Best Of Tucson®

The End-of-Days Exit Interview: Karl Goranowski

Karl Goranowski is a renowned bartender at Scott and Co. He helped open the bar’s adjoining restaurant, 47 Scott, and says he’s the last remaining original employee. A native of Columbia, Maryland, he came to Tucson to attend the UA; he graduated with a degree in history and political science. What would be his last drink before the end of the world? “A daiquiri with some really strong rum,” he says. “Yeah, a 151 daiquiri.”

A meteor is going to hit the Earth tomorrow. Where would you sit down in Tucson for your final meal (besides 47 Scott)?

The Dish. I love the atmosphere, and being able to pick up any wine I want for the apocalypse would be great. I will gladly spend $2,000 on a bottle of wine if it doesn’t matter. I am sure if the meteor hits, they’ll waive the corkage fee, too.

Our new robot overlords want to ban alcohol. Where would you want to have your final drink (besides Scott and Co.)?

I would want to have it at Wilko, and I would want Luke Anable to serve it to me. I really respect him as a bartender. And since it would be the end of our professions, I’d want to get his perspective on what to do next. He really knows stirred cocktails and spirit-forward cocktails, and he probably has a better spirits knowledge than any other bartender in this city.

Global warming has increased outside temps to 130 degrees in the summer. Where do you go to cool off?

Bisbee, no question about that. I love saying at the Shady Dell. I love eating at the myriad restaurants. And St. Elmo’s!

Aliens have landed in your backyard and say: “Take us to your leader.” Where would you send them in Tucson?

I’d take them to City Hall, to talk to Mayor (Jonathan) Rothschild. I would like to think that the will of the people is reflected in the mayor of a city, even though others may have more power.

The mole people are invading the surface world through a tunnel that opens in your backyard. What local business would you turn to for help?

I’m a hands-on kind of guy, so I’d go to Miller’s Surplus and see if they have anything kicking around back that would be of use—maybe some camouflage netting, so if they invade, they might not get into my spirits stock. I’d probably also look for some sort of entrenchment tool, so maybe I could dig down and take the fight back to them.

If a zombie apocalypse were to happen in Tucson, what shopping center would you like to hole up in?

The corridor on Campbell Avenue north of Grant Road, where there’s Umi Star, Cartel Coffee Lab, Plaza Liquors and myriad other places. There’s also Lucky Wishbone, for when all the fresh food runs out.

What Tucson band or musician would you like to write the soundtrack to the end of the world as we know it?

Gabriel Sullivan. After knowing Gabe for so long, I believe he could bring a sense of perspective and cynicism about what is happening, but do so in a positive manner.

If you had only one sunset left in Tucson, from where would you watch it?

Windy Point on Mount Lemmon. I love the view of the city; being on the mountain, it’s a little bit cooler. I just love that spot.