We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lizz Dominguez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lizz thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Trying not to go too far back, I would say the biggest risk I have ever taken is taking the little money I had saved in my bank account and a small chunk of money left to me by my Abuela and investing in the bar. This was a huge leap for me from what was comfortable and what I had known the majority of my adult life, into the uncomfortable and unknown. Not only was the financial investment a gamble…but also taking the risk and going into a partnership with 4 other individuals , all coming from different backgrounds with vastly different personalities.

The biggest risk of all for me was leaving what I had always known, which is a life BEHIND the bar. Having bartended 20+ years…this was the life I knew. I had never given much thought about what might come after. I knew I wasn’t entirely happy and had plateaued doing what I was doing. I knew that a change had to be made, I just didn’t know what. The opportunity presented itself to become a part of Bar Nancy. I was scared, nervous, did a lot of overthinking and ultimately made the decision to GO FOR IT. With this decision came a lot of highs and lows. Also a COMPLETE career change, learning an entire new set of skills from scratch. Through good times and bad I know that I made the BEST decision for myself and have never looked back. If I hadn’t taken that one big risk, I honestly think I would still be behind the bar wondering what if? And Whats next? I was forced to change and grow for the better. I also try to practice and learn to be comfortable with being UN comfortable. I firmly believe this is the only path to growth.

Lizz, 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?

Bar Nancy is a Nautically themed Live Music Venue and Craft Cocktail Bar located in Historic Little Havana. A place where you can enjoy an expertly crafted cocktail, grab a beer with friends, and enjoy some INCREDIBLE food with a Cuban twist provided by the Croqueta QUEEN herself, Janet of ONE HOT DISH!

Catch some of the greatest local live music talents and entertainment this great city has to offer, featuring local legends as well as fresh, new, raw talent on the scene. It could be a local Rock and Roll band, Reggae artist, Cover band, DJ Set , or even a Metal Show. We have a monthly Country and Western Night, hosted by Ricky Valido. A monthly Jam Session with the infamous BIRDMAN, Sean Gould, and a monthly showcase of pure Rock and Roll madness, presented by JP Alegria + BARAJA!

We also have several theme nights such as YACHT ROCK, DISCO, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and House. We are beyond proud to host legendary nights, such as the ORIGINAL KITCHEN CLUB + FIRE & ICE, as well as legendary Miami Artists such as Nil Lara, Johnny Dread, Afrobeta, Ordinary Boys and Otto Von Schirach. Burlesque and Drag Shows and A monthly night of Stand Up hosted by Goddess of Comedy Pauley McPaulerson. Also, our Sunday Karaoke Night is the best in town.

One of the things we are best known for is our varied, unique and eclectic style. (Just check out the Instagram Stories or Facebook page to keep up to date on all the current events!) I am so proud of the fact that we are survivors through these crazy times and continue to provide a much needed Live Music Venue for our city. It is a home away from home for a wide variety of local artists and entertainers that we are proud to call friends.

We have such a wonderful, warm and welcoming staff and our clientele has been truly amazing through out all of these tumultuous months. I’m so proud of what we have become…we are a true “Mom and Pop” a Neighborhood Bar and a Hidden Gem in Miami. A place where you can come as you are and ALL are welcome. You can always feel at home at Bar Nancy.
Nowadays we need this more than ever, and we continue to provide that! Just relax, unwind and chill with us. No BS.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partners?

I had just gotten a bartending job at this really incredible Live Music Venue in the Design District called THE STAGE owned by Sasha Torres. I was the new girl there, so I was always delegated to work the smaller outside bar. One of the star bartenders there was a guy named, Ben. Well, I think one night he must have been punished or something, because they stuck him at that outside bar with me, on a Saturday Night, in the pouring rain. Needless to say there wasn’t a whole lot of business that night, but we definitely had a lot of time to talk and get to know each other. We eventually found out that we had a lot in common.

Time went on and I left that job, The Stage shut down and I picked up bartending gigs at other spots around town, such as The Vagabond in Overtown and a spot in Wynwood. Ben and I pretty much lost touch with the exception of good ol’ Facebook. Fast forward and I was working at this cool, little dive bar in Downtown…PUB ONE…it was a great little spot..sadly we were actually within a week or so of permanent closure and I was pretty bummed. Especially about the prospect of having to look for a job and start over somewhere new.

One day I was working the day shift at a virtually empty bar, when who should come walking in?…Ben! Turns out he bartended at a neighboring bar down the street and had come in to say hello from time to time, but it seemed we always just missed each other. We did a lot of catching up that day and he told me how he was in the process of opening up a Cocktail Bar/Live Music Venue in Little Havana with his Dad Tom, Girlfriend Katie and Sasha, former owner of The Stage. The place sounded pretty fantastic and when he told me he needed investors, I thought…”I’m going to be out of a job soon. I’m tired of jumping from one bar job to the next why not take a chance.” So, I took the gamble and never looked back…No regrets. The rest, as they say, is history!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

The thing I think that has helped me build my own personal reputation within my field, is the values I apply in my work life, are the same ones I try every day to apply in my personal life. To be authentic, to be kind, to be REAL. Authenticity counts for so much. I respond to EVERY email, every call, even if it’s just a text, every message. I try to find the good and positive traits in every person I work with, even though sometimes we don’t see eye to eye. I put myself in their shoes and try to find a solution, or a way that we can somehow come together and make it work. Some of the very best events I have ever worked on came about with someone I didn’t initially click with, but I was determined to work it out and see it through. Together, we pulled off a fantastic event and it turned out to be the first of many. This person/people are now among my very favorites to collaborate with on events.

Doing my best to ALWAYS be a woman of my word. My big thing is, be PATIENT with others, be patient with yourself…I struggle with this so it’s something I have to work on daily. I find that the main thing people want, what they need, is for someone to just shhhhh and listen to what they have to say. When it comes down to it, people really just want to be heard. I know I’m not always right, and I am far from perfect, but by really listening to what someone is trying to tell me, is how I often learn and grow. I think those that have worked with me know this about me. It sets me apart a bit from some others, perhaps in my field. I genuinely care about those I work with, my partners, the bands, the entertainers, the staff, the guests. When you truly care, it shows in your work, in your attitude, and in the way you carry yourself. This goes for my personal life too. I always try to take time to rest and take care of myself, guilt free. Even if its just a few minutes a day, just chilling with my dogs. It can make all the difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nancy305.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/barnancymiami
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/barnancy305
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/barnancy305
• Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/bar-nancy-miami
• Other: www.instagram.com/lizziebooboo1123

Image Credits
Brian Powell @goatlock