The Rookery on Cherry Street has been Macon’s defining bar and grill since 1976, setting a standard for the category that blends full food menus with bar service and live entertainment. The bar and grill format thrives in Macon because it serves multiple audiences simultaneously: families looking for a casual dinner, college students from Mercer meeting for burgers and beer, sports fans watching games, and after-work crowds from the downtown professional corridor.
Macon’s bar and grill landscape splits between the downtown Cherry Street and Second Street area, where walkable, locally owned gastropubs cluster, and the commercial strips along Riverside Drive and River Place Drive, where establishments cater to hotel guests, I-75 travelers, and suburban diners. The downtown spots tend to emphasize craft beer selections, signature burgers, and live music, while the suburban locations lean more toward the traditional sports bar model with large TV setups and classic bar food menus.
Georgia’s craft beer movement has influenced Macon’s bar and grills significantly. Bearfoot Tavern, which bills itself as Middle Georgia’s only gastropub, offers over 50 beers on tap. The Rookery similarly emphasizes local and craft options. Macon’s bar and grills operate under the same Macon-Bibb County alcohol regulations as standalone bars, with a 2:00 a.m. closing time Monday through Saturday and Sunday service beginning at 11:00 a.m. for establishments with a Sunday Sales Permit.
Top-Rated Bar & Grills in Macon, Georgia
The Rookery
Adres: 543 Cherry St, Macon, GA 31201
Web: rookerymacon.com
The Rookery has been a downtown Macon landmark since 1976, known for its burgers, hand-spun milkshakes made with Blue Bell ice cream, and its large Cherry Street patio. The restaurant was featured in Garden and Gun’s guide to the South’s best burgers and offers Black Angus, turkey, veggie, and locally raised grass-fed beef patty options. Owned by Wes Griffith and Chad Evans, The Rookery is also the birthplace of Bragg Jam, Macon’s largest annual music festival. Named burgers include the Allman Burger and the Gram Parsons Cosmic Club.
Bearfoot Tavern
Adres: 468 2nd St, Macon, GA 31201
Web: bearfoottavern.com
Bearfoot Tavern, led by Chef Michael Wright, operates as Middle Georgia’s self-described only gastropub from its Second Street location in downtown Macon. Originally opened in 2011 on Cherry Street, the tavern relocated and expanded to include over 50 beers on tap, a full cocktail and wine program, and a European-meets-American pub menu. The outdoor Beer Garden hosts live music and is a popular spot for casual dining with pets. Bearfoot also operates a food truck for off-site events and bookings throughout Middle Georgia.
Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen
Adres: 450 3rd St, Macon, GA 31201
Web: piedmontbrewery.com
Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen opened in 2017 on Third Street in downtown Macon and operates as Middle Georgia’s only brewpub with a full in-house brewery. The kitchen serves a modern smokehouse menu featuring smoked brisket, pulled pork, creative burgers, and items like grit fritters and pork belly firecracker bites. Brewmaster Brian Whitley keeps 12 house-brewed beers on tap, including the popular Satisfied Local Lager and Sunshine Daydream Tropical IPA. The basement level houses the brewery, a classic game room, and a private bar available for event rentals. The restaurant is family-friendly and draws a mix of downtown professionals, Mercer students, and craft beer enthusiasts.
Bar & Grills in Macon: Common Questions
How much does a burger and beer typically cost at a bar and grill in Macon, GA?
Burger prices at Macon bar and grills generally range from $10 to $16, with specialty or signature burgers at the higher end. Draft craft beers typically run $5 to $8 per pint, while domestic options are often available for less. At Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen, lunch and dinner entrees are moderately priced with generous portions. Bearfoot Tavern’s gastropub pricing runs slightly higher, reflecting its craft beer selection and chef-driven menu. Overall, Macon’s bar and grill pricing sits well below comparable Atlanta establishments.
Which Macon, GA bar and grills are family-friendly during daytime hours?
The Rookery on Cherry Street is well known as a family-friendly dining option during lunch and early evening, with a kid-oriented menu alongside its burger and milkshake offerings. Bearfoot Tavern welcomes families during daytime hours, and the outdoor Beer Garden accommodates children and dogs. Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen is family-friendly during daytime hours, with a basement game room that appeals to all ages. Most Macon bar and grills shift to a more adult-oriented atmosphere after 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., particularly on weekends.
Are there bar and grills in Macon, GA with outdoor patio seating?
Several Macon bar and grills offer significant outdoor seating. The Rookery’s Cherry Street patio is one of downtown Macon’s most recognizable outdoor dining spaces and extends into the street during peak hours. Bearfoot Tavern’s Beer Garden on Second Street hosts live music and is a popular gathering spot in warm weather. Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen offers a street-level entrance area for warm-weather dining. Macon’s climate supports outdoor dining from roughly March through November, though summer humidity from June through September can be intense.
Do Macon, GA bar and grills show college football games?
College football is central to the sports bar culture in Macon, situated between the University of Georgia in Athens and several other SEC schools within driving distance. Most bar and grills along Riverside Drive and River Place Drive are dedicated game-day destinations with large TV setups. The Rookery and Bearfoot Tavern also run games on their TVs during football season. Saturdays from September through December are among the busiest days for bar and grills across Macon, particularly during Georgia Bulldogs games.
What craft beer options are available at bar and grills in Macon, GA?
Bearfoot Tavern leads the Macon market with over 50 beers on tap, including rotating craft selections from Georgia breweries and national craft producers. The Rookery maintains a solid craft beer list that complements its burger menu. Macon is also home to local brewing operations like Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen, and several bar and grills carry their products. The craft beer focus at Macon’s downtown bar and grills has grown steadily, reflecting broader trends in the Georgia craft beer market.