Popular downtown Macon tiki lounge announces move next to Pearl on First Street
The Monkey’s Paw began as an experiment of sorts in a small space above Downtown Grill, born in December of 2020 even as restaurants and bars struggled with the pandemic.
Over the next three years, the reservation-only tiki bar became a roaring success, thanks not only to the specialty cocktails, but also the experience it offered customers, the chance to make meaningful memories.
Now with a proven concept, owner Tony Doolin is moving The Monkey’s Paw next to Pearl Passionate Cuisine & Cocktails at 470 First St., the restaurant he owns with his wife, Ashley. The tiki bar will move into the space vacated by Wear, a nonprofit thrift clothing store that will reopen on Sept. 1 at 421 Third Street behind Bohemian Den.
“It was always in the back of my mind, if that Wear space became available, to move Monkey’s Paw next to Pearl,” Doolin said. “I wanted that brand to be a part of our other ventures and, logistically, it’s closer.”
The two businesses will actually be in the same building, and customers will walk through Pearl to get to The Monkey’s Paw, Doolin said, with the exterior door at 464 First St. turning into an emergency exit.
The move will give the tiki lounge a private room in the basement available for groups to rent, something the current space doesn’t have. The Monkey’s Paw is reservation only, with customers able to book one-hour blocks, and that will stay the same because of the specialty cocktails’ prep time, Doolin said.
“I’ve always loved that space on First Street, ever since we moved here, when it was still Robinson Home,” Doolin said. “We’re not going to lose the intimate feel of The Monkey’s Paw, but I am turning away guests every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, so we’ll be able to accommodate a few more people every hour.”
Opening in early November
Doolin is aiming for an early November opening date. The new space won’t require a ton of work – “a lot of paint and bamboo” – and the plan is to finish a Saturday night service at the Downtown Grill location and then open on First Street the following Thursday.
Things will largely stay the same, at least initially, although the menu will expand to include some long-time favorites.
“We’re not going to make any immediate changes,” Doolin said. “We have some cocktail favorites that are currently on the menu, cocktails that people love and have a cult following like our banana daiquiri. So we’ll have a slight menu expansion when we move.”
It’s all about creating those experiences for the Doolins, whether you eat at Pearl or enjoy drinks at The Monkey’s Paw.
“When you go on vacation or go out, one of your big memories is food,” Doolin said. “Wherever you go, it’s always ‘Do you remember that dish we had, it was absolutely amazing.’ That’s just a memory creator.
“The move will give people one stop they can make on their evening out; they’ll be able to do it all in one location.”
Doolin said both Pearl and The Monkey’s Paw are both hiring. Interested folks can email careers@pearlmaconga.com.
This story was originally published August 23, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
