Beverages, Bites & Baseball: A Perfect Night in Spartanburg
Just a short drive up I-85 takes you to a city where you can experience all the best things in life, and a few of them are FREE!
Spartanburg, named from a militia that fought in the Battle of Cowpens during the Revolutionary War, has been called by many names over the years. When the Upstate was known as the Textile Center of the World, railroad lines through the city formed the shape of a wheel hub – giving Spartanburg the nickname “Hub City.” While I appreciate the history behind the name, I think “Sparkle City” fits best! Sparkle means “to shine with bright, glistening, or shimmering points of light.” After spending time exploring Spartanburg with our friends at Experience Spartanburg, I’ve discovered just how brightly this city shines.
Welcome to the first installment of our Greenville360 Travels series that will introduce readers to Sparkle City – one experience at a time!
For our first feature, we kept the evening simple: drinks and appetizers followed by a baseball game downtown. It turned out to be one of the most memorable evenings we’ve had lately. As we arrived at AC Hotel Spartanburg, our first stop, the architecture immediately stood out. The building has a beautifully layered, historic presence – elegant details, rich textures and a timeless design made it feel as though it had been a part of downtown for decades. We settled into the lobby lounge for drinks and appetizers before the game. Our friendly, helpful bartenders suggested beginning with the chips/queso. So, so good! Drinks were fan favorites, and it was obvious why.
Pro Tip: Listen to the ladies minding the bar, they know what they’re talking about.
The lobby was polished, comfortable and intentionally designed for lingering – the kind of place locals meet after work, just as naturally as visitors stop in for a weekend getaway.
What made our experience even more memorable were the people. A local business group opened a tab and gathered around the pool table, laughing and sharing stories from their day. A gentleman walked in with what appeared to be a coworker. Both bartenders greeted him by name and were making his drink before he even sat down. (Over forty readers are having flashbacks from “Cheers” right now).
It wasn’t performative hospitality – the whole vibe was genuine, familiar and rooted in community. Even as visitors, there was an unmistakable comfort, like we’d stepped into a place where everybody knows your name. Felt like home.
Already in a great mood, we made the short trek over to see the Hub City Spartanburgers, the town’s new minor league baseball team. The team that has quickly become one of the city’s biggest points of pride. We loved everything about the stadium. My absolute favorite part was the parking garage adjacent to the field. Parking was smooth and surprisingly cheap – $10. Parking lots surround the stadium, in case you’re not a parking building fan. Each lot is named after a condiment – a playful nod to the Spartanburgers’ creative branding. Plenty of friendly faces are on hand and eager to help with anything you might need.
We parked in the garage which is only steps away from the entrance to the stadium. Easy in, easy out. Did I mention it only cost $10? Once inside, the atmosphere held an easy-going, summer-night energy, not overwhelming or commercialized. It just felt local – in the best sense of the word.
Check out their schedule and grab your tickets here!
Walkable downtown. Delicious food and drinks. Entertainment within minutes. Friendly people at every turn. An easy, enjoyable night out. Exactly what this Spartanburg series is going to explore – the experiences that make Spartanburg feel vibrant, welcoming, and worth visiting again and again.
If this first trip was any indication, Sparkle City lives up to its name!