New owner of Pocatello LGBTQ nightclub promises to take things to the ‘next level’
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POCATELLO — Club Charley’s has gone through many eras since it opened as a gay bar in Pocatello in 1997.
Billing itself as eastern Idaho’s longest-operating safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies of the community, the bar is entering its 28th year. Now, a new owner says he is ready to take Charley’s “to the next level.”
“Of course, we want to expand,” said new owner Vernon Reed on Monday after a planning meeting with minority owners Casey Wynn and Brad Winters. “I know there is a lot of fear in the community about changing, but we’re only going to grow and honor the past. Charley’s isn’t going away.”
Reed and his two partners took ownership of the nightclub in mid-December. He bought it from former owner Jon Peirsol, who spent most of the last decade renovating and revitalizing Charley’s. Peirsol purchased the club from David Mihlfeith in 2013.
“The original owners, Dave and Larry, are some of my best friends in the world, and when they chose to sell (Charley’s), they selected me to take it on,” Peirsol said.
During that time, a new dance floor, DJ booth, bar top, restrooms, and more were renovated. The COVID-19 pandemic saw the bar close for many months, and Peirsol spent much of his own money on improvements while waiting for Gov. Brad Little to lift the bar restrictions. In summer 2021, the outside of the building got a fresh coat of paint in an unmissable pink and lime green. Screens at the bar and around the stage ensure there isn’t a terrible seat in the house.
“Initially I resisted the purchase for a year because I had my plate full, but I wanted to keep (Charley’s) going for the community,” Peirsol said. “The last 12 years have been great, but I’ve been looking for a new owner for about a year or two now because it’s time to pass it on to the next leadership who can take it for the next decade.”
With Mihlfeith’s help, Peirsol searched for someone to fit the role, something he believes he found in Reed.
“Charley’s is a safe place and a sanctuary. It’s a place of respect. That’s why when I did my vetting over the last year, I made sure to find someone who would continue on with the principles that were established,” Peirsol said. “I wanted to include in the management team two great people in the community (Wynn and Winters), who had already been a part of Charley’s history for years.”
Wynn, who also performs as a drag personality named Spyke Naugahyde, has been involved at the bar for 26 years. With his minority ownership, Wynn will also be the entertainment director at the club. Winters will oversee operations.
Tawnya Eastman is the head mixologist and bar manager and oversees human resources. All the staff under Peirsol’s ownership and Silver Rail Inc. have continued employment under Reed. Peirsol is staying on as an advisor through at least 2025.
“I will be heavily involved for the next year or so,” Peirsol said. “I hope it continues to evolve. Who knows what the next generation of the community is? We spent a lot of time doing research looking for someone who would add their flavor but not change what Charley’s is.”
Some of that flavor includes getting big names to perform at the bar, something Charley’s has done in the past with popular reality TV drag stars like Adore Delano, Tammie Brown, and most recently, Sharon Needles.
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Reed explained the goal is to continue getting more prominent names while maintaining a local drag presence.
“Outside names will get more people in the door to see the local performers,” Reed said. He added that he plans to bring dance back to Charley’s and that the team is open to discussions about other events.
Reed is an east Idaho native. He is a retired military officer, a part-time teamster for the film industry, and the owner of a couple of digital platforms, which he considers “hobbies. ”
“I would come to Charley’s with friends when it was owned by Dave. My mom also owned a Mexican restaurant nearby, and we would deliver food to the bar,” Reed said. “Charley’s is my main priority now, and it’s important that it belongs to the same community that it always has, the LGBTQ community and anyone friendly to that community. There’s no disrespect here.”
Reed hopes the community will accept him and his wife as the new owners and that they will continue Charley’s legacy.
“It’s a safe place for everybody. People know that if they come here, it’s going to be peaceful,” Reed said. “They can relax, have some fun, and enjoy themselves without unwanted attention and provoked attacks. We don’t need another sports bar or darts bar. Maintaining a queer, safe space is our priority.”
On Jan. 11, local drag performers host “Divas After Dark.” Every Thursday is trivia night, and there are multiple in-house DJs. A drunken comedy improv show will be happening on Jan. 10th.
“Charley’s will continue to be Charley’s, an icon and a landmark,” Peirsol said. “Nothing has changed. We have great new leadership who have the energy to go all in.”