Our History
In July 2011 Brian Lepo bought the bar from Marie Hayer and 2013 we celebrated our 2-year anniversary by starting the Albatross Old Smokey Throwdown with 40 teams! In 2014 we purchased and demolish the building next door and build-out our fabulous patio, perfect for the Throwdown and any other event or sunny day. In 2015 we started our Summer Party on the Patio series and added bar bites to the menu.
Over the years we've built an awesome team of management and bartenders that continue to serve our guest through today. Stop-by and add to our rich history with good friends and fun!
About the Owner
Brian Lepo, was born on the island in 1979 and graduated Ball High School in 1997.
His entrepreneur spirit began in 6th grade when his school Jolly Rancher sales became so lucrative that he saved enough money to buy a new, larger JanSport backpack that would hold more Jolly Ranchers. Bitten by the businessman bug, Brian soon started Pencil Break tournaments and sold #2 pencils to class mates.
Junior year in high school Brian started a mobile DJ business called Sounds So Sweet. And at nineteen years old, Brian Lepo had bought Howard Vending out with a loan from a very supportive yet business driven family member.
Lepo stayed on the island through college commuting and in to his time at University of Houston. At some point during college Brian rented a margarita machine for a party he was having. Someone jokingly said, “Why don't you own the one of these.” So of course, Brian Lepo bought that very machine and over the next two years purchase many more margarita machines building a party rentals business offering Frozen Beverage Machines, Moonwalks, Water Slides, Obstacle Courses, Mechanical Bulls, and Dunk Tanks for rent.
Brian Lepo
815 21st Street, Galveston, TX 77550 | MON-SAT 10am-2am | SUN 12pm-2am
A FULL SERVICE BAR
All the while the young Brian Lepo ran the service side of Ace Music Coin-op Company. After fifteen years, he bought our business partner Steve Everts in 2015.
In late May 2010 ,Marie Hayer former owner of the Albatross and coin-op customer of Ace Music Co mentioned retiring and selling her business. A month-and-a-half later BOI Entertainment LLC was formed and purchased the Albatross.
Three years later, a little property on the corner of 17th and O came available for rent. From the second Brian walked in the door, he could feel the history of the place, the Island Pier Club “A Five-Star Dive Bar” was born. (For a complete history of the Island Pier Club, click here)
Brian Lepo still lives on the island and says he can't imagine living anywhere else.
Join Us for Our 11th Annual
Old Smokey Throwdown
July 13th 2024
Rules
A contestant or team consists of one chief cook and no more than four assistants (but who’s counting). Contestants may check in and pickup turn in containers at
the judging tent beginning at 10 A.M Saturday Saturday, July 13, 2024. Space setup may begin at 8am.
1. The City of Galveston will not be closing the street until at 8am.
2. Categories for the 2024 Albatross Old Smokey Throw down Cook-off are as follows:
-
Chicken Wings (Wings and Drumettes only)
-
Beef Fajitas
-
Bacon Open ( Any dish you like JUST BE SURE TO USE BACON)
**ALL ENTRIES MUST BE COOKED ON A STOCK OLD SMOKEY.(Unmodified)
-
Teams may bring more than one Old Smokey pit to cook on.
-
Please only Old Smokeys.
-
Your official start time is as soon as you’re Setup.
-
SAUCE: You like it use it. Cook with it, pour it on your entry; we don’t care just make it delicious. NO garnishing or markers allowed.
-
No foil inside containers.
**EVERY TEAM IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.
Cooks are to prepare and cook barbecue in as sanitary a manner as possible. Cooking conditions are subject to inspection by the BARBECUE COOK-OFF COMMITTEE and/or County and State Health Inspectors. Conditions found to be unsanitary will be grounds for disqualification from this cook-off. Fires must be wood or wood substance, or charcoal.
NO gas or electric fires are allowed. No holes, open fires, or dug pits will be allowed.
JUDGING: Contest meats will be judged by the public on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Contest meats must be delivered to the designated turn-in point.
Turn in time listed below:
-
CHICKEN WINGS: 12:30pm to 12:40pm
-
BEEF FAJITAS: 2:20pm to 2:30pm
-
BACON: 3:50pm to 4:00pm
THE OFFICIAL TIME WILL BE THAT ONE AS KEPT BY THE HEAD JUDGE & HIS/HER DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT 5:30PM.
DOUBLE BLIND JUDGING: You will receive 3 foam trays with lids. Each of these trays will have a numbered ticket affixed to the bottom and a matching numbered ticket inside. The Chief Cook is responsible for removing the inner ticket and putting it in a safe place. You MUST present this number matching inner ticket to claim any prize when the winning tickets are announced at the award ceremony.
