Everything you need for an experience to remember

We are so excited to see you at the Koger Center for the Arts for one of our many amazing performances! Whether you are here for a symphony concert, a Broadway musical, a conference or a gallery opening, we are dedicated to making your visit something to remember. The Koger Center is in the heart of the Vista near a variety of restaurants and shops. There’s something for everyone to see and eat before or after a show! 

Scott Weiss conducting the USC Symphony Orchestra. An Asian woman soloist is singing and wearing a lilac and floral dress.

Driving Directions & Bus Information

The Koger Center for the Arts is located at 1051 Greene St., Columbia, SC 29201 between Assembly and Park Streets. 

Driving: 

From I-26 & I-126: Take the Elmwood Street exit. Turn right onto Assembly Street. The Koger Center will be on your right at the corner of Assembly and Greene Streets. (If you pass the Carolina Coliseum or Blossom Street, you’ve gone too far!)
From I-77 & I-277: Take I-277 into Columbia. I-277 will become Bull Street. Turn right onto Gervais Street. Turn left onto Assembly Street when you pass the State House on the left. The Koger Center will be on your right at the corner of Assembly and Greene Streets. (If you pass the Carolina Coliseum or Blossom Street, you’ve gone too far.) 

Bus Directions:
The FREE Soda Cap Connector: The nearest stop is located on the corner of Park Street and College Street.
The COMET: There are two bus stops on the corner of Assembly Street and College Street, one located directly in front of the USC School of Music building and the second one is next to the CVS Pharmacy. Another stop near-by is at the corner of Sumter Street and College Street, in front of the Horseshoe. Click for more information on bus routes. 

Gonzales Hall Seating Chart

Schematic drawing of the Koger Center seating.

Parking & Patron Drop-Off

Parking: There are a number of paid surface parking lots and parking garages in the area, as well as metered street parking. View parking map and information.  USC parking lots are only available when staffed and sold, or with a USC parking hangtag.

Patron Drop-Off: Patrons may be dropped off and picked up in the circle in front of the Koger Center. 

Valet Parking is available at some, but not all events. When available, the drop off location is in front of the School of Music. Enter that area via College Street (between Assembly and Park streets). Please call (803) 777-7500 to determine if valet parking will be available for a particular event. 

Tickets

The only way to purchase official tickets is from the Koger Center Box Office:   In Person / Order Online / Call (803) 251-2222 / Koger Center App 

When standing facing the large red wall in the Koger Center, the left entrances will be to your left and the right entrances will be to your right. There are two sets of stairs in the Koger Center, as well as elevators near the Coat Check to get to the Grand Tier (second floor) and Balcony (third floor) levels. 

Reading Your Tickets: 

Orch is the Orchestra level (ground floor). Single letter rows (A, B, etc.) are located in the Orchestra. 

GT is the Grand Tier (second floor). Double letter rows (AA, BB, etc.) are located in the Grand Tier. 

Balc is the Balcony level (third floor).  Triple letter rows (AAA, BBB, etc.) are located in the Balcony. 

Children’s Tickets: The seating policy for the Koger Center for the Arts requires that ALL persons have a ticket to attend an event, including babies and children of all ages. Strollers, car seats and baby baskets are not allowed inside the auditorium, however, you may check them in our coat check area. We do provide booster seats on a first come, first served basis. Ask a staff member if you are in need of a booster seat. 

Refreshments

At most ticketed events, bar service and snacks are available in the lobby prior to performances and during intermission. Concession stands are located on the orchestra lobby level near both the right and left entrances. At some performances an additional stand will be available on the Grant Tier level. Cash and credit cards are accepted. With the exception of bottled water, all food and drinks must remain in the lobby. Drinks are available to purchase for presale before intermission. Presold drinks will be available for pickup at a designated table in the lobby to avoid waiting in line to order during intermission. 

Dining

There are a wealth of local dining options available within walking distance of the Koger Center for the Arts. We encourage patrons to support these local establishments before or after an event.

Restaurants closest to the Koger Center

Dine In

Cafes and Bakeries

Dine In (Longer Walk/Short Drive)

Fast Food

Lodging

Traveling to Columbia to see a performance? Have guests in town? Looking for a fun night out on the town? Check out the area hotels, many of which are walking distance to the Koger Center for the Arts. Need a hotel in a specific area, call our main line and we can help you (803) 777-7500.

