Meet Lizz Dominguez | Talent Curator/ Social Media Content Creator + Co-Owner at Bar Nancy!

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lizz Dominguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lizz, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
This is a tough question and something I have definitely been working on quite a bit this past year. So many things have changed for me and for all of us during this crazy year. There were definitely a lot of growing pains and adjustments that had to be made. Last year at this time, I was working what felt like nonstop, 7 days a week. I do a majority of my work from home or on the road, so my mind went straight to the bar and to the business from the second I opened my eyes, till the moment I went to sleep at night. I really took no breaks. Even at the gym or in the middle of the night, my phone was always on, answering questions…solving problems and taking on more tasks and projects than I knew I could handle in a day. Rarely saying no or delegating a task to someone else. Mentally it was exhausting. No breaks. No time to truly “chill”. Then all of a sudden, when Covid happened, everything that was my world and that I revolved my life around seemed to suddenly come to a screeching halt. The bar had to close, we had to quarantine. There was no gym, no nightlife, no live music. All of a sudden things got very quiet. It was a very tough transition for me at the start. In the beginning I was very focused about how I would be able to keep things the SAME instead of focusing on how I could accept and even embrace this time of change and somehow make it work for me. As we very slowly return to “normal”, I now discover that I have changed so much over the past year and I don’t want to be the same person I was before. I want to make time for things and people that I love and enjoy, for my family, for my animals, for my SELF. Working yourself into exhaustion does nobody any good. Not only your work, but your creativity and relationships suffer. Nowadays, I try to find balance and yes some days are way easier than others to achieve that. I try and find time to enjoy the quiet and solitude. I take breaks when my body and mind need it. I say no. I rest, watch a movie, read…actually sleep!!! I find myself much happier this way and actually more creative and more productive. Since not being so over worked and tired all the time, I also find myself generally calmer and more content. You can over do anything! I used to be a very All or Nothing type of person…with work, drinking, fitness, really everything etc. I now prioritize becoming more balanced with everything. They say moderation is key, and I find that to be very true for maintaining my happiness and mental sanity. That has become my new priority. Balance!!!!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
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 the best, and I mean THE BEST Gourmet Grilled Cheese in Miami (and more!) provided by The Cheese Stands Alone. 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 or DJ Set. 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 NATION! We also have a monthly Singer/Songwriter Showcase Hosted by Musical Goddess Alexa Lash. We offer Burlesque, Drag Shows… Our Freddy & The Flamingoes Variety show Hosted by Freddy Stebbins and Pauley McPaulerson as well as a monthly Standup Comedy Night. A Trivia Night….Even a weekly True Storytellers Event, hosted by the legendary, multi talented Uncle Scotchy. His weekly storytelling extravaganza has really taken off.
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 difficult 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.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
What can I not say about this beautiful and culturally rich and diverse city. I was born here and really don’t think I will ever leave. The phrase 305 till I die definitely applies here. Being born and raised in paradise, sometimes you end up becoming blind or ambivalent to the beauty that surrounds you and taking it all for granted. If I had a friend visiting from out of state, the things I would take them to do now are quite a bit different than the things I would have chosen to do 5 years ago. Or even 2 years ago. I used to live for the nightlife and the next party. There is so much of that here in Miami…of course the nightlife is one of the many great things about this city and we are known for that the world over. Without it, I would not be the person I am today. But call me crazy, what I enjoy more than anything nowadays is visiting the old neighborhoods I grew up in and around, walking the quiet trails along Old Cutler, checking out the beautiful architecture and historic homes, The Botanical Gardens, Viscaya, Venetian Pool, Matheson Hammock, Coconut Grove… all the places where my childhood memories were made. Of course everyone needs to get their Cuban food fix in and Little Havana is the only place for that! Also a trip to the Keys for some fresh seafood along the water. A walk on the beach at sunset, as cliche’ as that might sound, is the stuff that is good for the soul. Some wine, coffee, good music and good conversation is really all that’s needed with this gorgeous city as a backdrop… so much art and history everywhere you look. You can really lose yourself wherever you are. Of course, no visit to Miami would be complete without a trip to Bar Nancy to grab a drink and catch a show. After all, home IS where the heart is!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many answers to this one… For sure, I have to shout out both my parents for being such strong creative influences in my life and exposing me to music and the arts in all it’s forms from the time I can remember. My partner Brian for always being so loving and supportive in everything that I do, he truly has the patience of a saint and is so influential in helping me stay grounded.
All the friends I’ve made over my 20+ years in the bar industry and all the Miami musicians and talent I work with for being real life Rockstars in my world. They keep me motivated daily and I am constantly in awe of what they can do. I am always learning from and being inspired by them.
Finally my business partners Katie, Sasha and Ben who have become my family, we have proven time and again that as a unit, if we stick together we can conquer anything, Hurricane, pandemic, you name it!

Website: www.nancy305.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/barnancymiami

Twitter: www.twitter.com/barnancy305

Facebook: www.facebook.com/barnancy305

Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/bar-nancy-miami

Other: www.instagram.com/lizziebooboo1123 Email: Lizz@nancy305.com

Image Credits
Brian Powell Instagram = @goatlock