Branigan's Ladies' Restaurant

Main Street - Columbia, South Carolina

Branigan's Ladies' Restaurant

Location: 133 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina, USA

Opened/Closed: c. 1890

We've reported on plenty of ladies restaurants in the larger cities, but not so many in the smaller towns like Columbia, South Carolina. Notice how the mere act of women dining together in a public setting is treated as something vaguely sinister. Not only must the ladies be sequestered "entirely separate" on the second floor (which is typical of ladies restaurants), but the ladies restaurant itself can only be reached by a "private stairway." It's as if this was some sort of backstreet abortionist or brothel rather than an eating establishment. 

On the other hand, there is also evidence that women preferred a ladies entrance and the privacy that this afforded. It certainly allowed them to avoid the "jolly gentlemen" (i.e. drunk and/or belligerent males) in the "regular" Branigan's Restaurant.

Random thought: why is it that restaurants very seldom feature oysters anymore? As for game, forget it!

133 Main Street today

From the News and Courier, January 30, 1890: 

BRANIGAN'S RESTAURANT,
133 MAIN STREET, COLUMBIA, S.C.

My Restaurant has been newly renovated and refitted throughout. The kitchen is furnished with the latest improved cooking apparatus, and the Establishment is complete in all its appointments, and conducted in first-class style. It is the best Restaurant in the State.

LADIES' RESTAURANT

Oyster shucker girls
South Carolina

I have opened a Restaurant for Ladies on the second floor of my building. It is handsomely fitted up, and is entirely separate from the establishment on the first floor, access being obtained by a private stairway leading from Main street. It will be conducted in the best possible manner.

VISITORS TO COLUMBIA

will find this Restaurant a quiet and pleasant place for Meals and Refreshments. It is a convenience which has long been needed.

OYSTERS AND GAME.

I make a specialty of OYSTERS, and do a very large business, shipping to all parts of the state. Blue Points and Saddle Rocks and Little Neck Clams always on hand, and Game in variety. Orders by mail or telegraph promptly attended to.

THOS. E. BRANIGAN,
133 MAIN STREET,
Columbia, S.C.