Play Nightlife’s Casey Reed

By Johnny Trlica ––

There has been much discussion lately about America’s tipping culture. Who do I tip? How much do I tip? In Houston, we tip hairdressers, Uber drivers, Doordashers, drag queens and servers like waiters and bartenders.

What seems to bring the most confusion is how much to tip your bartender? First, if you cannot afford to tip, keep your broke self at home and definitely do not sit at a bar, taking up precious bar space.

So, how much should you tip? Toast.com published a guideline.
– Beer, wine, or simple mixed drink: $1 to $2 per drink.
– Bottle of wine: 15 to 20 percent of the bottle price.
– Cocktails: $2 to $3 per drink, or 15 to 20 percent of the total bill if running a tab.
– Shots: $1 per shot, or $1 to $2 if the bartender is pouring multiple shots.
– Complex Cocktails (e.g., mojitos, Margaritas with special garnishes): $3 to $5 per drink.

Toast.com reminds its readers that these are just guidelines, and actual amounts can vary depending on speed and quality of service, and professionalism and friendliness of the bartender.

One of the friendliest, fastest and most professional bartenders in the Houston/Galveston area is Casey Reed. He’d love to mix you up a martini or an old-fashioned.

The MONTROSE STAR Bartender of the Month is Casey Reed.

Name:
Casey Reed

Hometown:
Lovington, New Mexico.

When I was 19, I moved to Dallas, Texas for school, earned a degree in IT and worked at Six Flags for 10 years. I started visiting Galveston and met the owner of Rumors Entertainment Group and started working in the bar he had just opened. I lived in Galveston for nine years before making my way to Montrose in Houston.

Married, single or not telling?
Single.

Tell us about your experience bartending.
I’ve been bartending for seven years now. I worked for Rumors Bar and Grill, then Hubcap on the Strand, both in Galveston, After Hubcap I went to Crocker Bar and that place is what made me want to live to Houston, definitely an important step to becoming the bartender I am today. And now I’m at Play Nightlife in Houston.

What is your drink specialty?
I really enjoy mixing up different kind of shots.

What is your philosophy on being a good bartender?
Be nice to everyone and take pride in everything you serve.

Besides the money, what do you enjoy about being a bartender?
Talking to people and making them
smile with a good drink.

If a customer wants to impress a date, what drink do you recommend?
Martinis and old fashions.

What is a pet peeve about being a bartender?
My biggest pet peeve is anyone who pulls the race card on me at the bar. So, please don’t. I absolutely hate that. If I ask to see your ID, it’s because you look younger than 21, not because of the color of your skin. Take it as a compliment. I serve everyone equally, until you don’t tip!

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever seen from behind the bar?
Everything from the whole bar fighting to people having sex. But really, I’ve seen so much crazy stuff. Looking back, probably the craziest was when some drunk came into Rumors (Galveston) and got into it with the regulars. Josh Mills and I had to push him out of the bar and while we did, he crapped his shorts and it came right out the bottom of his shorts and onto our legs and shoes. We never saw that guy again!

What do you do for fun? Any hobbies?
I really enjoy hanging with friends and traveling. My two miniature schnauzers take up most of my time.

Who is your favorite musical artist? Who is on your current playlist?
I’ve been listening to a lot of country lately. Zach Bryan is one of my new favorites.

Are you on social media?
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X).

Where and when can we catch you for a drink?
I am at Play Nightlife on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays

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