In the 18th century, wealthy folks would host parties outdoors for drinking and eating. From that tradition comes the modern day outdoor bar or beer garden, which have become popular hubs for socializing in the post COVID-19 era.
The Society Garden, a Macon beer garden, was started in 2017 by Brad and Meagan Evans. This space provides a mix of craft beer, cocktails, food, and music all arranged in an outdoor venue.
The Society Garden provides a mix of family friendly entertainment and live music after hours as kids and pets are allowed in the venue until 9 p.m.
“I think the initial vision came from my wife and I when we had young kids at the time, and we realized for the first time that even people with children would like to get out and do some things sometimes,” said Brad Evans, who is owner and founder of The Society Garden. “And so we kind of built this place to be friendly to those people, and that would include us, you know, a place where you can come with your kids and not worry about them spilling something on the floor of a restaurant or causing a scene if they’re crying.”
The Society Garden is not the only place in Macon with an outdoor drinking scene. Fall Line Brewing Co., Barks N Brews, and Just Tap’d Macon all have outdoor features to their establishments.
“I mean, that’s been the most important thing for us is to, you know, just offer a space to to feel free,” Evans says. “Like someone’s backyard is what we really wanted this to feel like. We wanted it to feel like somebody’s place where you just go and hang out with your friends and feel comfortable.”
Although the outdoor scene is a popular one, it is not all glamorous.
“Wear and tear with everything is hard. Weather is hard to deal with. But our hope is we can just keep on keeping on,” Evans says.
The Society Garden has hopes to expand to the coast in order to franchise out closer to the seaside.
