Cheer Up Charlies: Quirkiness at Its Finest.

             (Courtesy of Third Coast Coffee Roasting Company)

Cheer Up Charlie's patrons indulge on coconuts outside of the eaterie. 

Whether you’re a lesbian hipster, Japanese horror film enthusiast or just someone in search of a new hang out spot, Cheer Up Charlie’s is a new bar on East 6^th Street  serving up an unconventional assortment of drinks, snacks and events that caters to just about everyone.

            Just last year, Cheer Up Charlie’s was nothing more than Tamara Hoover’s small smoothie and sandwich stand.

              Hoover, the owner and proprietor of Cheer Up Charlie’s, credits the success of her small business venture to the free margaritas she gave out at 2:00 a.m., during the 2009 South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival.

            ”It has all been a step by step process. But after the margaritas, that’s when we got the huge crowds,” Hoover said.

            From then on, Cheer Up Charlie’s has become a regular hang out spot for the hipsters, artists, musicians, and gay members of the Austin community.

             And after one vegan chocolate and a sip of Kombucha tea, it doesn’t take much to want to become a regular yourself.

            Cheer Up Charlie’s’ variety of refreshments makes it one of a kind.

            After drinking the most popular drink, coconut milk served inside its the own shell, customers can attach their coconut shell on the patio wall. 

            More than anything Cheer Up Charlie’s’ drink menu centers around carrying carefully crafted products.

            “We had a lesbian party last week. They were so  pissed off  because we did not carry Bud Light,” Hoover said. “Cheer Up Charlie’s is all about supporting quality versus commercialism.”

            Cheer Up Charlie’s  also offers a selection of  vegan snacks that are surprisingly tasty.

            Their almond butter vegan chocolate is a wonderful blend of  dark chocolate with a creamy center that tastes anything but chalky.

            Named after a song in the Willy Wonka movie, Cheer Up Charlie’s reflects  the whimsical, and unexpected nature of the film.

            “We call ourselves the ‘Queer Ice House’ meaning that we are not exclusive. We are not gay, lesbian, straight but rather just queer,”  said Eli Welbourne,  one of Cheer Up Charlie’s’ bartenders. “We are a queer, alternative events space.”

            The bar’s eclectic and casual décor captures the essence of  their self described queerness with items such as a log sculpture  that spells out the word “love” and a couple of rainbow colored tennis shoes  that hang from a cord in the patio.  

            “Cheer Up Charlies feels like the people who create the space. Those who create things in our community are the ones that become our regulars. All of those people contribute back into this space and leave their mark whether through art, music, or even event ideas,” Hoover said.