Koger Center for the Arts Preferred Hotel

Cambria Hotel Columbia Downtown The Vista
1000 Lady Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 728-3355

Other Area Hotels

Aloft Columbia Downtown
823 Lady Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 445-1900

Columbia Marriott Hotel
1200 Hampton Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 771-7000
(800) 880-1885

Courtyard by Marriott Columbia
630 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 799-7800
(888) 979-6800
Jami.Parker@Sree.com

Graduate Hotel
 1619 Pendleton Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 779-7779

Hampton Inn Columbia Downtown Historic District
822 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 231-2000
(800) HAMPTON

Hilton Columbia Center
924 Senate Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 744-7800
(800) HILTONS

Hilton Garden Inn Columbia Downtown
1210 Pickens Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 227-3410

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbia Downtown
901 Washington Street
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 683-7500

Home2 Suites by Hilton Columbia Downtown
1210 Pickens Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 227-3410

Hotel Trundle
1224 Taylor Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 722-5000

Hyatt Place Columbia Downtown
819 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 978-2013

The Lantern Hotel Columbia
1001 Senate St
Columbia, SC 29201
(839) 262-6400
info@lanterncolumbia.com

Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel
1400 Main Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 988-1400
(800) 325-3535

SpringHill Suites by Marriott – Columbia Downtown/The Vista
511 Lady Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 978-2333
(800) 627-7468
Jami.Parker@Sree.com

Staybridge Suites Columbia
1913 Huger Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 451-5900
(877) 238-8889

Policies

Late Seating: Policies regarding late seating vary depending on the performance. However, a late arriving audience member will typically be asked to wait in the lobby until they can be seated during a performance break. The Koger Center has video monitors available in the lobby for your convenience. 

Photography and Recording: During most performances, photography and recording devices are prohibited inside the auditorium. We make announcements regarding the policy in the lobby before each performance, however, if you are unsure about the policy for a particular show, please refrain from taking pictures or using recording devices. 

Smoking: In compliance with the University of South Carolina’s policy of being a smokeless campus, the Koger Center is a non-smoking facility both inside and outside. 

General Venue Information

Assisted Listening Devices may be picked up at the house manager’s office prior to the performance. 

Coat Check is available on the lobby level of the Koger Center by the elevators. You may also check your strollers, baby carriers, and large bags that do not fit under your seat here as well. 

Lost and Found: If you have found an item that you think someone will be looking for, please turn it in to an usher or drop it by the house manager’s office. If you have lost an item and realize that it is missing before you leave, please check with the house manager. If you have lost something and realize once you have left the Koger Center, please call us at 803-777-7500 or email us at KogerCenter@sc.edu. 

Restrooms are located on all three levels of the Koger Center and are ADA accessible. 

Water Fountains are located next to the restrooms on each level of the Koger Center. 

ATM: There is currently no ATM located inside the Koger Center, the closest available ATMs are across the street at the convenience store, the 24-hour CVS Pharmacy, or at the Wells Fargo bank. 

Does the Koger Center have a clear bag policy?

We do not! All bags are allowed in the Koger Center as long as it can fit underneath a seat or on a patron’s lap. However, some events (such as graduations) may implement their own clear bag policy to override our standard bag policy.

We offer a variety of ADA accommodations for performers and patrons

Review ADA Offerings
A photo of a man wearing a black shirt and grey newsboy cap playing guitar.

The Koger Center has a new Progressive Web App!

Click here for full instructions on how to use our PWA. Scan the QR code to open the PWA on your phone!

All About the New Mobile App

We have a brand-new mobile ticketing app designed to make your experience at the Koger Center for the Arts even greater! 

Through the Koger Center app, you can login with your existing ticketing account, then easily access your tickets in one place. What’s more, you can also share tickets with friends and family for your ease on the day of the event. In addition to providing access to your tickets, our app also offers exciting updates and important event information. You can stay up to date with everything happening at the Koger Center with just a few taps. 

But that’s not all–our app also includes a “What’s On” section, meaning you’ll never miss out on an event. Ready to purchase tickets? You can securely do so directly from the app. Simply select your event of choice and secure your seat with ease while avoiding fraudulent websites.

Enhance your experience today and download the official Koger Center app from the iOS and Android app stores. 

PLEASE NOTE: The Koger Center App is a mobile-first app and therefore is only compatible with smartphones. Only tickets where Digital Tickets (the Koger Center app) was chosen as the delivery method at the point of checkout will appear in the app. If you’d like to change your non-digital tickets to app tickets, you can do so by contacting the Box Office at (803)777-5112. If you download your digital tickets into your Apple/Google Wallet on your phone, they will no longer be accessible in the app.

Common Questions

How do I download the app

Our app can be downloaded from the app store on your mobile device. 

When will my purchased tickets be available on the app? 

Your tickets will be available in the app within ten minutes of your purchase. This may vary depending on the show you have purchased tickets for (i.e. Hamilton, where the tickets you purchased will appear 30 days prior to the performance you bought tickets for) 

Where in the app do I find my tickets? 

Once you have downloaded the app, tap the button that says LOGIN WITH YOUR TICKET ACCOUNT and then enter the email and password you used to purchase your tickets. Once logged in, your tickets can be found in the Tickets tab in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. Please check that all tickets you were expecting to see are showing correctly. If your tickets do not appear, please log out and log back in again. Tickets always appear when the app is up to date, so if your app needs to be updated, that may impact whether or not your tickets appear.

Why have we implemented digital tickets?  

A digital ticket is the safest, most convenient, and flexible way to receive your tickets whilst increasing protection against fraud. It is also an easy way to go green by printing less paper, and is therefore better for our environment. It’s part of our effort to make your event experience the very best.