Check out Charley’s new lounge

By Sue Sawyer

Charley’s (formerly Nifty Fifties on 19th and Mildred, across from TCC’s main campus) has always been a popular hangout for some serious pool and good old-fashioned bar atmosphere. The building included a lounge that was under-used in the past. In that very spot, Charley’s new owners just finished constructing a new full-service second bar, a state-of-the-art nightclub so bands can easily plug in on the new stage, and a place where dancers have room to shake all their parts. Charley’s also features karaoke five nights a week, and according to KJ Bobby “Diamond” Heryla, It’s a different type of crowd every night.”

The new stage has large Makey speakers framing each side. There are also smaller Makey units hanging on each wall, along with new TV screens. The DJ booth is set behind the stage. A full-time restaurant chef is on staff, and there are daily specials. When the kitchen closes, the fryer is still on until closing. If the parking lot is crowded, remember that there are two venues at Charley’s, so go on ahead in!

Bobby has many years of experience as a DJ, previously working for WKJR. He was hired on in the 1970s to do promos and be the general gopher, and worked himself into the DJ slot. Bobby is a local who loved listening to Kasey Kasem, and studied the hit music charts all through school into adulthood. Besides his encyclopedic knowledge of who wrote what and who all recorded it, Bobby sings about 600 songs. Most tunes he says “are one-hit wonders of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.” He adds, “I was tagged with the middle name Diamond because I sing many of Neil Diamond’s tunes.” His gift of music gab goes on between singers, and that ol’ DJ magic shines while keeping the karaoke show going. “Some of the singers that come in love to challenge my memory, and once in a while they succeed. I love to watch singers come to the stage and do their stuff. It’s not easy to stand in front of people and sing. I admire them.”

“I love karaoke. I love doing karaoke-style weddings and being part of the ceremony. I also love it when my singers pull surprises. Not too long ago in north Seattle a couple got up to sing “Love Shack”, and when the part came - “You’re what?”, the wife sang to her husband that she was two months pregnant. She had asked me earlier in the evening if she could set up the scenario for the duet, and everyone in the bar, including me, knew except her husband. She didn’t know how to tell him, so she sang it. They hugged and kissed. He was shocked and delighted. The audience went wild.”

Bobby’s KJ-ing has been enjoyed in SeaTac at Trudy’s for many years, plus the Log Cabin and Lady J’s in Thurston County, and other locations in Seattle. Partnering up with Al Russell landed him his gig at Charley’s. The stage is set with the best of everything, so come on in and be known. Charley’s is located at 6520 19th St. W., Tacoma, WA (Fircrest); 253-564-9454.