If you’ve spent any time in Georgia politics, you’ve been to Manuel’s Tavern. It’s a place where campaigns were born, debates were settled, and history was made over a cold drink. The iconic bar-restaurant in Atlanta’s Poncey-Highland neighborhood, known as a quintessential neighborhood tavern and social hub. It’s not just a place to grab a drink — it’s an Atlanta institution with deep cultural and political roots.
Founded in 1956 by Manuel Maloof, who modeled the place on English taverns he’d experienced and filled it with salvaged furnishings and memorabilia. In 2020, Manuel’s Tavern was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in recognition of its longstanding role in Atlanta’s social and political life.
In this episode, I share the story of Manuel’s, the people who shaped it, and why this landmark remains a symbol of Atlanta’s political heartbeat.