Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan McCullough.
Hi Nathan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my bar career 20 years ago at an Applebees in San Luis Obispo. After working my way through the kitchen and front of house, I finally turned 21 and got my shot behind the bar. In these past 20 years I’ve gotten to work with some truly talented bartenders and chefs, people who I learned a lot from and inspired me to continue pushing the envelope of what I do. Through their help and my continuous drive to improve and challenge myself, I now run the best cocktail bar in Los Angeles, The Wolves.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It wasn’t a smooth road getting here. There was a lot of times I doubted my worth in the industry, and a lot of times my worth wasn’t acknowledged by the people I worked for. It took an enormous amount of work to get where I am today, and there were a lot of times I wasn’t sure if it was worth it and a lot of times when no amount of work ever seemed like enough. I’ve been lucky enough to have friends and loved ones that always encouraged me and helped remind me of my passion for what I do though, which lead me here.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Creating cocktails is my creative outlet and art. Growing up, I was always creative in different ways, and as I got older, I was constantly looking for something I could really pour my creativity into. That turned out to be flavors. I’m known best for being able to take ingredients that you wouldn’t normally find in cocktails (more culinary type of ingredients) and pair them in a way that creates a rollercoaster of layers and flavors. My favorite part of this job is getting to see people’s reaction to what I come up with, so I’m constantly working on what the next experience will look and taste like.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
The Wolves and myself are always looking to collaborate with others in the industry. Bar takeovers, guest bartenders, events highlighting specific spirits or brands, or having us come take over other bars. We’ve even had takeovers from bars in other states. We see the importance of strengthening the bar community, so we’re always looking for ways to help each other out through collaboration.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @supercreativereallyniceguy
Image Credits
@86.thebartender
