Posted: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:15 PM - 9,562 Readers
By: Austin 360
Every bar and club has them: Regulars who know everybody and treat the place as homeSurely you've noticed them. They seem to know everybody. The bartender sets up their orders without asking. They grin from the dark at the end of the bar, striking up conversations with strangers and friends alike.
They are the regulars. Every bar and club has them. They are as much a part of the establishment's character as the jukebox, snacks, servers, television shows, draft beer selections and ebb and flow of more casual customers.
Inspired by Sarah Stolfa's book of photographic portraits, `The Regulars,' and complementing this publication's annual bar guide, the entertainment journalism class from St. Edward's University interviewed and photographed - with whatever was handy, mostly smart phones - Central Texas bar regulars.
- Michael Barnes
Greg Blackmore, Tuff's Tavern, Pflugerville
When asked what he likes about Tuff's Tavern, Greg Blackmore laughs before replying, 'It sure isn't the help!' A robust sense of humor and shared camaraderie has kept Greg coming back to the Pecan Street bar in Pflugerville for 29 years. 'We're a real tight community,' he says. Tuff's opened its doors in 1919 as a confectionery store. Candy was sold out the front door, but to skirt prohibition laws, beer was sold out the back. Clearly, it's the people that have made Tuff's a local mainstay for nearly a century. Greg points to bras hanging from the rafters and laughs again, saying, 'This one time, we were drinking ... ' — James Bingham
Anthony Kim, Little Tokyo Karaoke, Austin
Anthony Kim set foot on American soil 20 years ago. It wasn't until 2008 that he discovered Little Tokyo Karaoke on North Lamar Boulevard. Accompanied by a friend, Kim spent his first night sipping drinks and socializing with other patrons, mostly fellow Korean immigrants. As the night progressed, so did Kim's confidence; he climbed on stage and delivered a heartfelt rendition of his favorite syrupy Korean ballad. Since then, Kim has spent countless weeknights at Little Tokyo, visiting with friends that have become akin to family. 'My second home is here,' Kim says. And that's no exaggeration — most nights, after the music has faded and the lights have dimmed, chivalrous Kim takes out the garbage as a favor to the all-female staff. — Carly Hallman
Jalapeño Charlie, Saxon Pub, Austin
'Hi, I'm Charlie. My friends call me Jalapeño Charlie.' The man at the bar had known musician Rusty Wier since 1969 and was deeply hurt by his recent death. He met Rusty in Fort Worth and immediately became friends — and one of his biggest fans. A regular at the Saxon Pub on South Lamar Boulevard for years, Charlie settled into his worn seat every Thursday night to see Rusty perform. 'Rusty met two of his wives at my house,' he says. 'He would always come over and we would play strip dominoes with the ladies.' With considerable pride, Charlie claims that he always won. — Chris Saad
Henry Castillo, Cozy Corner, Round Rock
To Henry Castillo, 54, Cozy Corner reminds him of a bar he helped his father run when he graduated from high school. Every Wednesday, when Castillo comes to Cozy Corner on Liberty Street in Round Rock, it feels like a family reunion. 'If I walk through that door and I don't get at least four or five hugs, then I don't know anyone here, and that's not what it's like at Cozy Corner,' Castillo says. He sometimes brings along his wife of 35 years, and he feels comfortable with his daughters coming to the bar. 'It's family-oriented,' he says. 'Everyone knows that everyone here will take care of each person's family.' — Trisha Corona
Adam Hesse, Lavaca Street Bar, Austin
Adam Hesse feels exceedingly welcome at Lavaca Street Bar downtown. So the 'Cheers' references are all but inevitable. 'They all know my name,' he says. 'It's like when Norm comes in and everyone says, 'Norm!'' Hesse, 32, chose this bar because it's close to the restaurant where he works; it's not too busy; and it's not 'overloaded with DJs,' he says. Having worked at a bar before, Hesse knows how important it is to take care of regular customers. 'I had to know exactly what they drank,' he said of that family-owned bar. Not unlike his previous place of employment, Lavaca Street Bar is his perfect remedy for unwinding after work. 'A lot of people go home and watch TV after work,' Hesse said. 'I come here.' — Kaitlin Meilert
Tyler Willis, Deep Eddy Cabaret, Austin
More often than not, Tyler Willis, 30, can be found at the Deep Eddy Cabaret off Lake Austin Boulevard. A financial analyst by day, he usually hits Deep Eddy three times a week, sticking around two hours each time. 'I come to unwind after work, or during football season,' Willis says. 'I've been coming since I've been able to go to bars.' Willis appreciates the sense of community. 'It's usually the same crowd, so I know a lot of the people here.' His drink of choice is Natural Light. 'It's the cheapest beer in town,' he says. 'I learned that I save over $2,000 a year compared to other beers.' —Ryan Lester
Jodi Moreno, O4 Lounge, Austin
A man sits in the 04 Lounge on South Congress Avenue sipping a Bud Light. His face is sprinkled with a salt-and-pepper five o'clock shadow — and he might be staring at me through his black shades. An Austinite of 61 years, Jodi Moreno has been coming to this bar on South Congress Avenue for 20 years. Growing up in South Austin, he sold peanuts at Austin Senators games. Today, it's hard to find someone who knows the dive as well as he does. He was even a bartender here in the '80s and '90s when 04 Lounge was called Dee & Jim's. He now works for a construction company, and specializes in painting. He comes to 04 Lounge because he feels at ease here. 'You come in here, and you know who you are,' Moreno says. 'And you know everyone around you knows who they are.' — Phillip Bradshaw
Gene Higgins, Buddy's Place, Austin
Gene Higgins sat with a pomegranate and a half-empty Pearl in front of him. 'Hi, I'm Gene and I'm from Earth.' After describing the tiny Texas town of Earth, Higgins reminded me to 'be sincere about everything you do,' and not to waste time wondering how life could or should have been. Genuine words from a man who has lived nearly nine decades, 20 of those in Austin. Saudi Arabia and Australia are among the places Higgins has called home. Here, he rose to the status of associate city manager. He's been a regular at Buddy's Place on Burnet Road for most of his time in Austin. Higgins says Texans are plentiful at the bar, as are the jukebox tunes, games of pool, shuffleboard and darts. The bar is tiny and far from being centrally located. Yet something about it will make the Texan in anyone feel at home. — Jules Ramirez
