Bartender of the Month Lance Cumpian

Lessons from Lance by Nick Babcock

         Life is meant to be savored, and Lance Cumpian at Bakkhus Taverna Greek Restaurant & Bar in Kemah understands this better than anyone. As the sun beats down on the Texas Gulf Coast, Lance keeps his cool by mixing up refreshing and mouth watering cocktails for his favorite customers at Kemah’s favorite Greek restaurant. As a Gulf Coast native, Lance knows that life is meant to be enjoyed one cocktail at a time. That’s why his approach to bartending means that if you aren’t having fun making or drinking it, you probably aren’t doing it right.

          Lance started as a bar back at age 17 and has earned his stripes behind the bar over more than a decade. While majoring in Chemistry through college, Lance kept busy with extra-curricular experiments of his own behind the bar. He is inspired by the rejuvenation in cocktail culture and remains and an active student to the trade. You can find Lance learning from the legends at cocktail events across the country, or working to achieve similar status by competing in bartender competitions across town. He is passionate about what’s in store for the future of cocktails and hopes that he too will have a part in writing their history.

Lance at a Glance

Find Him At: Bakkhus Taverna Greek Restaurant& Bar – 605 6th Street Suite A, Kemah, Texas 77565

Signature Cocktail: Moji-Tea – Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka, fresh mint, muddled orange, peach schnapps and club soda.

Got his start bartending: at age 17 worked his way into Tom Foolery’s starting as a bar back

Favorite Cocktail: Blood & Sand

Favorite Bartending Tool: Channel Knife

If he could be a superhero, he’d be: The Flash because he would be the perfect Bartending Superhero

Last meal: a well-prepared filet & lobster Surf & Turf accompanied by a well-aged Bordeaux red wine

Little known fact: He’s a great cook

Favorite Movie: History of the World pt. I

Favorite Song: “Orange Blossom” by JJ Grey & Mofro

Wants to Visit: New Zealand

Pet Peeve: when a guest has a question about every step of crafting a cocktail

Hangover Cure: 4 aspirin & a gallon of water before bed