Forty miles south of downtown Atlanta lies Griffin, Georgia, the birthplace of dentist-turned-gunslinger Doc Holliday. It’s also the new second home to Firemaker Brewing Company, where history and modern flair converge in a pint glass.
The brewery renovated a 114-year-old abandoned building, transforming it into Southern Social, a taproom with a small brewery space and the company’s first full kitchen. In 2023, the city of Griffin saw the space as a perfect fit for a brewery, offering incentives to lure an Atlanta-based brewer to take a chance south of the city. Elliot Hall, Firemaker’s owner and co-founder, seized the opportunity, announcing the project in September 2023.
Fast forward to fall 2025, and Southern Social has become a cornerstone of Griffin’s revitalized downtown. Visitors can savor a beer and burger, pork chop, or fried bologna sandwich alongside Firemaker’s tap lineup or sip wine and cocktails from their “Get Lucky Spirits” collection. The taproom radiates authentic Southern charm, with exposed brick walls and food served on brown paper atop metal trays—a nod to old-school Southern meat-and-three diners or vintage department store lunch counters like Woolworth’s or Kress. The fare is hearty, no-frills, and downright tasty: think pork chops, green beans, coleslaw, and creamed corn. It’s practical, unpretentious, and inviting, much like Griffin itself. The price is quite on point as well.
The spacious taproom also features a small brewing setup just off the kitchen and Full Swing Virtual Golf bays, perfect for working off that burger while enjoying another beer—perhaps a pint of Calamity Jane, Firemaker’s PGA Georgia sponsorship brew. Southern Social isn’t just a place to eat and drink; it’s a gathering spot that breathes new life into Griffin’s historic heart.
If you find yourself south of Atlanta, grab a stool at Southern Social and have a pint in Doc’s hometown, or work on your drive before your next tee time and enjoy the warmth of a Southern town reborn.
