I Love This Bar

April 5, 2010 15:20 pm

by Icarus · 78 comments

We haven’t had decent Toby Keith reference in a while, so there’s your headline. But which bar?

Got an email from a friend who wants to know the best Republican watering hole in Atlanta for Republicans to hang out. He referenced the venerable Manuel’s Tavern as being the quintessential place to go for Democrats who want to embibe together, but asked if there was such a place in the ATL for Republicans.

I’m not aware of one.

Thus, with the General Assembly on retreat in Augusta this week, we have time to field the question. Is there one preferred place where Republicans like to hang together in good times and bad for a few rounds of the illegal to purchase on Sunday beverages?

{ 78 comments }

Part-Time Atlanta April 5, 2010 at 3:23 pm

Cheetah.

Icarus April 5, 2010 at 3:56 pm
B Balz April 5, 2010 at 4:40 pm

Actually, minus any cash you walk in with….

BuckheadConservative April 5, 2010 at 8:19 pm

-$400 in ones.

Rick Day April 5, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Part-Time Atlanta April 5, 2010 at 10:17 pm

+What is salary at Mercer Athletic Dept?

Andre April 5, 2010 at 3:26 pm

I encounter Republicans all the time at Magic City.

ByteMe April 5, 2010 at 3:30 pm

Republicans drink in bars on Sunday?? Does Sadie the Bad Witch know?

Justin Tomczak April 5, 2010 at 3:30 pm

Wild Wings off 120 Loop – Tuesdays for 1/2 price wings

(really draws out the fiscal conservatives)

LoyaltyIsMyHonor April 5, 2010 at 4:07 pm

“(really draws out the fiscal conservatives)”

Then it doesn’t qualify as a Republican watering hole ;)

AlanR April 5, 2010 at 8:34 pm

comment so good its off the charts

Rick Day April 5, 2010 at 9:55 pm

You, sir, win one internets

Conservative Brawler April 5, 2010 at 11:59 pm

Yes, I heard there were some unscrupulous characters getting together in Marietta every now and again… ;)

Bugs Dooley April 5, 2010 at 4:13 pm

As an Atlanta Young Republican, I’d like to make a case for 5 Seasons Brewing Company. They have hosted one Republican event a month for us, first at their Roswell Rd. location and now at their new Westside one, for the past 7 years. And yes, they pander to us fiscal conservatives out there — there is free parking and varying drink specials offered for our scheduled monthly meetings :)

Chris April 5, 2010 at 4:28 pm

Allow me to second 5 Seasons. Not only is the food excellent, but the booze selection is excellent, and I believe one of the owner’s is sympathetic to Republican/conservative causes.

B Balz April 5, 2010 at 4:41 pm

They have been gracious hosts to our functions!

AubieTurtle April 5, 2010 at 8:24 pm

You can tell by all of the organic and local foods they serve.

Goldwater Conservative April 5, 2010 at 10:50 pm

Of course they are gracious. You give them money.

B Balz April 6, 2010 at 8:28 am

Unfortunately, the direct correlation between repeat business and good service is lost on quite a few Atlanta food and bev establishments.

B Balz April 5, 2010 at 4:19 pm

Thanks, Icarus. A good friend sent in this place, which if it is not a GOP watering hole, makes points on coolness as former Fire Station NO. 11:

http://engine11atl.com/

Icarus April 5, 2010 at 4:19 pm

You kind of have to watch your ears there.

B Balz April 5, 2010 at 4:42 pm

As in the walls have ears?

ByteMe April 5, 2010 at 4:45 pm

That seems more likely than my initial visual which was that if you left your ears on the table, they’d be stolen by the time you got back from the bathroom.

B Balz April 5, 2010 at 5:50 pm

According to Maven Icarus, your explanation is far closer to original intent.

AubieTurtle April 5, 2010 at 8:25 pm

The owners are a couple of UF alums so I expect you’d feel at home, at least on game day.

LoyaltyIsMyHonor April 5, 2010 at 5:29 pm

Or maybe it was an allusion to the fight between lobbyists there a few years back after Sine Die? I think one was hit over the head by a beer bottle, maybe resulting in a bloody ear?

