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    The Rookery

    4.2 (967 reviews)
    ModerateBars, American
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    The Rookery Photos

    Business Info

    THE ROOKERY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Rookery

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    Pimento Grilled Cheese & fries
    J P.

    What a pleasant discovery to happen upon The Rookery, a friendly old fashioned tavern that serves outstanding Southern fare. While they are famous for their burgers, we opted for the chicken tenders platter and the pimento grilled cheese. The tenders were perfectly seasoned and fried by a real expert, with no residual grease. The slaw was fresh and well flavored, and the onion rings were among the best I have ever had. My wife's pimento grilled cheese was tasty, and the soda were bottomless. Our server was sweet, efficient, and super friendly, as were all of the other members of the Rookery team. Don't let the dark interior fool you: this is a warm and friendly place to eat and drink.

    Cheeseburger at the Rookery
    Greg C.

    Though visiting during the busy Cherry Blossom Festival Weekend, I was able to get a seat at the Bar , I ordered the legendary Cheeseburger, it arrived hot and juicy, very flavorful, and on a nice fresh bun, along with hot , slightly crispy fries, although this place was slammed the bartender had everything under control, this place was spacious, but filled, a local hangout for bands like the Allman Brothers, back in the day.. I enjoyed eating there..

    Chicken salad (with the wrong dressing we ordered balsamic) and the Swiss mushroom burger with added lettuce tomato and onion.

    The ambiance was great! We had heard good things and decided to visit while in town. The server was nice but made quite a few errors and didn't give the impression that she cared. I got the Swiss mushroom burger and it was not great but I was very hungry and ate it all. It was juicy but very little flavor and the mushrooms tasted like canned mushrooms, not fresh and tasted very off. The biggest issue with our meal was the milkshakes. They were horrible!!! We ended up throwing them away. The milkshakes were ordered when we placed our meal order but didn't arrive so halfway through our meal we asked. After plates were cleared they finally arrived. The pineapple upside down cake tasted like lukewarm melted whipped cream with coconut shavings, no flavor or pineapple and no ice cream. I cannot express how disgusting it was!

    Seating
    Angela R.

    We loved it here. Quick, helpful service, love the upper deck seating and secreted booths beneath. Locally sourced beef for delicious burgers with creative toppings.

    Doug R.

    11/12/25, first visit with a buddy. Very cool place with some nice history. Place was busy and we arrived just before the rush. Service was great from entry to seating and throughout our visit. Braxton was our server, he was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. We bought decided on a specialty burger that was fantastic! I enjoyed the Ray Charles Burger with chips and we shared the fried mushrooms. Fantastic dinner!

    Pamela S.

    Visiting Macon, Ga and came across The Rookery. A party of three we were seated immediately. A very cool atmosphere warm and friendly. People are allowed to write all over the tables and walls. Most of the furniture is made out of wood so it's easy to write on. Our waitress took our order and was very sweet. We started with Solid Gold Egg Rolls three of them for $11.00 delicious! I ordered the Club Salad $17.00 fresh and tasty. My husband and son had the black and blue burger and the Allman burger. Both enjoyed! We also ordered Moon pie milkshake $7.00. Thick and creamy. Music and the vibe was spot on.

    Sign in the waiting area of the restaurant
    Clarissa W.

    On our way home from vacation, we needed to find a place to stop for lunch. I did some research online and found The Rookery close to off the highway. It was off Highway 16 in the downtown Macon area. We were seated in an area near the large television and the stage. The place is large and spacious, but it feels comfortable and home-like. They had all types of burgers (including a black bean burger for vegans), and the names of the burgers were unique. Our waitress, Casey, seemed happy to help us. I asked for her opinion on two burgers that sounded good, and I went with her recommendation on the Allman burger (a mushroom and Swiss burger) with fries. My husband went with the black and blue turkey burger -which I cannot remember the name of - along with fries. Both of our burgers were very tasty. They cooked them as we requested and perfectly seasoned. Since we still had several hours of driving to go, we did not get dessert. Casey said, "Then you'll have to come back and see me for dessert another time!" We definitely will, because Casey was an excellent server and made the visit to The Rookery great! If you are in the Macon area or stopping through like we were, please go to The Rookery and ask for Casey. She will take excellent care of you and recommend something that you will enjoy!!

    Grand historic entrance
    Marty S.

