Q&A: Wilmington bartender, Bar Boss contender works at what she calls a hidden gem

Allison Ballard, Wilmington StarNews
·2 min read
Sierra Browder is a bartender at Tavern 14, located at 6309 Market St. in Wilmington, N.C. She recently made it to the quarter finals in the national 2023 Bar Boss competition that raised money for the anti-bullying Kind Campaign.
Sierra Browder is a bartender at Tavern 14, located at 6309 Market St. in Wilmington, N.C. She recently made it to the quarter finals in the national 2023 Bar Boss competition that raised money for the anti-bullying Kind Campaign.

In December, a few local bartenders entered a competition to be named Bar Boss 2023. Friends and fans submitted online votes and as the rounds progressed, one Wilmington bartender made it to the quarter finals.

In total, Sierra Browder with Tavern 14 at 6309 Market St. made it in the top 100 in the nationwide competition, and landed at 87, said owner Christyne Nagaishi.

“Out of the whole country,” she said.

Here’s a little bit more about Browder and the bar and grill where she works.

What made you enter the competition?

“Another bartender I know posted about it,” Browder said. “And I thought I would just check it out. I thought it could be kind of fun. ... I texted our group chat and told them I’ve signed up for this silly competition ... and that if I win the $10,000 I would split it with them. ... As I progressed, I was just overwhelmed with how much that meant to me.”

How did you get your start as a bartender?

“Long story short, I started at a brewery, at the Sour Barn and Broomtail. ... But I was coming here to Tavern 14 pretty regularly. ... Now I’ve been here just over four years. I’ve learned so much about bartending from the people here. I love what I do. It’s given me the ability to connect with so many different people. ... Mostly, I just try to be kind. And have fun.”

What else do you like to do?

“I've been an online student for two years. And I love anything that gets me outdoors – hiking, gardening, camping. My boyfriend is a runner got me into that and I’ve made a goal to run 12 5Ks this year and started with the Turkey Trot in November.”

How would you describe Tavern 14?

“A hidden gem is the best way to describe it. I talk up this place to everyone. There’s so much more here than phenomenal bartenders and good food. We have pool, darts, we’ve just added Music Bingo. And karaoke every Saturday."

What do you recommend?

“I’ve been told, not to toot my own horn, that I make a good Bloody Mary. ... I think we have some of the best burgers in town. And I love the steak wrap. It’s the best.”

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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Tavern 14 restaurant bartender is also a Bar Boss competition contender