The Royal Peacock Will Soon Spread Its Feathers Again
The Royal Peacock (formerly the Top Hat, built 1922) located at 186 1/2 Auburn avenue downtown will be reopening after closing for renovations. The grand (and much anticipated) re-opening is slated for August 5, 6, and 7 according to the marquee.
Former circus performer, Carrie Cunningham bought the Top Hat in 1948 and renamed it The Royal Peacock. Cunningham was said to be obsessed with peacocks according to Rhetta Akamatsu who wrote about The Royal Peacock this time last year on Examiner.
Located in the Sweet Auburn district, The Royal Peacock has hosted B. B. King, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson and many other legends.
Akamatsu also writes, “The Royal Peacock was a jewel of black Atlanta entertainment and holds a very important place in Atlanta blues and music history.”
With historical value and history that defines the area, The Royal Peacock is an institution in Atlanta. Though the renovations were more than needed our hope is that any construction on the space will and has been treated more like a restoration.
Test and learn: Buckhead Theatre (formerly Roxy Theatre) is a great example of taking an historic building and completely ruining its charming aesthetic with upgrades that qualify as downgrades.
Have any stories from The Royal Peacock in its heyday? If so, what does The Royal Peacock mean to you?
The Royal Peacock
186 1/2 Auburn Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
