We've been in the bar business in Atlanta since I guess

1917 going back to my grandfather.

He had a bar across the street from the capital

called the tip-top billiard parlor.

He was a Lebanese immigrant,

spoke Arabic and broken English.

When the state legislature was in session,

the closest place to get a drink was the Tiptop.

The Tiptop was the family-owned predecessor of Manuel's Tavern, which is located on North

Highland Avenue.

For more than six decades, the bar and restaurant has been a consistent hub for reporters, politicians, and fans of a good hang.

This is Manuel's owner Brian Maloof. My co-host, Jewel Wicker, sat down with him last week.

Tell me how manuals became a restaurant connected to local politics.

We've always had a relationship with the political community.

So that bar that's out there is from the tip-top.

And so it's continued to this day.

Manuals is one of many Georgia restaurants that have been significantly impacted

by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We've had a significant downturn in business overnight,

just a dramatic drop in business.

We've been losing on average about $25,000 a month.

That's how we've been operating in the red.

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