Behind the Bar with Nikki Grant

September 30, 2025

Nikki Grant is a restaurant owner and bartender in Woodstock, Virginia, where she runs the Woodstock Cafe.

How did you get started as a mixologist?

I have been in the industry a long time. When we bought the restaurant, I started the cocktail program. My husband and I have a goal of checking out all the top 50 bars in the world – so we are big cocktail fans. (We are just shy of visiting 20 of the bars!)

How would you describe your personal style as a bartender?

Simple. Woodstock Cafe is a small place with no “real bar”. I make all the drinks, run the wine program, and work the floor each night. So they have to be simple, fast and delicious. But I always start with quality ingredients, showcasing seasonality as much as I possibly can.

What keeps you passionate about bartending and the hospitality industry?

I think some people are just meant to do this job and I am one of those people. The couple times I have tried to leave, I always find myself coming back. There’s something so magical about feeding people. With our small place, you really get to know your guests. Loving these people and becoming part of their lives is what gets me up every morning. We do it for them.

We get a lot of inspiration from our travels – flavors, ingredients, preparation. I don’t consider myself a pro, so I LOVE seeing what real professionals are doing. Then try to bring a little of that home with us.

What’s your favorite Fee Brothers product to work with, and why?

Fee Brothers Cardamom Bitters. Our Chai Old Fashioned is a house favorite, and the flavor from the bitters really brings the whole drink together.

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a better mixologist?

Don’t overcomplicate it. Make something you would like to drink. I leave Avant Garde to my friends at Allegory. But I will make you one of the best old fashioneds you have ever had.