Submitted by Melissa Howsam — Correspondent
Meet the man behind Franklin Street's newer-to-the-scene cozy and unassuming Crunkleton. Owner Gary Crunkleton is a 15-year bar vet who has a passion for bartending -- spinning a mod twist on the classic cocktail, bantering with customers and stealing those rare and humble moments to "pull up [his] shirt and show [his] gut." Hometown: I grew up in Denver, North Carolina, a tiny town in the rural part of the state and then moved to Chapel Hill in 1992 to attend UNC.
Your go-to bev: A tall pour of Rittenhouse 25-Year-Old Single Barrel Straight Rye Whisky, neat.
Drink you least like to make: Vodka and soda. It's repulsive.
One word coworkers use to describe you: Fat.
If you had to, which of your coworkers would you trip and why? Trip ... like put your foot out? I couldn't do it to any of them. It would be mean.
Even though they call you fat? Tripping someone has nothing to do with maintaining teamwork behind the bar. I ask the staff to work together, work hard and to work fast. All three are essential to being employed at The Crunkleton. Working here and making cocktails the right way can be difficult. Tripping a coworker would only get in the way. Calling me fat, however, is funny and shows a certain endearing quality that I appreciate.
If a movie was made about your life, who would play you? John Belushi.
In your car, your stereo is tuned to: 99.9 The Fan, sports radio.
Movie(s) you've watched over and over: "Bottle Rocket" and "The Big Lebowski."
Fav sports team, college or pro: UNC.
Beer - domestics or imports: Domestic.
Fictional character with whom you most identify: Maybe Larry David? ["Curb Your Enthusiasm"].
Fav '80s sitcom: "WKRP in Cincinnati."
If you turn on my TV, it's on: "SportsCenter."
Kobe or LeBron: LeBron.
Bigger train wreck: Heidi Montag or Lindsay Lohan? Montag.
You sometimes get mistaken for: My older brother Tedder.
Your celeb crush: Farrah Fawcett.
People should know you: Genuinely appreciate serving drinks.
Pet peeve: Lying.
Craziest thing you've seen while bartending? A guy with a shotgun came in the bar once and ordered a beer. Very soon after that, I learned he came in to hide from the Chapel Hill Police Department.
A bartender's best friend is: Good shoes.
People drink too much: Vodka and soda, or anything with Red Bull.
People don't drink enough: Mezcal and tequila.
Drink for a hot summer night: Caipirinha (a Brazilian cocktail made with two teaspoons sugar (to taste) muddled into one full sliced lime and then topped with ice and two ounces cachaca).
Other bars in the Triangle you have worked: Henderson Street Bar & Grill.
If you're not at work, you're most likely: At home with my loving wife and adorable 19-month-old son.
Best thing about drinking in the Triangle: We can finally drink well-balanced cocktails, similar to those from 100 years ago.
Worst thing about drinking in the Triangle: There are only a few bars that can serve those well-balanced cocktails.
Fav bar in the Triangle other than your own: The Cave, Lantern and Crook's Corner, all in Chapel Hill.
