December is a month when servers and bartenders typically look forward to a financial bonus in the form of above-average tips. That extra income may be thanks to a holiday party booking generous bar regulars known to throw a Ulysses Grant or two in the tip jar (regardless of the tab) or from dinner guests spreading some holiday cheer.  What no one expects is to have a face-tatted, rapper-turned-country phenom (and one of the world’s most-avid Magic The Gathering players) to post up at your bar on Christmas Eve and effectively drop 200 Bennys in the bucket. That is exactly what happened at The Railyard bar at 4200 San Felipe in Houston this past Christmas Eve when Post Malone stopped in for a few drinks. 

Apparently mentally prepping for his halftime performance the next day with none other than Houston’s Queen Bee, Beyonce, Post Malone rolled into the Railyard with fellow neo-country star, Shaboozie. While there, Railyard locals, in true Houston holiday spirit, picked up the tab for the two megastars. Post, no stranger to bar etiquette, asked if bartender Renee Brown would ring him up for a small amount, so he could tip (this is how it’s done, folks). That tip, Renee would later learn while closing out her drawer at the end of the night, was a life-changing sum in the amount of $20,000.  

“I try to go above and beyond to take care of all of our customers, and loved seeing them interact with Post Malone when he visited — he was so genuine and made everyone feel comfortable,” said Brown. As a single mother of one, Brown works two jobs when she isn’t homeschooling her daughter. “His generosity with this life-changing gift blew me away. This definitely wasn’t the Christmas Eve I was expecting, but one I’m forever thankful to have had.” 

Given its proximity to the Galleria area high end hotels, the Railyard is no stranger to celebrity sightings, including a recent visit by Kiefer Sutherland, while simultaneously being known for its easygoing neighborhood vibes. Railyard owner Trey Melcher said, “You never know who is going to walk through the door. In the past we’ve had visits from celebrities, but this unexpected act of kindness made all of our holiday seasons brighter.”

Alex Gregg