At Home In Houston County 2023

RAISING THE
BAR
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY WILL OLIVER, MANAGING EDITOR
You’re out and about in Warner Robins, maybe with some
friends, and you need a place to stop, hang loose and have
a drink before or after dinner. How about a view to go along
with that?
Gracies: A Rooftop Bar on Highway 96 would be the go-to
spot for all of the above. You’ll find it sitting atop the Best Western Plus
Executive Residency at Rigby’s Water World.
Gracie Preston Rigby, owner of the bar, shared more, saying that her
establishment offers something other places don’t.
“Gracie’s is a safe environment that is a far distance from the connotation
of a smoky or loud bar,” Rigby said. “It is meant for those that are seeking
out a space to feel good about themselves, have delicious cocktails and
appetizers, all with a team that cares deeply about the guest experience.”
As for the views mentioned before, Rigby said they were part of her and
her fiancé’s love story.
“You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better sunset spot; our space is in direct
view of the beautiful sunsets that Middle Georgia experiences,” Rigby
said. “The deep purples, pinks and oranges by a fire, five stories up is as
romantic as it gets.”
She explained that the rooftop spot wasn’t originally included in the
hotel’s build, but instead came later. The space was derived following
visits to similar venues around the nation and a drive to stay ahead of
new food and beverage trends.
“We saw a void in Middle Georgia and
had an opportunity to fill it — and so
was born the first true rooftop bar in
Middle Georgia,” Rigby said.
When initially opening in September
2020, Gracie’s offered drinks and
charcuterie boards. With changes in
trends among the realms of wine and
charcuterie, the bar looks to stay on
top of it.
Rigby said, with time, they’ve worked
to include heartier bites on their food
menu, concocting a strong cocktail
menu to boot.
“One of my absolute favorite things
we did opening the space was name
the first menu of cocktails after loved
ones and meaningful instances in mine
and my sister’s lives,” Rigby said. “We
sat down and went through countless
cocktails, and sought out suggestions
from the existing bar staff.
“The favorite that remains is the Rigby’s
Choice named after my dad, Steve
Rigby. He loves a good Old Fashioned,
and I’d say we have one of the best in
Middle Georgia.”
As for ambiance and decor, Rigby said
there are a couple of things they made
use of to keep people coming back —
and even posting about the bar online.
“I really feel that the hedge wall and
the custom neon sign really helped
propel us forward as a marketable
and desirable destination,” Rigby said.
“Originally, that same area was going
to be a wall of TVs.
“Keeping up with marketing trends,
though, that’s just not what people are
looking for. People that seek out our
type of establishment are looking to
58 AT HOME IN HOUSTON COUNTY