Manuel’s Tavern is not Atlanta’s official democratic election watch party, but you wouldn’t know that from the crowd. On Nov. 5, the space swarmed with locals, visitors and journalists from across the globe all waiting to see the results of the 2024 Presidential Election.
The tavern turnout isn’t a surprise for the staff and longtime attendees. The North Highland Avenue restaurant and bar has hosted an election night watch party since the 1970s. The tavern is open about its lineage as a political hub: the menu has a history of the late Manuel Maloof’s status as “godfather” of Georgia Democrats and creator of a hotspot for presidents and politicians to pop in and meet with residents.
Across 70 years in business, the tavern has become an institution in Atlanta. General manager Steve Pitts has called the tavern a “civic institution” more than a bar, and the people turn out to prove it. Every year hundreds pour into the parking lot and restaurant to watch votes roll in on dozens of televisions.
This year, the crowd came out reliably — and so did a cluster of international journalists. News crews from Japan, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, London and more all showed up to film the crowd and record live broadcasts to their respective countries.
Reporters from BFMTV, a French news broadcast television and radio network, said they only came to Manuel’s Tavern because a friend who lived in the area told them it was the unofficial election hub.
Other reporters had similar stories: they came to Atlanta to be at the heart of a swing state, and a local pointed them in the direction of Manuel’s Tavern.
The choice becomes obvious on Nov. 5. The watch party may not be the “official” Atlanta hub, but it has the energy and turnout to make up for it. People started filing in before 5:30 p.m. to prepare for several hours of coverage.
The restaurant and bar is well prepared for the night, too. It’s usually the tavern’s busiest and most profitable night of the year. To streamline things the menu is condensed and there are multiple bars to order from.
By the time polls start closing at 7 p.m., the night is in full swing. People have packed inside around big and small tables to gaze at the television as early results start rolling in. That’s when the party really begins.
The crowd cheers at every sign of blue, even if the state is only reporting at two percent. A Republican win receives unilateral “boos.”
If it’s not clear enough from the sea of Harris-Walz camouflage hats, the room is all in for Kamala Harris to win — and they’re out in droves on Nov. 5.
There’s a mix of attendees: locals who come to Manuel’s Tavern every day claim their typical tables. My group is asked to move by a man with a “standing reservation” who has been coming for decades, according to a waiter.
Some people have been coming to the election watch parties for a few years. Others, like a former teacher from Wisconsin, Dave, were coincidentally in town and told Manuel’s Tavern is the “place to be” to watch election night results.
He was impressed at the crowd, though surprised to see a heavy international presence at a distinctly local spot.
Customers like George Cole swap between an indoor table and the packed parking lot for cigarette breaks. Cole started attending around 2020, though he’s been an Atlanta resident since 1992. Today, he lives in Cobb County. He came into town to experience “peace, joy and happiness.”
“I come because of the excitement, the comradery, it’s a great experience,” Cole said.
Cole is confident in a Harris win and thrilled to see a Black woman on the ticket. As a child, Cole said his mother brought him to see Martin Luther King Jr. give his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963. He recalls that time as he looks across the packed parking lot.
“The biggest thing is this looks like America should look, and it’s not the way it does look,” Cole said.
The crowd’s momentum lasted even as Georgia showed up as the fated pale red on electoral maps, indicating a potential Trump win in the critical swing state. Some start doing the math: Harris will win; she just needs these states.
Others sound less hopeful. One woman shouts to her friend that she thinks Harris is going to lose. But people remained, patiently waiting for votes to come in that could bring Harris closer to 270 votes.
By 8:30 p.m. the inside of the tavern is packed. Journalists are squeezing between tables stuffed with regular seats and parade chairs brought from home. The inside bar line stretches the length of the restaurant and waiters are expertly weaving through the standing room to bring out food and drinks.
The indoor area feels like an impromptu command center. Outside, the energy feels closer to a barbecue — with shockingly high stakes. Employees run an outdoor bar and grill outside where people can grab burgers and hot dogs, but the lot is a free-for-all. By 9 p.m. people are walking in with stacks of Papa John’s pizzas and drinks from nearby homes.
Some first-time attendees are forced to sit on the ground, seemingly unprepared for the lack of chairs. Manuel’s Tavern warns guests every year that they only have 150 outdoor seats — after that, it’s bring your own chair or standing-room only.
Still, a group of four attendees said they felt it vital to attend their first election watch party at Manuel’s Tavern. Film editor Vivian said as a queer person, it felt important to be in a place with “energy.”
“This year in particular, it felt more significant to maybe be around other people and be able to watch what happens with different people,” Vivian said. “Just because of how impactful everything is.”
But Vivian and the rest of the group remembered the 2016 election when Hillary Clinton was widely favored to win and lost in an upset. This year, the group said they’re prepared for any result.
“To be able to watch for better or for worse, it feels better than being alone,” Vivian said.
As the night continues and Trump wins more states, the room gets quieter. Tables open up as people leave.
Manager Laura Dotson said she left the watch party around 8:00 p.m., but the event continued until 1 a.m. By then, employees told her the “energy shifted.”
“People stayed to drown their sorrows,” Dotson said.
Harris-Walz campaign staffer Donilee McGuinness said she arrived at the party at about 11:00 p.m., and the energy was already “depressing.”
“We walked in to see North Carolina getting called, and that was kind of the nail in the coffin,” McGuinness said.
The next day, a smaller crowd sits at Manuel’s Tavern to hide out from the gloomy weather. It’s a mix of regulars and newcomers drinking in the afternoon to cope with the election results.
The television is still turned to CNN, but this time it’s to watch Kamala Harris address the nation after her loss. A hush falls over the room. People sniffle and fight back tears. They clap when Harris announces she will promote a “peaceful transfer of power.”
Still, there is hope in the crowd. A regular, Julian Cowart says this is like the “dirge,” a song of lament expressing mourning or grief in a funeral service.
“After this, we lift our heads up,” Cowart said.
Well written and very informative. Great post election vibe. The picture was well done as well — taken by the reporter. Thank you for this.