Icarus April 5, 2010 at 5:32 pm
B Balz April 5, 2010 at 5:49 pm

Good Heavens, Icarus! How DO you find this stuff or does your steel trap-like mind simply never forget!

Henry Waxman April 5, 2010 at 6:07 pm

Like a lion culling the slower, weaker wildebeest from the herd, alcohol kills the slower and weaker brain cells, thus allowing increased functionality of the remaining, stronger cells…

Icarus April 5, 2010 at 6:11 pm

yep. that’s a little known fact…

Game Fan April 8, 2010 at 10:58 am

I thought it was a reference to sirens, loud drunken firemen, bullhorns, ect…

Jeff April 6, 2010 at 7:42 am

Engine 11 is more of a place for those “crazy Libertarians”. You know, the ones that ACTUALLY believe in fiscal conservatism and genuine local control and basically keeping your life to yourself and no one else.

Went there for the first time a couple of weeks ago when I came northward. GREAT place.

benevolus April 6, 2010 at 11:36 am

I don’t understand why anyone who believes that would live anywhere near a city, let alone post on the internet.

aquaman April 5, 2010 at 4:27 pm

Most of the politicians (both republicans and democrats) I know never stray too far from one of the many “hospitality” rooms. When it comes to their money they’re all fiscal conservatives.

chefdavid April 5, 2010 at 4:31 pm

The Depot, lobbyist are paying.

benevolus April 5, 2010 at 5:37 pm

A friend saw Matt Dollar and a Georgia Power lobbyist at The Highlander a couple of weeks ago. Does that count?

View from Brookhaven April 5, 2010 at 6:37 pm

If you’re desperate enough to drive all the way to Cherokee County, there’s the Right Wing Tavern in downtown Woodstock.

http://www.rightwingtavern.com/www/

Republican Lady April 5, 2010 at 6:49 pm

Johnny’s Hideaway?

ByteMe April 5, 2010 at 7:42 pm

‘Cause that’s where the old white folks hang out?

Kellie April 5, 2010 at 8:19 pm

lol Byte. I thought that 20 years ago but now I am old and I am still white.

ByteMe April 6, 2010 at 6:09 am

Sigh. Ditto for me as well.

Republican Lady April 6, 2010 at 7:22 pm

Do you remember “The Library” on Pharr Road in the mid seventies? It was an upscale bar and actually had books one could check out. I really liked it for dating.

Kellie April 6, 2010 at 7:58 pm

I was born in 1969 so I did not go to bars in the mid-70′s. ;-)

Icarus April 6, 2010 at 8:19 pm

I was born in 1969 and I did.

Kellie April 8, 2010 at 11:16 am

Well, that explains a lot. ;-)

polisavvy April 8, 2010 at 11:36 am

69? A mere child. I already had my learner’s license by the time you were born, Icarus. Oh, to be 41 again!

Kellie April 8, 2010 at 12:02 pm

we are both still 40. Don’t age us too fast. lol

polisavvy April 8, 2010 at 12:07 pm

Oh, but Kellie, haven’t you ever heard the expression that “life begins at 40?” The problem with that is that it only lasts one year. After that, oh well, you’ll see. LOL!! :)

benevolus April 6, 2010 at 8:59 pm

I remember the Library but I didn’t go to Buckhead in the 70′s. I was a L5P person.

Republican Lady April 6, 2010 at 10:21 pm

Any particular bar?

benevolus April 7, 2010 at 12:23 pm

L5P Pub mostly. I think I saw the B52′s play there.

rugby April 7, 2010 at 2:12 pm

So I guess you’re saying many bars and those days all kind of blend in to one hazy memory? At least that is what I hope you are saying.

:)

benevolus April 7, 2010 at 7:45 pm

Well, it was the 70′s.

