Behind the Bar: Nate, Your Neighbor’s Favorite Bartender

In 2014, 18-year-old Nate Lewis y Arbona found his way into the food and beverage industry when he landed his first job as a host at Buffalo Wild Wings in Columbia, Maryland. Interacting with so many people felt awkward in the beginning, he said, since he had been homeschooled. It wasn’t long, however, until the shy, quiet young man blossomed into an outgoing and friendly host trainer and server. In 2018, he took a position at a Tex-Mex establishment called Uncle Julio’s where he became head server, server trainer, bartender and bartender trainer.

Then COVID-19 hit, the bars closed and he had to stay home. When restaurants and bars reopened, he went back to work at a little joint in Catonsville, Maryland, named State Fare, followed by El Guapo, a Mexican restaurant next door that was owned by the same family.

In 2022, Lewis y Arbona came to Charleston to teach kayaking at Coastal Expeditions. There he met Kevin Regan, who owns Rooted Bottle Market and Bar. Regan was looking for a bartender and Lewis y Arbona was the right fit for the upscale, educational shopping and sipping establishment.

Now Lewis y Arbona enjoys sharing the robust selection of Old World wines with Rooted’s clientele. While most of the carefully curated collection comes from Italy, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal, there are several domestic options gracing the menu as well. Pair any glass or bottle with a selection of small plates including charcuterie, whipped ricotta or olive tapenade. The classic flatbread is served with roasted tomato sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni and the bianco flatbread is accompanied with white sauce, chorizo and honey. Be sure to also ask about the daily special featuring a charcuterie board on a baguette.

According to Lewis y Arbona, because Regan also has an affinity for craft beers, it was a natural progression that he acquired the Crafty Draught in Seaside Farms. With 26 taps, the brewhouse offers an innovative way to experience a variety of craft beer, cider and wine. When he’s not at Rooted, Lewis y Arbona is slinging beers behind the bar at Crafty Draught.

“I especially love working there on Sundays during football season, watching games and hanging out with regulars,” he said. The Baltimore Ravens fan added, “We have the NFL Sunday Ticket and RedZone so fans can stay and watch whatever game they want.” He pointed out that while there isn’t a food menu at Crafty Draught, guests are welcome to pack a picnic, order in or enjoy frequent pop-ups with options such as ramen and dumplings.

In his spare time, Lewis y Arbona loves hanging outdoors kayaking, hiking, boating, exploring different happy hour experiences with friends or spending time with his border collie mix, Brooks. He’s also an ambassador for event companies and bar crawls and posts his adventures on his Instagram page @nothingrhymeswithdana.

To learn more about the selections available at Rooted and Crafty Draught, visit rootedbottleshop.com and craftydraught.com.

By Sarah Rose

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