Brady Bass has been on my radar for a while.

Our Chief Photographer Nicole met him when she was out with friends on Halloween in 2020 and kept recommending him because of his vibrant, warm personality. “He felt like an old friend the minute we all met,” she says.

That’s the best quality in a bartender because, frankly, mixology can be taught. Personality, not so much.

Originally from Georgia, Brady spent his younger years in Paisley before graduating from Umatilla High in 2012. “I worked in special education with kids facing emotional and behavioral challenges, and it still shapes how I treat people,” he says.

He swapped the classroom for the bar and has been at The Waterfront Grille, and now Coco Locos Tiki Bar, for nearly two years. 

Brady is also a professional photographer who loves capturing images of boats, sunsets and visitors at Lake Eustis. Guests come all the way to Eustis from Orlando, Clermont, Tampa and The Villages. 

Many of those visitors are drawn in by Coco Locos’ expanded deck, modern outdoor bathrooms and robust social media. The place is seeing more variety in its clientele.

For Brady, the best part of bartending is always the people. “I love the challenge of a fast-paced shift, but what really keeps me behind the bar is getting to know regulars, hearing their stories and being part of their lives.”

Some of his favorite memories come from the unexpected. “The power went out during the last hurricane,” Brady says. “We were still able to keep the drinks flowing while we waited for the power to come back, which made it memorable.”

Owner Conni Berry says she loves having him there to liven up the place, even if he might prefer being inside when Florida’s creepy-crawlies appear. “He’s not that good at nature,” she says with a laugh, “but he brings so much fun and positive energy we love keeping him around.” 

Photos: Nicole Hamel