Bargoyles Ep 161 Cheeky's Fredericksburg with Alex Casey

Welcome to Episode 161 of The Bargoyles Podcast — and this week’s edition is a full-on Shift Drinks episode, recorded on location at one of Fredericksburg’s coolest new cocktail lounges: Cheekys.
We finally sat down with owner Alex Casey (@Cheekys.FXBG) and one of his lead chef-bartenders/baristas Yami (@Chef.YummYami), and this episode is all vibes, all heart, and a whole lot of espresso martinis.

Alex walks us through his journey from working in Michelin-starred kitchens in Washington, D.C. to making the post-COVID leap back home to Fredericksburg, where he opened the beloved brunch spot Casey’s. But like all great industry stories, evolution is inevitable — and Casey’s eventually transformed into Cheekys, a true, full-blown cocktail lounge that blends comfort, class, and a whole lot of personality.

And speaking of personality… Cheekys has officially gone full Christmas.
Alex chose this episode to unveil their brand-new holiday theme: “Miracle on Kenmore Ave” — a nod to a beloved Christmas classic and easily one of the most charming seasonal concepts we’ve ever seen a bar pull off. From the moment we walked in, it felt like stepping into a cozy holiday movie set. These decorations are staying up through the entire rest of the year, and if you’ve got even a drop of Christmas spirit in your bloodstream, you absolutely need to experience this in person.

We played a full round of Cheeky or Nah, our signature segment where we throw real bar-life scenarios at Alex to see if they pass the “Cheeky” vibe check. And in true Alex fashion, he turns out to be one of the most forgiving bar owners we’ve ever met — judging from this game, the man might just let Santa himself order a mojito on Christmas Eve.

This week’s cohosts Erin Coyne (@HeHeCoyote) and Chris Porter (@IAmSoChrisP) also joined in for a modified version of Story Warz, where each of us told a drunken story and Alex had to guess which disaster belonged to which host. The man has Michelin-star discipline… but nothing prepares you for Bargoyles storytelling.

We also got to highlight one of Cheekys’ biggest draws: their legendary espresso martinis. Alex and the team brought out a full flight, including their Peppermint Espresso Martini, which tasted exactly like Christmas slapped us lovingly in the face. If you’re trying to get into the holiday mood, this is the move.

And then there’s Yami’s masterpiece — The Emperor’s New Groove.
This cocktail is next-level: muddled cucumber jalapeño, house-made syrups, mezcal, and a basil oil finish… all inspired by the first French culinary book Yami ever read. It’s thoughtful, balanced, and absolutely unforgettable.

This Shift Drinks episode is everything we love about taking the show on the road: real stories from real hospitality people, handcrafted drinks, holiday magic, and a good amount of chaos sprinkled in. Cheekys is the kind of place you instantly want to come back to — and Alex and Yami are the kind of people you root for.

If you’re anywhere near Fredericksburg, don’t miss Miracle on Kenmore Ave.
If you’re not… pour something nice, hit play, and enjoy the ride with us.

Featuring:
Isaac Ignacio Bennett (@MisterIgnacio)
Erin Coyne (@HeHeCoyote)
Chris Porter (@IAmSoChrisP)
Alex Casey (@Cheekys.FXBG)
Yami (@Chef.YummYami)

Shift Drinks Episode | Recorded on location at Cheekys — Fredericksburg, VA
Episode 161 | The Bargoyles Podcast