Vicky Hester, beloved owner of Babes in Carytown, loved disco.
This Sunday, the vibrant spirit of Hester, who passed earlier this month at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer, will be celebrated with a joyous “disco tea.” It’s a fitting tribute to a woman who, for decades, cultivated one of the East Coast’s last remaining lesbian bars into a true haven.
But Vicky was more than just a proprietor; she was a foundational pillar of Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community, who was known for her unwavering commitment to creating safe and welcoming spaces, all while running a famously tight ship.
Let it be known, you act up and you’re out.
Babes, under Vicky’s guidance, wasn’t just a place to grab a drink. It was a sanctuary, a dance floor, a meeting point, and a second home for countless queer folks and allies.
For over 40 years, her dedication to Babes ensured that every patron felt seen, respected and free to be their authentic self. It was a way to keep everyone safe. While Hester was undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with, her stern exterior often belied a deep well of kindness and a genuine love for her community. She also established a food pantry located at the Metropolitan Community Church of Richmond.
Vicky’s legacy goes back to the now defunct Pyramid on the Boulevard and brings up fond memories for Jeff Domyan (aka DJ Reflexion), a resident DJ at Babes and other queer spaces around town.
“As a young gay man just coming out of the closet in the early ’90s, Richmond wasn’t exactly the most welcoming and accepting place for us,” he says. “When I discovered the Pyramid in 1993, I felt safe and free to be who I wanted to be. And that was Vicky’s unwavering expectation every time she opened those doors.”
“[Babes] was a safe, welcoming space because Vicky made sure it stayed that way. Her impact on Richmond’s queer community can’t be overstated, and she will be deeply missed.”
Domyan also confirms Hester’s high quality standards for her spaces.
”I asked Vicky for my first gig and handed her my mixtape. She listened to it and called me a few days later and said ‘I’ll give you a shot, but play anything with cuss words or sexually explicit, I’ll yank you out of that DJ booth so fast you won’t know what hit you.” Domyan adds that gig has led to an off-and-on 30-year stint djing in LGBTQ+ clubs across the city, “and I owe every bit of it to Vicky. What I didn’t expect was building a 30+ year friendship with the strongest, most selfless person I have ever met.”
Renowned drag performer Magnolia Jackson Pickett Burnside echoes this sentiment.
“Vicky created a place in Richmond that felt like our own version of ‘Cheers.’ Babes was never pretentious. It felt like hanging out in a friend’s backyard, surrounded by community,” Pickett Burnside says. “It was a safe, welcoming space because Vicky made sure it stayed that way. Her impact on Richmond’s queer community can’t be overstated, and she will be deeply missed.”
The disco tea promises to be a reflection of Vicky’s vivacious personality and the vibrant energy she brought to Babes. Expect glitter, good music and plenty of laughter as friends, family, and patrons gather to share stories and memories of a woman who left an indelible mark on Richmond and beyond.
Vicky Hester may be gone, but her legacy of safe spaces, fierce independence, and a little bit of disco magic will live on in the hearts of those she touched.
Longtime patron Samantha Berlin sums it up well.
“She touched so many lives. Let’s celebrate her and share stories.”
Vicky Hester’s Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Sept. 14 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Babes of Carytown, 3166 W. Cary St.