Republican Lady April 6, 2010 at 11:48 pm

Do you remember the Boston Sea Party in Buckhead? Or was it Boston Sea Food? It was north of Johnny’s Hideaway on Roswell Road. Or the Lark & Dove on Roswell Road at 285? Now it is Ruth Chris’ Steak House.

polisavvy April 7, 2010 at 2:16 pm

I loved Studebaker’s. We’d go there after work and then head over to Johnny’s. Good times!

polisavvy April 7, 2010 at 7:50 pm

The Boston Sea Party — loved it!!

benevolus April 7, 2010 at 7:57 pm

Y’all are all preoccupied with the food. We ate at Zestos and then went to The Agora, or Rose’s Cantina.

polisavvy April 7, 2010 at 8:14 pm

Sometimes yes, benevolus. I liked Zestos as well. I also liked going to Limelight. Mainly, I liked going out and partying — was still single then.

Icarus April 7, 2010 at 9:34 pm

What do you mean “liked”. I still eat at Zesto’s.

polisavvy April 8, 2010 at 8:24 am

I would love to eat at a Zestos again; however, living out here in the sticks, there are none near us.

Republican Lady April 8, 2010 at 1:39 am

The Electric Ballroom?

polisavvy April 8, 2010 at 11:07 am

Oh, wow! Had completely forgotten about The Electric Ballroom. We certainly have shown our ages, haven’t we?

kcordell April 6, 2010 at 11:01 am

This brings back memories. About 15 years ago my foursome won one of his charity golf tournaments and had a ball. One of the prizes was a very nice windbreaker. I’m proud to say it still fits.

Republican Lady April 5, 2010 at 8:19 pm

The old folks are normally gone by 8 – 9 pm.

BuckheadConservative April 5, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Kellie April 5, 2010 at 8:23 pm

they aren’t gone but they are drunk by 9. ;-)

AubieTurtle April 5, 2010 at 8:24 pm

Old is a relative term.

Kellie April 5, 2010 at 8:26 pm

yes it is and not all bars are made for 21 year olds.

AlanR April 5, 2010 at 8:37 pm

. . . so is “gone”

reaganrev4 April 5, 2010 at 8:55 pm

ummm…Go Braves

Rick Day April 5, 2010 at 9:58 pm

Normally I would suggest Spring4th Center in Atlanta, but alas Sunday sales are not allowed for convention centers.

But if they did, we would! I’d run 2 for 1 specials on wells.

I’d have to order some Bitter Beer™ for this group, tho…

AubieTurtle April 5, 2010 at 10:56 pm

A bit off topic… do you know what the law is about drink specials in normal bars? (meaning, not a convention facility like Spring4th) I’ve heard over and over again that happy hours are illegal in Georgia but I see them all the time… and I’m talking about alcohol rather than food specials. A bar owner once told me it was state law that they could have drink specials but had to keep them in effect for an entire week rather than for an hour or two like they would prefer.

Tyler April 5, 2010 at 10:10 pm

I was at Manuel’s Tavern tonight. Does that make me a squishy moderate? Because I don’t care. I highly recommend the place for anyone looking for a good place to meetup.

Besides…

“There are many things my father taught me here in this room. He taught me: keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” -Michael Corleone (The Godfather: Part II)

Sun Tzu was the originator of the above quote.

Goldwater Conservative April 5, 2010 at 10:51 pm

The bar at Bones is nice. They have an excellent wine selection, several small batch bourbons and single malts.

DeacfromGA April 6, 2010 at 8:34 am

Ormsby’s

Ornery April 6, 2010 at 11:35 am

When Manuel was alive he was a little tolerant of Republicans. Years ago supposedly he tried chasing Sean Hannity off back when Hannity was on ‘GST. There is a place in a train depot in Woodstock that appears to be a GOP bar/restaurant of worship, not sure how they are making out in the economy but it was a cool place.

AubieTurtle April 6, 2010 at 7:28 pm

Do you mean the Right Wing Cafe in Woodstock?

I hear that Sonny likes to go to Manuel’s once in a while but does he really count as a Republican?

polisavvy April 8, 2010 at 12:23 pm

I’m sorry if this is off topic and am certainly not trying to thread jack; however, my older son just pointed this out to me, and I thought you guys might like a little laughter (regardless of which of the teams you are for). Plus, since a lot of people drink while watching sporting events, it’s kind of applicable. Once again, please excuse the thread jack, but enjoy the link. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2010/04/video_5-year-ol.html

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