Enjoy tapas & cocktails under patio lights in downtown Perry

Starting at 19, John Cato has owned and operated multiple businesses over the years.

His first was a marketing and ad agency. He did print brokerage primarily for restaurants and bars.

“I’m unemployable,” the 46-year-old said with a smile when asked about his success as an entrepreneur.

Today, Cato is building a group of social gatherings in downtown Perry.

In October 2025, he purchased Oliver Perry’s, a fine dining restaurant and bar at 905 Carroll St., with business partner Gary Martin.

In January, he bought the Main Street Bar in partnership with Ruben Torres, with the men changing the name to Main Street Social and renovating and reimagining the cocktail lounge at 740 Main St.

Most recently, Cato, and his wife, Rachael, acquired the Patio on Carroll at 901 Carroll St. –  again rebranding, as The Corner Social. The all outdoor bar, restaurant and event venue opened in late August.

“We just want continuity on what we’re doing, and we want a higher class here,” Cato said.

The aim is to ensure quality food, handcrafted cocktails, inviting atmospheres and top service across all three establishments.

The Catos also deliver “farm to table goodness” at Oliver Perry’s and now The Corner Social with their own American Wagyu beef brand raised at their Double Barrel Farms. Main Street Social is not included because it does not have a grill.

The couple, who married in June 2019 after a three-year courtship, also live on the Peach County farm that’s about a 10-minute drive from downtown Perry. They met online and have been together ever since.

With a desire to create a social hub, the Catos offer The Corner Social as a spot for guests of Oliver Perry’s just a few doors down to relax and enjoy cocktails as they wait for their tables or to enjoy the rest of the evening under patio lights after dining.

On a broader scale, The Corner Social provides a less expensive option than Oliver Perry’s to savor quality tapas and handcrafted cocktails, John Cato said. Tapas and cocktails are also offered at Main Street Social, which is designed as a place to linger and relax.

Additionally, the patio experience at The Corner Social is envisioned to be kid and dog friendly, Cato said.

The Corner Social opens late afternoon on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with a rotating menu of salads and “social bites,” plus cocktails, red and white wines, champagne and a curated whisky cabinet.

Social bites on the current menu include the corner burger, a garlic herb sirloin, whiskey-glazed meatballs, roast beef flatbread, loaded potato skins and spinach artichoke dip.

The Corner Social also opens every fourth Sunday of the month for brunch, according to Cato.

Also, part of the vision for The Corner Social are events such as live music and rotating pop-up kitchens from local restaurants and food vendors. 

Additionally, the space is available to rent any day of the week for private events, including on regular operating days for a higher price than off-business days.

On a recent Thursday at The Corner Social, a group of men were enjoying cigars and drinks at a long table.

Known to many in the community as the “choir practice group,” the men have been gathering at establishments across Houston County over the years to “smoke cigars and drink Scotch” – originally meeting on Wednesdays but jokingly telling their spouses that they were off to “choir practice,” according to group member Tim Baggerly.

“It’s wonderful,” Baggerly said when asked what he thought of The Corner Social. “It’s a great place for us to get together.

“It’s outside. This smoke is not necessarily offensive.”

The Corner Social hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday unless otherwise posted for private events, according to a sign on the iron fence around the space.

Oliver Perry’s is now open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and open for dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, according to Cato. Reservations are recommended. 

Main Street Social hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, according to its website.