Manuel’s Tavern, a gathering spot for Atlanta’s political scene, vandalized, police say

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A cornerstone of Atlanta politics had an unwelcome surprise this week. Graffiti was sprayed on the side of Manuel’s Tavern.

Atlanta police said officers responded to the restaurant around 4:45 a.m. Wednesday. An employee said someone had superglued the door locks and that a billboard near a tavern and the tavern windows were defaced with spray paint. Police said the spray paint on the windows “appeared to be derogatory in nature.”

The location has been iconic as a gathering place for Atlanta’s political scene, including former president Jimmy Carter.

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the damage would not be tolerated and that the city considers the vandalism a form of intimidation against a gathering of leaders that was there Wednesday night. He did not comment on who may be responsible but said it is being taken very seriously.

Part of the movement against the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center recently weighed in on events at Manuel’s. A post on X, formerly Twitter, stated protesters were there Wednesday night because of an event hosted by Mayor Andre Dickens. The post did not take responsibility for any vandalism at the tavern.