Varsity Bar’s Charles Garibay

By Johnny Trlica

In doing this column for the past year, we have learned that our Houston/Galveston area bartenders have some stories to tell. They have seen some things!

As we enter this holiday season, please drink responsibly, tip your bartenders, and rent a room before having sex on the pool table. (Read on and you’ll see what we are referencing here.)

The Montrose Star Bartender of the Month for November is Charles Garibay.

Name: Charles Garibay

Where is your hometown?
Houston, but raised in El Paso, West Texas, the desert and the Franklin Mountains.

Single, married, or I like to keep ’em guessing?
Keep ’em guessing. LOL.

Varsity may be your new gig, but you are no stranger to that location. Tell us about your experience bartending.
Oh goodness, I’ve been around a while! Somewhat of a workaholic. Most recently, my gig with Eagle started in December 2009 to early 2010, a Sunday only party in the basement of the historical Magnolia Building. In time it moved to 611 Hyde Park, approximately 10 years at that location. It was a great bumpy experience all those years! My fourteen plus years (since conception) with The Eagle came to an abrupt ending July 7, when the business was shut down! The evils lurking behind the curtain was the bar’s demise… unfortunately. I’d rather stay silent on my true feelings about that whole situation.

During those early years of bartending, I was also employed with Stereo Live for nine years. I like to say, “I used to work eight days a week.” Very fulfilling, I really loved Stereo Live a lot! The EDM scene/people and music genre is my favorite and that job allowed me to meet a lot of touring DJs and enjoy the job as a whole! Nine years of fun fun fun!
Prior to all of this I helped open up Christian’s Tailgate on White Oak, before that area boomed with more bars and eateries. I worked there for three years.

What is your drink specialty?
For me, personally? A cold beer and a shot of whiskey/tequila to sip on — never shoot! For customers, I will attempt their request if I am able.

What is your philosophy on being a good bartender?
Hell, that’s a lot! Have to be self-reliant and self-managed! Need good, strong social skills. I have to maintain a positive, strong, patient attitude. It can be demanding when every customer expects their own personal attention. Customers seem to forget that part, the part where the bartenders are trying to be attentive and appease everyone in the bar at the same time. Most definitely, the main reason, when I get off my shift, I turn off everything to decompress. Rarely will I go to another bar after work; I’ve had enough for the moment! Cycling is my therapy!

Tell us something people do not know about you.
I am an introvert, somewhat of a loner, and I am OK with that!

Besides the money, what do you enjoy about being a bartender?
A couple of things. In general, the independence, the different people and lifestyles I have had the opportunity to meet and experience.

What is a pet peeve about being a bartender?
Ugh, LOL, so many. The drunk, rude, demanding customers. The non-tippers, especially with big tabs. Stubborn, indecisive on what to order while I have a line of customers waiting. The showoff, supposed high roller, who ends up giving me credit cards that are declined! The name-droppers!

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever seen from behind the bar?
Aside from the full-on sex on the pool table in the middle of the bar room? That was very entertaining, and other onlookers enjoyed it as well! Another time, I had this rather attractive couple walk into the bar naked, walk up to me, and order drinks. To be honest, it really didn’t faze me at all, but most of the other customers seemed offended and started to yell for them to leave. I closed their tab and told them we had a dress code! HAHAHA! True story.

If you were not a bartender, what would you be doing?
Growing up, I always thought about being an airline pilot. To this date, I still dream that I am able to fly.

Tell us about the Houston Scene Magazine and awards.
Oh man, ever so rewarding! One helluva amazeball experience! It started when I met Edwin Dean, creator of HSM. He became my best friend and brother! We happened to be at a then-unknown RuPaul concert at Club NRG. Edwin had a vision, started a monthly newspaper rag covering the club and fashion industry of Houston. We were definitely ahead of our time, just ask those in the know. Mind you, this was way back when the general public would go out to socialize, meet and greet! No cellphones/social media apps. You had to go out to be seen and experience the once vibrant and versatile bar scene.
There used to be a shit load more bars/clubs back then. We would throw promotional parties throughout the city club scene, both straight and gay. It was when I had the pleasure of meeting many bar owners/managers and up-and-coming owners of today’s scene.

The magazine allowed me to meet many celebrities — actors and singers; Houston Scene Magazine had some clout!

The annual Houston Scene Awards were like the Academy Awards, truly recognizing the best of fashion, clubs, and music DJs, all judged and chosen winners by their peers in the industry. It was always an event to look forward to. OMG, it was a night for all in the industry to dress up and represent. Great times.

Have you heard the song, “Video Killed the Radio Star”? Well, as technology grew, computers, social media, etc., it slowly killed hard copy local newspapers, magazines, flyers, etc. The public was directed to computers, Wi-Fi, and social media. It became cheaper and was more mass exposure for business owners and the public to get their product out online. Rags like Public News and Houston Press eventually folded, as did Houston Scene Magazine in 1999. [Editor’s note: Houston Press remains online.]

Power Tools is legendary. What was that like, and how did you get involved in that?
Oh Lordy, a tear comes to my eyes. The memories. During the Houston Scene Magazine years, we did a lot of promotional parties, and Power Tools was a big account for us and became available for purchase. (The owner wanted us to take over.) Ironically, I had already experienced that iconic bar at 709 Franklin in the basement of the Magnolia Building, when I first moved to Houston. Damn, what a f*cking crazy fun club it was!
As time went on, we got the opportunity to take over and purchase Power Tools. We became the third proprietors. I suddenly became a co-owner of a club that will never be replicated. It was a proud time for me to say I worked then co-owned the bar. A lot of blood, sweat and tears, not to mention the times we would literally be flooded by Buffalo Bayou due to hurricanes/heavy rains. But it was all worth it!

Are you on social media?
I’m only on Facebook for promotional purposes; it already takes too much of my time, my brain gets mushy! But please look me up.

Thanksgiving is later this month. What are you thankful for this year?
I am always thankful and very grateful for everything I have acquired and, of course, my family and true friends. This time around, it’s getting the opportunity to continue doing what I enjoy, being in the bar scene at least a little bit longer. It kind of helps keep my youth! LMFAO.

I thank Jeff Harmon for this next chapter with Varsity Bar! It’s time to fill more pages in My Book of Life.

Where and when can we catch you for a drink?
Varsity Bar at 611 Hyde Park, in Montrose. Check my FB Pages and friend me — the more the merrier.

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