Bourbon pairs serious cocktails with Cajun-inspired cooking

The overall picture

Bourbon carries a strong 4.6 Google rating from more than 2,100 reviews, placing it among Columbia’s better-supported choices for cocktails and Cajun-influenced American food. Public feedback most consistently favors the drinks and atmosphere. Diners describe the setting as cozy, swanky and well suited to a date, a nightcap or dinner before a show.

The concept appears to split the experience between a food-and-drink side and an adjacent cocktail-focused space serving drinks and appetizers. That arrangement gives waiting guests somewhere to sample the bar program, according to reviewers. It also reinforces Bourbon’s identity as more than a standard dinner stop.

Cocktails lead the experience

The clearest reason to choose Bourbon is the cocktail program. Multiple reviewers call the bourbon drinks fabulous, amazing or spot on, while one visitor described it as an exceptional Columbia destination for a craft cocktail. Bartenders also receive praise for being friendly and knowledgeable, even in feedback that is less enthusiastic about the meal.

One publicly reviewed drink, the Heart of Darkness, combined Woodford Reserve Double Oaked with chicory, Thai tea syrup and bitters. That example points to a bar menu interested in layered flavors rather than simple pours. The moderate price classification may help set expectations, although cocktail costs can rise with premium whiskey and more elaborate preparations.

For a nightcap or drinks-first evening, the lounge side appears especially appealing. Couples looking for an elevated but comfortable setting are among the clearest audience here.

Food brings bold flavors and mixed results

Food comments are more divided. A Creole-Vietnamese fried chicken sandwich earned an enthusiastic response for its memorable flavor, and several diners simply characterize their dinners as good. At the same time, the Cajun and Creole influence can produce more heat than some guests expect. One reviewer noted that the food was too spicy for their companion’s taste.

The shrimp gumbo drew a notably negative report involving overly strong-tasting shrimp, dry andouille sausage and an unpleasant texture. That is only one account, but it illustrates the inconsistency found beneath the restaurant’s otherwise high aggregate rating. The available review sample does not establish a single recurring must-order dish, so Bourbon looks easier to recommend for its drinks and setting than for one signature plate.

Service and planning

Service appears variable. Some reviewers praise their servers, including one guest who called the service amazing before a show. Another reported difficulty getting water refilled and ordering a second drink. The bartenders fare more reliably in the comments provided.

One reviewer also reports that Bourbon does not take reservations and describes waiting at the neighboring bar area. Guests with theater plans or other time-sensitive commitments may want to allow extra time. Overall, the public record supports Bourbon most strongly as a stylish cocktail destination with dinner available, rather than as a food-first Cajun restaurant. Its substantial 4.6 rating still signals broad satisfaction, particularly among diners prioritizing bourbon, creative drinks and atmosphere.