We recently connected with Stevie Sanchez and have shared our conversation below.

Stevie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

RARE is a 21+ cocktail lounge in Lone Tree, Colorado, but we are so much more than a bar. At RARE, it is of the utmost importance to craft creative and exceptional cocktails that tantalize the senses. We take pride in employing knowledgeable and seasoned mixologists who artfully blend flavors to create our own signature infusions, shrubs, bitters, and more! Beyond the drinks, we are dedicated to cultivating a unique and unforgettable guest experience, where every visit is a journey of discovery. We are committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive space for all – where diversity is welcomed, and every guests feels valued. This acceptance isn’t just for the guests at our bar, but for our staff. As our staff is primarily comprised of members from the LGBTQ+ community, it is crucial for our team to feel respected, heard, and to see the products of their creativity come to life on our menu!

We absolutely love being an inclusive space outside of Denver that is more than merely tolerant. Becoming a venue that allows people to come as they are, free of discrimination, hasn’t been an easy process. The ugly side of tolerance that no one seems to want to talk about is that it must go both ways. It’s not just being open and accepting of marginalized groups, but to truly be open and accepting for everyone who share our values of human decency and respect. By doing this, our hope is to spread more love than what we see in our streets, and to be the open door that brings people of all walks of life together. In a world as diverse as ours, the importance of tolerance cannot be overstated. Regardless of one’s social status, race, orientation, etc., every individual deserves respect and common courtesy. Shared humanity is what unites us, transcending all boundaries. The strength of a society is measured by the degree to which it’s community accepts, protects, and uplifts each other. We feel that we have a unique opportunity to pioneer this vision of total community acceptance; to be the bridge that unites all people in and around Lone Tree.

Stevie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started my journey as a bartender at a popular sports bar chain nearly 8 years ago. It was there that I discovered my passion for creating unique drink concoctions, which led me to my next opportunity at a 5-diamond resort in Jacksonville, Florida, namely the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. My time at the resort helped me to masterfully hone my mixology skills, as well as elevate my standard of service to an unparalleled degree compared to much of the industry. This standard of service which I have developed is by far my most celebrated accomplishment, as there is no better feeling than knowing I delivered spectacularly unrivaled experience to my guests.

By implementing my own inspired take on the 5-diamond service model, I aim to help RARE set a new benchmark in Colorado’s hospitality industry, and this begins with striving for excellence in every aspect of the guest experience from the moment they pull up to the venue to when they leave the parking lot. At RARE, walking in excellence is our chief aim.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

In my experience, a key facet of properly managing a team is observing where everyone shines best and putting them in positions that foster that expression. To accomplish this, one must first accept as an absolute truth that everyone has something wonderful to offer. Whether it be excellent customer service, strong analytical skills, inspired creativity, or a detailed eye for facility cleanliness – every member of the team has something essential that they can contribute, but it is the responsibility of the leadership to recognize it and help draw it out.

I find high morale is intimately connected to the above process, as having personnel in positions which allow them the most opportunity to flex their strengths is essential to helping the staff find meaning in their work. This meaning is not always tied to some grandiose purpose (after all, it is called work for a reason), but rather the expression of the proclivity itself can be its own meaning, much in the same way that to stretch your muscles in the morning is its own reward.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Consistency, consistency, and did I mention consistency? Consistency.

Human behavior favors predictability (it improved our evolutionary fitness, after all). When a client is choosing to allocate resources for an experience they want the security of knowing what they are getting for their investment. Given that much of the clientele in this industry come from referrals and word-of-mouth marketing, consistency of service is paramount, and even that may be an understatement. When a guest books a private event with us, such as a wedding reception, or just comes in for a drink after work, and they do so because of the referral of a friend or colleague, they are depending on having as near an identical experience as the one who gave them the referral in the first place. As such, it is our aim to deliver our defined standard of service as consistently as possible, with the only exception being the exceeding of the former.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gristbrewco.com/rare
• Instagram: @rarebygrist
• Facebook: facebook.com/therareexperience
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rare-by-grist-lone-tree?start=20