Brewpub for lunch Friday on Black Friday
Hi! We are traveling from Panama City to the Atlanta airport the day after thanksgiving. Any recommendations for a good brewpub where we could grab lunch and a beer? Bonus if other breweries within walking distance.
Thank you!
If you're driving from Panama City to the Atlanta airport on Black Friday, Columbus, GA is a perfect halfway stop for lunch and a great craft beer. Columbus has a compact, walkable brewery district near the Chattahoochee River, making it ideal for stretching your legs and sampling a couple of local spots before finishing your drive to ATL.
Here are the best options for a brewpub lunch along with breweries you can walk to afterward.
Top Brewpub for Lunch in Columbus
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Salt Factory Pub (Downtown Columbus)
A polished but relaxed gastropub with a solid beer selection, great burgers, fish & chips, sandwiches, and elevated pub fare. Not a brewery, but a perfect food stop with craft beer taps. It’s right in the walkable Uptown Columbus area, close to multiple breweries.
However, if you want a true brewery-with-food experience, the best choice is:
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Chattahoochee Brewing Co. (Phenix City—right across the river)
A local favorite with river views, food trucks on many weekends, and a great beer lineup. They do not have a full restaurant kitchen, but if a food truck is on-site on Black Friday, it can be a pleasant stop with outdoor seating. It’s just across the bridge from Uptown Columbus.
Best Brewery Cluster in Walking Distance (Perfect for After Lunch)
If you eat in Uptown Columbus (Salt Factory Pub or any spot on Broadway), you can walk to several breweries within a few blocks:
- Columbus Georgia Brewery (Formerly Omaha Brewing Taproom – Downtown)
Crafted beers, comfortable indoor space, and right in the heart of Uptown. - Fetch Park & Beer Garden
Not a brewery but a fun outdoor dog park–bar hybrid with craft beers. Very lively on weekends and holidays. - Chattabrewchee Southern Brewhouse
Minor walk or short drive—veteran-owned brewery with creative small-batch beers.
Recommended Routing Plan
- Stop in Uptown Columbus for lunch (Salt Factory Pub is your best brewpub-style meal).
- Walk along Broadway to sample one or two breweries.
- Enjoy the Chattahoochee Riverwalk if you want a scenic stretch before getting back on the road.
- Continue the remaining ~90 minutes to ATL airport.
General Notes for Black Friday
- Uptown Columbus restaurants are usually open—lunch hours should be normal even on Black Friday.
- Breweries operate on holiday/weekend schedules, so expect them to open closer to noon or 1pm.
- Parking in Uptown is easy on Black Friday since most shopping happens outside the downtown core.
Stopping in Columbus is a perfect way to break up the drive—good food, walkable breweries, and a relaxing downtown vibe before navigating Atlanta traffic. Enjoy the trip and the beer!