    Cool historic brewski/eatery located in the heart of downtown Macon, GA. We started with their famous solid gold soul rolls laced in chicken and embraced with a tangy sweet/sour sauce. Subsequently, we munched on: 1. The Allman Bros mushroom & swiss burger 2. James Brown black & blue burger 3. Club Salad With all the above drenched down with a fantastic Moon Shine Shake. Our server, Dakota was very attentive and hospitable making the experience extremely pleasant. When in Macon..... don't miss the Rookery.

    Tank G.

    You will find this spot in Downtown Macon. It is designated as the birthplace of Bragg Jam. In case you were wondering Bragg Jam is a city-wide music and community arts festival. There is metered street parking available within a reasonable walking distance to the restaurant. The restaurant has a decent sized two-level dining area and a nice patio on the front sidewalk. The restaurant is known for its shakes and exotic burgers, but they also serve salads, sandwiches and fish. They also have a full bar with savory signature cocktails. Our server was awesome. I ordered the James Brown Black and Blue Burger with battered fries. It took about 15 minutes for me to get my food. I really liked the burger. It was delicious. I, however, was not a fan of the fries. They seemed to have lack seasoning and flavor and was very battery. You can get regular shakes or adult shakes with booze in it. I got a regular Georgia peach shake. It was decent. This was a very nice family outing. The service was really good and the food was decent. I recommend checking this place out if you are in Macon.

    Big "O" Burger
    Steve C.

    Been here before and always a solid burger; today's Big O Burger was no exception. The fries were beyond awful today, extremely undercooked and oily , so much so that they simply curled over when picking them up. Totally inedible, waitress eventually returned and ask if I wanted another batch but I was almost done with my burger. Big oops on the kitchen, they should have never plated these fries.

    Benjamin C.

    It's been a few years since I've been here. A solid burger and fries! Enjoyed the Walden greenback burger, the fresh chevre was a nice addition. Super tasty burger, cooked fresh, and not sopping with grease - you could actually taste the meat. The sweet potato fries were also on point. Crispy on the outside, moist and dense on the inside! I wish I could've gotten a milkshake, but this would have been overdoing it for this particular Monday evening. Service was a little slow, but the waitress did acknowledge that it was due to a big table ahead of us.

    Menu
    Earl S.

    I had a delightful dinner here with a mentee and current Mercer student. She recommended it. Parking was paid on the street. Our waitress was excellent and reasonable attentive. We didn't have appetizers and the spot was relatively busy as expected for a Friday night. The burger was amazing, hot, and cooked to perfection. I chose the local beef. I love the hand-cut fries as well. I got the sauce on the side for dipping and chose Ranch sauce with my burger as is customary. I completed my dinner with the decadent pumpkin-flavored cheesecake which was amazing. It was such a large piece I couldn't finish it all. Loved the vibe and ambiance of this spot which has been popular in Macon with college students for years.

    Allmen burger add bacon w/ Oh---- SO F,,,n Onion Rings
    Ryan Z.

    What a great experience .. How has Guy F not put these place on TV yet . From The old school feel w/ smiles, great service & great food... Came in because locals told me it was one of the best burgers in the the area .. I would agreee only the or ion rings are the best in the nation ... WOW !!! KYLE at the bar is a hoot and provides great service .. thank you Rookery Told Me t

    Bar area

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    Delicious! Good takeout set up. It was easy to pull up and they had everything ready.

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    Page 1 of 25

    Ask the Community - The Rookery

    Do they have gluten free options?

    Hello! They don't have a menu, however there are options ask your waitress or waiter and they'll be able to help you. Have an amazing time !

    Would you bring children here?

    Yes! Get them a milkshake 😃

    Good place to watch Sunday NFL games?

    No, but really good food.

    Stopped off and found it closed for renovations. When are they planning on reopening?

    They are back open now. They've upgraded the kitchen, dining, restrooms and waiting area!

    What is the average price of a plate?

    About$15 average.

