Manuel's Tavern
Manuel's Tavern | |
 Manuel's Tavern (2020) | |
    | |
| Location | 602 North Highland Avenue NE Atlanta, Georgia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 33°46′14.8872″N 84°21′9.828″W / 33.770802000°N 84.35273000°W |
| Built | c. 1922 |
| NRHP reference No. | 100005253 |
| Added to NRHP | May 29, 2020 |
Manuel's Tavern is a historic tavern in the Poncey–Highland district of Atlanta, Georgia. Established by Manuel Maloof in 1956, the location is notable as a meeting place for influential people in the Democratic Party. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.
History
[edit]Manuel's Tavern was established in 1956 by Manuel Maloof. The building itself is a commercial building from around 1922.[1] To encourage discussions between patrons, Maloof banned live music and jukeboxes in the establishment.[2]
The bar is notable as a venue and meeting place for members of the Democratic Party. In 1970, Jimmy Carter announced his gubernatorial campaign in the bar.[3] In 2015, President Barack Obama visited the bar during a visit to Atlanta, playing a game of darts at the location.[4] Maloof himself was politically active, being elected to the DeKalb County Board of commissioners in 1974.[5]
In the 1980s, two additional locations were opened on Memorial Drive and near Norcross, Georgia, though both locations closed within a short time.[2] In 1984, the tavern hosted a stage production of As You Like It, leading to what would eventually become Shakespeare Tavern, a prominent playhouse and acting group in Atlanta.[6] In 2015, Brian Maloof, son of Manuel Maloof, sold the bar to developers.[1] The bar closed in December of that year for extensive renovations, with the bar reopening in July the next year.[7] In 2017, plans were unveiled by Manuel's grandson for a spin-off eatery in Grant Park, called Manny's Grant Park Pub.[8] On May 29, 2020, the tavern was added to the National Register of Historic Places.[9]
In November 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Maloof announced that the tavern was experiencing financial difficulties and could possibly close by the end of the year.[10] Following this, a GoFundMe was set up with a goal of raising $75,000 for the tavern. This goal was met within the first 24 hours, and within several days had raised over $180,000 for the tavern.[11][12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Fuhrmeister, Chris (June 2, 2020). "Manuel's Tavern joins National Register of Historic Places". Atlanta Business Chronicle. American City Business Journals. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
- ^ a b Burns, Rebecca (August 5, 2014). "The Museum of Manuel's Tavern". Atlanta. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
- ^ Shah, Khushbu (April 23, 2020). "'It's way too early': Georgia businesses wary of governor's invitation to reopen". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
- ^ Caldwell, Carla (March 11, 2015). "Obama promotes 'Student Bill of Rights' plan in speech at Georgia Tech (PHOTOS)". Atlanta Business Chronicle. American City Business Journals. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
- ^ Monroe, Doug (May 1, 2011). "Manuel Maloof". Atlanta. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
- ^ Eubanks, Caroline (June 17, 2020). "Atlanta Shakespeare Co". Afar. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
- ^ Kahn, Michael (June 24, 2016). "Manuel's Tavern, Hallowed Hangout, to Reopen Next Month". Curbed Atlanta. Vox Media. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
- ^ Kahn, Michael (November 7, 2017). "Poncey-Highland mainstay Manuel's Tavern to spawn Grant Park outpost. Sort of". Curbed Atlanta. Vox Media. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
- ^ Fuhrmeister, Chris (June 2, 2020). "Manuel's Tavern joins National Register of Historic Places". WXIA-TV. Tegna Inc. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
- ^ King, Michael; Ford, Hope (December 3, 2020). "Saving Manuel's Tavern: Fundraiser meets goal in under 24 hours". WBNS-TV. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
- ^ Pratt, Timothy (December 23, 2020). "A Campaign Under Quarantine". The Nation. ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
- ^ "Community Rallies To Save Beloved Atlanta Tavern". NPR. December 19, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2020.