Kamala Harris Visits Macon Restaurant, Connects with Sober Bartender

Former VP shouts out local restaurant staff during book tour stop in Georgia

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Former Vice President Kamala Harris made a stop at a prominent downtown Macon, Georgia restaurant during her book tour, where she connected with a bartender in recovery and highlighted the restaurant's support for local farmers. Harris spent hours chatting with bartender Travis Patterson about his sobriety and the healthcare challenges facing food industry workers.

Why it matters

Harris' visit to the local Macon restaurant and her interactions with the staff highlight her efforts to connect with everyday Americans and shine a light on issues facing working-class communities. Her shoutouts to the restaurant staff during her book tour event also provided valuable publicity for the local business.

The details

While in Macon for a book tour stop, Harris dined at The Rookery, a downtown restaurant, where she ordered an ice water and a Mardi Gras-themed milkshake. She spent hours chatting with bartender Travis Patterson, who has been sober for 12 years, about his journey and the healthcare challenges facing food industry workers. Harris also met with the restaurant's executive chef, Benjamin Banks, and praised the establishment's support for local farmers.

  • On February 11, 2026, Harris dined at The Rookery in Macon, Georgia.
  • Later that evening, Harris mentioned her interactions with The Rookery staff during her book tour event at the Macon City Auditorium.

The players

Kamala Harris

Former Vice President of the United States who was visiting Macon, Georgia on a book tour.

Travis Patterson

A bartender at The Rookery in Macon, Georgia who has been sober for 12 years and discussed healthcare challenges facing food industry workers with Harris.

Benjamin Banks

The executive chef of Dovetail, the restaurant upstairs from The Rookery, who spoke with Harris about the establishment's support for local farmers.

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What they’re saying

“Her team said we were only gonna talk for five to 10 minutes, and we ended up talking for hours. She just wanted to hear my story, being a bartender who doesn't drink (and) how hard it is for restaurant workers to get healthcare.”

— Travis Patterson, Bartender (The Telegraph)

“That's me in the Braves Hoodie!!! I had the pleasure of getting to sit and talk with her for about an hour or so. We deserved her. She was just so down to earth!”

— Travis Patterson, Bartender (Threads)

What’s next

Harris is expected to continue her book tour with additional stops in Georgia and across the Southeast in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Kamala Harris' visit to the local Macon restaurant and her genuine interactions with the staff, particularly the sober bartender, demonstrate her efforts to connect with everyday Americans and highlight issues facing working-class communities. Her shoutouts during the book tour event also provided valuable publicity for the local business.