    View All 7 Questions

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    Churchills On Cherry - Salmon

    Churchills On Cherry

    4.6(10 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Churchill's on Cherry is the definition of an elevated experience, tucked away in downtown Macon…read more When we first walked in downstairs, I honestly questioned if we had the right place. It felt understated, almost too quiet. Then we spotted the staircase, and those steps just kept going. Once we reached the top, all doubt disappeared. What awaited us was an elegant, thoughtfully curated cigar lounge that immediately impressed. I don't smoke cigars and typically avoid smoking establishments altogether because the smell lingers in my hair and clothes. To my surprise, Churchill's is extremely well ventilated. When we left, I didn't smell like I'd been in a cigar lounge at all, a huge win in my book. My husband is a bourbon lover and has been searching for a spot worthy of inviting "the fellas" when they're in town. I won't say his friends are pretentious, but they are gentlemen, and this is absolutely a place for men with class and prestige. Churchill's boasts a vast selection of premium liquor, easily the largest and most impressive bourbon and whiskey collection I've personally seen. The photos online truly don't do this place justice. The ambiance has a moody, blues-club vibe, upscale, sexy, and refined. I almost forgot I was in Macon. Smooth jazz instrumentals played in the background, setting the tone perfectly. Every detail was intentional, even down to the restroom, which was immaculate and elegant. Customer service was stellar. Genesis, our bartender, was jovial, attentive, and incredibly skilled. Despite the bar being filled to capacity, she made every guest feel like they had her undivided attention. One of the owners also made a point to greet each guest personally, welcoming us with warmth and genuine hospitality, a touch that never goes unnoticed. Since we had just come from dinner, we stuck to drinks. I ordered my favorite cocktail, a strawberry lemon drop martini, and it was made perfectly. My husband enjoyed an Old Fashioned that was equally well executed. No matter how premium your liquor selection is, it means nothing without quality ingredients and knowledgeable bartenders -- Churchill's has both. I can't wait to return so we can try the food. A few things to note: there is a 20% gratuity automatically added to each bill, which was well deserved in our experience. They are card-only, no cash accepted. And lastly, make sure you're sober enough to make it back down those stairs when you leave. Churchill's on Cherry is a gem for Macon. Classy, refined, and done right. This is how it's supposed to be.

    Excellent experience. I had the salmon with crab rice and it was really good. Waitress was nice and…read moreinformative(especially in helping us select cigars). We will be back.

    Photos
    Churchills On Cherry - Looking at the bar from the far end (street side).

    Looking at the bar from the far end (street side).

    Churchills On Cherry - Salmon Bites and Mashed Potato's

    Salmon Bites and Mashed Potato's

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    Private Select Makers

    Back Porch Too Lounge - 2 pool tables $1 a game

    Back Porch Too Lounge

    3.8(13 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    I visited with some friends for Friday night karaoke and had a blast. The DJ was nice and on top of…read morethe music in between songs. I can't speak to the food because i didn't eat but ambiance is your typical half restaurant half pool/game hall. Service was good i ordered from the bartenders and they were friendly. Will def be back

    The hubby and I had a couples weekend and stayed at the Best Western not knowing the area. We ended…read moreup staying here and thought that the lounge attached to the hotel would be a nice place to hang out . Well, it has much to be desired. We went on 3 nights (Saturday,Sunday & Monday). Saturday night it was basically empty. We ordered 1 drink a piece which were pretty good actually, but there were only maybe 10 people including the bartender. There was NO entertainment, DJ, not even the Jukebox was playing so we left. Sunday night was karaoke and there were approx 25 people there with a DJ and it was decent until the hefty birthday girl and her buddies started twerking and acting silly on the stripper pole before they left. Sunday night we returned after hanging out downtown and realized that Robert Lee Coleman would be there, so we decided to check it out. His performance was wonderful. It is nice to see that he continues to play and enjoy his craft in his later years. I pray that the band of misfits he plays with are taking care of him and not using this elderly man for their financial benefit however meager it may be. The one young guitar player to his back left by the speaker appeared to be high/drunk not able to see or walk and had to be helped off stage. Once he sat down at a table he seemed to nod off several times before he was removed just to reappear a few minutes later full of energy and vitality. What did they do to him or give him I am not sure. But, a certain medication that will remain nameless, can be given to offset the bad effects I suspect he may have been given. Overall, I believe this place truly has potential it just needs the right owners, management, and staff to turn this place around.

    Photos
    Back Porch Too Lounge - View from the pool area towards the front bar

    View from the pool area towards the front bar

    Back Porch Too Lounge - Pool room wall which also contained 1 dart board  and a bean toss game

    Pool room wall which also contained 1 dart board and a bean toss game

    Back Porch Too Lounge

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    The Rookery - bars - Updated May 2026

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