Pure Ultra Lounge & Gullah Bistro, 14 Berryhill Road: February 2014 21 comments
Personally, I'm still not exactly sure what an Ultra Lounge is, and how that is different from a nightclub, but Pure, in this much re-purposed modernistic building on Berryhill Road was one, though it is one no more.
If you look closely in front of the door in one of the shots, you can see a bag with the 2014 phonebooks. Like trying to determine which issue of The Free Times is in the rack in a closed establishment, unclaimed phonebooks are another timing clue. In this case we have further evidence however in the fight poster which touts a 22 February match. Given all that, I'd put the date in early February 2014. I have to say though, that the place looks pretty decrepit for having been open that recently. The dress-code posters, for example, have already faded into illegibility. (Interestingly, the last time they tweeted was 2010).
(Hat tip to commenter)
21 Responses to 'Pure Ultra Lounge & Gullah Bistro, 14 Berryhill Road: February 2014'
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Jason
25 Jun 14 at 8:48 am
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@Jason - That comment was pretty funny. My kind of humor.
Rick checking in here, I'm going to dig deep, deep into my Jedi Knight Voodoo, 7th sense perception skills and say it appears from the pictures that some one had a fair amount of money when they/whoever built or put this business together.
Digging deep, really deep, I see this person or these people, being one of the few in SC that won the lottery or a good amount in the lottery. They were thinking what to do with all that money and got an idea, probably while drinking some good tequila, one wanted to open a lounge and the other a well....
The only problem is, they had an idea and that was it.
Ouch! It always hurts when I do that, you know, the Jedi Knight $hit.Rick
25 Jun 14 at 9:55 am
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This club was ultimately shut down thanks to pressure put on by the local law enforcement community and the magistrate's office. The place was super dangerous on weekend nights when it closed.
Also remember that the building used to house the comedy club back in the day. I remember they used to always call to say I won 10 tickets, but it was a two drink minimum etc etc.
I can't imagine this building working as anything in the future.
Mikey
25 Jun 14 at 12:42 pm
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I used to go to The Comedy House all the time when it was here, saw some of my faves here like James Gregory and the late Tim Wilson. Hubby and I went on one of our first dates here too. I haven't been since it moved to Decker.
I wondered what kind of club this had become, I saw their sign one day as I was passing by and it mentioned a "VIP section". This whole area of town has really gone downhill fast. I go over to the Chefs Store down the road a few times a month and I'm always surprised by how much the St Andrews area has changed since I was a kid in the 80s.
TahoeChic
25 Jun 14 at 12:56 pm
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TC - James Gregory is one of my favorites.
I always liked when he did Uncle BS on the John Boy and Billy show.
He Said one time "If I won the lottery I would buy me a two story mobile home" his son said "Dad I don't think they make two story mobile homes" He said "Well, they should, for people that have money.'Rick
25 Jun 14 at 1:13 pm
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After the Comedy House, Stephen Davis formally of the Carolina Panthers and some business partners opened up Pure Ultra Lounge.
Sidney
25 Jun 14 at 1:32 pm
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Formerly, totally spelled that wrong in the above statement.
Sidney
25 Jun 14 at 1:34 pm
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I think it was 2006 or 2007 when this place first opened because I was working next door at SC Student Loan when I saw the sign go up. Always wondered what an "ultra lounge" is/was myself, and the wondering only lasted a moment until I turned my mind on to more worthwhile pursuits...like things that aren't "ultra lounges".
From what I've heard about the place, all I can say is, "Good riddance to bad rubbish!"
kkaos
25 Jun 14 at 1:37 pm
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If Sidney's comment is correct about Stephen Davis, then my comment based on using my Jedi knight powers was pretty right on. It turns out that if someone played pro ball, as Sidney said, and opened this place, they in fact did have money, so to speak, and being an athlete, in football, does not require a lot of brain power, only brawn, and the ability to learn football. But millions of people understand football. I have to drink tequila to lower my brain power to a level to comprehend this type of thinking. Not football but brawn.
So, with that said, they had a lot of money and an idea.
Thus, BUSINESS CLOSED, and my Jedi powers remain intact. Have another drink.Rick
25 Jun 14 at 2:17 pm
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Davis was arrested for operating Pure without a liquor license back in 2012.
Sidney
25 Jun 14 at 2:27 pm
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Davis was arrested for operating Pure without a business license back in 2012.
Sidney
25 Jun 14 at 2:27 pm
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I wish we could edit our comments. Anyway, he was operating without a business license.
here is the link
Sidney
25 Jun 14 at 2:29 pm
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Some info from 2012: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/20/stephen-davis-arrested-redskins-panthers-nightclub_n_1900737.html
badger
25 Jun 14 at 2:29 pm
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Ninjaed!
badger
25 Jun 14 at 2:30 pm
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Stephen Davis also was involved with the "XS" nightclub that was in the former Banana Joe's (behind Tsunami) in the vista. It was supposed to be a sophisticated, super exclusive type club. Needless to say, that one didn't last long either.
Cam
26 Jun 14 at 11:04 am
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XS was just too much for a small city like Columbia. He had acrobats above the dance floor in there. Tried to bring Vegas to Columbia. And I think it was only open on Saturday nights.
Sidney
26 Jun 14 at 5:52 pm
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Back in the day I remember hearing that Michelle from Miyos had something to do with this place. I am pretty sure I am correct, Can somebody confirm this?
Steven
27 Jun 14 at 11:44 am
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@TahoeChic - I used to go there to see James Gregory back in the day of the Comedy House I saw him a time or two at the Punch Line when it was open in 5 Points. He was always funny as hell!! Like you I never venture any further down St. Andrews that Harbor Freight Tools because of the sketchiness of the area. It's a shame that something run by reputable business people can't open here. It seems to be too nice of a building so waste. I can also say the same for the old IB's in Irmo. Every time something opens in it, it ends up going to pot and getting shut down by the cops.
Homer
29 Jun 14 at 1:14 am
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This was also Shangri-La adult nightclub. It was strippers upstairs and a really strange (at least to me) combination of Metal/Hairbands on stage and dance/disco music in between sets. Needless to say the clientele was very redneck.
Steve
9 Jul 14 at 5:58 pm
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Seems to be quite a bit of activity lately. The brick fence surrounding the complex is being painted while construction dumpsters align the front entrance. Can't help but wonder what the next incarnation will be.
skysguy
1 Oct 14 at 10:44 pm
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Well, the next incarnation turns out to an upscale dance club called Myxx Nightlife.
Scott
7 Jun 17 at 8:38 pm
So is it an ultra lounge/Gullah bistro or a sushi lounge/nightclub?
And who ever thought either of those combinations made sense? I'm going to open a blast furnace/daycare and if that doesn't work out, I may switch over to a hot dog stand/call center.