{"id":3616,"date":"2013-11-14T17:20:33","date_gmt":"2013-11-14T17:20:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/food\/stache-bar-s-head-bartender-aims-for-most-appreciated-bartender-in-the-states\/"},"modified":"2013-11-14T17:20:33","modified_gmt":"2013-11-14T17:20:33","slug":"stache-bar-s-head-bartender-aims-for-most-appreciated-bartender-in-the-states","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/food\/stache-bar-s-head-bartender-aims-for-most-appreciated-bartender-in-the-states","title":{"rendered":"Stache Bar’s Head Bartender Aims for ‘Most Appreciated Bartender’ in the Nation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"StacheBar\"<\/p>\n

Nate Edgecomb talks about the Stache Bar, old-fashioneds, and loving his job.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Stache Bar filled what was an empty niche in Long Beach: a place that harbored the art of craft cocktails and beer but simultaneously exuded our city’s kickback vibe\u2014in other words a Seven Grand or Noble Experiment without all the pretense.<\/p>\n

Of course, there can be a place that harbors that quality but it won’t magically run itself, even with a backbar stocked with craft favorites such as Hudson whiskey and Ballast Point gin, and even if it was named by the readers of the Post <\/em>as the city’s best dive bar<\/a>. It needs the faces of workers that patrons can relate to, enjoy, and perpetually return to when the pang of thirst hits them.<\/p>\n

Enter Nate Edgecomb, the original mug of Stache’s bartending operation since it made the switch-over from beer-and-wine-only Cheapshots two years ago after owners Brett Gallo and Erick Verduzco-Vega scored their liquor license. In the beginning, Edgecomb says, he knew nothing about craft cocktails, but Gallo had faith in his capabilities after working together at the now-defunct V2O. In his short two years, Edgecomb’s has become a familiar face to the denizens of Stache, and their love for him has scored him the opportunity to be named the country’s Most Appreciated Bartender.<\/p>\n

“Sure, it’s put on by some big corporate gig [Sailor Jerry],” Nate said. “But it’s still cool that the place I love will be getting the attention I think it deserves.”<\/p>\n

\"\"The campaign has weeded through hundreds of bartenders nationwide, with Nate now in the final round of voting with 29 other bartenders, of which only one other is from California. Considering Nate is an affable Luddite who eschews almost all forms of social media\u2014”I’m on Instagram\u2014does that count?” he asked while laughing\u2014it is even more impressive that he is showing such strength in a competition that is being driven entirely through online voting.<\/p>\n

“It’s kinda funny because we’ve always been a bar that supports the smaller guys, y’know?” Nate said, gesturing to a bottle of Rogue’s Dead Guy Whiskey. “So it’s cool to see our bar\u2014we’re kinda like the small guy too\u2014get attention.”<\/p>\n

Fresh produce is purchased daily (one of Nate’s many duties), spirits are specifically chosen, and one can often find Gallo casually sitting with his laptop at the bar\u2014if one needs to do work, fear not: free wifi with your Ninkasi Tricerahops\u2014perpetually searching for local craft beers and liquors to put inhouse. Their latest inclusion on tap? Long Beach’s own Congregation Ale House’s Praise On Saison.<\/p>\n

Though the bar remains home to all things craft, small-batch, and obscure (but waiting to be discovered), this isn’t to say that Stache is pretentious to the extent that the common drinker isn’t welcomed. On the contrary, they serve Bud Light and Stella and more than a few patrons keep it to vodka-sodas. But Stache still manages to maintain its quality with people who want to experience a well-made drink or a brew beyond the yellow-and-flavorless.<\/p>\n

“We just want people to have a good time,” Gallo says. “And we like to take care of our bartenders just as much as our customers. Nate deserves all the praise he gets.”<\/p>\n

The bar will be hosting a voting corral tonight with another next Thursday, asking patrons to bring their laptops, smartphones, and tablets to start tallying up Nate’s vote count (as of our last check, he sits at 1,080 votes). And should Nate score the top title, Stache Bar will host a celebratory concert featuring either The Bronx or Nick Waterhouse.<\/p>\n

But even if humble Nate Edgecomb doesn’t win, you can still visit him at Stache on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. And if the tiny quarters of Stache are a bit too cramped for you, fear not: Gallo and Verduzco-Vega are already eying another property to hopefully have another bar come next year.<\/p>\n

To vote for Nate, click here<\/a>. Vote as many times as you’d like; simply refresh your browser. Stache Bar is located at 941 E 4th Street.<\/em><\/p>\n

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