Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Kulick.
Hi Alex, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a Maryland girl, born and raised. Growing up in the woods of Davidsonville for most of my life, I considered it the best of both worlds. I frequently visited our amazing neighboring cities for concerts and museums, but I was also in the backyard riding ATVs or exploring.
I wasn’t the best student, but I had an immense love of art and an insatiable curiosity toward architecture and design. At the age of 16, I lived in San Francisco for two months to attend a pre-college program the summer before my senior year, studying Interior Architecture and Design. This opportunity changed my life and my perception of what was possible.
In 2010, the year after graduating high school, I decided to move to San Francisco with two suitcases, which began my 13-year love affair with another bay. During this time, I grew into my creative outlets and realized my true passion was in hospitality, with an artistic emphasis behind the bar. My eye for detail in design translated into how I think about cocktail composition and flavor combinations.
Everything about the restaurant industry enticed me—from the community to the lifestyle. Good or bad, there was never a dull moment. I was fortunate enough to work at World’s 50 Best bars and Michelin-starred restaurants all over San Francisco, including running programs of my own.
My love of food and drink didn’t keep me only on the West Coast. In 2022, I moved to Berlin, Germany, to continue working at incredible bars, which led me to an amazing partnership. My boyfriend and I started a pop-up concept in Hamburg, Germany, and he has since opened a brick-and-mortar bar called Fiction or Fact.
The name is inspired by a saying my grandmother would often use as a tribute to the pursuit of knowledge. She would rattle off interesting facts or recall a story—maybe not getting all the details right—but always finishing with, “Another fiction or fact from Grandma’s almanac.”
Family has always been important to me, but after 16 years away, I realized this might be my last opportunity to be fully present with the ones I love. In the summer of 2025, I moved back to Maryland with the intention of focusing on family and my mental health for at least a year before returning to Germany.
After deciding to stay, I moved to downtown Annapolis and committed to the bar manager position at InGrano Restaurant in West Annapolis. I was truly lucky to find a restaurant that makes me feel at home, especially after working all over the world. I have the freedom to create cocktails that are both compelling and intentional.
My love of history and art always finds its way into the glass. Each drink has a story—and might leave you wondering: was it fiction or fact?
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Over a decade ago, when I started bartending in San Francisco, I was incredibly lucky with the hospitality community I came up in. I had an amazing mentor who gave me the strongest foundation I could have asked for. My biggest obstacle, however, came from within—my complicated relationship with alcohol. Admitting you have that kind of compulsion, whether you want to call it an addiction or not, carries a stigma I wasn’t ready to face. My ego and insecurities got in the way of acknowledging it, let alone addressing it. For a long time, I convinced myself it was just part of the job, part of the culture—something to manage rather than question. But the lines slowly began to blur, and what once felt like a tool for creativity and connection started to take more than it gave. Choosing a level of sobriety I was comfortable with meant confronting not only my habits, but also my identity within an industry so deeply intertwined with drinking. I have found confidence in my craft beyond consumption, a deeper sense of presence behind the bar, and a renewed respect for the role hospitality plays in people’s lives.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a creative bartender and bar manager with a background rooted in design, storytelling, and hospitality. I specialize in building cocktail programs that are both intentional and expressive—where flavor, technique, and concept all work together. My approach is heavily influenced by my early interest in architecture and art as well as memories — so balanced, layered, and detail-driven.
When working at these highly acclaimed bars and restaurants in San Francisco for over a decade I developed a strong technical foundation and a deep respect for precision and consistency. More recently, my work has expanded internationally, including time spent in Berlin and Hamburg. What I’m most proud of is my ability to evolve—both personally and professionally—while staying connected to why I started. Choosing to reevaluate my relationship with alcohol in this industry has been a defining part of that. It’s sharpened my palate, strengthened my discipline, and pushed me to be more intentional in how I create. It’s also given me a different perspective—one that prioritizes connection, inclusivity, and experience beyond what’s in the glass. I also have a somewhat unique position in that I’m currently based in Maryland but have a bar to return to in Germany. That gives me a broader lens—I’m constantly thinking about how ideas translate across cultures and how to bring something new back with me. I see my work as an ongoing exchange, always evolving but grounded in a clear point of view.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I absolutely consider myself a risk-taker—or at least someone who always sees the advantage in taking a risk. To me, risk is about pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and exploring what’s possible beyond the familiar. It’s something I’ve always embraced because, without taking risks, you don’t get to challenge yourself, break boundaries, or discover new opportunities.
One of the biggest risks I took was moving to San Francisco at 18. I saw it as a chance to grow and immerse myself in an unfamiliar environment, and that decision completely changed my life. It led me to incredible mentors, transformative experiences, and ultimately, a deep love for both the craft and community of bartending. A move across the country wasn’t enough because an even more daunting move came over a decade later.
Moving to Berlin in general was a risk, but starting a pop-up concept in Hamburg with my boyfriend was another significant risk. It was a challenge to build something with him, but that leap paid off when he was able to open a brick and mortar.
The most recent risk I took was choosing sobriety in an industry that heavily revolves around alcohol. It was a decision that forced me to confront a lot of my own insecurities and challenges. But in the end, that decision made me more focused, creative, and intentional in the things I do. It taught me that risk isn’t just about making bold moves—it’s about making the right moves, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ingranoannapolis.com
- Instagram: @akulick
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/InGrano-Restaurant-Events/61575266264804/
