars and Clubs
Columbia only has a limited number of LGBT nightlife options. But there are still some quality venues to meet trans folks.
You might start seeing familiar faces the more you go because the TG community here is small but welcoming.
So here’s a list of some trans friendly bars and clubs in Columbia.
The Capital Club – Located at 1002 Gervais St, this place has awesome drag shows, though it’s a bit slow on weekdays. But the game nights are a blast.
The sense of community here is unmatched and the staff really makes you feel welcomed. No wonder it’s a popular spot for trans folks.
PT’s 1109 – Located at 1109 Assembly St, this bar is a gem. Affordable drinks, incredible drag queens, and many trans people.
It’s a welcoming spot without breaking the bank. Shoutout to Brandon, the bartender for being super attentive and keeping me accompanied.
The Woody on Main – Located at 1649 Main St, this club is known for its fun dance parties and monthly drag brunches.
There’s a nice mix of queer, trans and cis folks. The venue fills up after midnight on Friday nights. A heads up that most people are looking for hookups.
Art Bar – Located at 1211 Park St, one of the most LGBT friendly bars in Columbia.
Whether you want to meet gay, lesbian, trans, or straight people – you’ll find everyone here.
There’s an 8 dollar cover but trust me, it’s worth the chill and welcoming atmosphere.
2. Community Centers and Organizations
If you’re looking for trans support groups then consider visiting the Harriet Hancock Center.
It’s an LGBT+ community center located in the heart of Columbia at Woodrow Street.
They host regular meetups and support groups for the trans community like Trans-Fusion, a peer-led group for trans and GNC folks.
Trans-Fusion meets on the 1st Wednesday for ages 18-27 and on the 3rd Wednesday for those 28 and above each month.
Aside from that, University of South Carolina Columbia also shares resources and hosts events for the LGBT community.
Plus, you’re almost certain to find a few trans people on campus so make sure to check it out if you’re also a young adult!
3. Trans Dating Sites
The trans community in this city is small, and with the limited number of hangout spots, it’s no surprise that many TGs turn to online dating apps.
But one question I often get is: which app should I use to meet trans people?
Well, it depends on the type of relationship you’re seeking.
If you just want to make trans friends then OkCupid is a great place to start. It has an active trans community spread across South Carolina.
Those into hookups can hop on to Grindr. I know…it’s a gay dating app, but you’d be surprised to see the number of trans folks, especially trans women you can find there.
Believe it or not, most of us on Grindr are just looking for some casual fun.
4. Online Groups and Pages
There aren’t many LGBT-focused social media groups in Columbia. I also found a few open communities but they seem dead so aren’t worth mentioning.
The best I could find is this LGBTQ+ South Carolina group.
It’s a great community for people who want to mingle with LGBT folks, for friendship, dating, and casual encounters.
If you’re looking for a more trans-centered group then check out Trans United of South Carolina. Aside from trans and GNC folks, the group also welcomes allies.
However, the purpose of the group isn’t sexual networking, so don’t try anything of that sort.
What It’s Like to Be Transgender in Columbia – South Carolina
Columbia is a pretty chill place for trans folks. You might get stares sometimes, but open transphobia is rare.
The issue is the nightlife isn’t very exciting. The trans community is small, and there aren’t many places to hang out. You might get bored going to the same spots.
But if you’re a student, it’s not all bad. Columbia is a university city, so you can find lots of trans folks on campus.
And things are looking up! The Columbia PrideFest is getting bigger every year, as you can see in the video.
Hopefully, in the future, we’ll see more places that are friendly to queer and trans people. That way, the community can be livelier.
Wrapping Up: Enjoy Meeting Trans in Columbia
Columbia may lack variety but it isn’t exactly a bad place to meet trans people.
The good thing is, if things do get dull, you can drive to Charleston to diversify your options.
Feeling lazy? Jump on an online dating site—you’ll probably match with a trans person in no time.
So, find what suits you and go with it. If there are other trans-friendly spots I missed, then feel free to share.
But for now, that’s all from me. Enjoy meeting TGs in Columbia!
